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Traveling Through Thessalonians
Traveling Through Thessalonians
THROUGH
THESSALONIANS
A study in I Thessalonians
by
J. WILLIAM KANOY
Th.B, B.R.E., B.D.
Preface ................................................................................... 5
1. Consecration in Service............................................................... 8
3. Comfort in Sorrow.................................................................. 21
5. Complete Satisfaction............................................................... 33
2
I. Address To The Thessalonians - Ch. 1
II. Accounting To The Thessalonians - Ch. 2
III. Appeal For Sanctification of The Thessalonians - Ch. 3
IV. Assurance For The Thessalonians - Ch. 4
V. Activity of The Thessalonians - Ch. 5
Chapter 1
I. Servants of God - V. 1
I I. Saints of God - Vss. 1 and 2
I II. Salvation's Evidence - Vss. 9 and 10
Chapter 2
I. Entrance of the Gospel - Vss. 1-9
II. Examples of the Gospel - V. 10
III. Exhortation of the Gospel - Vss. 11 and 12
I V. Evidence of the Gospel - Vss. 13-16
V. Enemy of the Gospel - Vss. 17-20
Chapter 3
I. Positive Endeavor - Vss. 1 and 2
II. Personal Encouragement - Vss. 2-10
Ill. Prayerful Expectation - Vss. 11-13
Chapter 4
I. Provisions For Holy Living - Vss. 1-8
II. Proofs of Holy Living - Vss. 9-12
Ill. Prospect of Glory - Vss. 13-18
Chapter 5
I. Day of the Sovereign - VSS. 1-11
II. Duties of the Saints - Vss. 12-22
III. Desires of a Servant - Vss. 23-28
4
PREFACE
Introduction to I Thessalonians
3. Paul the author writes to this young Church (1 yr. old) that was
meeting in the house of Jason (Acts 17:6, Rom 16:21).
8. Paul went to the city of 200,000 people that was rioted for its
many hot springs - "Therma". Paul preached in the city en route
from Philippi to Achaia.
9. Thessalonica got its name from the 1/2 sister of Alexander the
Great when Rome conquered Macedonia in 315 B.C. Her name is
"Thessaloniki."
10. Paul tried to go back at least two other times, but was hindered
5
by Satan (1 Th 2:17-18). Paul did send Timothy back to them
(1 Th 3:1-3).
12. This Church made speedy progress even under continued perse-
cution.
15. Paul makes no mention of his apostleship, for it had not been
questioned by this Church.
Purpose of I Thessalonians.
1. To encourage these new converts.
11. Timothy had reported to Paul that certain errors were undermining
the progress of the gospel in that place.
B. Establish.
C. I nstruct.
D. I nspire.
1. Read the Epistle through once a day for a month. It takes less than
20 min.
7
Pupils (I Th 4:9-11).
Mourners (I Th 4:13).
Watchmen (I Th 5:6).
Crown (I Th 2:19).
Find others.
6. Look for the Lord's coming at close of each of the five chapters.
9. By all means don't overlook and fail to distinguish between all the
"ye", "yours", "they", "us" (See Chapter 5).
11. Summary:
Live for the Lord (I Th 4:1).
Labor for the Lord (I Th 1:3).
Love one another (I Th 4:9; 5:11-22).
Look for the Lord (I Th 1:10; 4:16-18).
CHAPTER 1
CONSECRATION IN SERVICE
I ntroduction:
Paul is noted for his salutation and uses a consistent form of
greeting pronouncing "grace" and "peace" from God the
Father and The Lord Jesus Christ.
NOTE #2: The word "church", "ekklesia", is used five different ways
i n the N.T.
10
believers. (Acts 5:11-14, I Co 1:2)
5. Whole company of the redeemed of this age.
( Mat 16:18; Eph 1:22-23)
W. E. Vine
11
but God's.
e) Men are commanded to believe, repent,
receive Christ. We are to be faithful in
preaching the Gospel to every creature. We do
not know who the elect are. Do we?
f) Election looks back to eternity (Eph 1:1). We are
predestinated to sonship.
