God of Peace

1 Thessalonians 5:22-23 - Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:13-15 - Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Conclusions:

• Hold elders in the highest regard in love, not merely because of personal attachment or respect for their high position, but in appreciation for their work
• Living in peace applies to Christian relationships in general, but in 1 Thessalonians 5:13, it probably refers especially to right relations between leaders and those under them
• Those who are idle are loafers
• It seems that some Thessalonians were so sure that the second coming was close that they had given up their jobs to prepare for it, but Paul says they should work
• The timid and the weak are to be helped, not rejected, by the strong
• Retaliation is never a Christian option
• Christians are called to forgive

Application:

• Do you have right relations with your leaders?
• Do you help the timid and the weak?
• Do you forgive instead of retaliate?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Prophecies

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 - Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10,28 - To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues…And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

Romans 12:9 - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Conclusions:

• A prophecy is a communication of the mind of God imparted to a believer by the Holy Spirit
• A prophecy may be a prediction or an indication of the will of God in a given situation
• Since there also can be false prophecies that come from evil spirits, distinguishing between spirits is necessary in order to distinguish the true from the false
• The apostles and prophets were part of the foundation of the church, and teaching was associated with the pastoral office
• Apostles, prophets and teachers are listed as first, second and third, indicating their importance in the church
• Miracle workers, healers, helpers, administrators, and speakers in tongues were introduced after apostles, prophets and teachers, indicating the variety that follows
• Apart from 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul does not rank the spiritual gifts in importance since he has already insisted that all gifts are important
• Apostles are those chosen by Christ during His earthly ministry to be with Him and to go out and preach
• Apostles were also to be witnesses of the resurrection
• Any act of helping others may be the product of a spiritual gift, though the primary reference here is probably ministry to the poor, needy, sick and distressed
• Those with gifts of administration were enabled by the Holy Spirit to organize project plans and spiritual programs in the church
• The approval of prophecy does not mean that anyone who claims to speak in the name of the Lord is to be accepted without question
• Paul does not say what specific tests are to be applied, but he is clear that every teaching must be tested—surely they must be in agreement with his gospel
• Love is the Christians love for fellow Christians and perhaps also for his fellowman
• Sincere love is true love, without pretense
• The love Paul speaks of is not mere emotion but is active love

Application:

• What are your spiritual gifts?
• What is your part in the body?
• Do you test all teachings?
• Do you love fellow Christians?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV.

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Give Thanks In All Circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:16-20 - Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.

Ephesians 4:30 - And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Conclusions:

• Christians are differentiated from the natural man
• Because of what God has done, Christians are continually thankful whatever the circumstances
• People are naturally happy on some occasions, but the Christian’s joy is not dependent on circumstances
• Joy comes from what Christ has done, and it is constant
• There is a warmth, a glow, about the Spirit’s presence
• The kind of conduct Paul is opposing may include loafing, immorality and the other sins he has denounced
• On the other hand, Paul may be warning against a mechanical attitude toward worship that discourages the expression of the gifts of the Spirit in the local assembly
• Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by sin, such as unwholesome talk, bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander and malice
• The Holy Spirit is a person, not just an influence, for only a person can be grieved

Application:

• Are you continually thankful, whatever the circumstances?
• Is your joy dependent on circumstances?
• Do you have a mechanical attitude toward worship?
• Do you frieve the Holy Spirit?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

The Timid...The Weak

1 Thessalonians 5:14 - And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 - We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

Romans 14:1,6-7,9,14-15 - Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone…For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living…As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.

1 Corinthians 8:13 - Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

Conclusions:

• Those who are idle are loafers
• It seems that some Thessalonians were so sure that the second coming was close that they had given up their jobs in order to prepare for it, but Paul says they should work
• The timid and the weak are to be helped, not rejected, by the strong
• Busybodies are worse than idle, they were interfering with other people’s affairs, a problem to which idleness leaves
• The Judaizers thought they could put God in their debt by works of righteousness and were trying to force this heretical teaching on the Galatian churches
• Fellowship among Christians is not to be based on everyone’s agreement on disputable questions
• Christians do not agree on all matters pertaining to the Christian life, nor do they need to
• The motivation behind the actions of both the strong and the weak is to be the same
• Both the strong and the weak should want to serve the Lord and give thanks for His provision
• No Christian lives to Himself alone
• We do not live to please ourselves but the Lord
• Even in death the important thing is one’s relationship to the Lord
• Christ’s Lordship over both the dead and the living arises out of His death and resurrection
• Now that Paul was a Christian, the old food taboos no longer applied
• Sin is not just a matter of subjective opinion or conscience
• Paul is not discussing conduct that in the light of Scripture is clearly sinful, but conduct concerning which Christians may legitimately differ
• With regard to unsinful conduct, decision should be guided by conscience
• Love is the key to proper settlement of disputes
• Christ so valued the weak brother as to die for him
• Surely the strong Christian ought to be willing to make adjustments in his own behavior for the sake of such brothers
• Paul will forever refrain from engaging in the harmless practice of eating meat sacrificed to idols if it will cause his weak Christian brother, who feels it is wrong, also to eat that meat

