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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS

CHAPTER FOUR:
“SANCTIFIED FOR A RESURRECTION”

[“Saintly Hopes”]
Key word: SANCTIFICATION
Theme Verse: 4

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 – How You Ought to Walk

1TH4:1 In conclusion, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Master Jesus, that just as you learned from us how you ought to conduct yourselves and please God – just as you are, in fact, doing – all of you continue to do it more and more. 56

56	Do it more and more: This is a new congregation developing under persecution. Paul encourages them to continue their fine start.

1TH4:2 For you are aware of the orders we gave to you 57 through the Master Jesus.

57

Aware of the orders we gave to you: No doubt from Paul’s first visit as well as the visit of Timothy. The local congregation is not autonomous but functions under the godly direction of men like Paul, Silas, and Timothy who represent Jesus Christ. The Greek word here rendered “instructions” is PAR-ANGELIAS. Others use: KJV: commandments; CON: authority; MON: charges; IB: injunctions. Strong’s #3852 = “command” at Acts 5:28; 16:24. Vine: “… a proclamation, a command or commandment,” is strictly used of commands received from a superior and transmitted to others. It is rendered “charge” in Acts 16:24; 1 Thess. 4:2, Revelation (where the word is in the plural); 1 Tim. 1:5 (RV), 18. In Acts 5:28 the literal meaning is “Did we not charge you with a charge?”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 – Invited to Sanctification

1TH4:3 Because The God wants your continuing sanctification 58 – that you abstain from sexual immorality. 59 [Acts 15:29]

58

Continuing sanctification: That is, “your ongoing sanctification.” Sanctification is an ongoing process of making the Saint more saintly, or more and more spiritually and morally separated to God’s will. Compare John 17:17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 2:11; 12:14; 1 Peter 1:2. Here it is the moral aspect of sanctification under consideration. The Greek is HAGIASMOS (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #38) Or, NEB: should be holy; TCN: pure; GDS: consecrated.

59

Abstain from sexual immorality: The Greek here nearly the same as Acts 15:20. The Greek here rendered “sexual immorality” is PORNEIAS (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4202). Or, KJV: fornication; TCN: immorality; MOF: sexual vice. Research fornication or porneia and see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. (Galatians 5:19) Here “fornication” is in the context of adultery. (Matthew 5:32)

1TH4:4 That you get control of your own body 60 in holiness and honor –

60	Your own body: Or, your own wife. This is an interpretative paraphrase of the Greek SKEUOS which literal means “vessel.” (1 Peter 3:7) It may just as easily mean: “getting control over your own body.” Indeed, the NRSV changed to: “how to control your own body.” (Colossians 3:5)

1TH4:5 not in passionate lust 61 like the non-Jews who do not know The God. [Jeremiah 10:25]

61

Passionate lust: Or, KJV: lust of concupiscence; RSV: passion of lust; ALF: lust of carnal desire; RHM: passion of coveting; TCN: mere gratification of his passions. That is as it relates to adultery. Compare Proverbs 5:15-20. It would seem Paul would not be giving this command unless there were such problems going on in this young church just out of the Gentile world. Compare the apostolic letter at Acts 15:23-29. Note the Risen Master’s epistles. (Revelation 2:14, 20, 21)

1TH4:6 That no man over-step, or take advantage of a brother’s own rights, 62 because YHWH is an avenger 63 [Psalm 94:1, 2] in all these things – just as we told you before with a thorough witness.

62

Wrong his brother in this matter: Or, KJV: defraud his brother in nay matter; TAY: cheat in this matter by taking another man’s wife; BAS: no man may make attempts to get the better of his brother in business; PME: you cannot break this rule without in some way cheating your fellow men. That is the husband, however, there are different views as the above renderings indicate.

63	YHWH is an avenger: The Greek kyrios is without the article. The phrase is likely borrowed from Psalm 94:1, 2 where the Tetragram appears.

1TH4:7 For God has not called us for uncleanness, 64 but rather in holiness.

64	Not called us for uncleanness: That is, “God made no invitation for us to behave in an unclean, impure manner.” The Greek is AKATHARSIA. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Galatians 5:19, 20. It covers a range of meaning usually associated with immoral behavior or impurity.

