I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. Truth to Learn Reading God’s Word is essential for all Christians. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “charge” is horkidzō, which is based on horkos, meaning “a solemn oath.” The verb horkidzō means...
1 Thessalonians 5:26 – A Holy Kiss?
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. Truth to Learn The early church employed a kiss as a customary greeting. Behind the Words “Greet” is from aspadzomai, meaning “to enfold in the arms” or as we would say, “to hug.” But, it can also mean “to salute,” “to welcome,”...
1 Thessalonians 5:25 – Humble Prayer Request
Brethren, pray for us. Truth to Learn We all need prayer so that we can bring glory to God. Behind the Words The word “brethren” is translated from adelphos, which is made up of a connective particle, a and a form of the noun delphus, meaning “the womb.” Thus, adelphos...
1 Thessalonians 5:24 – The Promise Keeper
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Truth to Learn God will keep His promise regarding your salvation. Behind the Words “He who calls” is translated from ho kalōn. The word ho is the third person singular personal pronoun (he) and kalōn is the present participle...
1 Thessalonians 5:23 – Sanctification and Preservation
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn God is the one who makes us holy and keeps us to the end. Behind the Words “Completely”...
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Avoid All Evil
Abstain from every form of evil. Truth to Learn Live life in God’s presence and in obedience to Him. Behind the Words “Abstain” is translated from the Greek verb apechomai, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of echō, meaning “to have” or...
1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Find Good and Hold On
Test all things; hold fast what is good. Truth to Learn We are to look for good and hold on to it when we find it. Behind the Words Dokimadzō is the Greek verb translated “test” in today’s verse. This Greek word means “to test something to determine its worth.”...
1 Thessalonians 5:20 – Foretelling or Forth-telling
Do not despise prophecies. Truth to Learn Christians should only believe a preacher or teacher if their message is completely supported by what the Bible says. Behind the Words The word “despise” is translated from the Greek verb exoutheneō. It is made up of ek, used as an intensifier and...
1 Thessalonians 5:19 – Let The Spirit Breath
Do not quench the Spirit. Truth to Learn It is wrong for Christians to suppress the working of the Spirit. Behind the Words The word “quench” is translated from sbennumi, which means “to extinguish” or “to quench.” When used metaphorically, it means “to suppress” or “to hinder.” The verb is...
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Thankful For Everything
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Truth to Learn Christians are to be thankful for everything! Behind the Words The word translated “everything” is pas, meaning “all.” It includes the idea of plurality, meaning “all the parts” or “every.” In...
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray Unceasingly
pray without ceasing, Truth to Learn Our prayer life is to be a continual part of our walk with God. Behind the Words “Pray” is translated from the Greek verb proseuchomai. This word is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and euchomai, which literally means “to speak out”...
1 Thessalonians 5:16 – Rejoice Always
Rejoice always, Truth to Learn Christians should always be filled with joy. Behind the Words The Greek verb translated “rejoice,” is chairō, which literally means “to be calmly happy, to be glad, or to rejoice.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command. “Always” is from pantote,...
1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Do Good, Not Evil
See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Truth to Learn Don’t retaliate when you experience evil. Do good instead. Behind the Words The word translated “renders” is apodidōmi, which is composed of apo, meaning “from”...
1 Thessalonians 5:14 – Caution, Support, and Patience
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. Truth to Learn We all need to patiently work toward peace in the church. Behind the Words The word “exhort” is from parakaleō, meaning “to encourage, challenge, or comfort.” “Warn”...
1 Thessalonians 5:13 – Respect, Honor, and Peace
and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. Truth to Learn Respect and honor your pastor and be at peace with all your Christian brethren. Behind the Words “Esteem” is translated from hēgeomai, which means “to lead,” that is, “to command.”...
1 Thessalonians 5:12 – Encouragement and Prayer
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, Truth to Learn Pastors have a tough job. Encourage and pray for him today. Behind the Words The word translated “we urge” is erōtaō, which literally means “to...
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Comfort and Build-up
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. Truth to Learn Christians need to comfort and spiritually build-up each other. Behind the Words “Therefore” is translated from the Greek word dio. This word is a combination of dia, meaning “through” and hos, meaning “who”...
1 Thessalonians 5:10 – Eternal, Living Faith
who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Truth to Learn Faith in Jesus Christ means living with Him eternally. Behind the Words “Died” is from apothnēskō, which is composed of apo, meaning “from” or “away from,” used as an intensifier, and...
1 Thessalonians 5:9 – Why We Fight!
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Truth to Learn We need to realize what God has given us and fight for Him. Behind the Words “For” is from hoti, meaning “because.” It serves to introduce something that is the...
1 Thessalonians 5:8 – Ready For Battle?
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. Truth to Learn It is important for Christians to always be battle ready. Behind the Words “Be sober” is the translation of the Greek...
1 Thessalonians 5:7 – Darkness or Light?
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. Truth to Learn Unbelievers like the spiritual darkness they live in. Behind the Words The words “those who sleep” are from the verb katheudō, which we saw in yesterday’s verse. This form of the...
1 Thessalonians 5:6 – No Sleep-walking!
Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. Truth to Learn Christians need to wake up and stop sleep-walking through life. Behind the Words Ara oun are the opening words of this verse in Greek. They are both inferential particles, serving to draw-out...
1 Thessalonians 5:5 – Spiritual Enlightenment
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Truth to Learn Christians have spiritual understanding given to us by the Holy Spirit. Behind the Words “You” is from humeis, the second person plural pronoun. The word translated “sons”...
1 Thessalonians 5:4 – Spiritual Darkness?
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. Truth to Learn Christians do not live in darkness. Behind the Words The word “but” is translated from the Greek particle de, which we looked at in verse one. It indicates transition or...
1 Thessalonians 5:3 – Peace and Destruction
For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. Truth to Learn The Day of the Lord will begin with a period of peace. Behind the Words Hotan is the Greek word translated “when.”...
1 Thessalonians 5:2 – Noisily Versus Quietly
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. Truth to Learn The Day of the Lord will come quietly, the rapture noisily. Behind the Words “Know” is translated from the verb eidō, which refers to “seeing with perception and...
1 Thessalonians 5:1 – Ignorance Versus Knowledge
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. Truth to Learn There is a distinct difference between the rapture (the day of Jesus Christ) and the tribulation (the Day of the Lord). Behind the Words The word “but” is translated...
1 Thessalonians 4:18 – Words of Comfort
Therefore comfort one another with these words. Truth to Learn Knowledge of the rapture should be a comfort to us all. Behind the Words Hōste is the Greek word translated “therefore.” It is composed of hōs, meaning “in this manner” and te, an article of connection, which serves to closely...
1 Thessalonians 4:17 – Glorious Meeting
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Truth to Learn Living Christians will join the “dead in Christ” at the rapture. Behind the Words...
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – A Joyful Sound
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Truth to Learn The rapture is a loud event and a time of celebration. Behind the Words The word...
1 Thessalonians 4:15 – Any Day Now
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. Truth to Learn The rapture could happen any day now! Behind the Words The word “alive”...