DFD 7-5 - 1 THESSALONIANS 4

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1 THESSALONIANS: CHAPTER 4

By now you are noticing certain key words and phrases that Paul uses several times in his letter to the Thessalonians. Make a list of these key words and phrases below. Consider going through each chapter and marking each key word with a different color marker to help you trace themes visually through the book. For example, find each reference to “the return of Christ” in green, and each reference to “joy” in blue.
Key Words and Phrases from 1 Thessalonians:
1 Thessalonians 4:1–18 NIV84
Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:1–18 NASB95
Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:1–18 CSB
Additionally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God—as you are doing—do this even more. For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God. This means one must not transgress against and take advantage of a brother or sister in this manner, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses, as we also previously told and warned you. For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness. Consequently, anyone who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers and sisters in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to do this even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone. We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

PASSAGE DESCRIPTION

Observations:
Outline:
Exhortation to Christian Living (4:1-12)
General (4:1-2)
Sexual purity (4:3-8)
Brotherly love (4:9-10)
Earning one’s living (4:11-12)
Problems associated with the parousia (4:13-5:11)
Believers who died before the parousia (4:13-18)
The time of the parousia (5:1-3)
Children of the day (5:4-11)
Questions and Answers:
Cross-Reference:

1 we. ch. 2:11. Ro. 12:1. 2 Co. 6:1; 10:1. Ep. 4:1. Phile. 9, 10. He. 13:22. we beseech. or, we request. exhort. or, beseech. by the. ver. 2. Ep. 4:20. 2 Th. 2:1. 1 Ti. 5:21; 6:13, 14. 2 Ti. 4:1. ye have. ver. 11, 12. Ac. 20:27. 1 Co. 11:23; 15:1. Phi. 1:27. Col. 2:6. 2 Th. 3:10–12. ye ought. See on ch. 2:12. to please. Ro. 8:8; 12:2. Ep. 5:17. Col. 1:10. He. 11:6; 13:16. 1 Jno. 3:22. so ye. ver. 10. Job 17:9. Ps. 92:14. Pr. 4:18. Jno. 15:2. 1 Co. 15:58. Phi. 1:9; 3:14. 2 Th. 1:3. 2 Pe. 1:5–10; 3:18.

2 Eze. 3:17. Mat. 28:20. 1 Co. 9:21. 2 Th. 3:6, 10.

3 this. ch. 5:18. Ps. 40:8; 143:10. Mat. 7:21; 12:50. Mar. 3:35. Jno. 4:34; 7:17. Ro. 12:2. Ep. 5:17; 6:6. Col. 1:9; 4:12. He. 10:36; 13:21. 1 Pe. 4:2. 1 Jno. 2:17. your. ver. 4; ch. 5:23. Jno. 17:17–19. Ac. 20:32; 26:18. Ro. 6:22. Gr. 1 Co. 1:30; 6:11. Ep. 5:26, 27. 2 Th. 2:13. Tit. 2:14. 1 Pe. 1:2. that. Mat. 15:19. Ac. 15:20, 29. Ro. 1:29. 1 Co. 5:9–11; 6:9, 10, 13–18; 7:2. 2 Co. 12:21. Ga. 5:19. Ep. 5:3–5. Col. 3:5. He. 12:16; 13:4. Re. 21:8; 22:15. Gr.

4 should. Ro. 6:19; 12:1. 1 Co. 6:15. 18–20. his. 1 Sa. 21:5. Ac. 9:15. Ro. 9:21–23. 2 Ti. 2:20, 21. 1 Pe. 3:7. honour. Phi. 4:8. He. 13:4.

5 in the. Ro. 1:24, 26. Col. 3:5. as the. Mat. 6:32. Lu. 12:30. Ep. 4:17–19. 1 Pe. 4:3. know. Ac. 17:23, 30, 31. Ro. 1:28. 1 Co. 1:21; 15:34. Ga. 4:8. Ep. 2:12. 2 Th. 1:8.

