Lord Jesus Christ in the 1611KJV
Bible   Books   Doctrines   Words   Lord Jesus Christ   Messages   Hermey   Salvation   Humm   Site   Help  
 search tips advanced search

Interpretive Study of 1Thessalonians Chapters 4-5

Click on the following links to jump to a chapter within this study: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, God.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Ordered by Sentence

links to sentences in this chapter:
C4-S1 (Verse 1), C4-S2 (Verse 2), C4-S3 (Verse 3-6), C4-S4 (Verse 7), C4-S5 (Verse 8), C4-S6 (Verse 9), C4-S7 (Verse 10-12), C4-S8 (Verse 13), C4-S9 (Verse 14), C4-S10 (Verse 15), C4-S11 (Verse 16-17), C4-S12 (Verse 18).

Please see the Summary Chapter Outline using this link.  It gives the overview of this chapter.

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
1-5He exhorts them to go forward in all manner of godliness;
6-8to live holily and justly;
9-10to love one another;
11-12and quietly to follow their own business;
13-16and last of all, to sorrow moderately forth dead.
17-18And unto this last exhortation is annexed a brief description of the resurrection, and second coming of Christ to judgment.
C4-S1 (Verse 1) Each phrase below has equal importance.
  1. Furthermore then we beseech you,
  2. brethren,
  3. and exhort you by the Lord Jesus,
  4. that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God,
  5. so ye would abound more and more..

In 4:1 and 4:2 we read the general law from the Lord Jesus.  In 4:3-12, Paul gives examples of implementing that law.  Please see all of these verses and associated notes as a single section.

This verse starts with Furthermore, which means that Paul is going to add unto what he was just saying.  He ended Chapter 3 reminding them that judgment day is coming and that there will be rewards for the obedient and punishment for the disobedient.  Now, in Chapter 4, Paul is adding more details about the punishment of the disobedient and how to avoid punishment.  However, before he gets to that detail (4:3-12), Paul starts with a general law in this verse.  It is worthwhile to look at the steps in this sentence.

1.  Furthermore then we beseech you  - We already saw that Furthermore  means that Paul is going to add unto what he was just saying.  But as he adds, he is begging them (we beseech you), not because he has to beg but so that they will be receptive.  Often we deliver God's truth in a way that causes people to reject it.  As much as possible, we should follow this example of Paul.  (Please see the note for Romans 12:1 for links to every place in the New Testament where the word beseech  is used, along with the definition from Webster's 1828 .)

2.  brethren  - I already mentioned the type of people that were probably at this church in the note for 3:8.  Paul calls them brethren  because they are saved but also because this type of people are far more accommodating to those who are within their group.  Paul is doing all that he can, including reminding them that he is an insider, to get them to obey their Lord  and receive eternal rewards.

3.  and exhort you by the Lord Jesus  - Paul is not just using his relationship with them and not just persuading them by himself, but he is telling them that this exhortation  is by the Lord Jesus.  As we have seen elsewhere (2:14), Lord Jesus  and is our ultimate human leader and God in human flesh.  He has more authority than any other person and He is the one who will eventually judge us and either reward or punish us.  The Jews refused to walk and to please God  and were justifiably worried about going through the Great Tribulation.  This epistle is written to assure the saved that we won't have to go through it, but this assurance is attached to a warning from our Lord Jesus  to not act like the Jews.  While the saved in general might not go through the Great Tribulation,  our Lord Jesus  can send us personally through our own personal version of it.

that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God  - Lots of people claim to be saved and live for the flesh.  Churches are full of people growing their blessed assurance  on the pew who feel put upon to tithe and you can forget about them going soul winning.  All forms of life are supposed to reproduce but if you ask most saved people how many they have led to the Lord or how they are trying to help less spiritually mature people to mature spiritually, they want to change the subject.  Very few do the things that we are told to do daily [seek spiritual food (Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3; Acts 17:11), pray and hear from God (Matthew 26:55; Mark 14:49; Luke 19:47; 22:53; Hebrews 7:27), take up our cross and follow Jesus Christ (Luke 9:23), encouraging, helping and caring for the brethren (Acts 2:46; 6:1; 2Corinthians 11:28; Hebrews 13:3; James 2:15), praising God publicly (Acts 2:47), witnessing (Acts 5:42; 16:5; 17; 17; 19:9), die to the flesh (1Corinthians 15:31; Hebrews 10:11)].  Plain and simple.  If we want to walk and to please God, we need to do that as ye have received of us, which is what the Bible says to do.

5.  so ye would abound more and more  - We are to have significant (abound) personal (ye)  growth as a direct result of doing the things told to us here (so).  Obviously, we need to have regular checks on our progress or we will slip into lethargy and assume that we are still growing spiritually when we really aren't.

Notice that these steps are successive in our walk.  We are to:

  1. Furthermore then we beseech you  - hear the word of God that we might stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God  and be ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ  (our personal judgment day).
  2. brethren  - after we get saved then we act like we are part of the family of God.  
  3. and exhort you by the Lord Jesus  - make the Lord Jesus  your primary authority and source of encouragement.  
  4. that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God  - obey the commandments of the Bible, starting with those things that we are told to do daily.  
  5. so ye would abound more and more  - end each day verifying that you grew spiritually to some extent that day.  

Lord Jesus  is our ultimate human leader and God in human flesh.  Judgment day is coming for each of us personally.  Paul is saying: by the authority of your ultimate human leader, continue and abound more and more in the commandments that you were given as how to walk (act) while on this Earth.

The word Furthermore  was dealt with above.  The functional definition is: 'going beyond what was already said and adding more to what was already said'.

Please see the note for Romans C12S1 about the word beseech.  The functional definition is: ' to entreat; to supplicate; to implore; to ask or pray with urgency; followed by a person'.  We find this word in 1Thessalonians in: 4:1; 4:10 and 5:12.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

2:3 provides references for the word exhort.  The functional definition is: 'the act of inciting to laudable deeds; incitement to that which is good or commendable. the form of words intended to incite and encourage'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S1; 1Corinthians C15S1 and Colossians 2:6-7 about the word receive.  The functional definition is: 'To take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept'.  In addition, please see the note for Matthew 10:41, which explains that in order to truly receive  a person, we must receive  their character as our own.  We find forms of the word receive  in: 1:6; 2:13 and 4:1.

Please see the notes for Romans C8S1 and Ephesians C4S1 about the word walk.  Please see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith.  The functional definition is: 'To move slowly on the feet; to step slowly along; to advance by steps moderately repeated'.  When applied to faith,  the emphasis is upon small movements of faith  and repeated continuously.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:4 and Galatians 1:10-LJC about the word please.  The functional definition is: 'To excite agreeable sensations or emotions in; to gratify'.

Please use the link in the sentence outline, above, to access the definition of the word abound  and to find links to every place in the Bible where any forms of this word are used along with a note for each word and the full definition from Webster's 1828 .  The functional definition is: 'To be in great plenty; to be very prevalent'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'we. 1Th 2:11; Ro 12:1; 2Co 6:1; 10:1; Eph 4:1; Phm 1:9-10; Heb 13:22  we beseech. or, we request. exhort. or, beseech.  by the. 1Th 4:2; Eph 4:20; 2Th 2:1; 1Ti 5:21; 6:13-14; 2Ti 4:1 exp: 1Co 1:10.  ye have. 1Th 4:11-12; Ac 20:27; 1Co 11:23; 15:1; Php 1:27; Col 2:6; 2Th 3:10-12  ye ought. 1Th 2:12  to Please. Ro 8:8; 12:2; Eph 5:17; Col 1:10; Heb 11:6; 13:16; 1Jo 3:22  so ye. 1Th 4:10; Job 17:9; Ps 92:14; Pr 4:18; Joh 15:2; 1Co 15:58; Php 1:9; 3:14; 2Th 1:3; 2Pe 1:5-10; 3:18  General references. exp: Ge 5:22; Le 22:31; De 4:5; 8:1; 11:32; Lu 1:75; 1Th 2:3'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S2 (Verse 2) For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

In 4:1 and 4:2 we read the general law from the Lord Jesus.  In 4:3-12, Paul gives examples of implementing that law.  Please see all of these verses and associated notes as a single section.

Here Paul tells them that they knew the commandments of God and only had to obey.  This verse basically says the same thing as the prior verse, which makes this commandment a matter of doctrine.  After this Paul will repeat the basics of those commandments in more detail.  However, he is emphasizing that these commands come from the Lord Jesus.  Paul will get into the doctrinal error claiming that there is no 'Rapture', but first Paul is emphasizing that these commandments come from the Lord Jesus.  If he was not returning, and going to judge our obedience, then the question becomes: 'Why are we obeying Him?'  thus, the entire question of His return, and the 'Rapture', becomes an obvious non-issue if you are truly obeying the Lord Jesus  from your heart.  The truly obedient know that he will return and reward them.  The disobedient hope He will not return and punish them.  Thus, we see that this question really reveals the heart of the person according to what they want to believe.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S25; 1Corinthians C1S11; Galatians C3-S9 and know in 1John about the word know.  The functional definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'.  Please see the notes for 2Peter 1:2-LJC; 2Peter 2:20-LJC and Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge.  Please see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow.  Please see the note for Romans C6S5 about the phrase Know ye not.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge.  We find forms of these words, within 1Thessalonians, in: 1:4; 1:5; 2:1-2; 2:5; 2:11; 3:3; 3:4; 3:5; 4:2; 4:4-5; 5:2 and 5:12.  There are different levels of knowledge  which can vary based upon their source, how the knowledge  is obtained and more.  True Biblical knowledge  includes the most intimate and personal type of knowledge  which comes from personal experience.

Please see the note for Romans 7:8 about the word commandment.  The functional definition for this word is: 'a mandate; an order or injunction given by authority; charge'.  Please note that a commandment  is not always written down and often comes through the human person that God has placed in authority over us.  Please see the note for Psalms 119:4 for the use of the word commandment  within this Psalm and considerations from several other places within the Bible.  Please see the note for Romans C7S11 about the word commandment.  Please see the Doctrinal Study on the use Ten Commandments for links to where they are dealt with in the word of God.  Please use This link to see the 'Ten (10) Commandments' and references to them in the New Testament.  Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments..  This word is also used in the following sentences: 4:11.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Eze 3:17; Mt 28:20; 1Co 9:21; 2Th 3:6,10 exp: Le 10:11; 22:31; De 4:5; 8:1; 11:32; 1Th 2:3'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S3 (Verse 3-6) How they were to remain sanctified.
  1. Equivalent Section: Avoid fornication.
    1. For this is the will of God,
    2. even your sanctification,
    3. that ye should abstain from fornication:.
  2. Equivalent Section: Avoid the image of wrong morals.
    1. First Step: Know how to maintain a moral image.
      1. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;.
    2. Second Step: Avoid what even the lost says is immoral.
      1. Not in the lust of concupiscence,
      2. even as the Gentiles which know not God :.
  3. Equivalent Section: Avoid fraud.
    1. That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter:.
  4. Equivalent Section: Why.
    1. because that the Lord is the avenger of all such,
    2. as we also have forewarned you and testified..

In 4:1 and 4:2 we read the general law from the Lord Jesus.  In 4:3-12, Paul gives examples of implementing that law.  Please see all of these verses and associated notes as a single section.

in this sentence we see some of the details of the commandments  from the Lord Jesus  that Paul gave to this church before and mentioned in the two prior sentences.  Obviously, these are not all of the commandments  but only highlight the most important for this church to obey.

In the First two Equivalent Sections we see what is obviously a violation of the marriage relationship.  In the third Equivalent Section we see a violation of a business relationship and in the Last Equivalent Section we see the warning of the consequences for violating these types of relationships.  Thus, we see an emphasis on instructing these people to act right within legal relationships.  from this emphasis we can assume that their culture made them weak in this area.  With their being weak in this area it is understandable why they might believe a claim that the Lord Jesus  is also weak in these areas.  However, He is not weak in these areas and if we obey His commands then we also will not be weak in these areas.

Some relationships are personal in nature and the epistles which emphasize our relationship with Christ  deal with them.  However, marriage and business relationships are controlled by law, in addition to the personal aspect.  With the legal aspects, we have legal responsibilities even if the personal part of the relationship goes sour.  In addition, some people use the law to deliberately misrepresent a relationship.  They present one face on a personal level while making the legal wording if the contract say something totally different.  Paul is warning believers to not mishandle these relationships because that the Lord is the avenger of all such.  With the legal aspect of these relationships they come under the jurisdiction of the Lord.  Paul was just talking about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,  which will happen after the judgment seat of Christ  (Romans C14S16; 2Corinthians 5:10).  In addition, the prior two sentences, which this sentence is giving details for, both mentioned the Lord.

Our sentence started with the word For,  which means it is a second reason why we should walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more  and is a reason why Paul's missionary team gave commandments (to) you by the Lord Jesus.  God wants us to keep these relationships right so that He doesn't have to bring them up in His court when we are judged by Him.

In our First Equivalent Section we are told that the will of God (is) our sanctification  and that we can not be sanctified  if we are engaged in fornication.  Please see the notes for Romans C1S16; 1Corinthians C5S1; Galatians C5S20; Ephesians C5S2 about the word fornication.  The word fornication  is used 44 times in the Bible with 39 of those times being in the New Testament and 12 of those being in Revelation.  While fornication  is almost universally taught as a sexual sin the Bible actually uses it for many sins which can not be considered sexual.  For example, it is often presented as a spiritual sin, but it is impossible to have sex with a spirit.  as Easton's Bible Dictionary points out: 'This word is more frequently used in a symbolical than in its ordinary sense. It frequently means a forsaking of God or a following after idols'.

As explained in the word definitions below, fornication  is Biblically defined as: 'A violation of a sanctified relationship. It includes all wrongful sex which includes the emotional and mental aspects. However, it also goes beyond sex since giving worship to anyone other than God is spiritual fornication thus, while all sexual sin is fornication, fornication is not limited to sexual sin but also includes other violations of a sanctified relationship'.

The saved have a sanctified relationship with God and all worship is to be reserved to that relationship.  A married saved person has a sanctified relationship with the person they are married to and all sex is reserved for that relationship.  That is one of the reasons why our First Equivalent Section tells us that we can not be sanctified  while engaging in fornication.  However, as any honest person will testify, there is far more involved in a marriage relationship beyond sex and that relationship can be violated in other ways.  The fact is that any ongoing behaviour which is truly destructive to the marriage is considered to be fornication  by God and the Bible.  Since marriage is our picture of the relationship between Christ and the church  (Ephesians 5:32), it is a special target of Satan and has a special importance to our Lord.

Now when we look at our Second Equivalent Section we see two Steps and a title of: 'Avoid the image of wrong morals'.  Our First Step tells us what to do in order to 'Avoid the image of wrong morals' and our Second Step tells us what not to do.  In that Second Step we are told to Not (to possess our vessel) in the lust of concupiscence.  The word concupiscence  only occurs in our current sentence; Romans C7S11 and Colossians 3:5.  The functional definition for this word is: 'The coveting of carnal things, or an irregular appetite for worldly good; inclination for unlawful enjoyments'.