1TH4:8 Therefore, anyone who disregards this, 65 disregards not a human but The God, the One who gives His holy Pneuma to all of you. [Ezekiel 37:14]

65	Anyone who disregards this: It is clear this is serious business and deserved a double warning. What Paul says is not just the word of a man, but the Master’s own judgment. Note similar language in 1 Corinthians 14:37, 38. (Compare translations)

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 – Love One Another More

1TH4:9 On the subject of showing benevolent empathy for the brothers you do not need us to write to you, for all of you are God-taught to continue to have compassionate affection for one another. 66

66	Compassionate affection for one another: Or, love; benevolent empathy. Through the representation of His Son the Father taught Christian disciples to love one another. (John 7:28, 29; 13:35; 1 John 3:23)

1TH4:10 And surely you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we encourage all of you, brothers, to keep doing it even more. 67

67	Keep doing it even more: There is no end to love’s growth. Love that ends was never love in the beginning. [1 Corinthians 13:8, “love never fails”].

1TH4:11 Also, develop a real liking of the quiet life 68 and to mind your own business, 69 working with your hands, 70 just as we ordered you.

68

Real liking of the quiet life: That is, “show a real preference for quiet living.” Or, KJV: study to be quiet; RHM: ambitious to be quiet; MOF: endeavor to be quiet; KNX: let it be a point of honour with you to keep calm. Quiet tranquility ought to characterize a Christian’s life. (2 Thessalonians 3:12) Living quietly and unobtrusively in a community would protect the Christian from local animosity.

69	To mind your own business: That is, “don’t stick your nose in another’s business.” Or, RHM: attending to do your own business. Compare 1 Peter 4:15. A busybody the Christian is not.

70	Working with your hands: That is, “make your own living by working hard.” This becomes a serious problem among the Thessalonians. It will be addressed more seriously in 2 Thessalonians.

1TH4:12 Thus, you will conduct yourselves appropriately toward those on the outside 71 and not be dependent on anyone. 72

71

Conduct yourselves appropriately towards those on the outside: Or, KJV: walk honestly; RHM: walk reputably; TCN: conduct may win respect. As suggested above: a member of the community who is quiet, is not a busybody, provides for self, will be respected by others and less prone to persecution. Note that elders must have a good testimony from the outside. (1 Timothy 3:7)

72

Be dependent on anyone: Or, CON: need help from no man. The Greek is literally, “and may be having a need of nothing.” Since Paul and many of the apostles were “poor” (meaning dependent on others for existence) Paul may be referring to the “outsiders” above. The less a Christian is dependent on “outsiders” the fewer community problems and prejudices may result.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – A Heavenly Gathering with the Master

1TH4:13 In addition, brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who are sleeping [in death]. 73 That you do not persist in grieving as everyone else does who are without hope.

73	Those who are sleeping: That is, “the died.” It is possible some local Christians had died in persecution. The word sleep or asleep is used often as a metaphor for death and its condition. Research sleep in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. (John 11:11-14) See a number of Biblical Articles.

1TH4:14 For if our conviction is that Jesus died and rose again, 74 just so, also, those who have fallen asleep believing in Jesus, The God will gather together and lead to [Jesus]. 75

74	Jesus died and rose again: Compare Romans 14:9 and 1 Corinthians 15:4. The foundation of the Christian faith. (Romans 10:9, 10)

75

God will gather together and lead to [Jesus]: Or, KJV: bring with him; CON: bring back. The Greek is literally, “(The God) will lead together with (Christ).” The meaning may arise out of 1 Thessalonians 3:13 and may be echoed in Revelation 17:14. Others will see it as an allusion to the bringing into the celestial realms the Messiah with the raised and rescued Saints. (Daniel 12:1, 2) See below for the sequence of events.

