Paul wrote some of the greatest revelation so that we would see a bigger picture of the Elohim, the universe He created, and to have hope for our future. Sometimes we get lost in the weeds of life, and forget that there are powerful spiritual entities working against us at every turn. Since we previously covered some of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians (where he wrote prophecies which are so heavy, burdensome, and full of future warnings), we want to know more about the church that he wrote to. We tend to cherry-pick portions to read, but we do not realize what was taking place in that time period; the persecutions, the struggles, and the influx of new believers in Christ. If we start with Paul’s first letter, he drops one of the most important prophecies to the Body of Christ. But then he follows up in his second letter with more prophecies.
In the church at Thessalonica they were being persecuted by the same people who killed Jesus Messiah, their own countrymen and the Jews. Paul says that the Thessalonian believers are rescued from the wrath but that their abusers are filling up their sins for the wrath. Once Paul is done expressing his concerns and love for the Thessalonian believers he has to handle sexual sin in the church.
If you have a Bible Atlas it might be good to pull it out and look at where Thessalonica was. Today it is in the northeast part of Greece, just above the land outline that looks like a cow udder. This is the location that Yahweh chose to reveal, by letter, the revelation of the harpazo, the above assembly, the rising up, the gathering, the divorce, son of perdition, and the delusion. It was written in 47 AD, almost fifty years prior to John’s Book of Revelation. It is interesting how both the prophecies of Paul and John work together to give us a bigger picture. Paul was probably teaching these prophecies live to churches in the region, but this is the first time that he wrote it down. This letter was written just prior to the counsel of Jerusalem in Acts 15.
This is Paul’s church, his baby so to speak. He writes to them very pastorally as they are being persecuted by the Jews. Paul reminds them that they became imitators of Paul, Silvanus/Silas, and Timothy.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 G* Paul, G2532 and G* Silas, G2532 and G* Timothy, G3588 to the G1577 assembly G* of Thessalonians, G1722 in G2316 God G3962 the father, G2532 and G2962 in the Lord G* Jesus G5547 Christ. G5484 Favor G1473 to you, G2532 and G1515 peace G575 from G2316 God G3962 our father, G1473 G2532 and G2962 the Lord G* Jesus G5547 Christ.
2 G2168 We give thanks G3588 to G2316 God G3842 at all times G4012 concerning G3956 all G1473 of you, G3417 [2mention G1473 3of you G4160 1making] G1909 in G3588 G4335 our prayers; G1473
3 G89 continually G3421 remembering G1473 your G3588 G2041 work G3588 of the G4102 belief, G2532 and G3588 the G2873 toil G3588 of the G26 love, G2532 and G3588 the G5281 endurance G3588 of the G1680 hope G3588 G2962 of our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ, G1715 before G3588 G2316 [2God G2532 3and G3962 4father G1473 1our].
Paul greets them, telling them that he gives thanks for them and prays for them for the work of faith and the toil of love and the endurance of the hope of our Yahweh. This is how the church actually works, we have to do works that align with our faith, we have to labor in love, and still have the endurance of hope in Yahweh before the face of our Elohim Father. What is the endurance of hope? It is steadfastness or patient waiting in expectation, with trust and confidence. The hope of Yahweh Jesus Christ is trusting and expecting in Him. Paul will tell us what to trust and expect regarding Yahweh Jesus Messiah a bit later.
1 Thessalonians 1:4 G1492 Knowing G80 brethren, G25 O ones being loved G5259 by G2316 God, G3588 G1589 of your selection, G1473
5 G3754 that G3588 G2098 our good news G1473 G3756 did not G1096 take place G1519 in G1473 you G1722 in G3056 word G3440 only, G235 but G2532 also G1722 in G1411 power, G2532 and G1722 in G4151 [2spirit G39 1holy], G2532 and G1722 in G4136 [2full assurance G4183 1much]; G2531 as G1492 you know G3634 what G1096 we became G1722 among G1473 you G1223 for G1473 you.