3. He knew about their conduct. (verses 5-8)
They heard. (Verse 5)
They received. (Verse 6)
They believed. (Verse 6)
They displayed. (verse 7 and 8)
They turned. (Verse 9)
They waited. (Verse 10)
a. They heard the scriptures. (verses 2-5)
Paul was a:
1) Praying Preacher. (Verses 2,3)
2) Perceptive Preacher. (Verse 4c)
3) Powerful Preacher. (Verse 5)
b. They heeded the scriptures. (Verse 6)
1) They followed the Leader (Paul "us").
2) They followed the Lord. "Followers" - "Mimetes," from
which we get our word mimic. Word used 4 times -2
Th 3:7,9;1 Th 1:1,6; 2:14. It means to copy someone
else's activities.
NOTE #4: They imitated the Lord's Servants - "Imitators of us". They
i mitated the Lord - "And of the Lord."
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2) They were evangelistic. (Verse 8)
a) "Sounded out" like rolling thunder.
Their faith was known beyond Greece.
b) "Not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in
every place." Paul did not have to advertise
about the Thessalonican Church. Everyone was
talking about it.
c) These saints were like trumpeters, sounding out a
clear ringing note that carries far, and has a
continuing effect.
d) The word "sounded" is used of the fame of Christ
(Lk 4:37); the roaring sea (Lk 21:25); sound from
Heaven (Acts 2:2); clanging of brass (I Co 13:1); and
of the blast of the trumpet (Heb 12:19).
3) They were expectant. (Verses 9 and 10)
"To wait for His Son." Note the scope of Christianity
seen in these verses.
a) Commencement - "they turned to God."
Conversion.
b) Continuance - "to serve the living and true
God." Consecration.
c) Consummation - "to wait for His son from
heaven." Contemplation.
- Andrew Telford.
A. Conversion - "Turning."
1. "Ye turned to God from idols."
2. Apostasy, idolatry, conversion, and separation are all found in
these words.
3. "Unto God" is the key to the secret of the change.
Turning to God is to be saved and kept by the omnipotent
God
4. Unto the God of faith, from the idol of self-righteousness.
Unto the God of truth, from the lies of Satan.
Unto the God of love, from the hatred begotten by sin.
Unto the God of power, from the weakness of self-effort.
Unto God the Father, to be His children.
Unto God the Son, to be united to Him.
Unto God the Holy Spirit, to be sealed forever.
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- Marsh
B. Ministration - "Serving".
1. "To serve the living and true God."
2. They had become the happy bondslaves of a God who was
alive and real. Our God is the self-existing, ever-present,
unchanging, eternal one.
3. He is in contrast with dead idols.
a. The living God has eyes to behold. (Rev. 1:14; Mk 6:48; SS
5:12)
b. The living God has ears to hear. (Jer. 29:12; 33:3;
Ps 50:15)
c. The living God has hands to help. (Isa 41:10)
d. The living God has lips to speak. (Jn 14:13)
4. "True God" in contrast with these false idols. (Jn 14:6)
C. Expectation - "Waiting".
1. Word "wait".
a. I t is a compound word made up of two Greek words
literally to "wait-up." To wait-up for a friend who is
expected or who will arrive late some night.
b. These believers were waiting up for their Lord, a friend
who was away in heaven but expected to return soon.
1) We should wait with a watchful eye. (Lk 12:36-38)
2) We should wait with loins girded. (Lk 12:35; I Pe 1:13;
Eph 6:14)
3) We should wait with trimmed and burning lamps.
(Lk 12:35)
4) We should wait with a pure heart. (I in 3:2-3)
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a. Posture - Wait.
b. Person - His Son.
c. Place - From Heaven.
d. Pledge - Whom He raised.
e. Precious name - even Jesus.
f. Prospect - who delivereth us from the wrath to come.
3. Hope confirmed.
a. Character of their hope - "wait". (Verse 10)
b. Content of their hope - "person". (Verse 10)
c. Center of their hope - "identified". (Verse 10)
4. Necessity of our Lord's Advent.
a. To confirm His mission.
b. To complete His ministry.
C. To consummate His great and gracious work.
d. To crown His former manifestation.