Returning to our First Step we see that we are to know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.  Our vessel  is our entire body, not just certain parts of our body.  If we concentrate on keeping our body in sanctification and honour  then we will not get involved in addictive sinful activity.  If we do all we can to avoid even the image of our involvement in addictive sinful activity, then we will keep our body in sanctification and honour.  Thus, we see the two extremes of behaviour and are told to seek the one extreme while doing everything possible to avoid the other extreme.

With this in mind we can return to the main subject of our sentence, which is sanctified relationships.  Specifically, getting involved in gambling, drinking, drugs and other addictive sinful activity will destroy a marriage relationship.  Further, our sentence warns us that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

So now we saw that our First Equivalent Section told us to avoid any behaviour which will destroy a marriage relationship with the emphasis on the sexual aspect of the marriage relationship.  Then our Second Equivalent Section told us to avoid addictive sinful activity which will destroy a marriage relationship by keeping us from meeting our obligations within that relationship and which cause us to take resources which belong to the relationship or to others and use them to pay for the addiction.  Having dealt with two common ways that marriages are destroyed, Paul will now go into business relationships.  After that, our final Equivalent Section warns us that both of these types of relationships have legal consequences when we fail to do our responsibility and that the Lord  will enforce those legal consequences.  As mentioned earlier, other epistles say more about our relationships but this epistle is concentrating on what comes under the role of the Lord.  Therefore, the comments on relationships are restricted to what will be enforced by God's court.

The word defraud  only occurs 9 times in the Bible while the word fraud  only occurs twice.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C6S13 which has links to every one of these along with a note on each verse.  The functional definition is: 'To deprive of right, either by obtaining something by deception or artifice, or by taking something wrongfully without the knowledge or consent of the owner; to cheat; to cozen; followed by of before the thing taken'.  In one of these verses we see that a marriage partner refusing sex to their partner is defraud  them.  So, we see a connection to marriage beyond our current sentence.  However, the true usage, and meaning within our sentence, goes beyond that limited usage and includes any usage.  In fact, while technically not one of the '10 Commandments', Jesus  includes it with the '10 Commandments' as a basic requirement of right living in Mark 10:19.  Thus, what we have is a command to not cheat others, especially saved people, with a legal enforcement of that command.  Further, this command to not cheat applies to all areas of life.

Our next sentence gives us a reason for what is said here when it says For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.  The next note has more details but we are unclean  when we are not maintaining our relationship with the Lord Jesus  and letting Him clean  us (1John 1:7, 9).  Therefore, our involvement in fraud  shows that we are not maintaining our relationship with the Lord Jesus.  The teaching of 1Corinthians 6 makes it clear that there is no excuse for our doing this, not even if we suffer being defrauded.  Returning to our sentence and chapter we see that the commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus  require us to act right no matter what circumstances we are in nor how others treat us.

That brings us to the last Equivalent Section of our sentence which tells us 'Why'.  The first phrase (because that the Lord is the avenger of all such)  tells us 'Why' and the second phrase (as we also have forewarned you and testified)  tells us that we will not be able to claim ignorance when we are judged by the Lord Jesus.  When Paul says and testified  he is letting us know that he personally experienced these things and acted right before he told us to do the same.

I can tell you, from personal experience, that if we act then the Lord Jesus  will not act to make things right.  If we leave making things right to Him, and He decides to forgive, then He gives us far more than we lost and we are better off than we were before the experience.  And, yes, I am talking about an actual experience which I had in this world.  If we leave making things right to Him, and He decides to bring judgment then the lesson that the other person receives is far greater and more long lasting than anything we could ever do.  I have seen God kill a parent's child more than once.  Simply put: believe that the Lord is the avenger of all such  and get as far away as possible from doing your own vengeance.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will.  The functional definition is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'.  Please also see the note for 1Peter 2:15 about the phrase will of God.  That note has links to every place in the Bible where we find this phrase along with notes on each reference.  In particular, that note explains that the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God  are not three different levels of the will of God  but, in fact, are three attributes of the single will of God.  As that note explains, there is only one will of God  for each circumstance in life but we receive variable rewards or punishment based upon how well we obey the will of God  or how much we disobey the will of God.  We find this word in 1Thessalonians in: 4:3; 4:14; 5:18 and 5:24.

Please see the notes for Jude C1S1; 2Timothy [follow link then FIND 'sanctified'] about the word sanctified.  The functional definition is: 'Made holy; consecrated; set apart for sacred services'.  We find this word in 1Thessalonians in: 4:3-4 and 5:23.  Please see the notes for 2Thessalonians 2:13-LJC and Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase salvation through sanctification.  Please see the note for Hebrews 8:2 about the word sanctuary.

Please see the note for 5:22 about the word abstain.  The functional definition is: 'In a general sense, to forbear, or refrain from, voluntarily; but used chiefly to denote a restraint upon the passions or appetites; to refrain from indulgence'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C5S1; Galatians C5S20 and Ephesians C5S2 about the word fornication.  The functional definition is: 'A violation of a sanctified relationship. It includes all wrongful sex which includes the emotional and mental aspects. However, it also goes beyond sex since giving worship to anyone other than God is spiritual fornication thus, while all sexual sin is fornication, fornication is not limited to sexual sin but also includes other violations of a sanctified relationship'.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S25; 1Corinthians C1S11; Galatians C3-S9 and know in 1John about the word know.  The functional definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'.  Please see the notes for 2Peter 1:2-LJC; 2Peter 2:20-LJC and Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge.  Please see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow.  Please see the note for Romans C6S5 about the phrase Know ye not.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge.  We find forms of these words, within 1Thessalonians, in: 1:4; 1:5; 2:1-2; 2:5; 2:11; 3:3; 3:4; 3:5; 4:2; 4:4-5; 5:2 and 5:12.  There are different levels of knowledge  which can vary based upon their source, how the knowledge  is obtained and more.  True Biblical knowledge  includes the most intimate and personal type of knowledge  which comes from personal experience.

Please see the note for Mark 1:32 about the word possess.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to have the just and legal title, ownership or property of a thing; to own; to hold the title of, as the rightful proprietor, or to hold both the title and the thing. A man may possess the farm which he cultivates, or he may possess an estate in a foreign country, not in his own occupation. He may possess many farms which are occupied by tenants. in this as in other cases, the original sense of the word is enlarged, the holding or tenure being applied to the title or right, as well as to the thing itself. 2. to hold; to occupy without title or ownership. I raise up the Chaldeans, to possess the dwelling-places that are not theirs. Hab.1. Neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own. Acts.4. 3. to have; to occupy. the love of the world usually possesses the heart. 4. to seize; to gain; to obtain the occupation of. the English marched towards the river Eske, intending to possess a hill called Under-Eske. 5. to have power over; as an invisible agent or spirit. Luke 8. Beware what spirit rages in your breast; forten inspired, ten thousand are possess'd. 6. to affect by some power. Let not your ears despise my tongue, Which shall possess them with the heaviest sound that ever yet they heard. to possess of, or with, more properly to possess of, is to give possession, command or occupancy. Of fortune's favor long possess'd this possesses us of the most valuable blessing of human life, friendship. to possess one's self of, to take or gain possession or command; to make one's self master of. We possessed ourselves of the kingdom of Naples. to possess with, to furnish or fill with something permanent; or to be retained. It is of unspeakable advantage to possess our minds with an habitual good intention. If they are possessed with honest minds'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 4:7 about the word vessel.  The functional definition is: 'a container'.

Please see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word honour.  The functional definition is: ' the esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation'.  Please also see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word dishonour.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S17; Galatians C5-S18 and Jude 1:16 about the word lust.  The functional definition is: 'Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy'.

The word concupiscence  was dealt with earlier within this note.  The functional definition is: 'to covet or lust after, to desire or covet. Lust; unlawful or irregular desire of sexual pleasure. In a more general sense, the coveting of carnal things, or an irregular appetite for worldly good; inclination for unlawful enjoyments'.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S13 and Galatians C2-S4 about the word Gentile.  The functional definition is: ' In the scriptures, a pagan; a worshipper of false gods; any person not a Jew or a Christian; a heathen'.

The word defraud  was dealt with earlier within this note.  The functional definition is: 'To deprive of right, either by obtaining something by deception or artifice, or by taking something wrongfully without the knowledge or consent of the owner; to cheat; to cozen; followed by of before the thing taken'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the note for Acts 8:21 about the word matter.  Only part of the definition in Webster's 1828 matches the actually usage of this word within the Bible.  The other dictionaries which I can access also give erroneous definitions.  The part of the definition in Webster's 1828 , which matches every usage within the Bible is: 'a. the very thing supposed or intended.  He grants the deluge to have come so very near the matter, that few escaped.  b. Affair; business; event; thing; course of things. Matters have succeeded well thus far; observe how matters stand; thus the matter rests at present; thus the matter ended.  Tohelp the matter, the alchimists call in many vanities from astrology.  Some young female seems to have carried matters so far, that she is ripe for asking advice. c. Cause of any event, as of any disturbance, of a disease, or of a difficulty. When a moving machine stops suddenly, we ask, what is the matter? When a person is ill, we ask, what is the matter? When a tumult or quarrel takes place, we ask, what is the matter?'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians C2S5 for links to every place in 2Corinthians where we find forms of the word cause  along with the definition from Webster's 1828 .  That definition gives this word legal implications.  The functional definition is: 'Basically, the source of a result.  It can also be an action in court, or any legal process whereby someone demands his supposed right. this is a legal, scriptural and popular use of the word'.  While the word because  is used when we have 'a reason that already exists', that reason does not have to be sufficient to bring legal suit.  However, the Bible uses forms of the word cause  for things which will end up in God's court if they are not resolved while we are still in the flesh.  In our current sentence we are told that Paul prayed for these people so that they would do the things which would get them a good judgment at the judgment seat of Christ.  Please also see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because.  The functional definition is: 'a reason that already exists'.  The Bible sometimes uses this word when the cause  might be less than what is used in court.

Please see the note for Romans C12S17 about the word vengeance.  Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:3-6 about the word revenge.  Please see the note for Romans C13S7 about the word revenger.  The functional definition is: 'One who revenges; one who inflicts pain on another spitefully in return for an injury. 2. One who inflicts just punishment for injuries'.  Please also see the note for Acts 7:24 about the word avenge.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S6 about the word warn.  The functional definition is: 'To give notice of approaching or probable danger or evil, that it may be avoided; to caution against anything that may prove injurious'.

We find forms of the word forewarn  in: Luke 12:5 and 1Thessalonians 4:6.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to admonish beforehand.  I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear. Luke 12.  2. to inform previously; to give previous notice.  3. to caution beforehand'.

Please see the note for Galatians 5:3 about the word testify.  The functional definition for this word is: 'To make a statement which is intended to be used in a court of law if necessary'.  Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C11S29 about the word testament.  Please also see the note for Hebrews 9:15 about the words new testament.  Please also see the note for Psalms 119 about the words testimony / testimonies.  The functional definition is: 'statements that are used in a court of law to judge the legality of someone's actions'.  Please also see the Study called the Testimony of God   Please also see the note for Matthew 19:21 about the phrase testimonies of the LORD.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'this. 1Th 5:18; Ps 40:8; 143:10; Mt 7:21; 12:50; Mr 3:35; Joh 4:34; 7:17; Ro 12:2; Eph 5:17; 6:6; Col 1:9; 4:12; Heb 10:36; 13:21; 1Pe 4:2; 1Jo 2:17.  your. 1Th 4:4; 5:23; Joh 17:17-19; Ac 20:32; 26:18; Ro 6:22 (Gr) 1Co 1:30; 6:11; Eph 5:26-27; 2Th 2:13; Tit 2:14; 1Pe 1:2  that. Mt 15:19; Ac 15:20,29; Ro 1:29; 1Co 5:9-11; 6:9-10,13-18; 7:2; 2Co 12:21; Ga 5:19; Eph 5:3-5; Col 3:5; Heb 12:16; 13:4; Re 21:8; 22:15 (Gr) exp: Mt 7:21.  General references. exp: Le 20:7.
should. Ro 6:19; 12:1; 1Co 6:15,18-20  his. 1Sa 21:5; Ac 9:15; Ro 9:21-23; 2Ti 2:20-21; 1Pe 3:7  honour. Php 4:8; Heb 13:4.
in the. Ro 1:24,26; Col 3:5  as the. Mt 6:32; Lu 12:30; Eph 4:17-19; 1Pe 4:3  know. Ac 17:23,30-31; Ro 1:28; 1Co 1:21; 15:34; Ga 4:8; Eph 2:12; 2Th 1:8.
go. Ex 20:15,17; Le 19:11,13; De 24:7; 25:13-16; Pr 11:1; 16:11; 20:14,23; 28:24; Isa 5:7; 59:4-7; Jer 9:4; Eze 22:13; 45:9-14; Am 8:5-6; Zep 3:5; Mal 3:5; Mr 10:19; 1Co 6:7-9; Eph 4:28; Jas 5:4  defraud. or, oppress. or, over-reach. Le 25:14,17; 1Sa 12:3-4; Pr 22:22; Jer 7:6; Mic 2:2; Zep 3:1; Jas 2:6 exp: Mr 10:19.  in any matter. or, in the matter. the Lord De 32:35; Job 31:13-14; Ps 94:1; 140:12; Pr 22:22-23; Ec 5:8; Isa 1:23-24; Ro 1:18; 12:19; Eph 5:6; 2Th 1:8  as we. Lu 12:5; Ga 5:21; Eph 4:17  General references. exp: Ge 27:35; Ex 20:15; 1Co 6:8'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S4 (Verse 7) Why the prior sentence is true.
  1. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness,
  2. but unto holiness..

In 4:1 and 4:2 we read the general law from the Lord Jesus.  In 4:3-12, Paul gives examples of implementing that law.  Please see all of these verses and associated notes as a single section.

Our sentence starts with the word For  and tells us why the prior sentence is true.  Without this word many might believe that the two sentence are unrelated and some will still have trouble seeing the connection.  However, the prior sentence specified examples of commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus  and this sentence is giving the precept  that is the basis for our obeying the prior commandment.  Where the prior commandment  was dealing with our actions in this physical world, this sentence is dealing with what is related to that commandment  within the spiritual realm.  As I said, this sentence states a precept,  which is: 'a spiritual truth that never changes regardless of circumstances'.  The application of this precept,  was dealt with in the note above and that note should be read for the application.  The remainder of this note will deal with the spiritual precept.

The phrases not called us unto  and but unto  make uncleanness  and holiness  opposites.  As explained earlier, our maintaining our personal relationship with the Son of God allows Him to clean  us (1John 1:7, 9).  When He does this He also makes us holy.  When we are engaged in the destructive practices mentioned in the prior sentence, we are not holy  and we are not allowing the Son of God to clean  us.  Therefore, we are not going where God hath...called us unto.  If we do go where God hath...called us unto,  then we will be spiritually clean  and holy.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S3 about the word call.  That note has links to notes in every New Testament book where there are links to every place where the particular book uses this word.  The functional definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'.  Please also see the note for Romans 10:13; 2Thessalonians 3:1-LJC; Ephesians 5:8-LJC and 1John 4:14-LJC about the phrase call upon the Lord.  The note for Romans 10:13 has links to every place in the Bible where we find the words call  and Lord  used together, along with a small note on each reference.

