Paul’s Vital Instructions for Believers I Thessalonians 4:1-12 Part I
Having discussed with this church their exemplary reception of the gospel, which resulted in their manifesting the fruit of the gospel, and his (Paul’s) motive for ministering to them (Chapters 1-3), Paul exhorted the Thessalonians believers that God’s will is for them to be separated to holiness and moral purity. Also, Paul exhorted these believers to be committed in demonstrating love. Our text, I Thessalonians 4:1-12, may be outlined as follows: I. An Exhortation to Walk in Holiness – I Thessalonians 4:1-8; II. An Exhortation to Demonstrate Brotherly Love – I Thessalonians 4:9-12.
- An Exhortation to Walk in Holiness – I Thessalonians 4:1-8
In verse 1, Paul exhorted these believers to walk even more to please the Lord (Chapter 4:1). They (Paul and his associates) conveyed the word to them by the authority of the Lord Jesus (v.2). The very teaching of Paul to these believers, if practiced, would continue to result in exemplary Christian living. In verse 3, Paul moved on to an even more particular exhortation for these believers. He will state to them that God’s will is for believers to be holy. Paul calls upon these believers to manifest chaste behaviour by avoiding any form of sexual impropriety.
As Christians, we are called to a life of complete dedication to God (Romans 12:1-2), and “living loose” in an ungodly world doesn’t serve to glorify God. God is definitely pleased with us when our behaviour is in alignment with our belief. And by the way, what does it mean to be holy? To be holy means to be set apart from sin, for God’s intended use. God wants us to be holy (Lev.11:44; I Peter 1:15-16) because holiness is one of God’s moral attributes; thus, if we want to be like Him, we are called to a life of holiness.
Continuing in his exhortation to the believers, Paul related in verse 4 that they (the believers) can exercise self-control in this area by subduing their fleshly passions.
In verse 5, the word “lust” refers to depraved and vile passions. Moreover, the word “concupiscence” carries the idea of a strong desire that is sometimes overpowering (Romans 7:7-8; Colossians 3:5).
Only by the enabling power of God, can these believers have victory in this area. Temptations are apart of life, and as Christians, we must follow the example of Christ – He used the “word” as His means of victory over temptations (Matthew 4:1-11).
Furthermore, in verse 6, Paul stated that these believers were not to emulate the example of the heathen (unbelievers), for they (the unbelievers) were passionately engrossed in their lustful desires. Unbelievers really have a depraved view of morality because they have not submitted themselves to God’s revelation (Romans 1:18-24, 28, 32). The word “Gentiles” is a word for heathens, and the term meant an unbeliever. As believers in this age, we know God and we know the type of behaviour that God exacts of us. He has called us to a complete life of holiness, and many practices of the world are not consistent with our calling. In verse 6 and 7, Paul will detail two reasons why sexual wickedness is to be averted (a) it is a sin and thus it will be avenged by God (I John 5:17); (b) it goes contrary to God’s intended design or purpose for the believers.
In verse 7, believers are called to a life of moral holiness. We are not to “despise” or reject God’s instructions to live a life of holiness, for we would be opposing God (v. 8). Certainly, one who disregards God’s instructions for holy living will be judged. God has bestowed the power to live a pure life through the Holy Spirit, which indwells every child of God (I Corinthians 6:19).
May God Bless