6 go. Ex. 20:15, 17. Le. 19:11, 13. De. 24:7; 25:13–16. Pr. 11:1; 16:11; 20:14, 23; 28:24. Is. 5:7; 59:4–7. Je. 9:4. Eze. 22, 13; 45:9–14. Am. 8:5, 6. Zep. 3:5. Mal. 3:5. Mar. 10:19. 1 Co. 6:7–9. Ep. 4:28. Ja. 5:4. defraud. or, oppress. or, overreach. Le. 25:14, 17. 1 Sa. 12:3, 4. Pr. 22:22. Je. 7:6. Mi. 2:2. Zep. 3:1. Ja. 2:6. in any matter. or, in the matter. the Lord. De. 32:35. Job 31:13, 14. Ps. 94:1; 140:12. Pr. 22:22, 23. Ec. 5:8. Is. 1:23, 24. Ro. 1:18; 12:19. Ep. 5:6. 2 Th. 1:8. as we. Lu. 12:5. Ga. 5:21. Ep. 4:17.

7 God. Le. 11:44; 19:2. Ro. 1:7; 8:29, 30. 1 Co. 1:2. Ep. 1:4; 2:10; 4:1. 2 Th. 2:13, 14. 2 Ti. 1:9. He. 12:14. 1 Pe. 1:14–16; 2:9–12, 21, 22. uncleanness. ch. 2:3. Ga. 5:19. Ep. 4:19. 2 Pe. 2:10.

8 despiseth. or, rejecteth. 1 Sa. 8:7; 10:19. Jno. 12:48. despiseth not. Pr. 1:7; 23:9. Is. 49:7; 53:10. Lu. 10:16. Ac. 13:41. Jude 8. who. Ne. 9:30. Ac. 5:3, 4. 1 Co. 2:10; 7:40. 1 Pe. 1:12. 2 Pe. 1:21. 1 Jno. 3:24.

9 touching. Le. 19:8. Ps. 133:1. Jno. 13:34, 35; 15:12–17. Ac. 4:32. Ro. 12:10. Ep. 5:1, 2. He. 13:1. 1 Pe. 3:8. 2 Pe. 1:7. 1 Jno. 2:10; 3:11, 14–19, 23; 4:7–16. ye need. ch. 5:1. Je. 31:34. He. 8:10, 11. 1 Jno. 2:20–27. for ye. Is. 51:13. Mat. 22:39. Jno. 6:44, 45; 13:34; 14:26; 15:12, 17. Ep. 5:2. He. 10:16. 1 Pe. 4:8. 1 Jno. 3:11, 23; 4:21; 5:1.

10 all the. ch. 1:7. 2 Co. 8:1, 2, 8–10. Ep. 1:15. Col. 1:4. 2 Th. 1:3. Phile. 5–7. that ye. ver. 1; ch. 3:12. Phi. 1:9; 3:13–15. 2 Pe. 3:18.

11 that. Pr. 17:1. Ec. 4:6. La. 3:26. 2 Th. 3:12. 1 Ti. 2:2. 1 Pe. 3:4. study. Ro. 15:20. 2 Co. 5:9. Gr. and to do. Mar. 13:34. Lu. 12:42, 43. Ro. 12:4–8. Col. 3:22–24. 2 Th. 3:11. 1 Ti. 5:13. Ti. 2:4–10. 1 Pe. 4:10, 11, 15. to work. Ac. 20:35. Ro. 12:11. 1 Co. 4:12. Ep. 4:28. 2 Th. 3:7–12. Tit. 3:14, marg.

12 ye may walk. ch. 5:22. Ro. 12:17; 13:13. 2 Co. 8:20, 21. Phi. 4:8. Tit. 2:8–10. 1 Pe. 2:12; 3:16, 17. them. Mar. 4:11. 1 Co. 5:12, 13. Col. 4:5. 1 Ti. 3:7. 1 Pe. 3:1. nothing. or, no man. 2 Co. 11:7–9.