Please see the note for Hebrews 9:13-14 about the word unclean.  Please also see the note for Galatians C5S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the word uncleanness.  The functional definition is: 'defiled: the adjective "unclean," occurs 31 times, 23 times in reference to unclean spirits'.  Please also see the notes for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about unclean spirits.  Please also see the notes for 2Corinthians 7:1; James 4:8 about the word cleanse.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; 1Corinthians C3S17; Philippians 1:3-7 and Colossians C1S6 about forms of the word holy.  The functional definition is: 'Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections'.  Please see the Word Study on Spirit for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost.  There is a Biblical doctrinal difference between the use of the phrase Holy Ghost  and God's Holy Spirit,  but I can not specify what that doctrinal difference is at this time.  Both are identifiers of the third Person within the Trinity.  Please see the link for God's Holy Spirit   for links to the various applications where this other identifier of the third Person is used.  The phrase Holy Ghost  only occurs within the New Testament.  Please also see the note for 1John C2S25 about the phrase Holy One.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'God. Le 11:44; 19:2; Ro 1:7; 8:29-30; 1Co 1:2; Eph 1:4; 2:10; 4:1; 2Th 2:13-14; 2Ti 1:9; Heb 12:14; 1Pe 1:14-16; 2:9-12,21-22  uncleanness. 1Th 2:3; Ga 5:19; Eph 4:19; 2Pe 2:10 exp: 2Co 12:21.  General references. exp: Le 20:7; Lu 1:75'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S5 (Verse 8) The spiritual conclusion of our wrong actions in this matter.
  1. He therefore that despiseth,
  2. despiseth not man,
  3. but God,
  4. who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit..

In 4:1 and 4:2 we read the general law from the Lord Jesus.  In 4:3-12, Paul gives examples of implementing that law.  Please see all of these verses and associated notes as a single section.

This verse is found, in the Word Study on Spirit, under God's Holy Spirit  for the point titled 'Saved are to live by following the Spirit of our God  (which gives us sanctification) and not by obeying religion.'  please go to the beginning of that Study to see the definition which is the same for all of the Bible, the multitude of applications, and links to other verses which provide the same application as this sentence.

The therefore  in this sentence lets us know that what follows it is the reason why what was said in the prior sentences was true.  1Thessalonians 4 started with Furthermore  and went 'above and beyond' the prior chapter by telling us to obey commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.  After giving some details on those commandments,  our chapter switched into the spiritual reasons which are the foundation for those commandments.  Now we get to our current sentence where we are told that God...hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.  This means that God's holy Spirit  makes the spiritual understanding available to us and we have no excuse for claiming that we don't understand that these commandments  have spiritual significance and come from the Lord.  That brings us back to the first part of our sentence where we read He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God.  When we despise  a commandments  we are despising  the person Who gave the commandment.  Since God...hath also given unto us his holy Spirit,  we know that the commandment  came from God.  Therefore, if we despise  the commandment,  we are knowingly despising  God.

Please see the note in the Romans intro about the word therefore.  The functional definition is: 'a future result that can be seen only at the place which was specified before the therefore'.  in this sentence we see that the result (despiseth not man, but God)  is a direct result of the truth stated in the prior sentence.  That truth was: God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.  despising  is an act of uncleanness.

Please see the note for Romans C2S4 about the word despise.  The definition from Webster's 1828 is: 'to contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have the lowest opinion of. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov. 1.  Else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Matt. 6.
2. to abhor'.  The note in Romans discusses this word and explains why it has consequences in God's court of law.  Please also notice the th  in our word despiseth.  This means that Paul is not talking about a one-time act but a lifestyle where the person 'keeps on keeping on despising'.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:5 and Philippians 4:15 about the word give.  The functional definition is: 'Bestowing; conferring; imparting; granting; delivering.
GIV'ING, n. the act of conferring'.  Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word given.  The functional definition is: 'Bestowed; granted; conferred; imparted; admitted or supposed'.  Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giver.  Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C14S19 and Ephesians C5S2 about the phrase giving of thanks.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; 1Corinthians C3S17; Philippians 1:3-7 and Colossians C1S6 about forms of the word holy.  The functional definition is: 'Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections'.  Please see the Word Study on Spirit for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost.  There is a Biblical doctrinal difference between the use of the phrase Holy Ghost  and God's Holy Spirit,  but I can not specify what that doctrinal difference is at this time.  Both are identifiers of the third Person within the Trinity.  Please see the link for God's Holy Spirit   for links to the various applications where this other identifier of the third Person is used.  The phrase Holy Ghost  only occurs within the New Testament.  Please also see the note for 1John C2S25 about the phrase Holy One.

Please use the link in the sentence above and see the notes for Romans C8S1; Galatians C6S8 and Hebrews 8:10-LJC about the word Spirit.  The functional definition is: 'An intelligent being from the spiritual reality which is a super-set of the physical reality'.  As seen in the summary part of the Study on Spirit, 'We are made spiritually alive when God's spirit quickens our spirit'.  That study also provides links to many more verses which teach the same doctrine.  Please use his link for links to every usage in the Bible where we find the phrase Spirit of the Lord.  Please see the note for Romans C11S13 about the phrase spirit of slumber.  Please see the note for Galatians 6:1 in Word Study on Spirit for links to every place where we find the word spiritual.  Please see the notes for Romans C8S40; Ephesians C6S8 about the phrase spiritual powers.  Please see the note for 1Peter C1S11 about the phrase spiritual verses physical.  Please see the notes for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the phrase unclean spirits.  Please see the note for please see the Word Study on Holy Ghost for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'despiseth. or, rejecteth. 1Sa 8:7; 10:19; Joh 12:48  despiseth not. Pr 1:7; 23:9; Isa 49:7; 53:10; Lu 10:16; Ac 13:41; Jude 1:8  who. Ne 9:30; Ac 5:3-4; 1Co 2:10; 7:40; 1Pe 1:12; 2Pe 1:21; 1Jo 3:24nbsp; General references. exp: Pr 5:13; 1Th 5:20'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S6 (Verse 9) What they know without instruction.
  1. Equivalent Section: What Paul does not need to explain.
    1. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you:.
  2. Equivalent Section: Why.
    1. for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another..

In 4:1 and 4:2 we read the general law from the Lord Jesus.  In 4:3-12, Paul gives examples of implementing that law.  Please see all of these verses and associated notes as a single section.

Our sentence starts with the word But  which means it has the same subject while going in a different direction.  And, the fact is that when we express brotherly love  we are not despising God  but are doing what God commands.  In fact, our Second Equivalent Section says basically that with for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.  Thus, while the sentences before this included instructions and commandments from the Lord,  this sentence says that they were doing the right thing without further instruction or commandments.

The Christian life involves both Individual accountability and Interpersonal involvement.  Each of us is individually responsible for maintaining the right sort of relationship to others, Especially others in our Christian fellowship.  A beautiful Greek word is allelon, often translated one another.  For example, we are commanded:

There are many other such admonitions, all built around the beautiful phrase one another. In times of sorrow:

Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  It has links to every place in the Bible where We find this word along with a note on each verse.  Please also see the note for 1:4 about the word brother / brethren.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:39-LJC; Galatians C5-S14; Philippians 1:9-11; love in 1John and 2John 1:3-LJC about the word love.  Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves  us through each of His roles.  Please also see the note for 1John C3S26 about the phrase love one another.  Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the phrase perfect love.  Please see the note for Romans C9S23 about the word beloved.

Please see the note for Philippians 4:19 about the word need.  The functional definition is: 'ant; occasion for something; necessity; a state that requires supply or relief'.  Please also see the note for Romans C13S8 about the phrase must needs.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S13; 2Corinthians 1:13-14; Galatians C3-S12 and John 20:31-LJC about the word write.  The functional definition is: 'To form by a pen on paper or other material, or by a graver on wood or stone; as, to write the characters called letters; to write figures'.  Please also see the note for Romans 4:23-25 about the word written.  In addition, please see the note for John 6:45 for links to where we find the phrases It is written  or have ye not read.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S27 about the word teach.  The functional definition is: ' to instruct; to inform; to communicate to another the knowledge of that of which he was before ignorant'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'touching. Le 19:8; Ps 133:1; Joh 13:34-35; 15:12-17; Ac 4:32; Ro 12:10; Eph 5:1-2; Heb 13:1; 1Pe 3:8; 2Pe 1:7; 1Jo 2:10; 3:11,14-19,23; 4:7-16  ye need. 1Th 5:1; Jer 31:34; Heb 8:10-11; 1Jo 2:20-27  for ye. Isa 51:13; Mt 22:39; Joh 6:44-45; 13:34; 14:26; 15:12,17; Eph 5:2; Heb 10:16; 1Pe 4:8; 1Jo 3:11,23; 4:21; 5:1  General references. exp: Joh 15:12; 1Co 16:14; Heb 13:1; 1Jo 4:21'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S7 (Verse 10-12) They are to extend their brotherly love  beyond what they have done in the past.
  1. Equivalent Section: Evidence of their brotherly love.
    1. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia :.
  2. Equivalent Section: How they can increase their brotherly love.
    1. First Step: Exception that Paul begs them to do.
      1. but we beseech you,
      2. brethren,
      3. that ye increase more and more;.
    2. Second Step: And that they avoid being busybodies.
      1. And that ye study to be quiet,
      2. and to do your own business,
      3. and to work with your own hands,
      4. as we commanded you;.
    3. Third Step: Act right so that God can bless.
      1. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without,
      2. and that ye may have lack of nothing..

In 4:1 and 4:2 we read the general law from the Lord Jesus.  In 4:3-12, Paul gives examples of implementing that law.  Please see all of these verses and associated notes as a single section.

Our sentence ends with an amazing phrase that I doubt if many people realize that it is there and believe it.  That phrase is: and that ye may have lack of nothing.  If you asked believers I think most would claim that they lack  things.  Certainly, if we took an honest look at their lives we would see that most live as if they lack  things.  The simplest test of this claim is the number of churches and saved people who are in debt.  The simple question is: 'Why are they in debt if they have lack of nothing?'.

With this in mind, we can look at the details of our sentence.

Our sentence starts with the word And,  which means it is added to the prior which talked about brotherly love.  It also has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section saying what they are presently doing with brotherly love  and the Second Equivalent Section telling how they can increase their brotherly love.  Thus, we see that God had no complaint about their current actions concerning brotherly love,  but wished that they would each personally (ye)  increase more and more.

There are several ways that they could increase more and more  and the first that we will look at is the difference between the Biblical definitions of you  and ye.  The word you,  in the Bible, is defined as: 'The entire group (church)'.  The word ye,  in the Bible, is defined as: 'each and every one of you personally'.  Thus, our First Step could be rephrased as" 'We are begging the entire church to encourage each and every member to increase their brotherly love more and more.  While the church as a whole does a good job with brotherly love, there, of course, are certain individuals who could do a better job at brotherly love'.  Thus, we have demonstrated the difference in the Biblical definitions of you  and ye,  and how this difference can change what we understand that the Bible is saying.  When I teach I constantly encourage people to put the 'personally' back into their understanding of these words because devil motivated doctrine has taught us to drop this concept.  True Biblical salvation includes a personal relationship with God and the devil wants to replace that personal relationship with some generic religious thing.

So, the first way that they could increase (their brotherly love) more and more  is to make it personal and to get all church members personally involved.  Our second way comes from the First Equivalent Section where we read that they were doing this within the region that they lived in, which was Macedonia.  Back in 1:6-7 we read that they personally (ye)  were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.  That meant that certain individuals within the church were ensamples,  but not necessarily the entire church.  Further, in 1:8 we read that they as a group (you)  sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad.  That meant that, while the church had a missions program, some individuals within the church went places but did not give out the gospel.  We see the same thing today with church members who support the church mission program but don't personally hand our tracts nor personally soul win nor personally get involved in outreach programs of the church.

Now we come back to our current sentence where we read that they were good at showing brotherly love  within the region that they lived in, which was Macedonia,  but Achaia was not included.  It is easy to think of foreigners as different and to not care for people on the mission field like we do those within our own church.  Here we see that they could increase (their brotherly love) more and more  by extending their brotherly love  to people on the mission field.  Very simple: we sing 'Happy Birthday' to church members but how many of our missionaries can we name, much less remember their birthdays and other things?

Now lets return to our Second Equivalent Section and to our Second Step where we see instruction to 'avoid being busybodies'.  Yes, we are to care about others and yes we need to know some things about their personal lives so that we can pray for them but beyond a certain point, the details of their life is none of our business.  In 'Original Sin' Satan promised that your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil  (Genesis 3:4).  Busybodies are trying to play God while they tell others how to live their life.  They need to do as our Step says and concentrate on making their own life productive and leave the details of other people's lives to God.  Yes, we need to show brotherly love  but sometimes that means stepping back and letting the other person taker a fall and offer a helping hand only after they ask for help.

That brings us to our last Step where we read why (that)  we should do the prior Steps.  Our Step says that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without.  This tells us that we are not personally (ye)  walking honestly toward them that are without  unless we are personally attempting to increase more and more  in our brotherly love  even while we 'avoid being busybodies'.  Doing this can take a life-time to learn how to do it right.  However, we have a promise that God will add (and)  a blessing to our life if we do this.  That blessing is: that ye may have lack of nothing.  I can not explain how this becomes true but can only say that it does become true after our time of testing, if we pass God's test.

Please see the note for Luke 3:11 about the word indeed.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'adv. in and deed. In reality; in truth; in fact.  The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom.8.  Indeed is usually emphatical, but in some cases more so than in others; as,This is true; it is indeed.  I were a beast indeed to do you wrong.  Some sons indeed; some very few we see,  Who keep themselves from this infection free.  There is indeed no greater pleasure in visiting these magazines of war--  It is used to note concession or admission; as, ships not so large indeed, but better manned.  Indeed is used as an expression of surprise, or for the purpose of obtaining confirmation of a fact stated. Indeed! is it possible? is it so in fact?'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the note for Romans C12S1 about the word beseech.  The functional definition is: ' to entreat; to supplicate; to implore; to ask or pray with urgency; followed by a person'.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S10 about the word increase.  That note has links to every place in the new Testament where We find this word along with the full definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators.  The functional definition is: 'To become greater in bulk or quantity; to grow; to augment; as plants'.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:15 about the word study.  The functional definition is: 'Literally, a setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence, application of mind of books, to arts or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of learning what is not before known'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 2:1-2 about the word quiet.  The functional definition is: 'Still; being in a state of rest; now moving'.

Please see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word business.  That note has links to every place in the Bible where We find this word.  The functional definition is: 'Employment; that which occupies the time, attention and labor of men, for the purpose of profit or improvement--a word of extensive use and indefinite signification'.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works.  Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works.  Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers.  Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men.  Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works.  Forms of the word work  are found in 1Thessalonians in: 1:3; 2:13; 4:11 and 5:13.  The basic Biblical definition of work  is: 'to move, or to labor'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S12; Colossians C2S7 about the word hand.  It provides several links, a definition from a Bible dictionary and a warning against just accepting definitions from dictionaries written by men.  The functional definition is: 'Symbol of skill, energy, and action'.  Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase laid hands. Please also see the note for 1Peter 5:6-7 about the phrase hand of God.  Please also see the note for Mark 16:19 about the phrase the right hand of God.  Please also see the note for Luke 1:38 about the word handmaid.  Please also see the note for Matthew 3:1-2 about the phrase at hand.  This phrase is defined as: 'it will happen very soon'.