Application:

• Do you help the weak and timid? Or are you weak and timid?
• Are you a busybody?
• Do you fellowship with Christians you disagree with?
• Do you want to serve the Lord and give thanks for His provision?
• Do you live to please the Lord?
• Is Christ your Lord?
• Is your unsinful conduct guided by conscience?
• Do you make adjustments in your own behavior for the sake of others?
• Do you do things that cause your brother to fall into sin?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Over You In The Lord

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 - Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

1 Timothy 5:17 - The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Mark 9:50 - "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other."

Conclusions:

• All elders were to exercise leadership and to teach and preach, and all were to receive honor
• Those who excelled in leadership were to be counted worthy of double honor
• Double honor was especially true of those who labored at teaching and preaching
• Double honor should include financial support
• Dictatorial leadership is not condoned by the command to submit to authority, but respect for authority, orderliness and discipline in the church are taught throughout the New Testament
• Hold elders in the highest regard in love, not merely because of personal attachment or respect for their high position, but in appreciation for their work
• Living in peace applies to Christian relationships in general, but in 1 Thessalonians 5:13 they probably refer especially to right relations between leaders and those under them
• The distinctive mark of discipleship typified by salt is allegiance to Jesus and the gospel
• Strife is resolved and peace restored when we recognize in one another a common commitment to Jesus and the gospel

Application:

• Do you honor your elders?
• Do you obey your leaders and submit to their authority?
• Do you hold your elders in the highest regard and live at peace with them?
• Do you have a commitment to Jesus and the gospel?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Live Together With Him

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 - For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Romans 14:9 - For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - 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.

Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Conclusions:

• Awake or asleep is alive or dead; or, if the sense is moral, are alert or carnal
• Christ’s Lordship over both the dead and the living arises out of His death and resurrection
• The primary purpose of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is not to give a chronology of future events, though that is involved, but to urge mutual encouragement
• The Christian not only stops saying unwholesome things; he also begins to say things that will help build others up

Application:

• Have you entered a relationship that nothing can destroy?
• Is Christ Your Lord?
• Do you encourage others?
• Do you say things that will help build others up?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible.

The Day

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2,5,7-8 - Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness…For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Ephesians 6:14-15 - Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Isaiah 59:17 - He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.

Romans 13:12 - The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 - We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusions:

• Christians do not simply live in the light, they are characterized by light
• Character, not brute force, wins the battle, just as in the case of the Messiah
• The warrior’s character is his defense
• God Himself is symbolically described as putting on a breastplate of righteousness when He goes forth to bring about justice
• The Lord’s armor is compared to the believer’s armor in the battle against Satan
• God’s vengeance is part of the day of the Lord
• The day of the Lord is the consummation of all things
• There will be some preliminary signs, but the coming of the Lord will be as unexpected as that of a thief in the night
• The night is the present evil age
• These texts do not mean that the early Christians believed that Jesus would return within a few years
• Early Christians regarded the death and resurrection of Christ as the crucial events of history that began the last days
• Since the next great event in God’s redemptive plan is the second coming of Jesus Christ, the night, no matter how long chronologically it may last, is nearly over
• The day is the appearing of Jesus Christ, which ushers in the consummation of the kingdom
• Faith produces action
• Hope is not unfounded wishful thinking, but firm confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ and His return

Application:

• Are you characterized by Light?
• Is character your defense?
• Are you wearing the Lord's armor in the battle against Satan?
• Are you ready for the Lord's coming?
• Have you put on the armor of light?
• Do you have firm confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ?