When the Thessalonian church received the logos they also received miraculous inherent power. They also received the Holy Spirit. This is what should still be happening in the church, receiving the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 G2532 And G1473 you G3402 [2imitators G1473 3of us G1096 1became], G2532 and G3588 of the G2962 Lord, G1209 having received G3588 the G3056 word G1722 in G2347 [2affliction G4183 1much], G3326 with G5479 joy G4151 [2spirit G39 1of holy],
7 G5620 so that G1096 you became G1473 G5179 models G3956 to all G3588 the ones G4100 believing G1722 in G3588 G* Macedonia G2532 and G3588 G* Achaia.
Macedonia is that part of the European continent where Thessalonica is located. Achaia is the southern portion and is on the mainland. The Thessalonians are sharing the gospel with the entire region, which would include Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Berea. They are great teachers. Even though they received the gospel with much affliction they were filled with joy in the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:8 G575 [2from G1473 3you G1063 1For G1837 8has resounded G3588 4the G3056 5word G3588 6of the G2962 7Lord], G3756 not G3440 only G1722 in G3588 G* Macedonia G2532 but G1722 in G* Achaia. G235 But G2532 also G1722 in G3956 every G5117 place G3588 the G4102 belief G1473 of yours, G3588 the one G4314 towards G3588 G2316 God, G1831 has gone forth, G5620 so as G3361 [3no G5532 4need G1473 1for us G2192 G2192 2to have] G2980 to say G5100 anything.
9 G1473 For they themselves G1063 G4012 [2concerning G1473 3us G518 1report] G3697 as to like what G1529 introduction G2192 we had G4314 towards G1473 you, G2532 and G4459 how G1994 you turned G4314 to G3588 G2316 God G575 from G3588 the G1497 idols, G1398 to serve G2316 [4God G2198 1a living G2532 2and G228 3true],
10 G2532 and G362 to await G3588 G5207 his son G1473 G1537 from out of G3588 the G3772 heavens, G3739 whom G1453 he raised G1537 from G3498 the dead -- G* Jesus, G3588 the one G4506 rescuing G1473 us G575 from G3588 the G3709 [2wrath G3588 G2064 1coming].
“and await the son his from out of the heavens that waken from out of dead Jesus the rescue us from out of the wrath the coming.”
The Thessalonians used to worship idols, but now they serve the living and true Elohim. They were also teaching about Jesus redeeming us from the coming wrath. Imagine this being taught while the church at Jerusalem was still arguing if gentiles could join the church, Acts 15. Paul was so far ahead of the political nonsense going on in the new church in Jerusalem it is no wonder the Jerusalem church leaders felt threatened and tried to kill him. The church in Thessalonica was moving fast and growing, which made them (and those people who ministered with Paul), a target for Satanas.
1 Thessalonians 2:1 G1473 For you yourselves G1063 G1492 know, G80 brethren, G3588 G1529 our introduction, G1473 G3588 the one G4314 towards G1473 you, G3754 that G3756 [2not G2756 4in vain G1096 1it has 3been];
2 G235 but G2532 also G4310 having suffered before, G2532 and G5195 having been insulted, G2531 as G1492 you know, G1722 in G* Philippi, G3955 we were speaking openly G1722 in G3588 G2316 our God, G1473 G2980 to speak G4314 to G1473 you G3588 the G2098 good news G3588 G2316 of God G1722 with G4183 much G73 struggle.
Philippi was northeast of Thessalonica in Macedonia. It was a military colony, probably without a synagogue. The people that Paul converted would worship and pray at the riverbank. What happened in Philippi? A few years after this letter, Paul met Lydia at the river around 50AD. Paul and Silas were imprisoned because they cast out a demon in a woman. At the time of this letter Paul was traveling with Silas and Timothy, not just Silas. Whatever happened, Paul was insulted and suffered hardship.
1 Thessalonians 2:3 G3588 G1063 For G3874 our exhortation G1473 G3756 was not G1537 from out of G4106 delusion, G3761 nor G1537 from out of G167 uncleanness, G3777 nor G1722 in G1388 deceit.