5. Closing statements.
a. Christ's highest title - Christ is called "His Son".
b. Christ's sweetest name - "Jesus".
c. Christ's greatest accomplishment - "died".
By His death He has accomplished the greatest work
possible.
d. God The Father's magnificent act - "Whom He raised
from the dead".
e. Christ's loftiest place - "He has ascended to Heaven".
f. Christ's strongest work - "Delivereth us from wrath to
come".
g. Believer's greatest honor - "To wait for His Son".
- Marsh
CHAPTER 2
Compassion for Souls
I ntroduction:
Paul considered it a great "trust" to have been given the gospel and
he was faithful to the God who entrusted it to him as he sought to
"please not man but God" in proclaiming the gospel message.
A. Arrival of Paul.
We get a brief look at Paul's personal character and conduct
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while he was at Thessalonica in 1:5. Now in verse 1, he gives us a
more thorough review of his ministry. Denny says, "A Christian's
character is the whole capital he has for carrying on his business.
I n most other callings, a man may go on, no matter what his
character is, provided his balance at the bank is on the right side;
but a Christian who has lost his character has lost everything."
1. Ministry. (Verses 1 and 2)
a. Very successful. (Verse 1)
b. Very courageous. (verse 10)
1) He was shamefully treated at Philippi and
accompanied by opposition in Thessalonica.
2) His mission lacked neither purpose, nor power, his
l abor was not in vain (I Co 15:58).
3) The fruit of this mission was permanent;
their work has proved thoroughly successful not
being void of substance or power.
NOTE #1:
Paul's courage:
1. Undismayed by suffering: Act 16:19-24.
2. Undisturbed by insult: to be shamefully entreated when on
an errand of goodwill is an encounter hard to endure.
3. Unterrified by conflict: "much contention" Phil 1:28.
Paul's conduct:
1. Characterized by unselfish love - verse 2-3.
2. Characterized by unstinting labor - verse 5-6.
3. Characterized by unspotted life - verse 10-12.
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A. The witnesses.
1. Those who believed.
2. God - and God also.
B. The walk.
1. Holily.
a. The only occurrence of this word in N.T.
b. I t describes the manner of life of Paul before God.
c. I t implies that one carefully fulfills God given duties.
2. Righteously.
a. Justly, agreeably to right; properly; uprightly.
b. This word occurs five times in N.T.
c. I t refers to Paul's manner of life before men, denoting
practical righteousness of a life given to God.
3. Unblameably.
a. Blamelessly, so that there is no cause for censure.
b. This word occurs twice in N.T., once here and again in
5:23.
c. I t refers to Paul and his associates that neither God nor
these Thessalonians could give any cause to censure
them. What a goal we should strive for today as spiritual
l eaders.
C. Workman.
Notice the negative that Paul uses to describe his labors.
1. "Not in vain". (Verse 1)
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A. Challenged Them.
1. This word "exhorted" comes from the word which "paraclete"
comes. It is used to describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
(Jn 14:26, 16:7)
2. I t means "to call to one's side." Summons, entreating,
exhorting, encouraging, console. Encouraging someone to go
forward.
B. Comforted Them (2 Cor 1:3-6)
1. The word "comfort" means to "speak close to."
2. Paul was concerned about these Thessalonians and he
sought to comfort them as God had comforted him.
C. Charged Them.
1. This word means to witness, to testify, to charge earnestly.
2. Paul talked straight to them to walk worthy of the one who
had called them unto His kingdom and glory (verse 12).
D. Concern For Them: Paul is seen as:
1. Abused Soldier. (Verses 1 and 2)
2. Abiding Steward. (verses 3-5)
3. Active Servant. (Verse 6)
4. Affectionate Mother. (Verses 7 and 8, "nurse" is a mother)
5. Active Brother. (verse 9)
He played the role of a brother, strong and willing to work
with his own hands in order to support himself.
6. Amazing Saint. (verse 10)
7. Able Father. (Verse 11 and 12)
8. Authoritative Pastor. (Verses 13-16)
9. Admiring Suitor. (Verse 17, "great desire")
10. Assuring Hope. (Verses 18-20)
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1. Appreciated the word of God - "word of God"; "heard of us".
