1 Thessalonians 4

• we ask and encourage you: Paul emphasizes the authority of his teaching by speaking in the name of the Lord Jesus.

• For you know the instructions we gave: Ancient letters often reminded recipients of what they already knew. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of matters requiring them to obey (4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:4, 6, 10, 12).

The second part of the letter discusses Timothy's news about the church and the questions the Christians had for Paul.

Paul addresses:

• the problem of sexual immorality (4:3–8) before responding to the Thessalonians’ questions about love for other Christians (4:9–12),

• the fate of Christians who have died (4:13–18), and

• the timing of "the Day of the Lord" (5:1–11).

Paul offers advice on topics such as leadership and community relations, the relationship with the Lord, and prophecy (5:12–22).

it is God’s will that you should be holy: Christian ethics focus on doing God's will, not on philosophical ideas about virtue (Romans 12:1–2; Ephesians 6:6; Hebrews 10:36; 13:20–21). Holiness affects every part of a person's life (1 Thessalonians 4:4, 7; 5:23). Here, it means restraint from sexual sin (Greek porneia, meaning any sexual union or activity outside marriage).

control his own body: Self-control earns honor from others and from God (Romans 12:10; Romans 2:7; 1 Peter 5:4, 6).

• Ignoring God and his teachings leads to moral corruption (Romans 1:18–32; Ephesians 4:17–18).

• lustful passion: In the ancient Mediterranean world, people often tolerated sexual immorality. Prostitution was legal, but having sexual relations with another man's wife was not. Roman marriage customs permitted men, but not women, to have sexual affairs. In contrast to Roman customs, Jewish and Christian writers forbade all sexual activity outside of marriage (Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 6:12–20; Colossians 3:5–6).

not … impurity … but … holiness: Compare with 1:4; 2:12; 5:23–24; 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14; 1 Peter 1:15–16.

• Rejecting Paul's teachings on these matters was the same as rejecting God.

• The Holy Spirit helps Christians live according to God's will (Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:1–4; Galatians 5:16; 1 John 3:24).

you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another (see Isaiah 54:13):

• through the teachings of Jesus (John 13:34–35),

• through the death of Jesus on the cross (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 5:1–2), and

• through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22).

Paul answers questions from the Thessalonians (see 1 Corinthians 7:1), questions about:

• loving each other (1 Thessalonians 4:9–12)

• the destiny of Christians who have died (4:13–18), and

• the timing of the day the Lord will return (5:1–11).

The Thessalonian Christians showed love to all Christians in Macedonia, including Philippi and Berea, by providing financial help (see also 1:7–8 and 2 Corinthians 8:1–5).

• to live quietly means being worthy of respect and not causing problems in the community.

• work with your hands: The apostle Paul had previously instructed through his teaching and personal example that they should earn their own living (see Thessalonians 3:7–9; 10).

Not relying on non-Christians for financial help and behaving properly toward them will earn the respect of non-Christians (see Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:12–13; Colossians 4:5).

• those who sleep in death (literally those who have fallen asleep; also in 4:14): In Greek, Jewish, and Christian literature, sleep often means death (Daniel 12:2; Matthew 27:52). Personal existence continues after death (Luke 23:40–43; Acts 7:55–60; 2 Corinthians 5:6–10; Philippians 1:20–24; Revelation 6:9–11). Those who have died await the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:23).

• grieve like the rest, who are without hope: Ancient letters of comfort advised those in grief not to become overwhelmed by grief, as they could not prevent death. Paul does not forbid grief but encourages Christians to avoid the kind of grief typical of those without hope in God (see John 16:6, 20; Philippians 2:27).

• died and rose again: The death and resurrection of Jesus is the foundation for hope despite the reality of death, guaranteed by Christ's resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).

• God will bring with Jesus those: Refers to the resurrection of Christians (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

• By the word of the Lord: The teachings of Jesus gave Paul assurance for the Thessalonians (see Matthew 24:29–31, 40–41).

• will by no means precede: Paul assures the Thessalonians that when the Lord returns, the dead will not be at a disadvantage. They will participate equally in the resurrection.

• In talking about the return of Jesus, Paul uses a Greek term (parousia). It is often used to describe an emperor or king's grand arrival in a city (see 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

with the trumpet of God: God's trumpet will announce the resurrection, just as it once announced Israel's rescue (Zephaniah 1:16; Zechariah 9:14). In the future, it will announce the gathering of God's people from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven (Matthew 24:31; compare 1 Corinthians 15:52).

to meet: This implies the custom of sending an official delegation to welcome a visiting leader and accompany him into the city (Matthew 25:6, 10; Acts 28:15–16).

Paul teaches about the end of history to help Christians support each other when encountering death. He does not encourage guessing about the end of time.