Please see the note for Romans 7:8 about the word commandment.  The functional definition for this word is: 'a mandate; an order or injunction given by authority; charge'.  Please note that a commandment  is not always written down and often comes through the human person that God has placed in authority over us.  Please see the note for Psalms 119:4 for the use of the word commandment  within this Psalm and considerations from several other places within the Bible.  Please see the note for Romans C7S11 about the word commandment.  Please see the Doctrinal Study on the use Ten Commandments for links to where they are dealt with in the word of God.  Please use This link to see the 'Ten (10) Commandments' and references to them in the New Testament.  Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments.

Please see the notes for Romans C8S1 and Ephesians C4S1 about the word walk.  Please see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith.  The functional definition is: 'To move slowly on the feet; to step slowly along; to advance by steps moderately repeated'.  When applied to faith,  the emphasis is upon small movements of faith  and repeated continuously.

Please see the note for Romans C12S15 about the word honest.  The functional definition is: 'Upright; just; fair in dealing with others; free from trickishness and fraud; acting and having the disposition to act at all times according to justice or correct moral principles; applied to persons'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:13-15 about the word lack.  The functional definition is: 'To want; to be destitute of; not to have or possess'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'all the. 1Th 1:7; 2Co 8:1-2,8-10; Eph 1:15; Col 1:4; 2Th 1:3; Phm 1:5-7  that ye. 1Th 4:1; 3:12; Php 1:9; 3:13-15; 2Pe 3:18  General references. exp: 1Co 16:14; Heb 13:1.
that. Pr 17:1; Ec 4:6; La 3:26; 2Th 3:12; 1Ti 2:2; 1Pe 3:4 exp: 2Th 3:10.  study. Ro 15:20; 2Co 5:9 (Gr)  and to do. Mr 13:34; Lu 12:42-43; Ro 12:4-8; Col 3:22-24; 2Th 3:11; 1Ti 5:13; Tit 2:4-10; 1Pe 4:10-11,15  to work. Ac 20:35; Ro 12:11; 1Co 4:12; Eph 4:28; 2Th 3:7-12; Tit 3:14 (margin)  General references. exp: Pr 31:27; Isa 19:15.ye may walk. 1Th 5:22; Ro 12:17; 13:13; 2Co 8:20-21; Php 4:8; Tit 2:8-10; 1Pe 2:12; 3:16-17  them. Mr 4:11; 1Co 5:12-13; Col 4:5; 1Ti 3:7; 1Pe 3:1  nothing. or, no man. 2Co 11:7-9  General references. exp: Isa 19:15; 1Th 5:22.
'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S8 (Verse 13) Don't be ignorant  like lost people.
  1. But I would not have you to be ignorant,
  2. brethren,
  3. concerning them which are asleep,
  4. that ye sorrow not,
  5. even as others which have no hope..

Our sentence starts with the word But,  which means it is continuing the subject of the prior sentence while going in a different direction.  Lots of people take the first phrase of this sentence ( I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,  and apply it to many other subjects.  While that application may be valid, this note will stick to the subject that Paul is talking about, which is applying brotherly love  to our missions efforts.

Now, look at the words of our sentence, (concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope),  and ask yourself: 'What does this have to do with showing brotherly love  to strangers in the mission field?'  In Luke 8:10 we read that Jesus said: And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.  the lost can not understand because they use the understanding of the natural man  (1Corinthians 2:14).  We are given God's Holy Spirit so that we can understand things from a spiritual perspective, which the natural man  does not have.  That is how we will see the connection between the words of this sentence and the subject of the prior sentence.

Our prior sentence was telling us to increase (our brotherly love) more and more  by extending our brotherly love  to people on the mission field.  Obviously, Satan doesn't want us to do this and wants to discourage all missions efforts.  Our current sentence is still talking about the same subject and says concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  They had sorrow  and no hope  because they were being taught that saved people who died before the return of Christ  lost their reward.  If you have no hope  of reward then you are going to put very little effort into something.  Thus, this doctrinal error was a spiritual attack by Satan aimed at their hope  of reward in an effort to discourage their missions efforts.  Satan had tried persecution  and it didn't work.  Now Satan will try discouragement.

In our sentence we see that Paul is trying to eliminate ignorance  ('lack of knowledge') by informing them of spiritual truths.  Satan was using their 'lack of knowledge' to discourage them from their mission efforts by taking away their hope.  In the Bible, hope  is an action word like faith  only it is based upon the character of God instead of a promise that is found within the word of God.  Thus, in order to restore their hope,  and get them working for the kingdom of God again, Paul is pointing out the character of God within His role as Lord.  This role of God is no respecter of persons  (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25 and 2:1).

Therefore, the things which Paul tells them about the Lord  will be the same for everyone and not dependent upon their personal relationship with Him.  Therefore, the religious liars can not claim that what Paul says may be true for him but not true for others.  Paul is telling them truths which apply to everyone the same.  Our next three sentences start with the word For  and give us three reasons why we should have hope.  They are followed by a conclusion which starts with the word Wherefore.  Thus, we are to have hope  that is based upon the reasons given, we are to comfort one another with these words  and get back to the job of extending brotherly love  to people in the mission field.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C14S42 and 2Corinthians 2:10-11 about the word ignorant.  The functional definition is: 'lack of knowledge'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the note for Romans 1:1 about the word concern.  The functional definition for this word is: 'Pertaining to; regarding; having relation to'.

Please see the note for Mark 4:26-27 about the word sleep.  The functional definition for this word is: ' to take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind'.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.  There is a lot of confusion about this word because men insist upon defining an ongoing process as a one-time event and can not even agree when that one-time event is supposed to have happened because every test that they make proves to be wrong at some time.  We keep having people who were declared to be dead to later prove that they were actually still alive.  The note for Romans C6S4 has a considerable discussion on this subject and explains why all human definitions, including those accepted by fundamental Bible believers, do not match the actual Biblical definition of this ongoing process.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:27 about the word sorrow.  The functional definition is: 'The uneasiness or pain of mind which is produced by the loss of any good. or of frustrated hopes of good, or expected loss of happiness; to grieve; to be sad'.

Please see the note for 1:3 about the word hope.  The functional definition is: 'Hope is an action word like faith  but where faith  is based upon a promise in the word of God, hope  is based upon the character of God'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I would. Ro 1:13; 1Co 10:1; 12:1; 2Co 1:8; 2Pe 3:8  which are. 1Th 4:15; 5:10; 1Ki 1:21; 2:10; Da 12:2; Mt 27:52; Lu 8:52-53; Joh 11:11-13; Ac 7:60; 13:36; 1Co 15:6,18; 2Pe 3:4  ye sorrow. Ge 37:35; Le 19:28; De 14:1-2; 2Sa 12:19-20; 18:33; Job 1:21; Eze 24:16-18; Joh 11:24; Ac 8:2  which have. Eph 2:12; Job 19:25-27; Pr 14:32; Eze 37:11; 1Co 15:19  General references. exp: Le 21:2; Eze 44:25'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S9 (Verse 14) Why the saved are to have hope.
  1. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
  2. even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him..

The note for this verse in the Lord Jesus Christ Study explains that this verse deliberately uses Jesus  by itself because it is dealing with the Son of God as 'a literal physical man'.  Since, as we saw in the note above, God is no respecter of persons  (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25 and 2:1) God will treat saved people exactly as He treated Jesus  when it comes to the resurrection.  In addition, this sentence uses the word if  to separate true believers from lost religious liars.  Please see that note for the majority of the doctrine related to this sentence.  Please also realize that the next two sentences also start with the word For,  which makes them reasons, along with this sentence, why the prior sentence said I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren...even as others which have no hope.  This sentence is only part of what is supposed to remove our ignorance.

Please see the note for 2:10 about the word believe.  The functional definition is: 'To credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of something upon the declaration of another, or upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by other circumstances, than personal knowledge'.

Please see the note for Romans C6S4; 1Corinthians C15S20; Philippians 1:19-20 about the word death.  Please see the note for Romans C6S4 about the word die.  We find this exact phrase of sin unto death:  in 1John 5:16; Romans 6:16.  We see this doctrine dealt with in: Acts 5; Romans 5; 1Corinthians 8:11-LJC and Galatians C3-S26.  Please see the note for Romans C8S38 about the phrase dying because of the truth.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.  There is a lot of confusion about this word because men insist upon defining an ongoing process as a one-time event and can not even agree when that one-time event is supposed to have happened because every test that they make proves to be wrong at some time.  We keep having people who were declared to be dead to later prove that they were actually still alive.  The note for Romans C6S4 has a considerable discussion on this subject and explains why all human definitions, including those accepted by fundamental Bible believers, do not match the actual Biblical definition of this ongoing process.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C15S32 about the word raise / resurrection.  Please also see the Prophecies and Prophecy Fulfilled Sections for Bible references to resurrection.  Please see the note for Romans C8S11 about the resurrection of Christ.  Please see the note for Romans C8S11 about the resurrection of Jesus.

Please see the note for Mark 4:26-27 about the word sleep.  The functional definition for this word is: ' to take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind'.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.  There is a lot of confusion about this word because men insist upon defining an ongoing process as a one-time event and can not even agree when that one-time event is supposed to have happened because every test that they make proves to be wrong at some time.  We keep having people who were declared to be dead to later prove that they were actually still alive.  The note for Romans C6S4 has a considerable discussion on this subject and explains why all human definitions, including those accepted by fundamental Bible believers, do not match the actual Biblical definition of this ongoing process.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will.  The functional definition is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'.  Please also see the note for 1Peter 2:15 about the phrase will of God.  That note has links to every place in the Bible where we find this phrase along with notes on each reference.  In particular, that note explains that the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God  are not three different levels of the will of God  but, in fact, are three attributes of the single will of God.  As that note explains, there is only one will of God  for each circumstance in life but we receive variable rewards or punishment based upon how well we obey the will of God  or how much we disobey the will of God.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'if we. Isa 26:19; Ro 8:11; 1Co 15:12-23; 2Co 4:13-14; Re 1:18  sleep. 1Th 4:13; 3:13; 1Co 15:18; Re 14:13 exp: 2Sa 7:12; 1Co 11:30.  God. 1Th 4:17; Ge 49:19; Zec 14:15; Mt 24:31; 1Co 15:23; Php 3:20-21; 2Th 2:1; Jude 1:14-15 exp: 1Co 6:14.  General references. exp: Eze 44:25; 1Co 15:13'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S10 (Verse 15) Saved people who dies will be resurrected at the start of the 'Rapture'.
  1. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord,
  2. that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep..

Our sentence starts with the word For  and gives us the second of three reasons why C4-S8 said I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren...even as others which have no hope.  This sentence is only part of what is supposed to remove our ignorance.  Our sentences are summarized in C4-S12 which tells us: Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The note for this verse, within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, explains the doctrine of this verse.  It gives the Biblical definition for the word prevent,  which is different from common English usage, and it provides links to every place in the Bible where we see this word.  Basically, as explained in that note, people who are Biblically asleep  ('sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive') are going up in the 'Rapture' before saved people who are alive.  In addition, it is the Lord  Who is coming because He will take all saved directly to the judgment Seat of Christ  (Romans C14S16; 2Corinthians 5:10) where we will be judged by our Lord  and receive reward or punishment.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word speech.  Please see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about evil speaking.  Please see the note for Romans C15S15 about the word speak.  The functional definition is: 'To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words'.  Please also see the note for Revelation 1:8 about the word saith.  Please also see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying.  Please also see the note for Matthew 26:1 about the word sayings (plural).  Please also see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase I say.  Please see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about the phrase evil speaking.

Please see the note for 1:4 about the word word.  Please see the note for Colossians 2:4 for extensive links and other information about the word word.  The functional definition is: 'a single component part of human speech or language'.  However, the word of God  is the holy scriptures and in the English language, it is only the KJV-1611.  Please see the notes for Romans C10S22 and Word in 1John about the phrase word of God.  The phrase every word  is explained in Romans C13S12, stated in Deuteronomy 8:3; Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 18:16; Luke 4:4.

Please see the note for 1Thessalonians 1:8 about the word of the Lord.  It is a subset of the word of God,  as explained in that note which has links every place in the New Testament where we find this phrase.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 about the word life.  That note has the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators.  Please also see the notes for Life in 1John about the word life.  Please see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC and Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting.  We find the phrase eternal life  in: 6:12 and 6:19.  Please see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life.

Please see the note for Hebrews 4:6-7 about the word remain.  The functional definition is: 'To continue; to rest or abide in a place for a time indefinite'.

Please see above, within this note, about the word prevent.

Please see the note for Mark 4:26-27 about the word sleep.  The functional definition for this word is: ' to take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind'.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.  There is a lot of confusion about this word because men insist upon defining an ongoing process as a one-time event and can not even agree when that one-time event is supposed to have happened because every test that they make proves to be wrong at some time.  We keep having people who were declared to be dead to later prove that they were actually still alive.  The note for Romans C6S4 has a considerable discussion on this subject and explains why all human definitions, including those accepted by fundamental Bible believers, do not match the actual Biblical definition of this ongoing process.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'by the. 1Ki 13:1,9,17-18,22; 20:35; 22:14 : 2Th 2:1.  which are. 1Co 15:51-53; 2Co 4:14 exp: 1Th 4:13.  prevent. Job 41:11; Ps 88:13; 119:147-148; Mt 17:25 exp: Ps 59:10.  asleep. 1Th 4:13  General references. exp: Eze 44:25'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S11 (Verse 16-17) All saved will be 'Rapture'd to ever be with the Lord.
  1. Equivalent Section: All of Heaven will shout  and rejoice when the 'Rapture' happens.
    1. For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout,
    2. with the voice of the archangel,
    3. and with the trump of God :.
  2. Equivalent Section: Saved who already went to Heaven will respond quickest.
    1. and the dead in Christ shall rise first:.
  3. Equivalent Section: Saved who are still alive will not be left behind.
    1. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,
    2. to meet the Lord in the air:.
  4. Equivalent Section: No saved will lose their reward.
    1. and so shall we ever be with the Lord..

Our sentence starts with the word For  and gives us the third of three reasons why C4-S8 said I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren...even as others which have no hope.  This sentence is only part of what is supposed to remove our ignorance.  Our sentences are summarized in C4-S12 which tells us: Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

This is another sentence which has far more preaching about it than the simple explanation of what it says.  Simply put, it is not hard to understand.  However, devil motivated lost religious liars hate it and try to find any way possible to get people to misunderstand what is said simply within this sentence.  We have four Equivalent Sections which tells us the same simple message with slightly different details.  These different views do not change the simple message, they just tell us that different types of beings will witness the same event.  All that are on God's side will be rejoicing and all of God's enemies are trying to confuse this simple message because they want to destroy the encouragement that is within it.

Our First Equivalent Section tells us the view of this event from Heaven.  Here we see a shout,  the voice of the archangel  and the trump of God.  The reader can look up these words / phrases in Revelation and / or Daniel and / or other places in the Bible and try to fix the exact time and place where this particular sentence fits within those accounts.  But without getting into all of that research and detail, which Paul certainly didn't do for this epistle, we can say without a doubt that these words / phrases are used for celebration within the Bible.  Thus, without arguing about details, we can say that all of Heaven will celebrate when the 'Rapture' happens.