2. Accepted the word of God - "received".
3. Approved the word of God-not as the word of men".
4. Apprehended the word of God - "it is in truth".
5. Appropriated the word of God - "effectually worketh also in
you"
6. Applied the word of God - "became followers", (Verse 14).
B. Followers of Others. (Verse 14)
Paul and the churches of Judea. He had great respect for the
faithful churches in Judea. They suffered intense persecution
and suffering, they endured and remained faithful to Christ in
their sufferings. (Acts 24:17; Rom 15:25-28; I Co 16:1-3)
1. "Suffered" does not have to do with physical illnesses or
circumstances of life, or normal human experiences. But it
has to do with suffering persecution or rejection or trials
because one is loyal to Christ and to the word of God.
2. "Persecuted" lit. means to be "chased out." Paul was chased
out of Thessalonica by violent expulsion (Verse 17; comp. Act
17:5-10). Thessalonica was not the only city Paul was
"chased out" of (See Acts 16:19, 20; Acts 16:39, 40; 17:14;
Acts 19:30-20:1).
C. Frankness of Paul. (Verse 15)
Paul's closing words are words of condemnation against his own
people, the Jews.
1. Their actions displeased God. (Verse 15)
2. Hostile to man.
3. Warns them of God's wrath: wrath waits those who reject His
plan and purpose.
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NOTE #3: I n verse 19 the word "coming" is used for the first time in
the epistle. There are three principle Greek words used
i n the N.T. to describe the return of the Lord Jesus:
1. parousia (Pa-roo-SEE-ah) presence
2. apokalupsis (apock-AL-oop-sis) unveiling, revelation
3. epiphaneia (ep-FAHN-ee-ah) manifestation
NOTE #4: I f you take all the times the "parousia" is used in the N.T.,
you will find they describe a period of time with:
1. A beginning: is the rapture of the saints. (I Co 15:22,23)
2. A course: includes the Judgment Seat of Christ when
rewards will be given to believers for faithful service.
(I Jn 2:28; I Th 2:19; I Th 5:23)
3. A manifestation: the return of Christ to the earth to reign as
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King of kings and Lord of lords. The rapture is secret, but at
the Second Advent, every eye will see Christ. (Mat 24:3;
24:27; 24:37; I Th 3:13)
4. A climax. (2 Pe 3:4) This has to do with climatic judgment of
God on the earth. Peter answers these scoffers by pointing
forward to the time, after the 1000 yr. reign of Christ.
CHAPTER 3
Comfort in Sorrow
I ntroduction.
Paul had been forced out of Thessalonica before he accomplished his
goal for them. He wanted to go back again, but Satan hindered. He
knew they were being persecuted and he wanted to help establish
these new converts. He was anxious to know about their welfare, so
he sent Timothy to visit the church and to report back to him. The
report was of great encouragement and comfort to the Apostle. The
word "wherefore" of 3:1, links back to the preceding section of
Chapter 2.
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which came over Paul as he faced the philosophers of Athens.
A. Minister. (Verse 2)
"and sent Timothy." There are three terms used to describe
Timothy.
1. "Brothers" - Phil (verse 2), "adelphos" (same womb).
2. "Minister" - "Servant". (II Ti 2:24)
W. E. Vine writes helpfully on the word "Minister".
a. "Diakonos" is a servant viewed in relationship to his work.
(I Co 3:5; 2 Co 3:6; Eph 3:7; Col 1:23; 25; I Ti 4:6)
b. "Doul os" is the servant viewed in relationship to his
master. (Mat 8:9; Luk 2:29; Jn 18:18; Rom 1:1)
c. "Huperetes" originally an under-rower in war-galley, later
a subordinate official who waits on the commands of his
superior. (Mat 5:25; Lk 1:4; Acts 13:5) "Attendant" 26:16;
I Co 4:1. These scriptures emphasize the servant viewed
i n relationship to his superior.
d. "Leitourgos" is a servant view in relationship to public
duties. (Rom 13:6; 15:16; Heb 1:7; 8:2) (of the Lord) or one
who performs representative service. (Phi 2:25)
3. "Fellowlabourer" - "labourers together".
