Bible Commentaries
1 Thessalonians 5

Verse 1

The Model Walk and the Day of the Lord

1) "But of the times" (peri de ton chronon) "But concerning or regarding the times", continuing, chronologically moving events of time, a succession of moments and events constituting the frame work of a specific purpose or event, as the coming of Christ.

2) "And seasons, brethren" (kai ton kairon, adelphoi)

and the special eras, seasons, or periods of time, brethren"; such as (a) the regathering of Israel in her land (b) the re-birth of the nation in a day, (c) the two 42 month phases of the time of Jacob’s trouble (d) the restoration of the Jewish morning and evening oblations in the rebuilt Temple.

3) "Ye have no need that I write unto you" (ou chreian echete humin graphesthai) "you all have not a need to be written unto"; Matthew 24:3; Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7; Luke 21:24; Luke 21:28.

See also: Isaiah 66:8; Ezekiel 37:21-27; Ezekiel 39:25-29; Daniel 9:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:5-11; Revelation 11:1-4.

Verse 2

1) "For yourselves know perfectly" (autoi gar akribos oidate) "For you (yourselves) know perfectly accurately, or in a mature way"; They perceived or comprehended factual matters regarding the return of Jesus Christ to the earth and "Fig tree signs", preceding it, Matthew 24:27; Matthew 24:32-33.

2) "That the day of the Lord" (hoti hemera kuriou) "That (the) day of the Lord"; Revelation 6:12-17. This phrase refers to that aspect of our Lord’s return in rending fiery tribulation judgment upon the unbelieving, unwatching, and unprepared, beginning at His return in the air for His Church, Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

3) "So cometh as a thief in the night" (hos kleptes en nuki houtos erchetai) "as a thief at night comes thus of his (its) own will or accord"; Luke 12:35-40; 2 Peter 3:10; Mark 13:34-37; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 18:3-5.

Verse 3

1) "For whenever they shall say" (hotan legosin) "Whenever they say"; the "they" refers to those spiritually blinded to revelation truth, those failing to understand Divinely disclosed way-signs pointing to our Lord’s return, so much like the Pharisees and Sadducees at His first advent, Mt 161-12.

2) "Peace and safety" (eirene kai asphaleia) "peace and safety are at hand, everything will be all right now" they be false lying prophets. For until the end, men and times shall wax worse and worse, Matthew 24:4-8; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:13.

3) "Then sudden destruction cometh upon them" (tote aiphnidios autois ephistatai olethros) "Then comes (as stillness before a mighty storm) sudden destruction to or toward them"; those willingly ignorant, who neither read the signs nor heed the message of the day of the Lord; Those then so living shall not be accounted worthy to escape earth’s tribulations, Luke 21:34-36; Hebrews 9:27.

4) "As travail upon a woman with child" (hosper he oidin te en gastri echouse) "as the sudden birthpangs to an expectant (pregnant) woman"; to those who look not for the Lord, at His coming, it appears that they may be left to face sudden consequences of their sins in the flesh, to die or be slain in the tribulation, Matthew 25:14-30; Revelation 6:12-17.

5) "And they shall not escape" (kai ou me ekphugosin) "and they may by no means escape" the “they" who shall not escape is the "they" who were not expecting, looking for, or accepting the Divine revelation of the approaching end of the times of the Gentiles, and the return of Jesus Christ; perhaps some saved as well as unsaved, see Luke 12:42-48. This appears to be a tribulation "portion" of punishment with hypocrites, not a "portion" of hell.

Verse 4

1) "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness" (humeis de, adelphoi ouk este en skotei) "But, brethren, you all are not in (a state of) darkness"; neither concerning salvation, Christian living, nor the coming of the Lord, Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 2:8; 2 Peter 3:10-13.

2) "That that day should overtake you as a thief" (hina he hemera humas hos kleptes katalabe) "in order that the day (of the Lord) should overtake you as a thief"; at or in an unexpected moment or attitude, Daniel 12:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Luke 21:20; Luke 21:24-36.

Verse 5

1) "Ye are all the children of light" (pantes gar humeis huoi photos este) "For you all are heirs of light"; In the restrictive and definitive sense, of the persons addressed, the children of light, as a "ye assembly" referred to the church at Thessalonica, and those of like kind, then and thereafter, 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; Matthew 5:13-16.