Our Second Equivalent Section tells us the view of this event from the perspective of saved people who already went to Heaven.  They're going to come back to get their new body so fact that they will make it from Heaven and back to meet the Lord in the air  even faster than people on Earth will get there.  As much as we look forward to Heaven and our eternal reward, we will be even more anxious for it once we truly see Heaven.

Our third Equivalent Section tells us the view of this event from the perspective of saved people who are still alive on this Earth.  I don't need to explain this Equivalent Section due to all of the preachers who already have done so and will do so.

Our Fourth Equivalent Section summarizes the whole sentence in a simple phrase that matches everyone regardless of details involved.

Please see the note for Acts 12:22 about the word shout.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.i. to utter a sudden and loud outcry, usually in joy, triumph or exultation, or to animate soldiers in an onset.  It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery. Ex. 32.  When ye hear th esound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout. Josh. 6.  SHOUT, n. A loud burst of voice or voices; a vehement and sudden outcry, particularly of a multitude of men, expressing joy, triumph, exultation or animated courage. It is sometimes intended in derision.  The Rhodi and seeing an enemy turn their backs, gave a great shout in derision. Knolles.
SHOUT, v.t. to treat with shouts or clamor.'.

Please see the note for Mark 15:32 about the word descend.  The functional definition for this word is: 'To move or pass from a higher to a lower place; to move, come or go downwards'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word Heaven.  The Bible talks about three Heaven,  but this verse is talking about 'the home of God'.  That note has the full definition from Webster's 1828 along with links from other commentators.  Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about Heaven, things in.  Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the kingdom of Heaven.  Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about treasure in Heaven.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S11 about the word voice.  The functional definition is: 'Sound or audible noise uttered by the mouth, either of human beings or of other animals'.

Please see the note for Jude 1:7 about the word archangel  and about Michael.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S8 about the word trumpet.  The functional definition is: 'A wind instrument of music, used chiefly in war and military exercises'.

We find forms of the words die /dead  /death  occurring 1062 times in 940 verses of the Bible, 375 times in 322 verses of the New Testament, and in 1:9-10; 4:14; 4:16 and 5:10 within this epistle.  Please see the note for Romans C6S4; 1Corinthians C15S20; Philippians 1:19-20 about the word death.  Please see the note for Romans C6S4 about the word die.  We find this exact phrase of sin unto death:  in 1John 5:16; Romans 6:16.  We see this doctrine dealt with in: Acts 5; Romans 5; 1Corinthians 8:11-LJC and Galatians C3-S26.  Please see the note for Romans C8S38 about the phrase dying because of the truth.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.  There is a lot of confusion about this word because men insist upon defining an ongoing process as a one-time event and can not even agree when that one-time event is supposed to have happened because every test that they make proves to be wrong at some time.  We keep having people who were declared to be dead to later prove that they were actually still alive.  The note for Romans C6S4 has a considerable discussion on this subject and explains why all human definitions, including those accepted by fundamental Bible believers, do not match the actual Biblical definition of this ongoing process.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C15S32 about the word raise / resurrection.  Please also see the Prophecies and Prophecy Fulfilled Sections for Bible references to resurrection.  Please see the note for Romans C8S11 about the resurrection of Christ.  Please see the note for Romans C8S11 about the resurrection of Jesus.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 about the word life.  That note has the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators.  Please also see the notes for Life in 1John about the word life.  Please see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC and Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting.  We find the phrase eternal life  in: 6:12 and 6:19.  Please see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life.

Please see the note for Hebrews 4:6-7 about the word remain.  The functional definition is: 'To continue; to rest or abide in a place for a time indefinite'.

Please see the note for Luke 9:34 about the word cloud.  The functional definition for this word is: '"A covering," because clouds cover the sky.  The word is used as a symbol of the Divine presence'.

Please see the note for Romans 1:27 about the word meet.  The functional definition is: 'come together and match in every area'.

Please see the note for Matthew 6:26 about the word air.  Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'the atmosphere, as opposed to the higher regions of the sky (1Th 4:17; Re 9:2; 16:17). this word occurs once as the rendering of the Hebrew ruah (Job 41:16); elsewhere it is the rendering of shamaiyim, usually translated "heavens."  the expression "to speak into the air" (1Co 14:9) is a proverb denoting to speak in vain, as to "beat the air" (1Co 9:26) denotes to labour in vain'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the Lord. Isa 25:8-9; Mt 16:27; 24:30-31; 25:31; 26:64; Ac 1:11; 2Th 1:7; 2Pe 3:10; Re 1:7  with a. Nu 23:21; Ps 47:1,5; Zec 4:7; 9:9  the archangel. Jude 1:9  with the trump. Ex 19:16; 20:18; Isa 27:13; Zec 9:14; 1Co 15:52; Re 1:10; 8:13  and the. 1Co 15:23,51-52; Re 20:5-6  General references. exp: Mr 13:26.
we which. 1Th 4:15; 1Co 15:52  caught. 1Ki 18:12; 2Ki 2:11,16; Ac 8:39; 2Co 12:2-4; Re 11:12; 12:5  in the. Mt 26:64; Mr 14:62; Ac 1:9; Re 1:7  and so. Ps 16:11; 17:15; 49:15; 73:24; Isa 35:10; 60:19-20; Joh 12:26; 14:3; 17:24; 2Co 5:8; Php 1:23; 2Pe 3:13; Re 7:14-17; 21:3-7,22-23; 22:3-5'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C4-S12 (Verse 18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Our sentence starts with the word Wherefore  and summarizes what we should do based upon the doctrine which Paul has provided since C4-S8.  There he said I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren...even as others which have no hope.  The sentences after that were given to remove our ignorance.  Now that we know the true doctrine which comes from our Lord,  we are to comfort one another with these words.

There is no comfort  in the religious lies about 'no 'Rapture'' or 'mid-trib' or 'post-trib'.  We are instructed to comfort one another with (the words from) our Lord  and stop the mouths of any religious liar who dares to disagree with our Lord.

Please see the note in the Romans intro about the word wherefore.  The functional definition is: 'a future result that can be seen wherever you look and that is based upon what came before the wherefore'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:1 about the word comfort.  The functional definition is: 'To strengthen; to invigorate; to cheer or enliven. Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men'.

Please see the note for 1:4 about the word word.  Please see the note for Colossians 2:4 for extensive links and other information about the word word.  The functional definition is: 'a single component part of human speech or language'.  However, the word of God  is the holy scriptures and in the English language, it is only the KJV-1611.  Please see the notes for Romans C10S22 and Word in 1John about the phrase word of God.  The phrase every word  is explained in Romans C13S12, stated in Deuteronomy 8:3; Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 18:16; Luke 4:4.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Wherefore. 1Th 5:11,14; Isa 40:1-2; Lu 21:28; Heb 12:12  comfort. or, exhort. Heb 10:24-25 exp: Isa 40:1; 1Co 14:3'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter

Chapter 5 Ordered by Sentence

links to sentences in this chapter:
C5-S1 (Verse 1), C5-S2 (Verse 2), C5-S3 (Verse 3), C5-S4 (Verse 4), C5-S5 (Verse 5), C5-S6 (Verse 6), C5-S7 (Verse 7), C5-S8 (Verse 8), C5-S9 (Verse 9-10), C5-S10 (Verse 11), C5-S11 (Verse 12-13), C5-S12 (Verse 13), C5-S13 (Verse 14), C5-S14 (Verse 15), C5-S15 (Verse 16), C5-S16 (Verse 17), C5-S17 (Verse 18), C5-S18 (Verse 19), C5-S19 (Verse 20), C5-S20 (Verse 21), C5-S21 (Verse 22), C5-S22 (Verse 23), C5-S23 (Verse 24), C5-S24 (Verse 25), C5-S25 (Verse 26), C5-S26 (Verse 27), C5-S27 (Verse 27), C5-S28 (Verse 28).

Please see the Summary Chapter Outline using this link.  It gives the overview of this chapter.

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
1-15He proceeds in the former description of Christ's coming to judgment;
16-22and gives divers precepts;
23-28and so concludes the epistle.
Home   Start of Web Page
C5-S1 (Verse 1) Some things about prophecy is already known.
  1. But of the times and the seasons,
  2. brethren,
  3. ye have no need that I write unto you..

Please see the chapter summary at the start of the chapter where it is explained that this sentence is continuing the comments on prophecy that Paul started in Chapter 4.  Proper chapter divisions would have made C4-S8 through C5-S10 the fifth chapter and C5-S11 through the end a sixth chapter.

This sentence is a direct result of what Jesus said in Acts 1:7   (And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.)

Our sentence starts with the word But,  which means it is continuing the subject on prophecy that was at the end of the prior chapter.  While it is continuing the subject of prophecy, the But  means that Paul is going in a new direction and, in this case, changing the prophecy being discussed.  When we look at the next sentence we see it start with the word For,  which means it is giving the reason why Paul writes of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  (Please see the next note for that explanation.)  thus, we see that Paul is continuing the subject of prophecy while telling us that he will not speak about the times and the seasons.  Unfortunately, people who want to know about prophecy are always looking for someone to explain the times and the seasons.  Unfortunately, most 'prophecy preachers' are happy to focus their talks on the one subject that Paul was wise enough to refuse to write about.

We have prophecy, such as found in Matthew 24 which applies to the Jews but does not apply to the church because of the 'Rapture', which was covered by Paul earlier in this epistle.  Since the church will be 'Rapture'd out of this world, the events that happen to the Jews during the great tribulation  (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 2:22; Revelation 7:14) won't affect the church.  Yes, there are busybodies who want to talk about others instead of doing what they are supposed to be doing, but I believe they will be too busy with the judgment seat of Christ  to be worried about what is happening to other people who are in a different place than they are at.  So, yes, there is prophecy that uses the times and the seasons,  but it does not apply to the church.  Our sentence says ye have no need that I write unto you,  because they do not apply and God wants His people busy doing the job that He gave them and keeping their nose out of what God is doing with others (John 21:15-23).

Please see the note for Mark 12:2 about the word season.  The functional definition for this word is: 'A fit or suitable time; the convenient time; the usual or appointed time; as, the messenger arrived in season; in good season'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the note for Philippians 4:19 about the word need.  The functional definition is: 'ant; occasion for something; necessity; a state that requires supply or relief'.  Please also see the note for Romans C13S8 about the phrase must needs.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S13; 2Corinthians 1:13-14; Galatians C3-S12 and John 20:31-LJC about the word write.  The functional definition is: 'To form by a pen on paper or other material, or by a graver on wood or stone; as, to write the characters called letters; to write figures'.  Please also see the note for Romans 4:23-25 about the word written.  In addition, please see the note for John 6:45 for links to where we find the phrases It is written  or have ye not read.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the times. Mt 24:3,36; Mr 13:30-32; Ac 1:7  ye. 1Th 4:9; 2Co 9:1; Jude 1:3  General references. exp: Lu 17:27'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S2 (Verse 2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Please see the chapter summary at the start of the chapter where it is explained that this sentence is continuing the comments on prophecy that Paul started in Chapter 4.  Proper chapter divisions would have made C4-S8 through C5-S10 the fifth chapter and C5-S11 through the end a sixth chapter.

Some of the places where we read about the day of the Lord,  we read about God's judgment upon all sinners, which happens in the battle of Armageddon and the 'Sheep and Goat Judgment' where anyone who did not help the Jews during the great tribulation  is cast into Hell.  However, we are also told that it includes when God destroys this Earth and creates a new heaven and Earth.  And, the 1,000 years rule by Christ  happens between those two events.  Therefore, this day  is not identifying a single time but is identifying God the Father's judgment, which actually happens at two different times.

Our sentence starts with the word For  and tells us why Paul said that they did not need the times and the seasons  explained to them.  The context of these two sentences is covered in the note above.  But here we see a simple truth.  No one knows when a thief in the night  will come.  All that can be done is to make the best preparation that you can to prevent getting hurt by God's judgment.  The 'Rapture' happens at the start of great tribulation.  All saved are removed from this Earth and they need to be ready for that happening without warning.  Then, the final battle will be fought by people who expect to win and everything will look bad for the Jews and anyone who helps them.  The return, and judgment by Lord Jesus Christ  will be unexpected by most people.  Therefore, since it cometh as a thief in the night,  all that people can do is to make the best preparation possible by doing right and understanding that they will be surprised when it happens.

The phrase cometh as a thief in the night  comes from Matthew 24:42-44; Matthew 25:13;Mark 13:32-35; Luke 12:39-40; 2Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3 and Revelation 16:15.  The phrase the day of the Lord.  is found in: Isaiah 2:12; Isaiah 13:6; Isaiah 13:9; Isaiah 34:8; Jeremiah 46:10; Lamentations 2:22; Ezekiel 13:5; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1; Joel 2:11; Joel 2:31; Joel 3:14; Amos 5:18; Amos 5:20; Obadiah 1:15; Zephaniah 1:7; Zephaniah 1:8; Zephaniah 1:14; Zephaniah 1:18; Zephaniah 2:2; Zephaniah 2:3; Zechariah 14:1; Malachi 4:5; Acts 2:20 and 1Thessalonians 5:2.  From these we see that the great tribulation  happens before the day of the Lord.  It, essentually, ends the great tribulation.  In addition, we have other days  mentioned in the New Testament.  Many of those have nothing to do with prophecy, but the following do.

As I've said, there are many people who claim to be some 'expert on prophecy'.  If they don't know what these days  are then they have not studied the word of God for themselves and received their answers from the Spirit of God but are only repeating the doctrine of another man, who was probably preaching doctrinal error.  Don't be a fool!  Make people prove their claims before you accept those claims.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S25; 1Corinthians C1S11; Galatians C3-S9 and know in 1John about the word know.  The functional definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'.  Please see the notes for 2Peter 1:2-LJC; 2Peter 2:20-LJC and Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge.  Please see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow.  Please see the note for Romans C6S5 about the phrase Know ye not.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge.  We find forms of these words, within 1Thessalonians, in: 1:4; 1:5; 2:1-2; 2:5; 2:11; 3:3; 3:4; 3:5; 4:2; 4:4-5; 5:2 and 5:12.  There are different levels of knowledge  which can vary based upon their source, how the knowledge  is obtained and more.  True Biblical knowledge  includes the most intimate and personal type of knowledge  which comes from personal experience.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C2S5 and 2Timothy C3S10 about the word perfect.  The functional definition is: 'Finished; complete; consummate; not defective; having all that is requisite to its nature and kind'.  Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the word perfect love.

Please see the note for Luke 1:5 about the word day.  Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Le 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps 55:17). "The heat of the day" (1Sa 11:11; Ne 7:3) was at our nine o'clock, and "the cool of the day" just before sunset (Ge 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (La 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Jg 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex 14:24). In the New Testament the division of the Greeks and Romans into four watches was adopted (Mr 13:35). (See Watches.) the division of the day by hours is first mentioned in Da 3:6,15; 4:19; 5:5. this mode of reckoning was borrowed from the Chaldeans. the reckoning of twelve hours was from sunrise to sunset, and accordingly the hours were of variable length (Joh 11:9).  The word "day" sometimes signifies an indefinite time (Ge 2:4; Isa 22:5; Heb 3:8, etc.). In Job 3:1 it denotes a birthday, and in Isaiah 2:12; Acts 17:31; 2Timothy 1:18, the great day of final judgment.'.  The functional definition, of the phrase last day  is: '(end of the) Church Age.  However, in the life of the individual, it can be used for the day that he dies'.  Please see the note for Hebrews 3:13  about the word today. The functional definition is: 'obey immediately'.  Please also see the note for Matthew 26:55 about the word daily.  Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:6-LJC and 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of.  Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of the Lord.  Please also see the note for John 20:1 about the phrase first day of the week.  Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about the phrase Good Friday.  Please also see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the words birth / birthright / birthday.