1TH4:15 For we tell all of you this according to the Master’s own promise, 76 that we the living who are still around 77 at the Return of the Master 78 [Mark 13:35, 36; Luke 12:38] will not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep [in death]. 79

76

The Master’s own promise: That is, “by the Master’s own teachings.” Or, KJV: by the word of the Lord; WMS: on the Lord’s own authority. What may Paul mean as the source of what he is about to declare? It is possible he has a revelation on the matter. We note how the New Jerusalem Bible renders this: “We can tell you this from the Master’s own teaching…” If this be a correct view then we can find within the teachings of the Nazarene two groups of Saints, one living and one dead, and at some future moment will then benefit by being raised. We do discover this in John 11:25, 26, “I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live [a) by a resurrection] and whoever lives [living] and believes in me will never die [b) a living person who escapes death].” (NJB) This may be understood to an allusion to Daniel 12:1, 2 where two such groups are seen: a) one awakened from sleep; and, b) another group rescued from a great oppression. Paul reveals such a mystery later to the Corinthians when he again mentions such a mystery – 1 Corinthians 15:50-52. Is it possible this mystery was revealed to Paul (an inspired understanding of Daniel 12:1, 2 and John 11:25, 26) prior to the time of writing to the Thessalonians and thereafter the Corinthians? If we accept the view that Paul was aware of that teaching revealed in John 11:25, 26. The book of Daniel (including Daniel 12:1, 2) was to be sealed to the end-time or last days of Jerusalem. (Daniel 12:9) Paul is living at that precise time and may be among the first to gain such “knowledge.” (Daniel 12:4) Paul may also paraphrase Matthew 24:30, 31. For more details see Nazarene Principles 2000©, Nazarene Apocalypse 2000© under 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

77

We who are still around: Or, KJV: alive and remain; RSV: left until; CON: who survive to; TCN: still living. Some make the error that this means those living Christians in Paul’s day. Paul’s use of “we” may be editorial and refer to certain Christians in general. Note “we” in 2 Corinthians chapters 4 and 5. Paul may refer to “the living” of John 11:25, 26. These are the end-time Saints seen in vision at Revelation 7:1-17. [See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Revelation chapter 7]

78

Return of the Master: Or, KJV: coming of; RHM: presence of; CON: appearing of. Here the Greek PAROUSIA is used. Some render “left until” as “survive.” (CON, NWT) This is misunderstood by the Thessalonians (and others) that some of them would live until the Parousia. This becomes a problem and is answered in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2. These would be the end-time Saints of Daniel 7:22 (Daniel 12:1) alive at the historical moment of Christ’s Return. Jesus made it clear that his own disciples and generation would not see these events. [See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Luke 17:22; 19:11]

79

Not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep: Or, KJV: not prevent them; ASV: shall in no wise precede; ALF: gain an advantage over; AMP: no way precede; CON: not come before; TCN: not anticipate those who. The Greek is PHTHASOMEN [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5348, to attain to]. The living (surviving) Saints will not go before the dead Saints. How does Paul know this order of events? This is the order in John 11:25, 26 – first the dead believers are resurrected; and, then those alive never die. 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 suggests similar order: “We shall not all die… for the Trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised and we will be changed.” Paul states here that this is a sacred mystery and infers he knows it by revelation. The dead professing Christ must go before in order to be judged [2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 2:28] while the end-time Saints are judged, then sealed, while in the flesh. It is interesting to note that in the context of judgment there is a common phrase, “the living and the dead” – with but one exception (Romans 14:9) – the “living” noted first. (Ruth 2:20; Acts 10:42; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5) When the Master arrives for judgment there are two groups: the living and the dead. For reasons explained elsewhere in Nazarene Commentary ©2000 there are good reasons to suggest the living end-time Saints receive their judgment in the flesh while the dead Saints must be raised to the parousia-judgment. (Revelation 7:1-4)

1TH4:16 Because the Master himself will come down from the Sky 80 with a commanding shout 81 – with the Archangel’s voice 82 and with God’s trumpet 83 – and the dead in union with Christ will be resurrected first. 84

80

The Master himself will come down from the Sky: Or, descend. The Hebrew Bible has numerous examples of Yehowah descending to the earth, often in the form of His representative “Angel of Yahweh.” How does Paul know the Master Jesus will return to earth’s atmosphere by descending from the Sky? (The word “heaven” often means “sky.”) He surely could have learned John 14:1-3 and Acts 1:9-11 from other disciples. Surely in his close association with the Jewish physician Luke he would have learned of the episode recorded at Acts 1:9-11. On the other hand Daniel 7:22 may strongly infer that the “Master” will leave the celestial realms as described in Daniel 7:13, 14 and “arrive” [or, return by descending] toward the Saints to deliver them from the Small Power. Compare John 6:64 and Ephesians 4:9, 10.

