1 Thessalonians 4 — Sanctification and the Resurrection
Introduction: Paul now talks about the process of sanctification that will culminate in glorious resurrection to eternal life for those who have been transformed by the renewing power of Christ.
NOTE: Bible verses are taken from the World English Bible (WEB).
A — Paul Urges the Thessalonians to Strive for Sanctification
1 Thessalonians 4 “1 Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, 4 that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honour, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. 7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.”
Comments: Three times in this passage Paul refers to sanctification, as he draws attention to the sexual immorality of those Gentiles who don’t know God, and are characterized by their passion of lust. Paul is very emphatic as he says “we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus,” to remember that the instructions on how to conduct yourselves and please God were through the Lord Jesus. The Lord himself gave this warning: “everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Paul makes it clear that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, and this warning must not be rejected as from man but as from God (Galatians 5:16; James 1:14; 2 Peter 1:3–4; 1 John 2:16–17).
B — Abound in Brotherly Love
1 Thessalonians 4 “9 But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, 10 for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more; 11 and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you; 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.”
Comments: Brotherly love is in contrast with lust, and Paul says that the Thessalonians had already demonstrated an abundance of this love toward the brethren throughout Macedonia. He encouraged them to continue growing in such love to the fullest point possible. He also mentioned very practical matters of everyday living — making it their ambition to lead a quiet life, do their own business, and work with their own hands, that they may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing. The brotherly love expressed by the Greek term “philadelphia” is linked to the Christian work ethic in Romans 12:10–13. The apostle Peter tells us we have the ability to exhibit these characteristics because we have a new nature through the second birth (1 Peter 1:22–23).
C — Special Comfort about Those Who Have Died in Christ
1 Thessalonians 4 “13 But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, 17 then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
Comments: Paul wanted to make further clarification about the resurrection, providing documentation in a record to be shared. The Lord Jesus had given comfort about those who had died as believers even many centuries earlier (Matthew 22:31–32). Paul establishes the comforting truth that the “dead in Christ” will be resurrected even before any who are alive will join Christ in the last resurrection upon Christ’s return. In a later letter Paul also spoke of things that relate to this mystery: “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:50–53). This comforting truth from the Lord and from Paul is reserved only for those who have placed full trust in their redemption through Christ (John 5:24–30).
Reflections in Prayer
If I truly believe in the coming resurrection, I must depend solely on your Spirit within me for my continuing sanctification. Therefore, Lord Jesus, I ask that you work in me each day that I might demonstrate that I realize the importance of making this effort through your enabling power. Remind me Lord, that it is because of your perfect love that you require this of me so I might become more like Christ. Fix my thoughts on ways to express brotherly love more than I have in the past. I want to have a pattern of daily living that honors you to those outside the church, through good stewardship of those resources you have provided for the material needs of my family or others we might help. Thank you that within the body of Christ we have such a special comfort for any Christian loved ones we have lost to death, knowing they shall be restored in the resurrection to eternal life. Praise the LORD from whom ALL blessings flow! Amen.
Published 15 March 2011