Please see the note for 1Peter 4:15 about the word thief.  The functional definition is: 'One who secretly, unlawfully and feloniously takes the goods or personal property of another. the thief takes the property of another privately; the robber by open force'.  The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'robber, bandit.' Used by the Lord in reference to those who bought and sold in the temple. Mt 21:13; Mr 11:17; Lu 19:46. In the parable of the Good Samaritan the traveller fell among robbers. Lu 10:30,36. When the Lord was arrested He asked if they had come out as against a robber. Mt 26:55; Mr 14:48; Lu 22:52. the two malefactors crucified with the Lord were also men of this character. Mt 27:38,44; Mr 15:27. the same Greek word is translated 'robber' in the A.V. in Joh 10:1,8; John 18: 40; 2Co 11:26.M
2. 'thief.' those who break through and steal secretly. Mt 6:19-20. this is the word employed in the expression "as a thief in the night," to which the unexpected coming of the Lord to the world is compared. 1Th 5:2,4; 2Pe 3:10; Re 3:3; etc. It is applied to Judas. Joh 12:6. the word 'thief' in the A.V. is always this word except in the passages quoted under No. 1'.  Please also see the note for Matthew 15:19 about the word theft.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. the act of stealing. In law, the private, unlawful, felonious taking of another person's goods or movables, with an intent to steal them. to constitute theft, the taking must be in private or without the owner's knowledge, and it must be unlawful or felonious, that is, it must be with a design to deprive the owner of his property privately and against his will. theft differs from robbery, as the latter is a violent taking from the person, and of course not private.  1. the thing stolen. Ex.22'.  Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Punished by restitution, the proportions of which are noted in 2Sa 12:6. If the thief could not pay the fine, he was to be sold to a Hebrew master till he could pay (Ex 22:1-4). A night-thief might be smitten till he died, and there would be no blood-guiltiness for him (Ex 22:2). A man-stealer was to be put to death (Ex 21:16). All theft is forbidden (Ex 20:15; 21:16; Le 19:11; De 5:19; 24:7; Ps 50:18; Zec 5:3; Mt 19:18; Ro 13:9; Eph 4:28; 1Pe 4:15)'.

Please see the note for John 11:10 about the word night.  Fausset's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(1) the time of distress (Isa 21:12).  (2) Death, the time when life's day is over (Joh 9:4).  (3) Children of night, i.e. dark deeds, filthiness, which shuns daylight (1Th 5:5).  (4) the present life, compared with the believer's bright life to come (Ro 13:12)'.  The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Used symbolically for:  1. Death, a time "when no man can work." Joh 9:4.  2. the moral darkness of the world, in which men sleep and are drunken. 1Th 5:7.  3. the period of Christ's rejection, which is far spent, and the 'day' at hand. Ro 13:12. there will be no night of moral or spiritual darkness in the heavenly Jerusalem. Re 21:25; 22:5'.  Please also see the note for Matthew 25:6 about the word midnight.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'know. Jer 23:20  the day. Mt 24:42-44; 25:13; Mr 13:34-35; Lu 12:39-40; 2Pe 3:10; Re 3:3; 16:15 exp: Isa 2:12; Eze 13:5.  General references. exp: Mt 24:36; Lu 12:39; 17:27'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S3 (Verse 3) Lost people will be believing in Peace and safety  when The Lord  comes.
  1. First Step: People tell a lie.
    1. For when they shall say,
    2. Peace and safety;.
  2. Second Step: the truth comes without warning.
    1. then sudden destruction cometh upon them,
    2. as travail upon a woman with child;.
  3. Third Step: Final destruction.
    1. and they shall not escape..

Please see the chapter summary at the start of the chapter where it is explained that this sentence is continuing the comments on prophecy that Paul started in Chapter 4.  Proper chapter divisions would have made C4-S8 through C5-S10 the fifth chapter and C5-S11 through the end a sixth chapter.

Our sentence starts with For  and explains why the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  Our sentence speaks of what will happen to the lost but also warns the saved.  the Lord  will come without warning and catch people doing what they want when they think they still have time to prepare a lie for what they did.  But, like the saying goes, you can't deny your action when you are caught with your hand in the cookie jar.  Therefore, as our prior sentence warned us, we need to be doing right all of the time so that, when the Lord  comes without warning, we are caught doing right.

Many preachers have covered this in greater detail but, during the great tribulation  (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 2:22; Revelation 7:14), the beast  (the being that most erroneously call 'THE Antichrist' of Revelation) convinces people that everyone will have Peace and safety  once they kill all of the Jews.  They will gather for that purpose at Armageddon  (Revelation 16:16), only they will meet the returning Lord Jesus Christ  instead of slaughtering the Jews.

That said, the Lord  returns to this Earth at the end of great tribulation  and the sentence before this was speaking about the beginning.  There can be several ways to handle this including treating the two sentences as separate; treating them as the beginning and end of the subject, as the Bible does, and accept that all which in included within the great tribulation  is assumed.  One other way to look at this is that our current sentence is telling us that the start of the great tribulation  will come when they shall say, Peace and safety  and that it brings sudden destruction,  but the lost don't realize it until later.  The fact is that our sentence only says that the sudden destruction  comes after the Peace and safety,  but doesn't say how long after.  Therefore we see a truth about timing within prophecy.  We are told the chronological order of events but not the length of time between them.  Therefore, be very careful about claiming length of time and stick strictly to the chronological order.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word speech.  Please see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about evil speaking.  Please see the note for Romans C15S15 about the word speak.  The functional definition is: 'To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words'.  Please also see the note for Revelation 1:8 about the word saith.  Please also see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying.  Please also see the note for Matthew 26:1 about the word sayings (plural).  Please also see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase I say.  Please see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about the phrase evil speaking.

Please see the note for 1:1 about the word peace.  Please also see the Gospel of Peace in the Word Study on Gospel.  The functional definition is: 'In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind'.

Please see the note for Philippians 3:1 about the word safe.  It has the full definition from Webster's 1828 and links to every place in the New Testament where We find this word.  The functional definition is: 'Free from danger of any kind'.

Please see the note for Acts 2:2 about the words sudden / suddenly.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: ', a. L. subitaneus.  1. Happening without previous notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparatives.  And sudden fear troubleth thee. Job.22.  Forwhen they shall say, peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them. 1 thess.5.  2. Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate; passionate. Not in use.
SUD'DEN, n. An unexpected occurrence; surprise. Not in use.  On a sudden, sooner than was expected; without the usual preparatives.  How art thou lost, how on a sudden lost!  Of a sudden, is not usual, and is less elegant'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 6:8 about the word destruction.  The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'There are some thirty Hebrew and four Greek words translated 'destruction,' with various shades of meaning, some being applied to loss or devastation experienced in this life, and others to future and eternal destruction. there is no thought in scripture of annihilation in any of the passages, and even in material things it is agreed that there is no such thing as annihilation. In some passages destruction is spoken of as a place or a state of existence, thus "Hell and destruction are before the Lord;" "Hell and destruction are never full." Pr 15:11; 27:20. 'Everlasting destruction' is 'everlasting punishment.' Compare Mt 25:46 with 2Th 1:9. '.  Please see the notes for Romans C14S22 and 1Corinthians C3S17 about the word destroy.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the word travail.  That note has links to every place in the New Testament where We find this word.  The functional definition is: 'To labor with pain; to toil'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 7:1 about the word woman.  The functional definition is: 'the true thought of woman is that she is the glory of the man, his true helpmeet. this is fulfilled in the relationship of the church to Christ'.  Please also see the note for Romans C9S19 about the phrase What is man.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S1 about the word child.  The functional definition for this word is: 'Someone who has less physical or spiritual maturity than the speaker. This word has considerable latitude of meaning in Scripture. Thus, Joseph is called a child at the time when he was probably about sixteen years of age (Ge 37:3); and Benjamin is so called when he was above thirty years (Ge 44:20)'..  Please also see the note for Galatians C3S9 about the phrase children of Abraham.  The functional definition is: 'The Jews claimed to be children of Abraham but Jesus said that the true children of Abraham would have his faith'.  Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 3:7-8 about the phrase children of Israel.  Please also see the note for Romans C8S14; God in Romans :  Romans C4S12 and 1Peter 2:1 about the phrase children of God.  Please also see the note for Galatians 4:19-20 about the phrase my little children.  Please also see the note for Mark 2:19 about the phrase children of the bridechamber.  Please also see the note for Colossians 3:8 about the phrase children of disobedience.  The functional definition is: 'Saved people who live a life of disobedience to God'.  Please also see the note for Colossians 3:8 about the phrase children of wrath.

Please see the notes for Galatians C4-S1 and Galatians C5-S14 about the word child.  Please see the notes for Romans C8S14; God in Romans :  Romans C4S12 and 1Peter 2:3-LJC about the phrase children of God.  Please see the note for 2Corinthians 3:7-8 about the phrase children of Israel.  Please see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the phrase My little children.  Please see the note for Galatians C3S9 about the phrase children of Abraham.  The functional definition is: 'The Jews claimed to be children of Abraham but Jesus said that the true children of Abraham would have his faith'.

Please see the note for Matthew 23:33 about the word escape.  The functional definition for this word is: 'To flee fRomans avoid; to get out of the way; to shun; to obtain security from; to pass without harm; as, to escape danger'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Peace. De 29:19; Jg 18:27-28; Ps 10:11-13; Isa 21:4; 56:12; Da 5:3-6; Na 1:10; Mt 24:37-39; Lu 17:26-30; 21:34-35  then. Ex 15:9-10; Jos 8:20-22; Jg 20:41-42; 2Ch 32:19-21; Ps 73:18-20; Pr 29:1; Isa 30:13; Lu 17:27-29; 21:34-35; Ac 12:22-23; 13:41; 2Th 1:9; 2Pe 2:4; Re 18:7-8  as. Ps 48:6; Isa 43:6-9; 21:3; Jer 4:31; 6:24; 13:21; 22:23; Ho 13:13; Mic 4:9-10  and they. Mt 23:33; Heb 2:3; 12:23  General references. exp: Isa 26:17; Jer 8:15; Mt 24:8; Lu 12:39; 17:27'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S4 (Verse 4) How the saved are different.
  1. But ye,
  2. brethren,
  3. are not in darkness,
  4. that that day should overtake you as a thief..

Please see the chapter summary at the start of the chapter where it is explained that this sentence is continuing the comments on prophecy that Paul started in Chapter 4.  Proper chapter divisions would have made C4-S8 through C5-S10 the fifth chapter and C5-S11 through the end a sixth chapter.

The phrase are not in darkness  is talking about spiritual darkness  where people have no idea what is around them because that have no sight at all.  Our sentence starts with the word But  and continues the subject of the prior sentence while going in a different direction.  Where the prior sentence said that the lost would be completely surprised by the day of the Lord,  the saved should not be caught the same way.  That is what our sentence tells us and it also tells us that while the lost are in darkness,  the saved are not.  Therefore, any saved who are caught unaware are caught that way because they refuse to use the light  that God gives them.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the notes for Light and Darkness in 1John; Romans C13S15 and Hebrews 12:18-24 about light and darkness.  These are used to separate the spiritual influence of God from that of devils.

Please see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about for links to every place in the New Testament where the phrase day of  deals with a significant event such as prophecy.  The that day  in our sentence is referring to the day of the Lord  found in C5-S2.

Please see the note for Luke 1:5 about the word day.  Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Le 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps 55:17). "The heat of the day" (1Sa 11:11; Ne 7:3) was at our nine o'clock, and "the cool of the day" just before sunset (Ge 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (La 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Jg 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex 14:24). In the New Testament the division of the Greeks and Romans into four watches was adopted (Mr 13:35). (See Watches.) the division of the day by hours is first mentioned in Da 3:6,15; 4:19; 5:5. this mode of reckoning was borrowed from the Chaldeans. the reckoning of twelve hours was from sunrise to sunset, and accordingly the hours were of variable length (Joh 11:9).  The word "day" sometimes signifies an indefinite time (Ge 2:4; Isa 22:5; Heb 3:8, etc.). In Job 3:1 it denotes a birthday, and in Isaiah 2:12; Acts 17:31; 2Timothy 1:18, the great day of final judgment.'.  The functional definition, of the phrase last day  is: '(end of the) Church Age.  However, in the life of the individual, it can be used for the day that he dies'.  Please see the note for Hebrews 3:13  about the word today. The functional definition is: 'obey immediately'.  Please also see the note for Matthew 26:55 about the word daily.  Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:6-LJC and 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of.  Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of the Lord.  Please also see the note for John 20:1 about the phrase first day of the week.  Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about the phrase Good Friday.  Please also see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the words birth / birthright / birthday.

Please see the note for Galatians 6:1 about the word overtake.  The functional definition for this word is: 'To take by surprise'.

Please see the note for 1Peter 4:15 about the word thief.  The functional definition is: 'One who secretly, unlawfully and feloniously takes the goods or personal property of another. the thief takes the property of another privately; the robber by open force'.  The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'robber, bandit.' Used by the Lord in reference to those who bought and sold in the temple. Mt 21:13; Mr 11:17; Lu 19:46. In the parable of the Good Samaritan the traveller fell among robbers. Lu 10:30,36. When the Lord was arrested He asked if they had come out as against a robber. Mt 26:55; Mr 14:48; Lu 22:52. the two malefactors crucified with the Lord were also men of this character. Mt 27:38,44; Mr 15:27. the same Greek word is translated 'robber' in the A.V. in Joh 10:1,8; John 18: 40; 2Co 11:26.M
2. 'thief.' those who break through and steal secretly. Mt 6:19-20. this is the word employed in the expression "as a thief in the night," to which the unexpected coming of the Lord to the world is compared. 1Th 5:2,4; 2Pe 3:10; Re 3:3; etc. It is applied to Judas. Joh 12:6. the word 'thief' in the A.V. is always this word except in the passages quoted under No. 1'.  Please also see the note for Matthew 15:19 about the word theft.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. the act of stealing. In law, the private, unlawful, felonious taking of another person's goods or movables, with an intent to steal them. to constitute theft, the taking must be in private or without the owner's knowledge, and it must be unlawful or felonious, that is, it must be with a design to deprive the owner of his property privately and against his will. theft differs from robbery, as the latter is a violent taking from the person, and of course not private.  1. the thing stolen. Ex.22'.  Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Punished by restitution, the proportions of which are noted in 2Sa 12:6. If the thief could not pay the fine, he was to be sold to a Hebrew master till he could pay (Ex 22:1-4). A night-thief might be smitten till he died, and there would be no blood-guiltiness for him (Ex 22:2). A man-stealer was to be put to death (Ex 21:16). All theft is forbidden (Ex 20:15; 21:16; Le 19:11; De 5:19; 24:7; Ps 50:18; Zec 5:3; Mt 19:18; Ro 13:9; Eph 4:28; 1Pe 4:15)'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'are. Ro 13:11-13; Col 1:13; 1Pe 2:9-10; 1Jo 2:8  overtake. De 19:6; 28:15,45; Jer 42:16; Ho 10:9; Zec 1:6  General references. exp: Lu 12:38'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S5 (Verse 5) Saved people are not of the night, nor of darkness.
  1. Equivalent Section: What saved people are.
    1. Ye are all the children of light,
    2. and the children of the day:.
  2. Equivalent Section: What saved people are not.
    1. we are not of the night,
    2. nor of darkness..