2) "And the children of the day" (kai huoi hemeras) and heirs (sons or children) of heritage rights, of the day"; or "children, heirs of the faith"; the system of teachings of Christ, which he committed to his church, Matthew 28:12-20.

3) "We are not of the night" (ouk esmen nuktos) “we are not of (the) night”; by nature heirs of night, darkness, alienation from God; Those who walk in the night stumble, John 11:10; Those who are of the Church must not bumble and stumble in moral, ethical, or doctrinal

ways.

4) "Nor of darkness" (oude skotous) "nor even or not indeed of darkness"; Our Lord challenged His Church in the Sermon on the Mount, "If the light in you becomes darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matthew 6:23. Those following Jesus walk well, for in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5; John 8:12.

Verse 6

1) "Therefore let us not sleep" (ara oun me Katheudomen) "as a result of this (knowledge) let us not sleep"; be inactive, unfruitful, unproductive, or without a testimony of faith and hope relating to our Lord’s coming, Hebrews 10:36-37; Matthew 25:5; Matthew 25:13; Romans 13:11-13,

2) "As do others" (hos hoi loipoi) "as do the lingering or lingering ones", the indifferent unknowing and uncaring ones; those not of the Church, those never committed to Christ by covenant relation, through baptism and in His church, 2 Peter 3:1-5; Matthew 24:37-51.

3) "But let us watch and be sober" (alla gregoromen kai nephomen) "But (in contrast) let us watch (observe) and be sober", observe the times and seasons relating to the day of the Lord. It is both the duty and privilege of every true believer, especially those who have by baptism and church membership committed themselves to follow Jesus in service and worship, to be watching, living soberly, and living diligently, while looking for the Blessed Hope of the Bright Day of Christ’s return for his own; which will also be a black and blighting day of darkness for those who look not and are not prepared, when He comes upon them unawares, Titus 2:11-14; Luke 21:34-36; Luke 12:35-40; Luke 12:42-47. It appears that severe tribulation chastening, not hell, awaits indifferent, non-watching sluggards, worldly servants of Christ, at His coming. It is always virtuous to preach to the "Church ye” be ye therefore ready". Matthew 24:44; Matthew 24:51.

Verse 7

1) "For they that sleep" (hoi gar katheudontes) "For those sleeping", sleeping progressively, of their own will, because they want to--are called from their sleep, ere they can be useful to God or their fellowman, in spiritual as in physical matters, Ephesians 5:14-16,

2) "Sleep in the night" (nuktos katheudousin) "by or in the night they sleep"; In darkness in inactivity, in unfruitfulness they sleep, as nonproductive ones. These are as barnacles only as they sleep on. God’s children are to let their light shine, Matthew 5:15-16; "be witnesses, doers of the word, work while it is day, Acts 1:8; James 1:22; John 4:34-36; Romans 13:12-14.

3) "And they that be drunken" (kai hoi methuskomeno) "and those being drunk of their own will or accord"; those who yield themselves to riotous excesses of inebriation; those drunken by wine are controlled by wine, unstable souls, ignorant and obstinate against the call of God, Ephesians 5:17-18.

4) "Are drunken in the night" (nuktos methuousin) "By or in the night they are drunk"; to hide it, cover it up, because their deeds are evil, John 3:19-21; The drunkard comes to poverty, yet no less than the sluggard professor of Jesus Christ comes to total loss of rewards and a salvation, "as if by fire", Proverbs 23:21; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 1 Corinthians 6:10.

Verse 8

1) "But let us who are of the day be sober," (hemeis de hemeras ontes nephomen) "But we, being or existing of the day, let us be sober"; of sound judgment, emotional stability, alert to the coming of our Lord and our duties till He comes, Romans 12:3; Titus 2:6; 1 Peter 4:7; John 9:4.

2) "Putting on the breastplate of faith and love" (endusamenoi thoraka pisteos kai agapes) "putting on (or arming ourselves with) a breastplate of faith and love"; wherever faith works, it does it by love, Galatians 5:6. And faith is that breastplate that makes a way for love’s deeds of kindness, Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 6:14-17.

3) "And for an helmet, the hope of salvation" (kai and perikephalaian elpida soterias) "and (for) a helmet (head- protector) hope of salvation"; the anchor, stabilizer of the soul in every storm of life, Romans 5:5; Hebrews 6:17-19. This is a sure and steadfast hope; Philippians 3:20-21.