13 I would. Ro. 1:13. 1 Co. 10:1; 12:1. 2 Co. 1:8. 2 Pe. 3:8. which are. ver. 15; ch. 5:10. 1 Ki. 1:21; 2:10. Da. 12:2. Mat. 27:52. Lu. 8:52, 53. Jno. 11:11–13. Ac. 7:60; 13:30. 1 Co. 15:6, 18. 2 Pe. 3:4. ye sorrow. Ge. 37:35. Le. 19:28. De. 14:1, 2. 2 Sa. 12:19, 20; 18:33. Job 1:21. Eze. 24:16–18. Jno. 11:24. Ac. 8:2. which have. See on Ep. 2:12. Job 19:25–27. Pr. 14:32. Eze. 37:11. 1 Co. 15:19.

14 if we. Is. 26:19. Ro. 8:11. 1 Co. 15:12–23. 2 Co. 4:13, 14. Re. 1:18. sleep. ver. 13; ch. 3:13. 1 Co. 15:18. Re. 14:13. God. ver. 17. Ge. 49:19. Zec. 14:15. Mat. 24:31. 1 Co. 15:23. Phi. 3:20, 21. 2 Th. 2:1. Jude 14–15.

15 by the. 1 Ki. 13:1, 9, 17, 18, 22; 20:35; 22:14. which are. 1 Co. 15:51–53. 2 Co. 4:14. prevent. Job 41:11. Ps. 88:13; 119:147, 148. Mat. 17:25. asleep. See on ver. 13.

16 the Lord. Is. 25:8, 9. Mat. 16:27; 24:30, 31; 25:31; 26:64. Ac. 1:11. 2 Th. 1:7. 2 Pe. 3:10. Re. 1:7. with a. Nu. 23:21. Ps. 47:1, 5. Zec. 4:7; 9:9. the archangel. Jude 9. with the trump. Ex. 19:16; 20:18. Is. 27:13. Zec. 9:14. 1 Co. 15:52. Re. 1:10; 8:13. and the. 1 Co. 15:23, 51, 52. Re. 20:5, 6.

17 we which. ver. 15. 1 Co. 15:52. caught. 1 Ki. 18:12. 2 Ki. 2:11, 16. Ac. 8:39. 2 Co. 12:2–4. Re. 11:12; 12:5. in the. Mat. 26:64. Mar. 14:62. Ac. 1:9. Re. 1:7. and so. Ps. 16:11; 17:15; 49:15; 73:24. Is. 35:10, 60:19, 20. Jno. 12:26; 14:3; 17:24. 2 Co. 5:8. Phi. 1:23. 2 Pe. 3:13. Re. 7:14–17; 21:3–7, 22, 23; 22:3–5.

18 Wherefore. ch. 5:11, 14. Is. 40:1, 2. Lu. 21:28. He. 12:12. comfort. or, exhort. He. 10:24, 25.

Notes and Comments:

4:1–2 These verses do not express a degree of dissatisfaction with the Thessalonians. Rather they emphasize the progressive nature of the Christian life.

4:3 Sanctification refers to the consecration of the believer to God in holy and proper behavior in regard to sexual purity. God’s will is clear—to keep away from sexual immorality. The passage does not say to abstain from sex practiced in the context of marriage but from sex that deviates from God’s standards. This includes premarital sex, incest, homosexuality, bestiality, and adultery.

4:4–5 The phrase control his own body probably refers to the idea of controlling the body’s lustful sexual desires that might lead a Christian to sin. An alternate but less likely view is that it refers to obtaining a wife.

4:6–8 When a person commits a sexual sin, the result is to transgress against and take advantage of one’s brother or sister—that is, fellow Christian. A sexual transgression defrauds one’s brother in the sense that sexual sin is a form of theft: you take something that does not belong to you. It defrauds both the partner of the illicit relationship as well as a spouse or future spouse who alone has rights in sexual matters. In this manner points back to the discussion of sexual purity in vv. 3–5. Paul gave two reasons for Christians to abstain from sexual immorality. First is that the Lord is an avenger who will judge the offense. Second is that sexual impurity violates God’s call to live in holiness. The implication of God’s giving us his Holy Spirit is that a person should not mix human sexual impurity with God’s holy nature in the Holy Spirit, who dwells within the Christian (1Co 6:19).