Paul says that their exhortation was not out of delusion, planē, the same word he uses in 2 Thessalonians describing wandering, deceit, and error. Paul’s encouragement was not from delusion, impurity, or treachery.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 G235 But G2531 as G1381 having been tried G5259 by G3588 G2316 God G4100 to be trusted with G3588 the G2098 good news, G3779 so G2980 we speak; G3756 not G5613 as G444 [2men G700 1pleasing], G235 but G3588 to G2316 God, G3588 to the one G1381 trying G3588 G2588 our hearts. G1473
5 G3777 For neither G1063 G4218 at any time G1722 with G3056 word G2850 of flattery G1096 did we exist, G2531 as G1492 you know, G3777 nor G1722 with G4392 an excuse G4124 for a desire for wealth, G2316 (God G3144 is witness),
6 G3777 nor G2212 seeking G1537 [2from G444 3men G1391 1glory], G3777 nor G575 from G1473 you, G3777 nor G575 from G243 others; G1410 though being able G1722 in G922 weight G1510.1 to be G5613 as G5547 Christ's G652 apostles.
7 G235 But G1096 we became G2261 calm G1722 in G3319 your midst, G1473 G5613 as G302 even G5162 a nurse G2282 should comfort G3588 her own G1438 G5043 children.
Paul says that they didn’t give people the gospel to please men or so that they could be flattered by acclaim. They did not share the gospel with a desire for wealth, pleonexia, meaning “greed, fraudulence, or extortion”. Paul wasn’t selling the gospel, the good news. He wasn’t doing it for the glory of men, yet he was strong enough in the burden to be the Messiahs apostle. Paul reminds them of the toil in bringing the gospel and their belief. Paul sees them as his children
1 Thessalonians 2:8 G3779 Thus G2442 longing over G1473 you, G2106 we thought well G3330 to share G1473 with you G3756 not G3440 only G3588 the G2098 good news G3588 G2316 of God, G235 but G2532 also G3588 G1438 our own G5590 lives, G1360 because G27 [2beloved G1473 3to us G1096 1you have become].
9 G3421 For you remember, G1063 G80 brethren, G3588 G2873 our toil G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G3449 trouble, G3571 for night G1063 G2532 and G2250 day G2038 working, G4314 for G3588 the G3361 not G1912 overburdening G5100 any G1473 of you, G2784 we proclaimed G1519 to G1473 you G3588 the G2098 good news G3588 G2316 of God.
10 G1473 You G3144 are witnesses G2532 and G3588 G2316 God, G5613 how G3743 sacredly, G2532 and G1346 justly, G2532 and G274 blamelessly G1473 [2to you G3588 3the ones G4100 4believing G1096 1we were].
11 G2509 Just as G1492 you know, G5613 how G1520 each one G1538 G1473 of you G5613 as G3962 a father G5043 of his own children, G1438 G3870 we were comforting G1473 you G2532 and G3888 consoling,
12 G2532 and G3143 testifying, G1519 for G3588 G4043 you to walk G1473 G516 worthily G3588 G2316 of God, G3588 of the one G2564 calling G1473 you G1519 into G3588 G1438 his own G932 kingdom G2532 and G1391 glory
Paul planted the church and is now feeling like a father to them as he guides them and encourages them.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 G1223 On account of G3778 this G2532 also G1473 we G2168 give thanks G3588 to G2316 God G89 continually, G3754 that G3880 taking to yourselves G3056 the word G189 of report G3844 [2by G1473 3us G3588 G2316 1of God], G1209 you received G3756 not G3056 the word G444 of men, G235 but G2531 as G1510.2.3 it is G230 truly, G3056 the word G2316 of God, G3739 which G2532 also G1754 exerts energy G1722 in G1473 you -- G3588 the ones G4100 believing.
The Thessalonians did not receive the gospel as the word of men but as the logos of the Elohim which is active and effectual in those who believe.
1 Thessalonians 2:14 G1473 For you G1063 G3402 [2imitators G1096 1became], G80 brethren, G3588 of the G1577 assemblies G3588 G2316 of God, G3588 the ones G1510.6 being G1722 in G3588 G* Judea G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus; G3754 that G3588 the same things G1473 G3958 [3suffered G2532 2also G1473 1you] G5259 by G3588 your own G2398 G4853 fellow-tribesmen, G2531 as G2532 also G1473 they G5259 by G3588 the G* Jews,
Paul is commending the Thessalonians for being imitators of the assemblies, ekklēsia, that were in Judea. There were home churches, ekklēsias, in Judea and now in Thessalonica, and both were being persecuted by their own countrymen and by Jews. Nothing has changed today as the ekklesia is still persecuted by the non-believers and Jews.
