that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, Truth to Learn Sex within a marriage is undefiled, sacred, and honorable. Behind the Words Eidō it the Greek word translated “know.” We have pointed out previously that this word literally means “to see...
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – It’s Very Clear
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; Truth to Learn Christians are to avoid all sexual impurity. Behind the Words “Will” is translated from the Greek noun thelēma, which is one of two Greek words translated “will.” The other word is...
1 Thessalonians 4:2 – God, our Father
for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. Truth to Learn Christians are God’s children, not just His subjects. Behind the Words “You know” is translated from the verb eido, which means “to see with perception.” As in English, this verb can refer to visibly seeing...
1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Love Others!
Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; Truth to Learn Being more loving is our responsibility. Behind the Words “Finally” is translated from the...
1 Thessalonians 3:13 – Blameless Saints
so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. Truth to Learn God will declare all genuine Christians to be blameless. Behind the Words “Establish” is translated from stēridzō, which is a...
1 Thessalonians 3:12 – Growing, Overflowing Love
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, Truth to Learn All Christians need to grow in our love for others. Behind the Words Kurios is the Greek word translated “Lord.” It is derived from...
1 Thessalonians 3:11 – Our Constant Guide
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. Truth to Learn God is involved in the details of the life of every Christian. Behind the Words The word “now” is from the particle de, which can be used to indicate a...
1 Thessalonians 3:10 – Improve Your Prayer Life
night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? Truth to Learn All Christians should work on improving their prayer lives. We need to thank God more and pray more for others. Behind the Words “Praying” is translated from deomai,...
1 Thessalonians 3:9 – Thanks To God
For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, Truth to Learn It’s important to give thanks to God for His fruit. Behind the Words “Thanks” is from the Greek word eucharistia, which is composed...
1 Thessalonians 3:8 – Stand Firm!
For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. Truth to Learn Christians must learn to stand firm in the midst of battle. Behind the Words The word translated “now” is nun, meaning “the present time.” “Live” is from the Greek verb dzaō, meaning “to live” or “to...
1 Thessalonians 3:7 – Focusing On Others
therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. Truth to Learn Paul was concerned about how his own persecution was affecting the faith of others. Behind the Words “Therefore” is from the Greek words dia touto. The word dia denotes the channel...
1 Thessalonians 3:6 – Fond Memories
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— Truth to Learn Remember those who have helped you in...
1 Thessalonians 3:5 – Faith Strengthening Trials
For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. Truth to Learn Trials and temptations can be good for us. Behind the Words “No longer” is translated...
1 Thessalonians 3:4 – Faithfully Suffering Servants
For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. Truth to Learn Effective ministers of God will suffer opposition and trouble. Behind the Words The words “we told … before” are translated from the verb...
1 Thessalonians 3:3 – Suffering From God
that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. Truth to Learn Some of our suffering is because God has determined it. Behind the Words “No one” is translated from mēdeis. This word is made up of mē, which is...
1 Thessalonians 3:2 – Growth and Service
and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, Truth to Learn Christians are called both to grow in faith and to serve God through faith. Behind the Words The verb “sent”...
1 Thessalonians 3:1 – Family Ties
Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, Truth to Learn Christians are all part of the same loving family. Behind the Words The words “we could no longer endure it” are translated from the Greek verb stegō. This word...
1 Thessalonians 2:20 – A Joyful Coming
For you are our glory and joy. Truth to Learn There will be rejoicing for Christians when Christ returns. Behind the Words The word “glory” is translated from the Greek word doxa. This word primarily means “thought” or “opinion,” especially a favorable opinion. In a secondary sense it means “reputation,...
1 Thessalonians 2:19 – Present Suffering or Future Glory?
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? Truth to Learn Keep your focus on eternity when you suffer as a Christian. Behind the Words Elpis is the Greek word translated...
1 Thessalonians 2:18 – Opposition to Ministries
Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. Truth to Learn Christians’ plans may be hindered by God – or by Satan. Behind the Words “We wanted” is translated from a form of the verb thelō, meaning “to wish” or “to will.” However,...
1 Thessalonians 2:17 – Orphaned Christians
But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Truth to Learn Persecution of Christians occurs world-wide today. Behind the Words The words “having been taken away” are translated from the...
1 Thessalonians 2:16 – Proclaim It Fearlessly
forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. Truth to Learn Christians are to share the Gospel, in spite of persecution. Behind the Words “Forbidding” is translated from...
1 Thessalonians 2:15 – Suffering Is Good?
who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, Truth to Learn Persecution and suffering can make us stronger Christians. Behind the Words The word translated “killed” is from the Greek verb apokteinō....
1 Thessalonians 2:14 – Family Suffering
For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, Truth to Learn Many Christians suffer at the hands of friends and relatives. Behind the...
1 Thessalonians 2:13 – God’s Effective Work
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. Truth...
1 Thessalonians 2:12 – Walking Worthy
that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. Truth to Learn Encouragement and instruction help us to become more godly. Behind the Words The word “that” is translated from a form of idiom that Paul uses frequently. It consists of eis to...
1 Thessalonians 2:11 – Father Paul
as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, Truth to Learn We all need some comfort, encouragement, and challenge. Behind the Words “You know” is translated from the verb eidō, which means “to see with perception.” As...
1 Thessalonians 2:10 – Blameless Ministers
You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; Truth to Learn Christians should be blameless in whatever ministry they are engaged in. Behind the Words The word “witnesses” is translated from martus, from which we get our English word...
1 Thessalonians 2:9 – Hard Labor
For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. Truth to Learn Serving God sometimes requires hard work. Behind the Words “Labor” is translated from the Greek...
1 Thessalonians 2:8 – Spiritual Parenting
So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. Truth to Learn Mature Christians help younger Christians grow. Behind the Words “So” is from the Greek word houtōs,...
1 Thessalonians 2:7 – Caring Like Mothers
But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. Truth to Learn Christian service should demonstrate love and care for others. Behind the Words “Gentle” is translated from the Greek word nēpios, which is made up or nē, meaning “not” and epos, which refers to...