Verse 9

1) "For God hath not appointed us to wrath" (hoti ouk etheto hemas ho theos eis orgen) "because God did not appoint us (or set us out) unto wrath"; whatever wrath men receive in body or soul is primarily by exercise of their own choice, in rebellion against or disobedience to the calls and commands and warnings of God, Romans 1:18; Ephesians 6:4; Revelation 6:17.

2) "But to obtain salvation" (alla eis peripoiesen soterias) "but unto obtainment of salvation"; deliverance from wrath, against all ungodliness, Romans 1:18; this salvation of appointment by provision and the will of God is the salvation of soul and life, Romans 13:11; Philippians 2:12; Judges 1:3.

3) "By our Lord Jesus Christ" (dia tou kuriou hemon lesou Christou) "Through our Lord Jesus Christ"; He provided salvation for the souls of all through His substitutionary sacrifice of himself; through His exemplary life He provided an example for the salvation of our lives of usefulness, so that one may save or lose his life’s influence for good or bad, to be rewarded, or saved" “ as if by fire"; Romans 1:16; Mark 8:34-37; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 13-15.

Verse 10

1) "Who died for us" (thou apothanontos peri hemon) who died concerning us"; regarding our needs. Love motivated His death on our behalf; though we were ungodly, without strength, yet sinners, Romans 5:6-10.

2) "That, whether we wake or sleep" (hina eite gregoromen eite katheudomen) "in order that, whether we wake or whether we sleep"; we are yet living or asleep in death at His coming, we may hear a "well done" from Him, Luke 19:17; Matthew 25:21; Matthew 25:23; Revelation 22:12.

3) "We should live together with him", (hama sun auto zesomen) "we should live together (in close association or affinity) with him"; as members of His Bride, His church, 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7-9; He who went into heaven with outstretched hands praying for an blessing His church, brethren from Galilee who had followed Him to the Mount of Olives in Judea, shall also be His closest affinity people when He returns, Acts 1:10-11; Ephesians 3:21. Until then we should live, not merely “with him", but even "together with him", as He still walks and fellowships in and among His churches, with them always, and in a particular way that He is not ” together with" or in affinity with the saved who are not in His church, Revelation 1:12-13; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 1:20; Matthew 28:20; Matthew 18:20.

Verse 11

1) "Wherefore comfort yourselves together" (dio parakaleite allelous) "therefore comfort ye one another"; in the fellowship, the church together, in life’s trials’, and Christian burdens, 2 Corinthians 1:4; Hebrews 6:18-19.

2) "And edify one another" (kai oikodomeite eis hon hena) "and edify ye one (the) other"; uphold, or build up, encourage one another in the church, in the labors of the Lord, and in Christian virtues; This was a yearning Paul had for churches and brethren wherever he labored; He desired to see their growth in Christ, Romans 14:19; Romans 15:1-3.

3) "Even as also ye do" (kathos kai poieite) "Just as indeed ye do"; or even as you (now) do--just keep on keeping on helping each other, he seemed to say, Romans 15:4-7, James 1:22; John 13:17. The Greek term (oikodomeite) refers to the support, prayers, guidance, and help that members of the church may receive from love and fellowship in the church, not found outside the Church, John 13:34-35; Ephesians 3:21.

Paul acknowledged, with tact and discreet courtesy, that the brethren had already been helping each other in growth in Christian virtues, yet he desired such to continue and increase, 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:10.

Verse 12

General Concluding Instructions to the Church

1) "And we beseech you, brethren" (erotomen de humas, adelphoi) "now we ask you all, brethren," This is an appeal in brotherly love, given for respect for leaders in their local congregation.

2) "To know them which labor among you" (eidenai tous kopiontos en humin) "to know the one s laboring among you all"; perhaps Jason, Gaius, Secundus, Aristarchus, and Demas (in whose home the church met); These were leaders, perhaps ordained elders in the local congregation, Acts 17:5; Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; 2 Timothy 4:10.

3) "And are over you in the Lord" (kai proistamenos humon en kurio) "And who are standing forth to lead you in the Lord"; See also Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17; Hebrews 13:24. ’This rulership of standing over the Church (God’s people in the Church) is that of a shepherd, who leads by voice and influence, not that of a cowboy who cracks a whip; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 5:1-4.