This sentence really continues into the next verse.
1 Thessalonians 2:15 G3588 the ones G2532 both G3588 [2the G2962 3Lord G615 1killing] G* Jesus, G2532 and G3588 their own G2398 G4396 prophets, G2532 and G1473 driving you out, G1559 G2532 and G2316 [3to God G3361 1 are not G700 2pleasing], G2532 and G3956 [2to all G444 3men G1727 1opposing];
“of and the Yahweh killed Jesus and the prophets and us persecute and Elohim not pleased and all men opposite.”
The Thessalonians suffered persecutions by their own countrymen and by the Jews. The ones who both killed, apokteinō, put to death, slayed, killed outright, Jesus, and their own prophets. Who killed Jesus Messiah? The Jews and the Romans. These murderers drive out the ekklesia. They are doing the opposite of what they should do.
It is always nonsensical to beat down and drive out Christians, as Christians walk in love, give to the poor, are for peace and not war. Christians do not cause a burden to any society, as Christians work and pay their own way, pay taxes, and obey governing authorities. It would seem more logical to beat down and drive out the non-Christians from a society, and actually the Romans did that in 70 AD when they leveled the temple and kicked the Jews out of Jerusalem. The Christians were allowed to stay in Jerusalem.
We should understand that by today’s standards Paul, who was a “Pharisee of Pharisees", well educated in Judaism, and also spent fourteen years in the desert in Essene schooling, was obviously anti-semitic. Even though he was a Hebrew man from the tribe of Benjamin, he said:
“the same things you suffered also by your own country men and by the Jews who both killed Yahweh Jesus and their own prophets”.
This is an anti-semitic statement, at least according to our modern day politicians. If Paul were alive today he would be jailed for this anti-semitic letter. Paul was persecuted later as we read in Acts 21, in about 55 AD, by the same people who did kill Yahweh Jesus Messiah. It is funny how this type of manipulation has always been floating through our societies from Paul’s Thessalonica letter (47 AD) through to today.
Fifty or so years later Jesus wrote to the seven churches in Asia and he tells them something interesting. He tells them that there are people who are persecuting two of the churches and who say that they are Jews but they are not, but instead they are from the “synagogue of Satanas”.
Rev 2:8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Jesus was persecuted by these same people. Jesus says the same thing to the church at Philadelphia. It is blasphemy to call oneself a Jew when that one is not. Is this why no one wants to genetically test their heredity in Israel?
Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Rev 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Jesus says that he will make the Jews from the synagogue of Satanas, who are liars, bow and worship at their feet. The reason that Jesus is mentioning this is that these churches were still being persecuted by Jews. It would seem that the people who claim to be Jews persecute Christians all the time.
Persecution of Christians is nothing new, yet even when Christians are persecuted the ekklesia grows. No one can stop people believing in the Messiah, even in communist countries. People can simply believe. Back to Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 2:16 G2967 (ones restraining G1473 us G3588 [2to the G1484 3nations G2980 1to speak], G2443 that G4982 they should be delivered,) G1519 so as G3588 G378 to fill up G1473 their G3588 G266 sins G3842 at all times; G5348 but came G1161 G1909 upon G1473 them G3588 the G3709 wrath G1519 to G5056 the end.
“prevent us the ethnos/nations speak in order that save into the completion their the sins always come but on the wrath into fulfillment.”
Both the countrymen and the Jews are hindering Paul from speaking to the nations and getting the nations saved. What else is new? They are completely filling up their sins, all the time, to arrive at the wrath at the fulfillment. That is what people are still doing. As Paul said, the believers, the ekklesia, is not appointed to wrath, but the unbelievers are. They are filling themselves up with sin until the time of the wrath. This sounds like the “energy of delusion” doesn’t it, 2 Thessalonians 2:11.
This is the second time that Paul mentions the coming wrath. We are not subject to the wrath, we are not destined or appointed for the wrath. The ones who say that they are Jews but they are not, are the ones who are appointed to wrath. The ones who persecute Christians are appointed to wrath. Graciously the Elohim lets everyone fill up their own sins in this age, and the ones who take every advantage to add to them will find out at the end of the age that that was a poor choice.