Please see the chapter summary at the start of the chapter where it is explained that this sentence is continuing the comments on prophecy that Paul started in Chapter 4.  Proper chapter divisions would have made C4-S8 through C5-S10 the fifth chapter and C5-S11 through the end a sixth chapter.

While I have studied light and darkness  to some extent, I have not done a similar study on night and day.  In addition, I am not taking the time, right now, to do those studies.  Therefore, what is presented here is less than normal.  All that I can say is that light and Day  are symbolic of God's spiritual influence and night and darkness  are symbolic of the Devil's spiritual influence.

Please see the notes for Galatians C4-S1 and Galatians C5-S14 about the word child.  Please see the notes for Romans C8S14; God in Romans :  Romans C4S12 and 1Peter 2:3-LJC about the phrase children of God.  Please see the note for 2Corinthians 3:7-8 about the phrase children of Israel.  Please see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the phrase My little children.  Please see the note for Galatians C3S9 about the phrase children of Abraham.  The functional definition is: 'The Jews claimed to be children of Abraham but Jesus said that the true children of Abraham would have his faith'.

Please see the note for John 11:9-LJC about the phrase Jesus is our light.  Please see the notes for Light and Darkness in 1John and Romans C13S15 about the phrase light and darkness.  Please see the notes for Romans C13S15; 2Corinthians 4:3-4 and Ephesians C5S6 about the word light.  The note in Romans has a lot of discussion about the Biblical usage of this word and the note in 2Corinthians has the full definition from Easton's Bible Dictionary.  The functional definition is: 'the offspring of the divine command'.  Our current sentence is the only place in 1Timothy where We find this word.

Please see the note for Luke 1:5 about the word day.  Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Le 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps 55:17). "The heat of the day" (1Sa 11:11; Ne 7:3) was at our nine o'clock, and "the cool of the day" just before sunset (Ge 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (La 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Jg 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex 14:24). In the New Testament the division of the Greeks and Romans into four watches was adopted (Mr 13:35). (See Watches.) the division of the day by hours is first mentioned in Da 3:6,15; 4:19; 5:5. this mode of reckoning was borrowed from the Chaldeans. the reckoning of twelve hours was from sunrise to sunset, and accordingly the hours were of variable length (Joh 11:9).  The word "day" sometimes signifies an indefinite time (Ge 2:4; Isa 22:5; Heb 3:8, etc.). In Job 3:1 it denotes a birthday, and in Isaiah 2:12; Acts 17:31; 2Timothy 1:18, the great day of final judgment.'.  The functional definition, of the phrase last day  is: '(end of the) Church Age.  However, in the life of the individual, it can be used for the day that he dies'.  Please see the note for Hebrews 3:13  about the word today. The functional definition is: 'obey immediately'.  Please also see the note for Matthew 26:55 about the word daily.  Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:6-LJC and 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of.  Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of the Lord.  Please also see the note for John 20:1 about the phrase first day of the week.  Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about the phrase Good Friday.  Please also see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the words birth / birthright / birthday.

Please see the note for John 11:10 about the word night.  Fausset's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(1) the time of distress (Isa 21:12).  (2) Death, the time when life's day is over (Joh 9:4).  (3) Children of night, i.e. dark deeds, filthiness, which shuns daylight (1Th 5:5).  (4) the present life, compared with the believer's bright life to come (Ro 13:12)'.  The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Used symbolically for:  1. Death, a time "when no man can work." Joh 9:4.  2. the moral darkness of the world, in which men sleep and are drunken. 1Th 5:7.  3. the period of Christ's rejection, which is far spent, and the 'day' at hand. Ro 13:12. there will be no night of moral or spiritual darkness in the heavenly Jerusalem. Re 21:25; 22:5'.  Please also see the note for Matthew 25:6 about the word midnight.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Lu 16:8; Joh 12:36; Ac 26:18; Eph 5:8exp: Le 11:16; Mr 13:33; Lu 12:38'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S6 (Verse 6) Concluding action from prior doctrine.
  1. First Step: Stay awake.
    1. Therefore let us not sleep,
    2. as do others;.
  2. Second Step: Actively watch for influence of Satan.
    1. but let us watch and be sober..

Please see the chapter summary at the start of the chapter where it is explained that this sentence is continuing the comments on prophecy that Paul started in Chapter 4.  Proper chapter divisions would have made C4-S8 through C5-S10 the fifth chapter and C5-S11 through the end a sixth chapter.

This sentence gives us the concluding application of the prior sentence.  in this sentence and the next, sleep  is used figuratively for being non-responsive spiritually.

Please see the note in the Romans intro about the word therefore.  The functional definition is: 'a future result that can be seen only at the place which was specified before the therefore'.  Our command to not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober  is a direct result of what was stated in the prior two sentences where we read: But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Please see the note for Mark 4:26-27 about the word sleep.  The functional definition for this word is: ' to take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind'.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.  There is a lot of confusion about this word because men insist upon defining an ongoing process as a one-time event and can not even agree when that one-time event is supposed to have happened because every test that they make proves to be wrong at some time.  We keep having people who were declared to be dead to later prove that they were actually still alive.  The note for Romans C6S4 has a considerable discussion on this subject and explains why all human definitions, including those accepted by fundamental Bible believers, do not match the actual Biblical definition of this ongoing process.

Please see the note for Colossians C4S2 about the word watch.  Within the Bible, this word is used in the military sense.  The functional definition is: 'Guard; vigilance for keeping or protecting against danger'.

Please see the note for Romans C12S3 about the word soberly.  That note has links to every place in the Bible where any form of this word is used along with a note on each usage.  The definition from Webster's 1828 is: 'Without intemperance. 2. Without enthusiasm. 3. Without intemperate passion; coolly; calmly; moderately. 4. Gravely; seriously'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'let us not. Pr 19:15; Isa 56:10; Jon 1:6; Mt 13:25; 25:5; Mr 14:37; Lu 22:46; Ro 13:11-14; 1Co 15:34; Eph 5:14  watch. Mt 24:42; 25:13; 26:38,40-41; Mr 13:34-35,37; 14:38; Lu 12:37,39; 21:36; 22:46; Ac 20:31; 1Co 16:13; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2; 2Ti 4:5; 1Pe 4:7; Re 3:2; 16:15  sober. 1Th 5:8; Php 4:5; 1Ti 2:9,15; 3:2,11; Tit 2:6,12; 1Pe 1:13; 5:8exp: Tit 2:2.  General references. exp: Le 11:16; Pr 24:33; Mt 25:13; Mr 13:33; Lu 12:40'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S7 (Verse 7) Why we should stay awake, spiritually speaking.
  1. For they that sleep sleep in the night;
  2. and they that be drunken are drunken in the night..

Please see the chapter summary at the start of the chapter where it is explained that this sentence is continuing the comments on prophecy that Paul started in Chapter 4.  Proper chapter divisions would have made C4-S8 through C5-S10 the fifth chapter and C5-S11 through the end a sixth chapter.

This sentence gives us the reason why we should do the action of the prior sentence.  in this sentence and the prior, sleep  is used figuratively for being non-responsive spiritually.

Please see the note for Mark 4:26-27 about the word sleep.  The functional definition for this word is: ' to take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind'.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.  There is a lot of confusion about this word because men insist upon defining an ongoing process as a one-time event and can not even agree when that one-time event is supposed to have happened because every test that they make proves to be wrong at some time.  We keep having people who were declared to be dead to later prove that they were actually still alive.  The note for Romans C6S4 has a considerable discussion on this subject and explains why all human definitions, including those accepted by fundamental Bible believers, do not match the actual Biblical definition of this ongoing process.

Please see the note for John 11:10 about the word night.  Fausset's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(1) the time of distress (Isa 21:12).  (2) Death, the time when life's day is over (Joh 9:4).  (3) Children of night, i.e. dark deeds, filthiness, which shuns daylight (1Th 5:5).  (4) the present life, compared with the believer's bright life to come (Ro 13:12)'.  The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Used symbolically for:  1. Death, a time "when no man can work." Joh 9:4.  2. the moral darkness of the world, in which men sleep and are drunken. 1Th 5:7.  3. the period of Christ's rejection, which is far spent, and the 'day' at hand. Ro 13:12. there will be no night of moral or spiritual darkness in the heavenly Jerusalem. Re 21:25; 22:5'.  Please also see the note for Matthew 25:6 about the word midnight.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S16 and Galatians C5S2 about the word drunk / drunkenness.  The functional definition is: 'Intoxication; inebriation; a state in which a person is overwhelmed or overpowered with spirituous liquors, so that his reason is disordered, and he reels or staggers in walking'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they that sleep. Job 4:13; 33:15; Lu 21:34-35; Ro 13:13; 1Co 15:34; Eph 5:14  and they. 1Sa 25:36-37; Pr 23:29-35; Isa 21:4-5; Da 5:4-5; Ac 2:15; 2Pe 2:13  General references. exp: Le 11:16; Pr 24:33; Mr 13:33'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S8 (Verse 8) How to stay spiritually awake.
  1. First Step: Protect your heart.
    1. But let us,
    2. who are of the day,
    3. be sober,
    4. putting on the breastplate of faith and love;.
  2. Second Step: Protect your mind.
    1. and for an helmet,
    2. the hope of salvation..

Please see the chapter summary at the start of the chapter where it is explained that this sentence is continuing the comments on prophecy that Paul started in Chapter 4.  Proper chapter divisions would have made C4-S8 through C5-S10 the fifth chapter and C5-S11 through the end a sixth chapter.

Our sentence starts with the word But,  which means it is keeping the subject of being spiritually awake or spiritually asleep, while changing directions.  The lost are spiritually asleep, according to our prior sentence.  We are to act differently and, in order to remain spiritually awake, Paul tells us the act differently from the religious lost.  In order to do this Paul tells us to put on spiritual armor and get prepared for spiritual battle.

Many of us fall asleep during the day but people don't do that when they are preparing to fight for their life.  Thus, giving out the gospel is not just to get others saved but it is for our own spiritual protection by keeping us spiritually awake.  We can see this truth in churches of America today.  As less and less of saved people get involved in outreach ministries, they become more spiritually asleep and miss how Satan has devil motivated people working to take away their rights and make it harder for them to fight the spiritual battle.

Lots of people like preaching about the breastplate,  and faith,  and love.  However, they also like that preaching to be exciting and not something that is going to make them think 'coolly; calmly; moderately; Gravely; seriously'.  The exciting preaching makes them feel good but a lot of those people then do nothing for the kingdom of God before the next time that they are in church.  However, if they truly think 'coolly; calmly; moderately; Gravely; seriously' about the things of God, and what is expected of a soldier who is standing  a watch, (but let us watch and be sober  C5-S6), then they will be actively fighting against devil actions and be doing the true acts of faith and love  between times of going to church.

Please see the note for Luke 1:5 about the word day.  Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Le 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps 55:17). "The heat of the day" (1Sa 11:11; Ne 7:3) was at our nine o'clock, and "the cool of the day" just before sunset (Ge 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (La 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Jg 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex 14:24). In the New Testament the division of the Greeks and Romans into four watches was adopted (Mr 13:35). (See Watches.) the division of the day by hours is first mentioned in Da 3:6,15; 4:19; 5:5. this mode of reckoning was borrowed from the Chaldeans. the reckoning of twelve hours was from sunrise to sunset, and accordingly the hours were of variable length (Joh 11:9).  The word "day" sometimes signifies an indefinite time (Ge 2:4; Isa 22:5; Heb 3:8, etc.). In Job 3:1 it denotes a birthday, and in Isaiah 2:12; Acts 17:31; 2Timothy 1:18, the great day of final judgment.'.  The functional definition, of the phrase last day  is: '(end of the) Church Age.  However, in the life of the individual, it can be used for the day that he dies'.  Please see the note for Hebrews 3:13  about the word today. The functional definition is: 'obey immediately'.  Please also see the note for Matthew 26:55 about the word daily.  Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:6-LJC and 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of.  Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of the Lord.  Please also see the note for John 20:1 about the phrase first day of the week.  Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about the phrase Good Friday.  Please also see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the words birth / birthright / birthday.

Please see the note for Romans C12S3 about the word soberly.  That note has links to every place in the New Testament where We find this word along with a short note for each verse.  The definition from Webster's 1828 is: 'Without intemperance. 2. Without enthusiasm. 3. Without intemperate passion; coolly; calmly; moderately. 4. Gravely; seriously'.

We find breastplate  in 26 verses of the Bible (Exodus 25:7; Exodus 28:4, 15, 22-24, 26, 28-30; Exodus 29:5; Exodus 35:9, 27; Exodus 39:8-9, 15-17, 19, 21, Leviticus 8:8, Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:14; our current sentence, Revelation 9:9 and Revelation 9:17).  The majority (Exodus and Leviticus) are talking about the part of the priest garments.  Two in Revelation are dealing with those worn by devils.  That leaves three references which we are interested in.

Easton's Bible Dictionary defines breastplate  as: '(1.) that piece of ancient armour that protected the breast. this word is used figuratively in Eph 6:14; Isa 59:17. (See Armour.)
(2.) An ornament covering the breast of the high priest, first mentioned in Ex 25:7. It was made of embroidered cloth, set with four rows of precious stones, three in each row. On each stone was engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes (Ex 28:15-29; 39:8-21). It was in size about ten inches square. the two upper corners were fastened to the ephod by blue ribbons. It was not to be "loosed from the ephod" (Ex 28:28). the lower corners were fastened to the girdle of the priest. As it reminded the priest of his representative character, it was called the memorial (Ex 28:29). It was also called the breastplate of judgment (Ex 28:15). (See Priest.)'.

In every case the breastplate  covers, and protects, the most sensitive inner organs.  Forthe priests, this was to symbolically protect the heard and keep the priest righteous  and acting in faith and love  as our two main verses in the New Testament tell us.  In Revelation, the devils had multiple breastplates  made of things from Hell and damnation.  Thus, we see that all verses tell us that the breastplate  is designed to keep a being from being turned from their main purpose.

In our current sentence we are told let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love.  The word of  means 'belongs to'.  Since our breastplate  'belongs to' faith and love,  faith and love  protect our heart.  Therefore, we must continue to act in faith and love  if we want to keep our heart  right with God.

In Ephesians 6:14 we are told to Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.  The word of  means 'belongs to'.  Therefore, if our faith and love  are truly Biblical then they will also be righteousness.  If we do anything that is not in righteousness  then our faith and love  are not truly Biblical, regardless of what we feel about our faith and love.

This leaves the reference in Isaiah 59:17 which tells us: For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke..  Part of the righteous judgment of the Son of God includes His wearing these clothes.  He wore righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head  when speaking for God and we are to follow His example.