4) "And admonish you" (kai nouthetountas humas) admonish you" in the Lord, the ways of the Lord; the admonition is an appeal, not that of a mandate of a dictator with disciplinary authority. Only the congregation of the church has administrative and disciplinary rule or authority over itself, Matthew 28:18-20.

Verse 13

1) "And to esteem them" (kai hegeisthai autos) "and all of you consider them"; actively be showing respect to or toward them, for their devotion and labors in leadership. The "them" refers not to the pastor (restrictedly) but to the plurality of elders or church elected leaders, always.

2) "Very highly in love" (huperekperissos en agape) most exceedingly, in the highest degree in love"; to hold in high regard with special love, 1 Corinthians 13:1-5.

3) "For their work’s sake" (dia to ergon auton) "because of the nature of their work"; because of the nature of their labors of love in oversight church work, 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17.

4) "And be at peace among yourselves" (eireneuete en heautois) "Be at peace, or (in a peaceful state) among yourselves", in the fellowship of the church. Because discord among them would result in personal unhappiness and social ruin. Jesus charged his church, "Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another", Mark 9:50; Colossians 4:6; Galatians 5:15-16; John 13:34-35, to carp, complain, and murmur is of the flesh, divisive in nature, and an hindrance to the work of the Lord.

Verse 14

1) "Now we exhort you, brethren," (parakaloumen de humas, adelphoi) "and we exhort you all, brethren," to beseech or call alongside for understanding and council, in the nature of a charge to four things: a) to warn, b) to comfort, c) to support, and d) to be patient, as follows:

2) "Warn them that are unruly" (noutheteite tous ataktous) "admonish the idle"; the drifting, non-workers, bums or tramps. Such ought not to exist among the people of God, especially in the church membership. Both Christian and secular work are of Divine order, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10; Galatians 6:1-2.

3) "Comfort the feebleminded" (paramutheisthe tous oligopsuchous) "comfort the fainthearted," the despondent, encourage them to be of good courage, Romans 15:1.

4) "Support the weak" (antechesthe tou asthenon) "Hold onto those in a condition of weakness", lend them your hand to steady them, your shoulder to lean on, your ear for understanding, your heart for care for them. Acts 20:35.

5) "Be patient toward all men" (makrothumeite pros pantas) "Be longsuffering toward all", Ephesians 4:2; Luke 21:29; Hebrews 12:1; James 1:3-4.

Verse 15

1) "See that none render evil for evil unto any man", (horate me tis kakon anti kakou tini apodo) "You all observe, lest anyone should return wrong for wrong, evil for evil, or devilment for devilment", strike back or seek recrimination and vengeance, Proverbs 20:22; children of God and church members in particular must not seek revenge for wrong. Proverbs 24:29; 1 Peter 3:9; Matthew 5:44.

2) "But ever follow that which is good" (alla pantote to agathon diokete) "But, you all follow or pursue always the good", the highest degree of good, or the better manner or course of conduct. To persevere in, to set one’s mind on doing good, is an holy goal or objective, 2 Corinthians 9:8; Colossians 1:10; 3 John 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

3) "Both among yourselves" (eis allelous) "in relation or regard to or toward one another"; through the church covenant members are sacredly pledged to avoid hurting one another and constructively to help each other, as taught in the Scriptures, Romans 12:13; Romans 13:13; Galatians 6:10; 1 John 3:17.

4) "And to all men" "and in regards to or toward all (men)"; Galatians 6:10; Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 1 Timothy 3:7. An holy, separated walk, before the world is of primary importance to the influence of both individual Christians and the church with -which they are identified. For it is a principle that "no man liveth or dieth to himself," alone, without influencing others, Romans 14:7; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Verse 16

1) "Rejoice" (chairete) "you all rejoice"; rejoicing is one of the diamonds of Christian experience, an expression of elated contentment, reflecting satisfaction and sufficiency in Christ, even under trials, sufferings, and disappointments, in heat and cold, in poverty and plenty, in youth and in old age, in salvation and in service, Psalms 9:14; Philippians 4:4.