1 Thessalonians 2:17 G1473 But we, G1161 G80 brethren, G642 being orphaned G575 from G1473 you G4314 for G2540 [2time G5610 1an hour], G4383 in person, G3756 not G2588 in heart, G4056 more exceedingly G4704 hurried G3588 G4383 [2your face G1473 G1492 1to behold] G1722 with G4183 much G1939 desire.
18 G1352 Therefore G2309 we wanted G2064 to come G4314 to G1473 you -- G1473 even indeed I G3303 G* Paul, G2532 even G530 once G2532 and G1364 twice; G2532 and G1465 [2hindered G1473 3us G3588 G4567 1Satan].
19 G5100 For what is G1063 G1473 our G1680 hope, G2228 or G5479 joy, G2228 or G4735 crown G2746 of boasting? G2228 or G3780 is it not G2532 also G1473 you G1715 in front of G3588 G2962 our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ G1722 at G3588 G1473 his G3952 arrival?
20 G1473 For you G1063 G1510.2.5 are G3588 G1391 our glory G1473 G2532 and G3588 G5479 joy.
Paul doesn’t like being physically separated from the Thessalonian church. He wants to return but is being hindered by Satanas. Sometimes we are hindered by Satanas as well. Considering the matters of the church where Yahweh Elohim wants us to serve, how do we respond? Do we give up or push through? Paul realizes the joy that he will feel in seeing the Thessalonian church before the face of Yahweh Jesus Messiah at his coming in the clouds. It is something we should remind ourselves of when we think of others
Paul and Silas stay in Athens and send Timothy to Thessalonica due to persecutions. Paul says that no one should shake in these persecutions. Then Timothy goes back to Athens and reports the churches love, and their gospel, and their faith. This comforts Paul. What does Paul say about this?
1 Thessalonians 3:1 G1352 Therefore G3371 no longer G4722 holding off, G2106 we thought well G2641 to be left behind G1722 in G* Athens G3441 alone;
2 G2532 and G3992 we sent forth G* Timothy G3588 G80 our brother G1473 G2532 and G1249 servant G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G4904 our fellow-worker G1473 G1722 in G3588 the G2098 good news G3588 of the G5547 Christ, G1519 for G3588 the G4741 supporting G1473 you, G2532 and G3870 to comfort G1473 you G4012 concerning G3588 the G4102 belief G1473 of yours;
3 G3588 in the G3367 no one G4525 shrinking G1722 in G3588 G2347 these afflictions; G3778 G1473 for you yourselves G1063 G1492 know G3754 that G1519 in G3778 this G2749 we are situated.
No one was shaking in these afflictions, they stood strong. Paul says they know that in this they are appointed. The word keimai means “to lay or lie, recline, or appointed, or destined”. Why are we appointed or destined to afflictions? Because we are not appointed to wrath, our abusers are.
1 Thessalonians 3:4 G2532 For also, G1063 G3753 when G4314 [2with G1473 3you G1510.7.4 1we were], G4302 we said beforehand G1473 to you G3754 that G3195 we are about G2346 to be afflicted; G2531 as G2532 also G1096 it happened, G2532 and G1492 you know.
Paul told them that they, Paul, Silas, and Timothy, would be afflicted before it happened. The Holy Spirit tells us what is ahead when it is important to know. We see just by this letter where Paul has talked about being persecuted, that he was used to it, and somewhat expected it. This is probably why when later Paul was being told not to go to Jerusalem in 55 AD, Acts 21, he went anyway.
1 Thessalonians 3:5 G1223 Because of G3778 this, G2504 I also G3371 no longer G4722 holding off, G3992 sent forth G1519 for G3588 the G1097 knowing G3588 the G4102 belief G1473 of yours, G3381 lest perhaps G3985 [3tested G1473 4you G3588 1the one G3985 2testing], G2532 and G1519 [3in G2756 4vain G1096 2became G3588 G2873 1our toil]. G1473
Paul is concerned that Satanas has been testing them to turn them away from the Lord and Paul’s labors would be in vain. Now that Timothy has returned from Thessalonica and is reporting good news, Paul is happy. But something else was going on in Thessalonica which Paul addresses later, and it worried Paul so much that he had to send Timothy to check on them.