B. Mission of Timothy. (Verses 2 and 3)
The word "establish" in verse 2 and the word "stablish" in verse 13
i s rendered "strengthen thy brethren" in Luke 22:32, to make
stable, to fix firmly, (Rev. 3:2).
1. To establish them. (verse 2)
From the root word "support". It carries the idea of
encouraging or supporting them in a positive way for the
battle that was ahead of them.
2. To comfort them. (Verse 2)
"comfort you concerning your faith". They did not need
sympathy in sorrow as much as they needed
encouragement not to buckle under the pressure of
opposition. "Paraklesia" from "parakeleo", to call to one's side
i n order to challenge and strengthen by the way of
exhortation and encouragement.
3. To strengthen them. (Verse 3)
Timothy reminded them that it was normal and that it wasn't
strange when they suffer severely, but they must not be
shaken or lose heart.
C. Matter of Trials (Verses 4-5)
1. The Jews were offering an easy way out of their troubles.
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Paul insists that they knew better. (verse 3 "yourselves")
2. Tribulation is divinely appointed to God's people; it is
i nevitable.
3. Paul in verse 4 reminds the Thessalonians that he had
repeatedly spoken to them in the past about the certainty of
tribulation in the life of the believer. Gk. "Proelegomen", in
i mperfect tense, noting continued action in past. "We kept
on telling you."
4. Trials are a necessary form of discipline in our lives.
a. They prove the reality of our faith, and weed out those
who are mere professors (I Pe 1:7).
b. They enable us to comfort and encourage others who are
going through trials (2 Co 1:4)
c. They develop certain graces, such as patience, in our
character (Rom 5:3).
d. They make us more zealous in spreading the gospel
(Act 4:29; 5:27-29; 8:3,4).
e. They help to remove the dross from our lives (Job 23:10). -
23
to suggest that the Apostle's peace of mind depended upon
their steadfastness. He had a new lease on life. Paul was
cheered by their:
a. Healthy faith. (verse 6a)
b. Harmonious Love. (Verse 6b)
c. Heavenly Strength He Received. (Verses 7-8)
4. Sincere Thanksgiving. (Verse 9)
words fail to express to God the thanksgiving which filled
Paul's heart. His cup of joy was overflowing every time he
remembered them before the Lord.
5. Success of Travail. (Verse 10)
Paul's prayer life was not a hit and miss thing, it was habitual.
I t was specific, "that we may see your face." It was unselfish
also: "and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith."
He did not pray for their mutual welfare, but for their soul
prosperity. "And this is the best prosperity".
Mr. Telford said:
1. He prayed for assured direction. (Verse 11b)
2. He prayed for abounding love. (verse 12)
3. He prayed for abiding stability. (Verse 13a)
4. He prayed for abundant faith. (Verse 10)
5. He prayed for advancing purity. (Verse 13)
NOTE #1:
I n V. 11, Paul prays for divine direction to the Thessalonians.
I n V. 12, Paul prays for divine working in the Thessalonians.
I n V. 13, Paul prays for divine approval of the Thessalonians.
24
25
Thus, we may say that these terms have a twofold
application, and are in order first in relation to heavenly
scenes and then earthly -- first, applicable to those for
whom Christ comes; secondly, for Israel and the nations
when Christ comes with His saints.
Coming
(Heavenly) (Earthly)
Revelation
(Heavenly) (Earthly)
Appearing
(Heavenly) (Earthly)
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** II Tim. 4:1,8 and Titus 2:13 may be considered as applicable
to both. I Tim. 1:10 refers to the Lord's first advent.
Appear
Mat 24:30; Col 3:4 refer to the coming with the saints.
I Pe 5:4; 1 Jn 2:28; 3:3, Heb 9:28 clearly refer to the result for the
saints consequent upon Christ having come for them.
A study of these passages establishes the two distinct parts of
the Lord's coming, shows the difference of relation as to
heavenly and earthly scenes, and necessitates an interval of time
between them.
CHAPTER 4
Consolation in Second Coming
I ntroduction.