4:9–12 The reference to brotherly love (Gk philadelphia) seems to govern the content of these verses in encouraging fellow Christians to lead a quiet life, mind one’s own business, and work with one’s hands. To do otherwise places a burden of dependence on the community of faith and gives a poor testimony to outsiders (5:14; 2Th 3:7–12). Paul demonstrated this work ethic by providing for his own needs (1Th 2:9).

4:13 The term asleep in this context is a metaphorical reference to Christians who have died. This metaphor is particularly appropriate because of the future resurrection of the body. Just as a sleeping person expects to rise in the morning, Christians who have died will experience a bodily resurrection and will rise again (v. 16; Jn 11:11). Until this happens, for deceased believers to be out of the body is to be at home with the Lord (2Co 5:8). Apparently the cause of the Thessalonians’ grief was related to the misunderstanding that dead Christians would miss the events and subsequent blessings associated with the Lord’s coming. Paul corrected this misunderstanding by teaching that the dead in Christ will rise first (1Th 4:16). In contrast to unbelievers who grieve over the loss of loved ones, Christians who grieve over a fellow believer can do so with hope because of the future glorious resurrection.

4:14 Jesus’s resurrection revealed what resurrection will be like for those who have fallen asleep. We can partially understand the nature of our bodily resurrection by reading about his (Lk 24:36–43).

4:15–17 The word that Paul received relates to what has been called the “rapture.” It refers to the event when believers who are alive at the Lord’s coming are caught up (Gk harpazo) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. The term rapture is derived from rapturo, the Latin translation of the Greek term. The Greek term means “to snatch or take away suddenly.” Paul referred to this event as a mystery (some truth previously hidden but now known) in 1Co 15:51–52 and said it will happen in the twinkling of an eye. We who are still alive implies that Paul thought the rapture could occur at any moment, even during his lifetime. The “archangel” or chief angel is probably a reference to Michael (Dn 10:13; Jd 9).

harpazō

Greek pronunciation [hahr PAH zoh]

CSB translation caught up

Uses in 1 Thessalonians 1

Uses in the NT 14

Focus passage 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Harpazō (catch up, snatch up) is often invested with the idea of force. In this sense, harpazō refers to a rescue (take away, Ac 23:10) and to the near forceful capture of Jesus by a crowd (Jn 6:15). The term is not limited to the physical realm. The evil one snatches away the message of the kingdom sown upon men’s hearts (Mt 13:19), Jude exhorts believers to snatch some men from the fire (Jd 23), and no one is able to snatch the sheep belonging to the good shepherd from our Father’s hand (Jn 10:11, 28–29). Elsewhere, the term is used of supernatural phenomena and does not carry the concept of force. Paul received glorious revelation after being caught up into paradise (2Co 12:2, 4). The Holy Spirit carries Philip away and transports him to Azotus (Ac 8:39). Believers will one day be caught up to meet their returning Lord (1Th 4:17).

4:1–5:22 Exhortations to the Thessalonians. In the first half of the letter (2:1–3:10) Paul has been defending his integrity and so reestablishing the confidence of his readers. This renewed trust in the apostle not only encourages the Thessalonians in the midst of their persecution but also ensures that they will obey the moral instructions he will now give them in the second half of the letter (4:1–5:22), in which Paul seeks to “supply what is lacking in your faith” (3:10; see note there).

4:1–12 Pleasing God in Sexual Conduct and Love for Others. After opening with a general appeal to increase conduct that is pleasing to God (4:1–2), Paul addresses the specific issues of holiness in sexual conduct (4:3–8) and love for others within the church community (4:9–12).

4:1 live. One of Paul’s favorite words to describe the Christian life (32 occurrences). please God. The notion of pleasing God as the goal of human conduct stems from the OT (Num 23:27; 1 Kgs 14:13; Job 34:9; Pss 19:14; 69:31; Prov 15:26; 16:7; Mal 3:4) and is another of Paul’s favorite terms for right behavior (1 Thess 2:4, 15; Rom 8:8; 1 Cor 7:32–34; 2 Cor 5:9; Gal 1:10; Eph 6:6; Col 1:10; 3:22). as in fact you are living … do this more and more. Although the Thessalonians have made progress in living a God-pleasing Christian life, Paul desires even further growth. we ask you and urge you. Paul resorts to “commanding” his readers only if the situation is serious and requires it (2 Thess 3:6). Normally, he employs softer, more user-friendly language of “asking” or “urging” (here; 4:10b; 5:12, 14; 2 Thess 2:1; Rom 12:1–2; 15:30–32; 16:17; 1 Cor 1:10; 4:16; 16:15–16; 2 Cor 10:1–2; Phil 4:2 [twice]; Phlm 9–12 [twice]). Yet even then (as here) he speaks in an authoritative manner (“in the Lord Jesus”) that indicates his appeal must be obeyed (see note on v. 2).