2) "Evermore", (pantote) "always", in every thing, state or condition, at all times, in all seasons and circumstances, "all the day", Psalms 89:16;, Luke 10:20; Philippians 1:18; Philippians 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8; Psalms 126:6; 2 Corinthians 6:10.

Verse 17

1) "Pray" (proseuchesthe) "pray ye"; Like diamonds and dewdrops in sunlight, prayer reflects the true character of a Christian. Prayer is to be like an ever-flowing brook, an undercurrent giving continual strength to the life of every believer, Luke 18:1; Luke 21:36; Romans 12:12.

2) "Without ceasing" (adialeiptos) "not ceasing, or unceasingly"; without doubting, wavering, or forgetting that the source of all help and hope is in the Lord. To continue, persevere, in Christian living through the enabling instrument and channel of prayer is pleasing to our Lord, 2 Corinthians 4:2; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Peter 4:7.

Verse 18

1) "In everything give thanks" (en panti eucharisteite) "in all (kind of things) give thanks", and every kind of circumstance, give thanks or express gratitude for the goodness of God, Psalms 34:1; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:17.

2) "For this is the will of God"; to pray, give thanks, offer petitions to God daily, continually, is the will of God for all His children, Luke 18:1; Matthew 6:9-13; Colossians 3:17.

THANKSGIVING WITH PRAYER

A child knelt at the accustomed time to thank God for the mercies of the day and pray for His care during the coming night. Then, as usual, came the "God bless mother and but the prayer was stilled, the little hands unclasped, and a look of sadness and wonder met the mother’s eye, as the words of helpless sorrow came from the lips of the kneeling child, "I cannot pray for father any more." Since her lips had been able to form the dear name, she had prayed for blessing upon it. It had followed close after her mother’s name. But now he was dead. I waited for some moments, and then urged her to go on. Her pleading eyes met mine, and with a voice that faltered, she said, ’Oh, mother, I cannot leave him out all at once; let me say, "Thank God that I had a dear father once,’ so I can still go on and keep him in my prayers."

--The Christian

3) "In Christ Jesus concerning you" (en Christo lesou eis humas) "in Jesus Christ in regard to you all", in attitude of heart and life; 2 Corinthians 9:15; grateful people in Christ are seldom grouchy toward their friends, loved ones, and neighbors, and grouchy people are seldom either grateful people or generous people, Colossians 3:3; Ephesians 5:17.

Verse 19

1) "Quench not" (me zbennute) "you all do not quench", suppress or shut out the influence of the Spirit. He warms cold hearts, enlightens God’s studious, searching children, and seals souls of the redeemed to the resurrection hour, Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30.

2) "The Spirit" (to pneuma) "The Spirit"; as one is careful to protect, hold to a light in a cave or tunnel lest he stumble and fall, so should one deal in holy respect to the call and leadership of the Spirit, lest he fall into temptations and sin, Romans 8:14-16; Romans 5:5.

Verse 20

1) "Despise not" (me eksoutheneite) "you all despise not", or do not take lightly, frivolously; do not treat with disdain prophesying; Romans 2:4-7; Men are not to despise God, His work, His church, or His servants, 1 Corinthians 11:22; 1 Corinthians 16:11; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:15.

2) "Prophesying" (propheteias) "prophecies" foretold, forthcoming matters and events, matters told forth, that are about to be, based on the Word of God, 2 Timothy 4:1-3; Proverbs 1:22-30; Galatians 6:6-7.

Verse 21

1) "Prove all things" (panta de dokimazete) "and prove or test all kind of things", things that confront you, with the Scriptures, 1 John 4:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:22; 2 Corinthians 13:5; By the "Law and testimony" of the Lord, Isaiah 8:20. Sift the wheat from the chaff.

2) "Hold fast that which is good" (to kalon katechete) "hold fast to the things (that are) good", the things and standards that are ideal, that will stand the test of goodness before the Lord, Philippians 4:8. The good and bad are to be examined by the Word so that one may drop the bad and hold to the good.

Verse 22

1) "Abstain", (apechesthe) "you all abstain" refrain, draw back, stay away, or stand off from, from wickedness, a negative position to be positively held by the happy man, Psalms 1:1-3.

2) "From all the appearance of evil" (apo pantos eidous ponerou) "From all perceptions of wickedness", that which has the very appearance of moral wrong, wickedness, deceit, and debauchery, in every form, 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Corinthians 8:13; 1 Corinthians 10:20-22; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22.

