1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
God's will for every Christian is that they be holy.
#sanctification
#holiness
#trinity
Published January 10th, 2020; Updated January 10th, 2020
Main point summary
4:1-8
Notes
notes
Main point summary
Grow in pleasing God by walking in Christ's commands (specifically regarding sexual purity) through the Spirit's strength
4:1-8
NT
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
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Finally, then, brothers, 1 we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus,
Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more,
Λοιπὸν ⸀ οὖν, ἀδελφοί, ἐρωτῶμεν ὑμᾶς καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν ἐν κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ,
that as you d received from us e how you ought to walk and f to please God, just as you are doing, that you g do so more and more.
just as you received from us how you ought ('must') to walk and to please God;
⸀ ἵνα καθὼς παρελάβετε παρ’ ἡμῶν τὸ πῶς δεῖ ὑμᾶς περιπατεῖν καὶ ἀρέσκειν θεῷ, ⸂ καθὼς καὶ περιπατεῖτε ⸃ , ἵνα περισσεύητε μᾶλλον.
comparison
For h you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
2 for you know what commandments (military order; charge) we gave you through the Lord Jesus .
οἴδατε γὰρ τίνας παραγγελίας ἐδώκαμεν ὑμῖν διὰ τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ.
For this is the will of God, i your sanctification: 1
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:
τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ, ὁ ἁγιασμὸς ὑμῶν,
j that you abstain from sexual immorality;
that you should abstain from sexual immorality;
ἀπέχεσθαι ὑμᾶς ἀπὸ τῆς πορνείας,
that each one of you know how to control his own k body 1 in holiness and l honor,
4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification (holiness) and honor,
εἰδέναι ἕκαστον ὑμῶν τὸ ἑαυτοῦ σκεῦος κτᾶσθαι ἐν ἁγιασμῷ καὶ τιμῇ,
not in m the passion of lust
5 not in passion of lust,
μὴ ἐν πάθει ἐπιθυμίας
n like the Gentiles o who do not know God;
like the Gentiles who do not know God;
καθάπερ καὶ τὰ ἔθνη τὰ μὴ εἰδότα τὸν θεόν,
negativepositive
that no one transgress and p wrong his brother in this matter,
6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud ('wrong') his brother in this matter,
τὸ μὴ ὑπερβαίνειν καὶ πλεονεκτεῖν ἐν τῷ πράγματι τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ,
series
because the Lord is q an avenger in all these things,
because the Lord is the avenger of all such,
διότι ἔκδικος ⸀ κύριος περὶ πάντων τούτων,
as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
as we also forewarned you and testified.
καθὼς καὶ προείπαμεν ὑμῖν καὶ διεμαρτυράμεθα.
ground
ideaexplanation
For r God has not called us for s impurity,
7 For God did not call us to uncleanness ('impurity'),
οὐ γὰρ ἐκάλεσεν ἡμᾶς ὁ θεὸς ἐπὶ ἀκαθαρσίᾳ
but in holiness.
but in holiness.
ἀλλ’ ἐν ἁγιασμῷ.
Therefore t whoever disregards this,
8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man,
τοιγαροῦν ὁ ἀθετῶν οὐκ ἄνθρωπον ἀθετεῖ
disregards not man but God,
but God,
ἀλλὰ τὸν θεὸν
u who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
who has also given us His Holy Spirit .
τὸν ⸀ καὶ ⸀ διδόντα τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτοῦ τὸ ἅγιον εἰς ὑμᾶς.
inference
discourse
Notes
[Notice: 'how to please God' - there are things that please God (ie. make Him happy) and displease God (make Him angry). This is true even for people who have been reconciled by God. Like a good Father, the Lord can be disappointed and displeased with His people. This doesn't threaten eternal judgment, but hinders the enjoyment of fellowship with God. ] Remember what comes before this passage. 1 Thess. 3:12-13 - Paul prays for God to sanctify them. Now he urges them to walk in sanctification. This reveals that God and the Christian are both active in sanctification (Phil 2:11-12).
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