4:2 instructions. Something one must obey; this word was used for military commands or orders that civil magistrates issued.

4:3 sanctified. Can also be translated “holiness,” a key word in vv. 3–8 that occurs in various forms four times (vv. 3, 4, 7, 8). Holiness is an important OT concept that conveys the notion of “separation”—the need for God’s covenant people to “come out” and be “distinct” from the surrounding peoples (Exod 19:5–6; Lev 20:23–26; Deut 26:18–19). Holiness, therefore, is the boundary marker that separates God’s people from all other nations, whether in sexual conduct or any other area of life (see “Holiness,” p. 2676). It is significant that Paul takes this standard of holiness, which had previously been the exclusive calling of Israel, and applies it to the predominantly Gentile church in Thessalonica. sexual immorality. The Greek term refers broadly to all kinds of sexual misconduct, including both premarital and extramarital sex, as well as homosexual activity. Paul forbids any sexual act that is done outside the bounds of heterosexual marriage (Eph 5:3).

4:4 body. The Greek skeuos can also be translated “vessel,” as in a household dish, but has here a metaphoric meaning. The two main possibilities are that it refers figuratively to either a “wife” (see NIV text note) or one’s own “body.” A more narrow view of the second option is that Paul refers euphemistically to a particular part of one’s body, namely, the sex organ. The apostle’s main point in this verse is that believers need to develop self-control in regard to their sexual desires and conduct.

4:5 like the pagans. The Greco-Roman world’s attitude toward sexual conduct was very tolerant in many sectors of society—an attitude that the majority of the Thessalonian believers, as former pagans, also had before their conversion (1:9).

The remains of a first-century bath next door to a brothel in Thessalonica. Paul urges believers to live holy lives, not ones of passionate lust (1 Thess 4:5).

Todd Bolen/www.BiblePlaces.com

4:6a wrong or take advantage. Sexual sin harms not only those who engage in it but also others: e.g., adultery harms a spouse, premarital sex harms a future spouse or fellow believers who are negatively impacted by knowledge of such sinful conduct.

4:6b–8 Paul gives three reasons why believers must live a holy life with regard to their sexual conduct, and each reason involves a different time period and person of the Trinity: (1) the future coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to “punish all those who commit such sins” (v. 6); (2) the past electing action of God, who “calls us … to live a holy life” (v. 7); and (3) the present working of the Holy Spirit, whom “God gives” to empower believers to live a holy life (v. 8).

4:9 love for one another. Paul shifts the topic to brotherly and sisterly love (vv. 9–12). taught by God. Paul alludes to how Isaiah describes the Messianic age as a time when God will live so intimately among his people through his Spirit that they will no longer need human teachers but will be “taught by the LORD” (Isa 54:13; cf. Isa 2:3; Jer 31:33–34; Mic 4:1–3; John 6:45; 1 John 2:27). Paul once again (see notes on 1:1, 4) takes “new covenant” language originally describing Israel and applies it to the predominantly Gentile church of Thessalonica.

4:11–12 work with your hands … not be dependent on anybody. Some in the Thessalonian church were not working but were living off the generosity of fellow church members. Paul first warned against such idle conduct during his mission-founding visit. He next addresses the problem both here and in 5:14. The problem, however, becomes worse, and so he takes it up for the third time at much greater length in 2 Thess 3:6–15.