All Scripture verses from the NIV

Conclusions derived from the NIV Study Bible

Darkness

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 - Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

Romans 13:11 - And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Acts 24:25 - As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

Conclusions:

• In the Old Testament the day of the Lord is a time when God will come and intervene with judgment and/or blessing
• In the New Testament the thought of judgment continues, but it is also the day of redemption; the day of God, or of Christ; and the last day, the great day or simply the day
• The day of the Lord is the consummation of all things
• There will be some preliminary signs, but the coming of the Lord will be as unexpected as that of a thief in the night
• In Semitic languages to be the “son of” a quality meant to be characterized by that quality
• Christians do not simply live in the light, they are characterized by light
• The present time is the time of salvation, the closing period of the present age, before the consummation of the kingdom
• The hour is the time for action
• Our salvation is the full realization of salvation at the second coming of Jesus Christ
• Every day brings us closer to the second advent of Christ
• Hearing of righteousness, self-control and judgment, Felix looked at his past life and was filled with fear
• Felix had a spark of sincerity and concern
• Lust, pride, greed and selfish ambition made it continually inconvenient for Felix to change

Application:

• Are you ready for the Lord's coming?
• Are you characterized by light?
• Are you slumbering?
• Is their lust, pride, greed and selfish ambition in your life making it inconvenient to change?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Jesus Died And Rose AGain

1 Thessalonians 4:14-15 - 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.

Romans 14:9 - For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

1 Corinthians 15:3-5 - For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.

1 Corinthians 1:7 - Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

Conclusions:

• Christ’s Lordship over both the dead and the living arises out of His death and resurrection
• In 1 Corinthians 15:3, Paul links himself with early Christian tradition
• Paul was not the Christian traditions originator, nor did he receive it directly from the Lord
• Paul’s source of the Christian tradition was other Christians
• The verbs Paul uses are technical terms for receiving and transmitting tradition
• What follows is the heart of the gospel: That Christ died for our sins, that He was buried and that He was raised from the dead
• A spiritual gift is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit enabling one to minister to the needs of Christ’s body, the church
• A spiritual gift is a gift of grace

Application:

• Does Christ have Lordship over your life?
• Are you a source of Christian Tradition for other Christians?
• What are your spiritual gifts?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Who Have No Hope

1 Thessalonians 4:11-13 - 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.

Mark 4:11-12 - He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, " 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!' "

Romans 11:25 - I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

1 Corinthians 15:57 - But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:21,23-24 - For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain…I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Conclusions:

• Christians in need because of their idleness are not obedient Christians
• The secret is proclaimed to all, but only those who have faith understand
• The secret seems to be that the kingdom of God had drawn near in the coming of Christ
• The so-called mystery religions of Paul’s day used the Greek word in the sense of something that was to be revealed only to the initiated
• Paul himself used mystery to refer to something formerly hidden or obscure but now revealed by God for all to know and understand
• Mystery is used of (1) the incarnation, (2) the death of Christ, (3) God’s purpose to sum up all things in Christ and especially to include both Jews and Gentiles in the New Testament church, (4) the change that will take place at the resurrection, and (5) the plan of God by which both Jew and Gentile, after a period of disobedience by both, will by His mercy be included in the kingdom
• God’s merciful plan to include the Gentiles in His great salvation plan should humble them, not fill them with arrogance
• Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ is victory over condemnation for sin that the law brought over death and the grave, through the death and resurrection of Christ
• Christ was the source and secret of Paul’s continual joy, for Paul’s life found all it’s meaning in Christ
• The gain brought by death is “being with Christ,” so that here Paul is saying that his ultimate concern and most precious possession, both now and forever, is Christ and his relationship to Him
• Being with Christ after death must involve some kind of conscious presence and fellowship

Application:

• When you are in need, is it because of idleness?
• Do you understand the secret?
• Does God's merciful plans to the Gentiles humble you?
• Do you have victory over the condemnation for sin?
• Is your ultimate concern Christ and your relationship to Him?
• Do you desire to depart and be with Christ?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Work With Your Hands

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 - 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.

