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”...
1 Thessalonians 4:14 – Returning With Him
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. Truth to Learn Christians who have died will come with Jesus at the rapture. Behind the Words There are three classes of conditional clauses (if statements) contained in...
1 Thessalonians 4:13 – Dead, But Still Alive
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. Truth to Learn For Christians, physical death is not the end of existence. Behind the Words “I … want” is translated from the Greek verb...
1 Thessalonians 4:12 – Lacking In Nothing
that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. Truth to Learn There is a key to receiving everything that we need in life. Behind the Words The word “that” is from the Greek conjunction hina, which means “so that” or “in order...
1 Thessalonians 4:11 – Love, Don’t Meddle
that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, Truth to Learn Loving others is right. Meddling in their affairs is wrong. Behind the Words “Aspire” is translated from the Greek word philotimeomai. This...
1 Thessalonians 4:10 – Increase Your Love
and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; Truth to Learn We need to greatly increase our love for all Christians. Behind the Words The words “you do” are translated from the Greek...
1 Thessalonians 4:9 – The Christian Birthmark
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; Truth to Learn Brotherly love is the birthmark of a true Christian. Behind the Words The words “brotherly love” are from the Greek word philadelphia,...
1 Thessalonians 4:8 – Spirit-filled Living
Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. Truth to Learn We live godly lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. Behind the Words “Therefore” is translated from toigaroun, which made up three separate Greek words. The first...
1 Thessalonians 4:7 – Uncleanness or Holiness
For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Truth to Learn We are to avoid uncleanness and separate ourselves to God. Behind the Words The word translated “call” is kaleō. This word primarily means “to call out to someone, inviting him or her to come or to...
Vacation Break
Dear Friends, We will not be posting any new verses for the next two to three weeks. We will resume this ministry around August 1, 2012. In God's service, for His glory, Will
1 Thessalonians 4:6 – Avoid The Avenger
that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. Truth to Learn Don’t deceive, either in business or in marriage. Behind the Words The word translated “take advantage” is...
1 Thessalonians 4:5 – Uncontrolled Desires?
not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; Truth to Learn Uncontrolled passion is bad for a marriage and Christian faith. Behind the Words The word translated “passion” is pathos, which is derived from the verb paschō, meaning “to suffer.” In general usage it refers...