Biblearc Paraphrase Course Assignment
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
My first attempt to create a page in the Paraphrase Course
#brotherlylove
Published August 24th, 2020
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Look-up
NT
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
esv
9 Now concerning v brotherly love w you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been x taught by God y to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what z you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to a do this more and more, 11 and to aspire b to live quietly, and c to mind your own affairs, and d to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may e walk properly before f outsiders and be dependent on no one.
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Notes
Author : we (plural), history of instructing them, Recipients: audience has been taught by God, loves brothers in Macedonia, Occasion: seems to be a note affirming certain conduct, and encouraging continued behavior. Themes: love, work Purpose: instruction in godly living Tone: encouraging and affirming, instructive Key words: brotherly love, taught, live quietly, dependent Anything else you might observe:
notes
Main point summary
Continue loving your brothers, as you have done, but also take care of yourselves and your family, that you may live life well with those who don't believe.
Discourse
editing
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
mine
nasb
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niv
Now concerning v brotherly love w you have no need for anyone to write to you,
Now if we talk about the deep love between brothers and friends, I don't have much to instruct you about,
Now as to the a love of the brethren, you b have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are c taught by God to love one another; for indeed a you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to b excel still more, and to make it your ambition a to lead a quiet life and b attend to your own business and c work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will 1 a behave properly toward b outsiders and 2 c not be in any need.
(9-10) Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don’t need me to tell you what to do. You’re God -taught in these matters. Just love one another! You’re already good at it; your friends all over the province of Macedonia are the evidence. Keep it up; get better and better at it. (11-12) Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You’ve heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.
Now about your love for one another 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 of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and 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.
for you yourselves have been x taught by God y to love one another,
for it is obvious that God is with you, teaching you to love one another like brothers,
for that indeed is what z you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia.
for that is exactly what you have demonstrated, even with your brothers in Macedonia!
But we urge you, brothers, to a do this more and more, (supporting)
But keep this love up, brothers, and don't stop,
and to aspire b to live quietly, (supporting)
and additionally make sure your own life is not disruptive
and c to mind your own affairs, (supporting)
and your own life is in order
and d to work with your hands , as we instructed you,
and you are taking care of your self, working hard to provide for your family as we have taught and modeled
so that you may e walk properly before f outsiders and be dependent on no one. (main)
so you may be able to live life well with those who do not believe, not dependent upon them.
These brothers have loved each other and other Christians (from Macedonia) so well, that they need no further instruction.
Yet they still seem to be reminded to take care of their own affairs, family, work, etc. It seems like the focus on loving other brothers can create a tendency to unintentionally forsake one's own life and the non believing people around them. The author pastorally reminds them to not forsake their domestic responsibilities while ministering.
The whole point of this passage is to pastorally help the Thessalonians minister and live well in their own context, not just to one another and to the Macedonians.
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Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.