1 Thessalonianschapter 4

18 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 398 cross-references outward and receives 450 — heaviest partner: 1 Corinthians.

See 1 Thessalonians book hub for context

Chapter summary

Paul exhorts them to abound more and more in pleasing God — this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication. Study to be quiet, and to do your own business. Concerning them which are asleep — sorrow not as others who have no hope. The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. Calvin reads the chapter as the early church's hope sharpened.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Epistle · Paul — see the 1 Thessalonians overview for the book's full setting.

1 Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,—that ye abound more and more.

2 For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication;

4 that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God;

6 that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.

7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

8 Therefore he that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you.

9 But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another;