4:13–18 Comfort Concerning Deceased Christians at Christ’s Return. The Thessalonian church was grieving over fellow believers who died before Christ’s return, fearing these deceased members would miss out or be disadvantaged at Jesus’ second coming compared to believers who were still alive on that day. After introducing the problem (v. 13), Paul responds by appealing first to Jesus’ resurrection (v. 14) and then to Jesus’ words (vv. 15–17) before concluding with an encouraging exhortation (v. 18).

4:13 sleep. This euphemism for death is common in biblical texts and antiquity, so it does not support the notion of “soul sleep”—the idea that the soul exists in a nonconscious state of “sleeping” between death and resurrection. no hope. The ancient Greek poet Theocritus concisely captures the widespread sense of hopelessness in the Greco-Roman world concerning life after death: “Hopes are for the living; the dead have no hope” (Idyll 4.42).

4:14 Jesus died and rose again. The first reason that the Thessalonian church can have hope for their fellow believers who have died is grounded in Jesus’ resurrection, which in Paul’s theology guarantees that God will resurrect believers (Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 6:14; 15:12–23; 2 Cor 4:14; Col 1:18) so that they will be alive and participate fully in Christ’s glorious return.

4:15 Lord’s word. The second reason for hope is grounded in Jesus’ words, which may refer to a saying of Jesus not recorded in the Gospels (John 21:25), a paraphrase of Jesus’ end-time teaching (Matt 24; Mark 13), a general summary of Jesus’ teaching, or a teaching revealed to Paul on the Damascus road or elsewhere. Paul is giving not merely his opinion but an authoritative teaching of the Lord Jesus himself. Jesus’ words emphasize that living believers “will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.” All believers—the deceased-but-now-resurrected ones (1 Thess 4:14, 16) and the living-but-now-transformed ones (1 Cor 15:51–52)—will share equally in the glorious “coming of the Lord.” Paul employs yet again (1 Thess 2:19; 3:13) a term (Greek parousia) commonly used to describe the coming of an emperor, general or other dignitary into a city with great pomp and celebration (see v. 17 and note).

4:16 with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God. These three phrases suggest that Christ’s return will be a public event that is heard and witnessed by all people, not just believers. dead in Christ will rise first. Paul continues to comfort his readers, stressing that their deceased loved ones will rise first—even before the ascension of living believers (see v. 17 and note)—and thus not miss out on Christ’s return.

4:17 caught up. The only explicit reference in the Bible to the “rapture” (from the Latin translation of the Greek verb used here). Paul envisions the church being “raptured,” joined to Christ at his return. together with them. Paul’s concern is not to predict but to pastor, as he stresses (the word order in Greek is emphatic) yet again that both living and deceased believers in Thessalonica will participate equally in Christ’s glorious return. meet. Greek apantēsis; refers to a delegation party meeting an arriving dignitary outside of town to bestow honor on that visitor by escorting him back to their city. This practice of sending a delegation party to meet and escort an important visitor on the final leg of their journey is found in the only two other NT occurrences of this Greek term (Matt 25:6; Acts 28:15). Paul’s word choice, therefore, implies that the church, once it has been “raptured” to Christ in the air, escorts him to earth.

4:18 encourage. Paul’s primary purpose in discussing Christ’s return in vv. 13–18 is not to predict the future but to comfort the grieving Thessalonian church (cf. 5:11; 2 Thess 2:16–17).

CONCLUSIONS

THEME:
Sexual Immorality
Eschatology: Resurrection
Heaven
Eschatology: Second Coming
OTHER CONCLUSIONS:
Important Words: sanctification, vessel, sleep, shout of command, procure, transgress, taught by God, walk, rest, remain, urge, meeting, defraud, brotherly love, Lord, reject, sexual immorality, abound, instruction, archangel, passion, avenging, coming, snatch away, come upon
TITLE:
KEY OR FAVORITE VERSE:

APPLICATION

Review your application from the last chapter. Record any further thoughts or progress.
These questions can help you write meaningful applications:
What is the truth I want to apply?
What is my need?
What is my plan of action?
How will I assess my progress?
Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in selecting and carrying out your application.
Record here the number of times you read this chapter in your study preparation: ________

MY JOURNAL

As you continue your journey into the heart and mind of God, journal some key ideas revealed to you.
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