Demonstrated In Action
1st Thess.4:1-12
June 27, 2010
Because sexual standards were very low in the Roman Empire, Paul begins 4:1-8 encouraging the Thessalonians to live pure and holy lives. Sexual sin is very destructive and have disastrous effects upon individuals, marriage, families, Churches and all of society, Consider 1st Cor.6:18-20. The temptation to engage in sexual intercourse outside the marriage relationship has always been very powerful. However let us not forget that the consequences are not only physical, but also spiritual, Consider 1st Cor.6:18. In order to overcome sexual temptation, these desires must be placed under Christ control. For God created sex for procreation and pleasure and as an expression of love between a husband and wife. If not limited to marriage it can hurt us, our relationship w/others and w/God. Now as Paul begins v1 he continues the exhortation he gave in 3:11-13 that the Thessalonians would increase and abound in love John 13:34-35 and Paul also expresses his desire that the Thessalonians would be established not blamable in holiness.
I Thes 4:1-2
In v1 Paul exhorts them to live in a way that pleases God, rather than obedience to a set of rules to be accepted by God, for believers are already accepted by God when He saved us Romans 5:1 and Eph.1:6. And so now we should obey God’s Word to please God as those whom He has accepted. Now he reminds them v2 that they already knew the commandments Paul gave them, which was given to them by the authority of Christ Jesus and this is what makes these commandments binding and this emphasizes that the righteousness of Christ Jesus cannot be separated from Christ Jesus. Note: These commandments were given to the Thessalonian believers on Paul’s 2nd missionary journey Acts 17:1-4.
I Thes 4:3
God’s Will v3 is emphasized thru out Scripture and includes Salvation, self-sacrifice Rom.12:1-2, being filled w/The Spirit Eph.5:18 submission 1st Peter 2:13-15, suffering 1st Peter 3:17, satisfaction 1st Thess.5:18and in particular sanctification here in v3 which has a two –fold meaning, (1) to be set apart from sin to holiness and (2) it also refers to an ongoing process of God cleaning us up from sin everyday conforming us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ which He predestinated Rom.8:29-30 and promised to finish Phil.1:6. Here in v3 sanctification refers particularly to being set apart from sexual impurity and immorality by following the instructions in v4-8. Paul was addressing pagan cultural values the Thessalonians had once embraced, but must now be replaced w/God’s high moral values. Now the term fornication refers to illicit sexual activity which is forbidden by God 1st Cor.6:18 and Eph.5:3 and Heb.13:4. Fornication is a broad term that includes any and every form of male and female sexual perversion Rom.1:26-27 and 1st Cor.5:12. The Greek term for fornication is “porneia” from which the English word pornography comes from.
I Thes 4:4-5
V4-5 Paul emphasizes sanctification in preserving a wholesome marriage. He uses the term “vessel” to refer to general humanity male and female that both the husband and wife are to exercise self-control in marriage. And the sanctity of marriage applies to the unsaved as well as the saved, 1st Cor.7:2 and 9-13 and Heb.13:4. Now to exercise self-control of our body means we must bring our body under subjection Consider 1st Cor.9:27. In 1st Thess.4:5 Paul uses the term Gentiles to refer to unbelivers and they do not know God because they have deliberately chosen to reject God’s Revelation of Himself Rom.1:18-24 and 28 and 32 and 2:12:16. Paul also uses the word “concupiscence to describe a strong desire that is sometimes overpowering Rom.7:7-8-Col.3:5. The term “lust” refer to depraved and vile passions.
These terms describe the ungodly sexual drive of ungodly people Rom.1:26 and Eph.4:17-20. Unlike believers, unbelievers are driven by their reprehensible values and corresponding sexual behavior which is all a part of their depraved view of morality.
I Thes 4:6
As Paul continues condemning sexual immorality v6 he also continues to emphasize sanctification. That we should respect our brother, this not only applies to believers, but also the unbelievers. The emphasis is that no man is to have sexual relationship w/another man’s wife or daughter. For although the brother who has been out witted and defrauded and may never discover the wrong done against him, God is his Avenger who fights for the right of the offended Consider 1st Pet.2:23. And the offender Shall be judged now and at The Judgment Seat of Christ 2nd Cor.5:10 and 1st Cor.3:11-15-Rom.10:10. Let us not forget Gal.6:7-9.
I Thes 4:7-8
Another reason God calls us to avoid sexual immorality is because v7, God’s ultimate purpose in His call upon us is holiness, Consider Rom.8:29-30 and Eph.1:4-1st Pet.1:16 and Matt.5:48. God has not only commanded holiness and purity, but God v8 has also given us His Holy Spirit to enable us to obey His command to be pure and holy Gal.4:6-Phil.2:13 and 1st John 4:4. Because we have His Holy Spirit we have no reason to reject God’s command. If we reject, disregard His command, we are rejecting God and can expect nothing less than God’s Divine Judgment. Note: Purity in our physical relationship enhances our spiritual relationship as the bride of Christ who is our husband man and who made us holy Eph.5:27.
I Thes 4:9-10
Here in v9-10 Paul reminds them that learning how to love is taught to believers thru His Word, and that God has also given us ability to be able to love others, even those who don’t love us back, Consider Rom.5:5 and 2nd Tim.1:7. Now Paul condemns idleness, v11-12 because some of the Thessalonian Christians adopted a lifestyle of idleness, looking to others for handouts, and some Gentiles looked down on manual labor and so Paul encourages them to work hard and live a quiet life. We cannot share our faith effectively w/others, if they don’t respect us, and witnessing is a vital part of walking w/Christ Jesus, Matt.28:18-20 and 2nd Cor.5:17-21.
In Jesus Name Amen
