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[Previous: Paul's Relationship with the Thessalonians (1:3-3:13)] Exhortations for the Thessalonians (4:1-5:28)Exhortation for Moral Living (4:1-12)Paul has prayed that they would be continuing on their walk towards sanctification in anticipation of the Lord's return (3:13). They had already been doing this, but he calls on them to “excel still more” (4:1). He then gives some specifics in how they might continue to excel at walking to please God. Avoid Sexual Immorality (4:1-8)His first command is for them to abstain from sexual immorality (4:3). Paul clarifies that this abstinence doesn't apply within the marriage relationship, for he calls on believers to “possess his own vessel” (4:4). The NIV makes an interpretive decision in its translation of this verse as “control your own body.” However, the NIV footnotes another interpretation, which seems to fit the context better, saying that possessing your vessel means “living with your own wife.” Paul is saying that sexual relations within the marriage are sanctified and honorable. In contrast, the Thessalonians are to abstain from lustful passions (4:5). Evidently there were some who were teaching that it was acceptable for the Christians to be involved in sexually immoral behavior. These teachers were defrauding their brethren with their false teaching. It is for this reason that Paul reminds them that this is the commandment of the Lord and the will of God (4:2), and that those who reject this teaching are rejecting God (4:8). For God has called us not for impure sexual expressions, but to live in sanctification (4:7). Love One Another (4:9-10)Paul reminds to love one another, something which they were already doing (4:9). The Thessalonians had been exhibiting their love for all the Macedonians, but Paul encourages them to keep it up and “excel still more.” Work for a Living (4:11-12)Evidently there were some Thessalonian believers who were freeloaders. Some commentators believe that, in light of Paul's upcoming teaching on the second coming, that there were some who saw the return of Christ as so imminent that they quit their jobs and were just sitting around waiting for Christ's return. Paul reminds these to work with their hands and mind their own business. Not doing so affects the church's relationship with unbelievers (4:12). This issue will come up again in 2 Thessalonians. Teaching on the Second Coming (4:13-5:11)Teaching on the Resurrection (4:13-18)Because Paul had so little time with the Thessalonians, there was some confusion over certain doctrines taught by Paul, especially regarding the second coming and the resurrection. The Thessalonians understood that when Christ returned, that believers would receive a transformed body and live with Christ. However, there was some confusion as to what happened to those who died before the Lord's return. The Thessalonians seem to think that if you died before Christ's return, that they may have missed out on the resurrection. Paul corrects their understanding, and in the process gives us one of the most important passages in the bible on the second coming. Paul explains that if we believe that Jesus rose from the dead, then we can be assured that God will resurrect the dead when he returns (4:14). In fact, the resurrection of the dead will precede the transformation of the living (4:15). Paul outlines the course of events to clarify:
Paul intends this teaching to bring great encouragement to the Thessalonians, for they had grieved at the death of loved ones. This proper teaching should bring them comfort (4:18). The Rapture and the Need for EschatologyThis event is popularly known as the “rapture,” taking the name from the term “caught up” in verse 17. In addition there is much debate and speculation as to where this event fits in the timeline of the last days. It is not entirely clear from this passage alone as to when this “rapture” takes place. Some will speculate that this takes place before the “tribulation” while others after. However, the passage itself does not seem to discuss the tribulation at all, thereby requiring us to find how this event corresponds to passages where the tribulation is predicted (e.g. Matthew 24-25, Revelation). In fact, Paul specifically doesn't address this timeline, because the Thessalonians already knew of the “times and epochs” (5:1). One viewpoint takes the “wrath to come” in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 to mean the tribulation, and that fact that 1 Thessalonians 5:9 states that we are not destined for wrath to mean that the rapture takes place prior to the tribulation. Other viewpoints see this wrath merely as the final judgment. It is not clear from this passage alone and shouldn't be used as a proof text either way. This demonstrates the need for another approach to scripture, known as systematic theology. While exegetical bible study is crucial and important, there is a need to compare and contrast biblical passages on specific topics of theology to gain a full understanding of doctrine. Being Ready for the Day of the Lord (5:1-11)While the timing of the rapture may not be clear from the passage, how we prepare for the coming of the Lord is clear. We must be read for the Day of the Lord. Thos who are unprepared will be saying “peace and safety,” and the Lord's return will come as a thief in the night. However, for those who are prepared, he will not come as a thief. Thieves come at night when they can't be seen in the dark or when people are too drunk to pay attention to such things (5:7). But we are called to be sober and alert, for we are children of light, not darkness (5:5-6). Therefore we need to take things seriously and put on the breastplate of righteousness and love and the helmet of hope and salvation (5:8), and always stand prepared for the coming of the Lord. Final Exhortations for the Thessalonians (5:12-28)Paul gives some final exhortations to the Thessalonians:
What does it mean to be ready and prepared for the coming of the Lord? For Paul, it is to continue towards our sanctification. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your sprit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23) BibliographyConstable, Thomas L. “Romans.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary . John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, ed. Victor Books, 1988. Gundry, Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament . Grand Rapids MI: Zondervan. 1994. Thomas, Robert L. “1 Thessalonians.” The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Frank E. Gaebelein, ed. Grand Rapids MI: Zondervan, 1998. Electronic edition, STEP file.
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