81

Commanding shout: Or, RSV: a cry of command; KJV: a shout; RHM: a word of command; TCN: a loud summons; CON: shout of war; PME: one shout. The Greek is KELEUSMATI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2752, stimulating cry, signal given to men]. May this “command” be that voice mentioned in John 5:28 and John 11:43. By comparing the Greek of Revelation 18:4 [EXELTHATE] with that of Isaiah 49:9 [EXELTHATE] (also Isaiah 48:20) we may think this would be the command, “Come out!” Actually we need not guess at this for we have the actual words in Revelation 11:12, “COME ON UP HERE!”

82

The Archangel’s voice: Or, RHM: chief-messenger. Some see this an inference that the name “Michael” belongs to the heavenly Master. (Compare Daniel 12:1 and Revelation 12:7). Note the phrase “his angels” at Matthew 25:31 and Revelation 12:7. It is worthy of note that Michael the archangel speaks twice in the Bible and in both cases it includes, “Yehowah rebuke you, Satan!” (Zechariah 3:2; Jude 9) This descent of the Master Jesus is a historic moment in his conquest over the Devil. (Hebrews 2:14) Note the call Paul quotes in 1 Corinthians 15:55, “Death, where is your victory?”

83	God’s Trumpet: Compare Matthew 24:30-31, 1 Corinthians 15:50-51 and Revelation 11:15, 18. What must this sound be like?

84	The dead in union with Christ will be resurrected first: Or, rise first. That is, those “believers” of John 11:25. The Christian dead are only raised or resurrected upon the Return of Messiah. (1 Corinthians 15:23; Matthew 24:30, 31) Thus it is called the “first resurrection” at Revelation 20:4, 6.

1TH4:17 Afterward, we the living who are still around, 85 will all together with them at the same moment, 86 be raptured 87 in clouds to a meeting with the Master in the air. 88 And so we shall always remain together with the Master. 89

85

We the living who are still around: Or, RSV: then we who are alive, who are left; KJV: alive and remain; BAR: still left alive. Those rescued or delivered at Daniel 12:1, 2. Those Christians alive and still waiting expectantly for the Return of Christ – the end-time Saints. These are described in Revelation chapter 7 as symbolically a large crowd of 144,000 who “come out of the great oppression” to serve God in His celestial Temple. For details see Nazarene Apocalypse 2000© in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

86

Together with them at the same moment: Actually the Greek is seldom captured by most translators: HAMA SYN, which literally means “at the same time together with.” In affect this says, “simultaneously together.” Can anyone argue that the resurrection and rapture of the Saints stretches over a whole generation or time, or more, over many centuries of time?

87

Raptured: The Greek is a very long word worthy of special note: HARPAGESOMETHA, meaning literally, “we will be snatched.” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #726 suggests, “carry off by force,” “claim for one’s self,” or “to snatch out.” This is something that happens suddenly, even violently as a rape. Indeed, it is possible the first handful of letters in the Greek are corrupted into Latin as “rape.” Jerome in the fourth century used such a related word in his Latin Vulgate resulting in something closer to “rapture.” And so the source of the teaching on the Rapture. One may reread Daniel 7:22, Daniel 12:1, John 11:26, 1 Corinthians 15:51 and see the Rapture there. See more details in Nazarene Principles 2000.

88

In clouds to meeting with the Master in the air: Two words seem to make it clear where the Master is located at this moment: in the atmosphere or the sky – “clouds” and “air.” This “meeting” is described in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 as EPI-SYNAGOGES. The image echoes Acts 1:9-11. Note how this is repeated in Revelation 11:12, “And they heard a great voice out of the Sky say to them: ‘You, ascend to (us) here!’ And they ascended into the Sky in the cloud.”

89	We shall always remain together with the Master: One of the two great expectations of the Christian Church. The other is mentioned at Revelation 22:3, 4. This is the only hope offered by invitation to all Christians. (Ephesians 4:4)

1TH4:18 And so all of you continue to comfort one another with these words. 90

90

Comfort one another with these words: This portion of Scripture has been among the most comforting to the Saints throughout nearly two thousand years. It has not lost a bit of its thrilling expectation and grows more powerful with each passing day. It is a text read at the memoriums of millions of those Christians who have fallen asleep. One ancient memorial said: “Sleep, dear friend, a temporary rest is granted you.”

Summary Questions Chapter Four