Verse 23

1) "And the very God of peace" (autos de ho theos) and himself the God of peace", source of true peace, who abhors strife, division, contention, confusion, and clamor--to Him Paul prays down blessings from the Father upon the Thessalonian brethren, James 1:17-21; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Ephesians 2:14.

2) "Sanctify you wholly" (hagiasai humas holoteleis) may he sanctify you complete", wholly or in every essence of your being, in every chamber or room of your tabernacle of life, 1 Corinthians 6:17-19; 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.

3) "And I pray God your whole" (kai holokleron humon) "and your whole being", (I pray God); as a newborn creature, man belongs to God, should be subject to Him in everything, 1 Corinthians 10:31.

4) "Spirit and soul and body" (to pneuma kai he pusche kai to soma) "The spirit and the soul and the body"; this constitutes the whole of man, (a) the spirit of man, nearest like God, (b) soul (spirit, mind and conscience) and (c) the body, tabernacle of man’s soul and spirit. 3 John 1:2.

5) "Be preserved blameless" (amemptos) "blamelessly", (teretheis) "may be kept or guarded", without just charges of blame for wrong--such is real sanctification of life, 1 Timothy 4:5; 2 Timothy 2:21; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Corinthians 1:8.

6) "Unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (ente parousia tou kuriou hemon lesou Christou) "at the body presence (appearing) of our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Corinthians 1:8; Matthew 25:10; Luke 21:36.

Verse 24

1) "Faithful is he that calleth you" (pistos ho kalon humas) " Faithful (is) the (one) calling you", progressively, continually, daily calling you all-- to faithful living, obedient service, and watchfulness.

2) "Who also will do it" (hos kai poiesei) "who indeed will do it", will care for, preserve you, keep you unto the bodily appearance, return of Jesus Christ, Mark 8:34; John 6:37; John 10:27-30; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:13.

Verse 25

1) "Brethren, pray" (adelphoi proseuchesthe) “Brothers, pray ye" such was the charge of our Lord, Luke 18:11; Matthew 6:9-13.

2) "For us" ([Kai] peri hemon) "also (even) concerning us", Paul and his companion missionaries. As these believed in and practiced praying for others, so should we, for such pleases God and blesses men. 2 Thessalonians 3:1; James 5:16-17.

Verse 26

1) "Greet all the brethren" (aspasasthe tous adelphous pantas) "you all greet all our brethren" or extend our greetings to them, not only in the local congregation but also throughout Macedonia, 1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Peter 5:14.

2) "With an holy kiss" (en philemati hagio) "with a friendly, holy-purpose, kiss"; as the handshake and hanging up of hats and coats is a common greeting courtesy today, so was the kiss in the Middle East. Christians were charged to use this custom in an holy--not lustful manner of greeting one another, 2 Corinthians 13:12.

Verse 27

1) "I charge you by the Lord" (enorkizo humas ton kurion) "I adjure (charge) you all (by) the Lord", or authority of the Master on high, not by his own authority, an evidence of Paul’s claim to inspiration in writing this letter.

2) "That this epistle be read" (anagnosthenai ten epistolen) "That this epistle (is) to be read; made available for the hearing of the message. Acts 17:10-11; John 5:39; 1 Peter 3:15; attendance to reading is a Divine benefit, 1 Timothy 4:13.

3) "Unto all the holy brethren" (pasin tois adelphois) "To all the (church) brethren", to whom the letter was addressed, 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:14, both in Thessalonica, and preserved to be perpetuated for our use today, as found also in Colossians 4:16. Remember, this was the first New Testament book written, hence the importance of sharing its message of consolation with all brethren possible.

Verse 28

1) "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" (he charis tou kuriou hemon lesou Christou) "The grace of our Lord (Master) Jesus (Savior) Christ (anointed one); Grace is the sum and source of all blessings obtained through Christ and the greatest happiness we can desire for others.

2) "Be with you. Amen." (Meth’ humon) "be with you all"; 2 Thessalonians 3:18. Paul never ceased to pray and desire that the grace and peace he had received through Jesus Christ might abound richly, exceedingly, continually on those brethren of the churches of Jesus Christ who loved and sought to do the bidding of Christ to them both as individuals and as true churches. Romans 16:20-24.