1 Thessalonians 3:6 G737 But now G1161 G2064 Timothy having come G* G4314 to G1473 us G575 from G1473 you, G2532 and G2097 having announced good news G1473 to us, G3588 the G4102 belief G2532 and G3588 the G26 love G1473 of yours, G2532 and G3754 that G2192 you have G3417 [3remembrance G1473 4of us G18 2a good G3842 1at all times], G1971 longing G1473 to see us, G1492 G2509 just as G2532 also G1473 we G1473 you;
7 G1223 because of G3778 this G3870 we were comforted, G80 brethren, G1909 over G1473 you G1909 in G3956 all G3588 G2347 [2affliction G2532 3and G318 4necessity G1473 1our], G1223 because of G3588 the G1473 belief of yours; G4102
8 G3754 for G3568 now G2198 we live G1437 if G1473 you G4739 stand firmly G1722 in G2962 the Lord.
9 G5100 For what G1063 G2169 thankfulness G1410 are we able G3588 G2316 to recompense God G467 G4012 concerning G1473 you, G1909 for G3956 all G3588 the G5479 joy G3739 which G5463 we rejoice G1223 on account of G1473 you G1715 before G3588 G2316 our God, G1473
10 G3571 night G2532 and G2250 day G5238.1 superabundantly G1189 beseeching G1519 for G3588 the G1492 beholding G1473 your G3588 G4383 face, G2532 and G2675 to ready G3588 the G5303 deficiencies G3588 of the G4102 belief of yours? G1473
Paul is so very happy about their strong faith. He prays for them and prays for any deficiencies in their faith. But why hasn’t Paul addressed the issues that the church was having?
1 Thessalonians 3:11 G1473 [7himself G1161 1And G3588 G2316 4God G2532 5and G3962 6father G1473 3our G2532 8and G3588 G2962 9our Lord G1473 G* 10Jesus G5547 11Christ G2720 2may] straighten out G3588 G3598 our way G1473 G4314 to G1473 you.
Paul says “may our Elohim and Father himself and our Yahweh Jesus Messiah straighten out our way to you”. He leaves it to the Elohim to make the way possible.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 G1473 [6you G1161 1And G3588 3the G2962 4Lord G4121 2may 5superabound], G2532 and G4052 may he abound G3588 the G26 love G1519 towards G240 one another, G2532 and G1519 towards G3956 all, G2509 just as G2532 also G1473 we G1519 towards G1473 you;
13 G1519 so as G3588 G4741 to support G1473 your G3588 G2588 hearts G273 blameless G1722 in G42 holiness G1715 before G3588 the G2316 God G2532 and G3962 our father, G1473 G1722 at G3588 the G3952 arrival G3588 G2962 of our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ G3326 with G3956 all G3588 G39 his holy ones.
“And may Yahweh increase you and exceed love into each other and into all, just as we into you to strengthen your heart blameless in holiness before the face of the Elohim our Father in the coming of Yahweh Jesus Messiah in the midst of all sacred ones, so be it."
The LXX adds the word “amēn” at the end. Putting the amen at the end of this verse gives us the idea that Paul is concluding his thoughts and is ready to start another thought.
Now Paul starts addressing the problems in Thessalonica and what was affecting the church.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 G3588 The G3062 rest G3767 then, G80 brethren, G2065 we ask G1473 you G2532 and G3870 appeal G1722 in G2962 the Lord G* Jesus, G2531 as G3880 you received G3844 from G1473 us G3588 the thing G4459 how G1163 it was necessary for you G1473 G4043 to walk G2532 and G700 to please G2316 God, G2443 that G4052 you should abound G3123 more.
The word “rest” here is the word loipoi, and it means “remaining ones” or “the rest that remain” also “left behind”. Paul addresses the remaining people who may have been embroiled in sin as Paul goes on to explain.
1 Thessalonians 4:2 G1492 For you know G1063 G5100 what G3852 exhortations G1325 we gave G1473 to you G1223 through G3588 the G2962 Lord G* Jesus.