Beginning with Chapter 4, Paul begins a new emphasis in his
epistle. In the first three chapters, he had dealt with
personal experiences. Now in this section, we have exhortation
and encouragement. The Second Coming is going to be dealt
with in the latter part of this chapter, but Paul in this first part
i s going to exhort these believers to purity of life.
NOTE #1:
1. His coming affects my conduct. (Verses 1-8)
2. His coming affects my charity. (verses 9-10)
3. His coming affects my character. (Verses 11-12)
4. His coming affects my comfort in sorrow. (Verses 13-18)
27
This chapter opens with a plea to walk in holiness
and to please God, and closes with the translation of
the saints. Notice the similarity.
Enoch walked with God. (Gen 5:24a)
Enoch pleased God. (Heb 11:5b)
Enoch was translated. (Gen 5:24b; Heb 11:5a)
2. A life separated unto God. (Verses 3 and 4)
"That ye should abstain from fornication."
a. The child of God should maintain purity of life
because God is the Judge (Verse 6b), but also because
of his high calling in Christ to holiness (see verse 7).
b. Sanctification as used in this passage is not the
ultimate sin, nor the gradual attainment of the
Christian life; but it is the ruling condition and
atmosphere in which the believer lives.
3. A life of honor. (verse 6)
"That no man go beyond and defraud his brother."
a. "Go beyond" means to "transgress" or "overreach" or
to "take advantage of" and implies covetousness.
b. A sexual sin is a fraud against a brother because it
takes what is rightly his.
4. A life of holiness. (verse 7)
"For God hath not called us to uncleanness but unto
holiness." Sanctification is God's purpose in calling us by
the gospel. It must be learned by him (verse 4)and it
must be pursued by the believer (I Ti 2:15; Heb 13:4).
Sexual purity is demanded by God and the sanctity of
marriage should be observed.
a. I mpurity dishonors God. (Verse 5)
b. Defrauds a fellow believer. (Verse 6)
c. Despises man and God. (verse 8)
I mpurity and selfishness are opposed to the divine
will, contrary to brotherly love, unsuited to our
calling.
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5 A life guided by the Holy spirit. (verse 8)
Paul is saying if a man despises these instructions, he i sn't
just rejecting the teaching of man (such as Paul's); he is
defying God himself. How can one who is indwelt with
the Holy Spirit indulge in sexual sins? Notice that all
members of the Godhead are mentioned in this chapter.
B. Will of God proclaimed. (Verse 3)
"For this is the will of God."
1. Understanding the will of God. (Eph 5:17)
2. Underrating the will of God - "fools". (Eph 5:15)
3. Undertaking the will of God - "doing". (Eph 6:6)
a. The first most important thing in this world is "being
saved and knowing it."
b. The second most important thing in this world is
finding the will of God and doing it.
C. Warranty That is Promised. (Verse 8)
" Who hath given unto us his Holy Spirit." Each believer:
regenerated, indwelt, baptized, sealed. These are "once for
all transactions by God thru the Holy Spirit" that can never
be "annulled and never repeated."
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30
31
Tribulation. Noah in the flood sustained in the ark is
a good illustration of Israel.
6. "Trump of God".
Or trumpet, a musical instrument used to give various
signals. Two kinds of trumpets used in Bible times:
a. "Shofar" - ram's horn without a mouth piece.
The shofar included both the curved (male) ram's
horn and the straight (female) mountain goat's horn.
Later these had mouthpieces of gold or silver.
b. "Silver trumpet" - straight tube about 18 inches long
and had a belly like end on it. This was used mainly
i n temple. (Ex 19:13,16; Psm 47:5; Isa 27:13; Zec 9:14;
Joel 2:1; Mat 24:31; I Co 15:52; Rev 1:10; 4:1)
32
CHAPTER 5
Complete Satisfaction
I ntroduction.
The word "But" in verse I connects this opening paragraph with
the teaching given in Chapter 4:13-18. In 4:13-18, Paul speaks of
departed believers. Here he is going to deal with the Lord's
coming in relation to believers living on the earth. This is a
practical message for today.