Ephesians 4:28 - He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 - For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

Conclusions:

• It is not enough to cease from sin; one must do good
• The former thief must now help those in need
• Pagan parallels to 2 Thessalonians 3:10 are in the form, “He who does not work does not eat.”
• Paul gives an imperative, “Let him not eat”, if he does not work
• The Christian must not be a loafer
• Busybodies are worse than idle; they interfere with other people’s affairs, a problem to which idleness often leads

Application:

• Do you help those in need?
• Are you a loafer?
• Do you interfere with other people's affairs?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Taught By God

1 Thessalonians 4:9 - Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

Romans 12:10 - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

John 6:45 - It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God. 'Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

John 13:34 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Conclusions:

• Brotherly love translates Philadelphia, a Greek word that outside the New Testament almost without exception denoted the mutual love of children of the same father
• In the New Testament brotherly love always means love of fellow believers in Christ, all of whom have the same heavenly Father
• Brotherly love is love within the family of God
• Only a mind renewed by the Holy Spirit could possible honor one another above themselves
• The Prophets are the section of the Old Testament from which John 6:45 comes
• Only those who learn from God come to salvation, and all who learn from Him are saved
• In a sense “Love one another” was an old command, but for Christ’s disciples it was new, because it was the mark of their brotherhood, created by Christ’s great love for them
• Our standard is Christ’s love for us

Application:

• Do you love your fellow believers in Christ?
• Do you have a mind renewed by the Holy Spirit?
• Do you learn from God?
• Do you love others?

Holy Life

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 - 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.

Leviticus 11:44 - I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground.

Ezekiel 36:27 - And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Romans 5:5 - And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Conclusions:

• Another reason for chastity is God’s call to holiness
• Holiness is the key theme to Leviticus, ringing like a refrain in various forms throughout the book
• The word holy appears more often in Leviticus than in any other book of the Bible
• Israel was to be totally consecrated to God
• Israel’s holiness was to be expressed in every aspect of her life, to the extent that all of life had a certain ceremonial quality
• Because of who God is and what He has done, His people must dedicate themselves fully to Him
• Still another reason for chastity is that sin is against God, who gives the Holy Spirit to believers for their sanctification
• To live in immorality is to reject God, specifically in regard to the Holy Spirit
• God bestows His Spirit to enable the human spirit to do His will
• The believer’s hope is not to be equated with unfounded optimism
• The believer’s hope is the blessed assurance of our future destiny and is based on God’s love, which is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and objectively demonstrated to us in the death of Christ
• Paul has moved from faith to hope to love
• When we first believed in Christ, the Holy Spirit poured out His love in our hearts, and His love for us continues to dwell in us

Application:

• Have you been called to holiness?
• Have you dedicated yourself fully to God?
• Have you rejected God?
• Are you doing His will?
• Does God's love dwell in you?

All scripture verses for the NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Holy

1 Thessalonians 3:13-4:1 - May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 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.

2 Peter 3:14 - So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

1 Corinthians 1:2-3 - To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:4-6 - 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.

Conclusions:

• Believers have peace with God as a result of being justified by faith, but they may displease Him by failing to live as He desires and thus not receive His commendation and His reward when He returns
• The Old Testament counterpart to church of God is the expression assembly of the Lord
• Sanctified means set apart for the Lord
• Sanctified can also mean made holy, which is done by (1) being declared holy through faith in Christ’s atoning death on the cross, and (2) being made holy by the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians
• In spite of the fact that Paul found much in the Corinthian Christians to criticize, he still called them sanctified—not because of their conduct, but because of their relationship to Christ
• The Christian is to be different from the heathen

Application:

• Do you fail to live as He desires?
• Are you being made holy by the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?
• Are you different from the heather?

All Scripture verses taken from the NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Overflow

1 Thessalonians 3:12 - May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

Philippians 1:9-11 - And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 - Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 - We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.

Conclusions:

• Real love requires growth and maturation
• The way love grows is in knowledge
• Depth of insight is practical discernment and sensitivity
• Christian love is not mere sentiment; it is routed in knowledge and understanding
• Brotherly love is a Greek word that outside the New Testament almost without exception denoted the mutual love of children of the same father
• In the New Testament brotherly love always means love of fellow believers in Christ, all of whom have the same heavenly Father
• Paul is obliged to give thanks where it is due
• Faith and love are two virtues that Paul has been pleased to acknowledge in the Thessalonian church, but that were also somewhat lacking
• Paul had prayed that the Thessalonian’s love might grow
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3 records the answer to that prayer

Application:

• Is your love mere sentiment, or is it rooted in knowledge and understanding?
• Do you love your fellow believers in CHrist?
• Is your love growing?

Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Goal of Christians

1 Thessalonians 3:11 - Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

Ephesians 1:18-23 - I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Philippians 1:9-11 - And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Colossians 1:9-12 - For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 - Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Conclusions:

• The extraordinary divine force by which Jesus Christ was raised is the same power at work in and through believers
• Christ is not only Head of the Church, but also Head of everything
• Christian love is not mere sentiment; it is rooted in knowledge and understanding
• Christians are to approve what is morally and ethically superior
• The goal of Christians in this life is to be without any mixture of evil and not open to censure because of moral or spiritual failure
• On the day of Christ, the goal will be perfectly realized, and the Christians must give an account
• Knowledge and wisdom in the Bible are practical, having to do with godly living
• Knowledge, wisdom and understanding result in a life worthy of the Lord
• Light symbolizes holiness, truth, love, glory and life
• God and the Christian are characterized by light
• Christians have a vital union and living relationship with the Father and the Son
• The close connection between the Father and the Son points to the Trinitarian relationship

Application:

• Is the power that raised Jesus Christ at work in and through you?
• Is your love rooted in knowledge and understanding?
• Do you approve what is morally and ethically superior?
• Is your goal to be without any mixture of evil?
• Are you ready to give an account?
• Are you characterized by light?
• Do you have a vital union with both the Father and the Son?
• Do you live a godly life?

All scripture verses taken from the NIV.

Conclusions may derived from NIV study Bible comments

Night and Day

1 Thessalonians 3:10 - Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 - We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:13 - Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-9,11-12,18; 5:1-2,5,10,14-21,24 - 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…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…Therefore encourage each other with these words…Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness…He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him…And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt…Test everything. Hold on to the good…The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Conclusions:

• The triad of faith, hope and love is found often in the New Testament
• Faith produces action
• Hope is not unfounded wishful thinking, but firm confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ and His return
• Hold those who are over you in the Lord in the highest regard, not merely because of personal attachment or respect for their high position, but in appreciation for their work
• Living in peace applies to Christian in general, but in 1 Thessalonians 5:13 they probably refer especially to right relations between leaders and those under them
• Some of the things lacking in the Thessalonians were of a practical nature, such as moral and disciplinary matters.
• Some things lacking in the Thessalonians were doctrinal, such as confusion over Christ’s return

Application:

• Do you have firm confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ and His return?
• Do you have a right relationship with your leaders?
• is your faith lacking in moral, disciplinary or doctrinal matters?

Crown

1 Thessalonians 2:14-19 - For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last. But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?

Philippians 4:1 - Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

1 Corinthians 1:7 - Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-10 – He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.



Conclusions:

• Paul’s spiritual brothers are his joy and crown, not only now, but especially when Christ returns
• The Philippians were told to follow Paul’s example, having their minds set on heavenly things
• Paul admonished his spiritual brothers to stand firm in the midst of present struggles for the sake of the gospel
• A spiritual gift is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit enabling one to minister to the needs of Christ’s body, the church
• Spiritual gifts are gifts of grace
• Those who do not know God does not refer to those who have never heard of the true God but to those who refuse to recognize Him
• The gospel invites acceptance, and rejection is disobedience to a royal invitation
• The Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, not simply among you
• The preaching of the gospel is essentially bearing testimony to what God has done in Christ

Application:

• Are you standing firm in the midst of present struggles for the sake of the gospel?
• Have you been enabled to minister to the needs of the church?
• Have you refused to recognize Him?
• Have you born testimony to what God has done in Christ?

Jews

Bible Verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV study Bible

1 Thessalonians 2:6-16 - We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 - You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 9:3-4 - For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

Romans 10:1 - Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

Conclusions:

• Greeks despised manual labor and viewed it as fit only for slaves, but Paul was not ashamed of doing any sort of work that would help further the gospel
• Paul did not want to be unduly dependent on others
• The order in Christian imitation: (1) Believers in Macedonia and Achaia imitated the Thessalonians, just as the Thessalonians imitated the churches in Judea; (2) the Thessalonians imitated Paul, just as the Corinthians did and just as all believers were to imitate their leaders; (3) Paul imitated Christ as did the Thessalonians; (4) all were to imitate God
• Cursed means delivered over to the wrath of God for eternal destruction
• Paul had great love for his fellow Jews
• Paul often prayed for the churches
• Paul prayed for the salvation of his fellow countrymen

Application:

• Are you unduly dependent on others?
• Do you imitate your church leaders, Christ and God?
• Do you have great love for your fellow Americans?
• Do you pray the churches and the salvation of your fellow countryment?