3 G3778 For this G1063 G1510.2.3 is G2307 the will G3588 G2316 of God -- G3588 G38 your sanctification, G1473 G566 for you to be at a distance G1473 G575 from G3588 G4202 harlotry.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 G5124 D-NSN τουτο G1063 CONJ γαρ G2076 [G5748] V-PXI-3S εστιν G2307 N-NSN θελημα G3588 T-GSM του G2316 N-GSM θεου G3588 T-NSM ο G38 N-NSM αγιασμος G5216 P-2GP υμων G567 [G5733] V-PMN απεχεσθαι G5209 P-2AP υμας G575 PREP απο G3588 T-GSF της G4202 N-GSF πορνειας
“That thing for he is desire the Elohim the sanctification of you abstain from you away from the fornication”.
Paul addresses the issue of porneia, prostitution and sexual sin, including adultery and incest. The Elohim desires for our sanctification that we abstain from porneia, sexual sin. Timothy must have went to certain leaders and found out that the scandal was not involving them but others. This is why Paul addresses this section to “the remaining ones”. The others who participated in porneia, as well as those who caused some in the church to find out and become embroiled in the scandal.
1 Thessalonians 4:4 G1492 [3to know G1538 1 For each G1473 2of you] G3588 G1438 his own G4632 vessel, G2932 to possess G1722 in G38 sanctification G2532 and G5092 honor,
The word vessel is the word skeuos, meaning “an implement, equipment or utensil that can contain liquid”. Paul is obviously talking about male anatomy. This is something that we do not teach in our society. We teach that the male vessel is used as a tool to derive pleasure and for procreation, but not that it should be “possessed in sanctification and honor”.
1 Thessalonians 4:5 G3361 not G1722 in G3806 passion G1939 of desire, G2509 as G2532 even G3588 the G1484 nations, G3588 the ones G3361 not G1492 knowing G3588 G2316 God;
6 G3588 G3361 to not G5233 pass over G2532 and G4122 to overabound G1722 in G3588 the G4229 matter G3588 G80 of his brother; G1473 G1360 for G1558 the one punishing G3588 is the G2962 Lord G4012 concerning G3956 all G3778 these things, G2531 as G2532 also G4277 we foretold G1473 to you, G2532 and G1263 we testified.
“The not transgress and take advantage in the deed the brother his since avenger/punisher Yahweh concerning all of these just as and predict/fortell to you and attest.”
The word pragma here translated “matter” means “that which has been done, deed, act, or an affair”. Someone in the church took advantage in an act, not possessing his/their vessel correctly. Paul says that the avenger is Yahweh. Obviously, as Paul points out, there was passion and desire in these individuals. So we can surmise that this was a situation of adultery, rape, or incest, because the person/people took advantage of someone else, a woman or a man, or a child, we don’t know. These people were brothers among the church, Christian men, those with vessels.
In some ways it is sad to think that the exact same problems we have today were happening in the early churches and Paul’s first letter was written to address it. Later Paul writes to the Corinthian church regarding a sexual matter there. This also gives us a clue, that Satanas doesn’t have any original temptations, just the same old temptations that he has been using against men. We as a church body have not been stellar overcomers in this matter.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 G3756 [5not G1063 1For G2564 3called G1473 4us G3588 G2316 2God] G1909 unto G167 uncleanness, G235 but G1722 in G38 sanctification.
8 G5105 Accordingly G3588 the one G114 disregarding, G3756 [2not G444 3man G114 1disregards], G235 but G3588 G2316 God, G3588 the one G2532 also G1325 having given G3588 G4151 [3spirit G1473 1his G3588 G39 2holy] G1519 to G1473 us.
The one who atheteō, ignores or rejects this logos from Yahweh, ignores and rejects the Elohim, not men. The Elohim was the one who gave the Holy Spirit into us. We should have a connection to the Holy Spirit who also convicts the world of sin, but if someone rejects the Holy Spirit and rejects the Elohim, he then will suffer punishment from the avenger.
This is why Paul is concerned for this church. This is why he writes, what we see as three chapters, to encourage and bless them and remind them to withstand persecutions. He tells them they are not appointed to the wrath but that the ones who killed Jesus and who persecute them are filling up their sins for the wrath. He then touches on this subject of sexual sins and we see that he is speaking gingerly, not calling out those by name but lumping them into the category of the “remaining ones”. Now we understand what Paul means by the “remaining ones”, they are those who are not standing faithful or are wavering and not fully committed to Jesus Messiah. Paul goes on to share one of the most valuable summations of Christian redemption, the Day of Redemption in chapter 4, next time.