1. Be ready. (Verses 1-5)
2. Be separated. (Verses 6-10)
3. Be obedient and united. (Verses 11-15)
4. Be practical. (Verses 16-24)
5. Be thoughtful. (Verses 25-28)
The first 3 verses deal with the condition of the world when
Christ comes, next 8 verses are exhortations to the church. The
world will be taken unawares, but the church should not be.
" Wrath" awaits the world in that day, "salvation" in the fullest
sense awaits the church (Verse 9).
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an awesome day of the Lord, yet future.
34
NOTE #2: The reason Paul says in verse 1,"no need that I write
unto you," is because believers will not be here in
this world when the Day of the Lord comes.
NOTE #3: Paul says in 2Th 2, in dealing with the "Day of the
Lord", these things must happen:
1. An all out Revolt against the faith. (II Th 2:3)
2. Revelation of the man of sin. (II Th 2:3c)
3. Removal of the Restrainer (II Th 2:6-7). The Holy
Spirit "removed" or "taken away" in the sense of
dealing with individual men as in this present
dispensation. Regeneration, indwelling, baptized,
sealing are all works of the Spirit and are
confined to this dispensation.
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darkness. (Jer 17:9; Jn 8:46; Rom 3:10-23; Eph 2:2-3)
2. Conduct of Children of Light. (verse 6)
a. "Therefore" refers back to foregoing facts.
b. Mr. Telford says "Watch" had to do with mental
alertness.
c. "Sober" has to do with moral alertness. Let others
be intoxicated by sports, shows, evil reading, vulgar
talk, watching indecency on T.V. Our emotions need
to be protected in a world that is forever playing
down to base desires in its advertisements.
d. The word "sober" in verse 6 and 8 are different in
meaning: one has to do with moral temperateness
and the other has to do with a stable, settled mind.
"Be sober" is a continuous present; be continually
sober.
3. Contrast in the Children of Light. (Verse 7)
a. Sleep and drunkenness are pre-eminently activities
of the night. Associated with night people.
4. Characteristics of the Children of Light. (verse 8)
a. Paul gives to us the picture of a soldier on duty, and
he mentions the believer's armor. Soldiers are
dressed in armor.
b. The three virtues - faith, love and hope - are to
protect the believer's heart and mind.
(See l Co 13:13)
5. Confidence for the Children of Light. (Verse 9-11)
a. The word "appointed" is not as the word
"predestinate" as in Rom 8:29, but it does place the
i nitiative and responsibility on God for our salvation.
b. " Wrath" is the anguish and tribulation associated
with the beginning of the Day of the Lord
(See verse 3).
c. I t is from this wrath that He has delivered the
Children of Light. (See Rev 3:10) Our deliverance
from wrath is associated with the death of the Lord
Jesus (verse 10). In Vs. 11, Paul tells these
Thessalonians in view of their escape from wrath,
and in view of so great salvation and in view of His
Second Coming we should:
1. Exhort one another.
2. Encourage one another.
3. Be an Example one to another.
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NOTE #5: I n these verses, we see twenty-one precepts, these
are arranged in five groups.
1. Two Commands. (Verses 12-13)
2. Four Counsels. (Verse 14)
3. Five Laws. (Verses 15-18)
4. Five Cautions. (Verses 19-22)
5. Paul closes this epistles with five desires for
all. (Verse 23-28)
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C. A person who is out of step with the doctrines and
practices of the church.
d. A.W.O.L.
2. Comfort the Feebleminded.
a. Two Greek words - "little-soul" or "faint-hearted."
b. Those who look on the dark side of life and then
give up when things don't go well.
C. Nothing to do with mentality.
3. Support the Weak.
a. "Support" means "to hold firmly."
b. Those who are immature. Those who are weak and
need extra care and protection.
c. Don't let them fall.
d. Caring for the weak is like caring for a baby.
4. Be Patient.
a. Don't give up on someone.
b. Patience is the ability to idle your motor while dying
to strip your gears.
c. Patience is the ability to count down before blasting
off.
5. Do Not Render Evil for Evil.
a. World says good for good.
b. Pagan says evil for evil.
c. Christian says good for evil.
