“For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness“
The first reason we should avoid sexual sins is that God will avenge them (4:6). The second reason is that it violates our calling (4:7).
For God did not call us to uncleanness,
“Uncleanness” denotes something impure such as dirt. The word carries the idea […]
Archive for July, 1999
“Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit“
This verse gives Paul’s third basis why Christians should flee sexual sins.
Therefore
The word “therefore” is an emphatic marker of result – “for this very reason.” A sex life governed by God’s call to holiness is the […]
“But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another…“
Chapter three introduced us to the subject of Christian love. Now Paul develops the subject in more detail.
“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another […]
“…and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more…“
and indeed
These words confirm verse nine. The Thessalonians were already living examples of those who show love for fellow Christians.
you do so toward all the brethren who are in all […]
“…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you…“
Certain members of the church at Thessalonica became fanatics, busybodies and loafers. Paul has a fourfold prescription for these people:
1. Live a calm and orderly life
2. Mind their own business
3. Engage […]
“…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you…“
to mind your own business,
Secondly, Christians should mind their own business. A busybody mentality is not of Christ. Many people are much better at telling others how to run their business […]
…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you…“
and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you
Idle people meddle in other people’s affairs. This causes problems in the local church. Idleness creates gossips. This is one reason […]
“… you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing“
you may walk properly toward those who are outside,
Fourthly, the manner of life before non-Christians should be becoming to Christianity. The word “properly” denotes gracefully, becomingly, in a seemly manner. It is unbecoming for a Christian to drain other […]
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope“
From verse 13 to the end of the chapter, Paul talks about the rapture of the church to meet the Lord in the air. This is the blessed hope of the […]
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope“
concerning those who have fallen asleep,
“Fallen asleep” is the literal meaning of the Greek word. Metaphorically, this word means death, the sleep of death (Matthew 27:52; John 11:11-13; Acts 7:60; […]