C. Strengthen the Fellowship. (Verses 16-22)
1. Rejoice evermore.
a. Means to be joyful always.
b. This is the shortest verse in the N.T. Greek, not in
11:25.
c. I t is the hardest to keep.
d. Rejoice, joy or rejoiced or rejoicing is used 18 times
i n the book of Philippians.
e. Real joy is not worked up emotion. It is a fruit of the
i nworking Spirit (Gal 5:22)
2. Pray without ceasing.
a. This admonition does not mean we are to pray 24
hrs. a day.
b. I t means to be persistent in our prayers (Mat 7:7)
Potential is always to be there.
c. Don't give up, pray until God answers our prayers or
until He changes our prayers.
3. Be thankful.
a. Here is a command to give thanks in all
circumstances.
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b. "Giving thanks always for all things." (Eph 5:20)
c. A sure cure for pride is thankfulness.
d. We are not to practice humility but we are to
practice thankfulness.
4. Quench not the Spirit.
a. "Quenching the Spirit" is one of the sins committed
against the Spirit.
b. The admonitions found in vss. 19-22 "quench" Gk.
(sbennute) means to extinguish a flame.
(Mk 9:48; Mat 25:8 "lamps are gone out.")
c. Paul is saying to these believers not to hinder the
free work of the Spirit of God by rejecting the
message which was given to the prophets by the
Holy Spirit.
d. Do not stifle special gifts which he had sovereignly
bestowed upon them. (5:20)
5. Despise not prophesying.
a. I n 2:13, these Thessalonians had received the
message he gave, "not as the word of men, but as it
i s in truth, the Word of God."
b. when Paul had a prophecy for them, they received it
and accepted it as being from God.
c. But when their own prophets had a message from
the Lord, they despised it. The word "despised"
means to consider "useless or nothing."
6. Prove all things.
a. "Be discerning."
b. We are to try the spirits because there are many
false prophets in the world (I Jn 4:1).
c. Greek says, "don't swallow everything that comes
along." Greek says, "sniff out like a dog on a trail."
d. Test the spoken word.
7. Hold fast that which is good.
a. "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that
which is good" (2 Jn 11).
b. Good word, Good God, Good Testimony, Good Wife,
etc.
8. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
a. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph 5:11). (See
Eph 6:11-12) "hating even the garment spotted by
the flesh" (Jud 23). "let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit" (II Co 7:1).
b. The word "abstain" Gk. (apechesthe) means to "hold
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God always says spirit, soul and body. In the original
creation of man, the spirit was of first importance, the
body last.
3. One writer says the need for preservation is as follows.
a. The Spirit.
1) Everything that would defile. (2Co 7:1)
2) Everything that would hinder the testimony of
the Holy spirit to the saint's relationship with
God. (Rom 8:16)
3) Prevent the worship which He seeks.
(Jn 4:23; Phil 3:3)
b. The Soul from.
1) Evil thoughts. (Mat 15:18, 19; Eph 2:3)
2) Fleshly appetites that war against it. (I Pe 2:11)
3) Contention and strife. (Heb 12:15)
c. The Body from.
1) Defilement. (I Th 4:3-8)
2) Evil uses. (Rom 6:19)
C. Prayer. (Verse 25)
1. Paul desires the prayers of these Thessalonians.
2. He never outgrew the need for prayer and neither do
we.
D. Personal Greeting. (Verse 26)
1. The important thing is that the greeting be holy, that is
free from hypocrisy or sin, and not impartial (all the
brethren).
2. Our handshake is equivalent to the kiss of that day.
E. Plan for the Epistle. (Verse 27)
1. Paul wants this epistle read aloud in the church, as the
Old Testament was read in the synagogues.
2. Paul charges them by the Lord. He makes it
authoritative.
F. Promise He Gave. (Verse 28)
1. Paul opens this epistle with grace and now he closes it
with the same theme.
2. Paul's Christianity was grace from the beginning to the
end.
NOTE #7: So until our Lord comes for the Church, we have:
1. Divine faithfulness. (Verse 24)
2. Definite Prayer. (Verse 25)
3. Duty Towards One Another. (Verse 26)
4. Daily Reading of the Scriptures. (Verse 27)
5. Delivering Grace in Abundance. (Verse 28)
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