Having dealt with the breastplate,  we now need to deal with the helmet.  This word only occurs 10 times in the Bible (1Samuel 17:5, 38; 2Chronicles 26:14; Isaiah 59:17; Jeremiah 46:4; Ezekiel 23:24; Ezekiel 27:10; Ezekiel 38:5; Ephesians 6:17 and our current sentence) with our current sentence and Ephesians being the only references in the New Testament.  All references in the Old Testament speak about physical protection for the head and brain while the New Testament references are speaking about spiritual protection.  Thus, we see that salvation  and the gospel  are to protect our mind and thinking.  Philippians 2:5 tells us Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:.  We are also told to take care of our mind  in: Romans 12:2, Romans 12:16, Romans 15:5, Romans 15:15, 1Corinthians 1:10, 2Corinthians 1:15, 2Corinthians 11:3, 2Corinthians 13:11, Galatians 5:10, Ephesians 4:23, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 2:5, Philippians 3:15, Colossians 2:18, 1Thessalonians 5:14, Titus 2:6, Hebrews 12:3, 1Peter 1:13 and 2Peter 3:1.  Basically, our salvation  is to change the way we think and our using the hope of salvation,  as we deal with this world, will protect our thinking.  That is: our own hope  is not in this world but in eternity.  Therefore, we are not to be thinking about getting and keepings here but laying up treasure in Heaven.  In addition, our telling others about the hope of salvation,  when we tell the lost about how they can be saved, also protects our mind and thinking.

Please see the notes for Romans C3S25; 1Corinthians C1S3; 2Corinthians C1S17; Galatians C3S27; Ephesians 6:23-LJC; Philippians 1:25-26 and 2Timothy C1S2 about the word faith.  The functional definition is: 'an action word that is based upon a belief in a promise found within the Bible with the action dictated by the Bible and the understanding that our action does not force God to act nor determines when or how God acts but proves that of our own free will we are giving God permission to act in and through our life to do what He promised within His Word'.  Please see the note for Hebrews 3:1-LJC about the phrase Christ Jesus is faithful.  Please see the notes for Romans 4 and James 2:21-LJC about the phrase faith: Abraham's.  Please see the note for 2Timothy C1S2 about the phrase faith: unfeigned.  Please see the note for Romans C10S12 about the phrase faith makes us not ashamed.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:39-LJC; Galatians C5-S14; Philippians 1:9-11; love in 1John and 2John 1:3-LJC about the word love.  Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves  us through each of His roles.  Please also see the note for 1John C3S26 about the phrase love one another.  Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the phrase perfect love.  Please see the note for Romans C9S23 about the word beloved.

Please see the note for 1:3 about the word hope.  The functional definition is: 'Hope is an action word like faith  but where faith  is based upon a promise in the word of God, hope  is based upon the character of God'.

Please see the note for Main Menu item for Salvation about the word save.  The functional definition is: 'to exclude.  When used spiritually, it means to exclude from the damned by having God's life in you.  When used physically, it means to exclude from what is endangering physical life' .

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 6:7 about the word armour.  The functional definition for this word is: 'Things used to protect a person who goes to a battle'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'who. 1Th 5:5; Ro 13:13; Eph 5:8-9; 1Pe 2:9; 1Jo 1:7  the breastplate. Isa 59:17; Ro 13:12; 2Co 6:7; Eph 6:11,13-18exp: Le 8:8.  The hope. Job 19:23-27; Ps 42:5,11; 43:5; La 3:26; Ro 5:2-5; 8:24-25; 1Co 13:13; Ga 5:5; 2Th 2:16; Heb 6:19; 10:35-36; 1Pe 1:3-5,13; 1Jo 3:1-3 exp: Col 1:23.  General references. exp: Pr 24:33; Mr 13:33'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S9 (Verse 9-10) Why we need to protect our heart and mind.
  1. For God hath not appointed us to wrath,
  2. but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
  3. Who died for us,
  4. that,
  5. whether we wake or sleep,
  6. we should live together with him..

Please see the chapter summary at the start of the chapter where it is explained that this sentence is continuing the comments on prophecy that Paul started in Chapter 4.  Proper chapter divisions would have made C4-S8 through C5-S10 the fifth chapter and C5-S11 through the end a sixth chapter.

Our sentence starts with the word For,  which means it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.  There we were told be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  now our current sentence tells us the goal (that)  of this activity is: we should live together with him.  When we were lost we were enemies of God and our thinking and actions were against God.  No one wants to live with an enemy.  Therefore, these two sentence are telling us some very specific ways ( be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation)  that we need to change now so that we will enjoy living together with him.  If we are not compatible then it is not Him who will suffer but us.  Therefore, these instructions are for our own eternal joy.

Think about the religious lies that are made about predestination  and then compare them to the phrase in our sentence which says: God hath not appointed us to wrath.  The definition of predestination  is: 'Setting the end goal of a trip (destination) before you start on it (pre)'.  This, this is the same as God hath...appointed us.  The religious liars claim that God 'predestined some to Hell', which is the exact opposite of what the phrase in our sentence says.  Those lies about predestination  claim that the Bible is lying in our current sentence, which proves that those religious claims are lies.

So now we see that our first phrase tells us that God hath not  'predestined some to Hell'.  Then our second phrase starts with the word but,  which means it is continuing the same subject while going in a different direction.  in this case, it gives us the opposite direction when it tells us that our salvation  was provided by our Lord Jesus Christ.  We know that Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God  (Deuteronomy 8:3; Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 4:4; Matthew 18:16; Luke 4:4).  That means that God deliberately choose to include each of the roles of the Son of God when our sentence says Lord Jesus Christ.  (Please see the note for this verse within the Lord Jesus Christ Study.)  As explained there, part of our not appointed us to wrath  is having the changes done in our life (Ephesians 2:10) after our initial profession.  However, that requires our obedience so that we can be changed from the children of disobedience,  who receive God's wrath.  As explained in this and related notes, we obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ  by obeying Him.

Please see the note for Colossians 3:8 about the phrases children of disobedience  and children of wrath.  That note has links to every place in the Bible where we see these sets of words.  As explained in that note, children of disobedience  become children of wrath  so long as they continue to disobey.  Also, the only way to avoid God's wrath,  even as the children of God,  is to obey and continue to obey.

The rest of our sentence tells us Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  Paul is reminding these believers that our Lord Jesus Christ...died for us  so that we should live together with him.  If we will not live together with him  then He died in vain.  Therefore, and religious doctrine which claims that the saved will not live together with him  must be a lie.  Paul is telling them, and us, that it does not matter if we wake or sleep.  Our condition in this life does not affect the reliability of the promises of God.

Please see the note for Luke 3:13 about the word appoint.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to fix; to settle; to establish; to make fast.  When he appointed the foundations of the earth. Prov. 8.  2. to constitute, ordain, or fix by decree, order or decision.  Let Pharaoh appoint officers over the land. Gen. 41.  He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world. Act. 17.  3. to allot, assign or designate.  Aaron and his sons shall appoint every one to his service. Num 4.  These cities were appointed for all the children of Israel. Josh. 20.  4. to purpose or resolve; to fix the intention.  Forso he had appointed. Acts 20.  5. to ordain, command or order.  Thy servants are ready to do whatever my Lord the King shall appoint. 2Sam. 15.  6. to settle; to fix, name or determine by agreement; as, they appointed a time and place for the meeting'.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S16; Galatians C5S20; Ephesians C4S11 and Colossians C3S6 about the word wrath.  The functional definition is: 'Violent anger; vehement exasperation; indignation'.  We find forms of the word wrath  in: 1:10; 2:16 and 5:9.

Please see the note for Romans C11S33 about the word obtained.  That note has links to every place in the Bible where we find forms of this word.  The functional definition is: 'Gained; procured; acquired'.

Please see the note for Main Menu item for salvation about the word save.  The functional definition is: 'to exclude.  When used spiritually, it means to exclude from the damned by having God's life in you.  When used physically, it means to exclude from what is endangering physical life' .

Please see the note for Romans C6S4; 1Corinthians C15S20; Philippians 1:19-20 about the word death.  Please see the note for Romans C6S4 about the word die.  We find this exact phrase of sin unto death:  in 1John 5:16; Romans 6:16.  We see this doctrine dealt with in: Acts 5; Romans 5; 1Corinthians 8:11-LJC and Galatians C3-S26.  Please see the note for Romans C8S38 about the phrase dying because of the truth.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.  There is a lot of confusion about this word because men insist upon defining an ongoing process as a one-time event and can not even agree when that one-time event is supposed to have happened because every test that they make proves to be wrong at some time.  We keep having people who were declared to be dead to later prove that they were actually still alive.  The note for Romans C6S4 has a considerable discussion on this subject and explains why all human definitions, including those accepted by fundamental Bible believers, do not match the actual Biblical definition of this ongoing process.

Please see the note for Matthew 9:5 about the word whether.  The functional definition for this word is: 'Which of two'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C15S31 about the word awake.  The functional definition is: 'To cease to sleep'.

Please see the note for Mark 4:26-27 about the word sleep.  The functional definition for this word is: ' to take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind'.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.  There is a lot of confusion about this word because men insist upon defining an ongoing process as a one-time event and can not even agree when that one-time event is supposed to have happened because every test that they make proves to be wrong at some time.  We keep having people who were declared to be dead to later prove that they were actually still alive.  The note for Romans C6S4 has a considerable discussion on this subject and explains why all human definitions, including those accepted by fundamental Bible believers, do not match the actual Biblical definition of this ongoing process.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 about the word life.  That note has the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators.  Please also see the notes for Life in 1John about the word life.  Please see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC and Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting.  We find the phrase eternal life  in: 6:12 and 6:19.  Please see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'not. 1Th 1:10; 3:3; Ex 9:16; Pr 16:4; Eze 38:10-17; Mt 26:24; Ac 1:20,25; 13:48; Ro 9:11-23; 2Ti 2:19-20; 1Pe 2:8; 2Pe 2:3; Jude 1:4  obtain. Ro 11:7,30; 2Th 2:13-14; 1Ti 1:13,16; 2Ti 2:10; 1Pe 2:10; 2Pe 1:1.
died. Mt 20:28; Joh 10:11,15,17; 15:13; Ro 5:6-8; 8:34; 14:8-9; 1Co 15:3; 2Co 5:15,21; Eph 5:2; 1Ti 2:6; Tit 2:14; 1Pe 2:24; 3:18  whether. 1Th 4:13,17  General references. exp: Ro 14:7'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S10 (Verse 11) The conclusion of all of this prophecy.
  1. Wherefore comfort yourselves together,
  2. and edify one another,
  3. even as also ye do..

Please see the chapter summary at the start of the chapter where it is explained that this sentence is continuing the comments on prophecy that Paul started in Chapter 4.  Proper chapter divisions would have made C4-S8 through C5-S10 the fifth chapter and C5-S11 through the end a sixth chapter.

Our sentence starts with the word Wherefore  and point out a future truth that will happen wherever we look because these things are based upon the character of God as Lord  and God does not change.  With it being based upon His role as Lord,  these truths apply to al saved equally and in the same way.  We are not only to take comfort  in these truths, but our sentence tells us to also comfort  other saved people.

While that is true, our sentence goes even further and adds in the command to edify one another.  This means 'Building up in Christian knowledge; instructing; improving the mind'.  We do that by showing other people how Paul arrived at his conclusions and teach each other to think about God and scriptures the same way.  With this skill in thinking, we can find other answers to problems that the Bible is not so clear with God's answer.

Please see the note in the Romans intro about the word wherefore.  The functional definition is: 'a future result that can be seen wherever you look and that is based upon what came before the wherefore'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:1 about the word comfort.  The functional definition is: 'To strengthen; to invigorate; to cheer or enliven. Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S25 and Ephesians C4S7 about the word edify.  The functional definition is: 'Building up in Christian knowledge; instructing; improving the mind'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Wherefore. 1Th 4:18  comfort. or, exhort. Heb 3:13; 10:25 exp: 1Co 14:3.  and edify. Ro 14:19; 15:2; 1Co 10:23; 14:5,12,29; 2Co 12:19; Eph 4:12,16,29; 1Ti 1:4; Jude 1:20  even. 1Th 4:10; Ro 15:14; 2Pe 1:12'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S11 (Verse 12-13) Additional things to do to help fellow Christians.
  1. First Step: Know  the church leaders.
    1. And we beseech you,
    2. brethren,
    3. to know them which labour among you,
    4. and are over you in the Lord,
    5. and admonish you;.
  2. Second Step: Have a proper attitude.
    1. and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake..

This sentence starts with the word And,  which adds it to the prior sentence.  Paul has been talking about the proper interpretation of prophecy and correcting doctrinal error taught by religious liars.  We saw that the proper interpretation of prophecy depended upon knowing and understanding the character of God and how He does not change.  Therefore, how He acts in the future is also how He acted in the past.  With this knowledge Paul said Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another.  Now, starting in this sentence and going through the end of this epistle, Paul is going to give very explicate and simple commands which come from the Lord  and will comfort and edify  those who obey while failing to help those saved people who refuse to obey.

So, we know that these commands are added for the purpose of comfort and edify.  The first of these commands is to know them  with the them  having three qualifiers.

  1. which labour among you:  the among  makes them  part of your local church.  This eliminates the TV and radio preacher and even eliminates the visiting evangelists.
  2. are over you in the Lord:  there are preachers in large churches who may be in charge of others within the church but are not over you in the Lord.  This is not talking about them.  However, a more common occurrence is that someone is over you in the Lord,  and people refuse to acknowledge it.  Such an attitude is disobedience and inviting the wrath  of God upon the person.
  3. and admonish you:  there are a lot of people in leadership positions who want to be friends to those under them.  That is OK so long as they admonish.  Leaders who refuse to do that are not doing their job.

People who meet all three requirements are the ones who we are told to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.  Notice that it does not say that the must esteem them  because they are so likable.  It also does not say that they have to love  us.  We are told to put love  into the esteem  (esteem them very highly in love)  that we give to them because of (for)  the work  that they do.

Please see the note for Romans C12S1 about the word beseech.  The functional definition is: ' to entreat; to supplicate; to implore; to ask or pray with urgency; followed by a person'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S25; 1Corinthians C1S11; Galatians C3-S9 and know in 1John about the word know.  The functional definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'.  Please see the notes for 2Peter 1:2-LJC; 2Peter 2:20-LJC and Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge.  Please see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow.  Please see the note for Romans C6S5 about the phrase Know ye not.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge.  We find forms of these words, within 1Thessalonians, in: 1:4; 1:5; 2:1-2; 2:5; 2:11; 3:3; 3:4; 3:5; 4:2; 4:4-5; 5:2 and 5:12.  There are different levels of knowledge  which can vary based upon their source, how the knowledge  is obtained and more.  True Biblical knowledge  includes the most intimate and personal type of knowledge  which comes from personal experience.

Please see the note for 1:2 about the word labour.  Please see the note for Luke 10:2 about the word labourer.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'One who labors in a toilsome occupation; a man who does work that requires little skill, as distinguished from an artisan.'.  Please also see the note for Philippians 4:3 about the word fellowlabourers. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C3S9 and 1Corinthians C4S13 about the word labour.  The functional definition is: 'Exertion of muscular strength, or bodily exertion which occasions weariness; particularly, the exertion of the limbs in occupations by which subsistence is obtained, as in agriculture and manufactures'.  The main application, within the Bible, is: 'work of God's ministry'.  Please also see the note for Philippians 4:3 about the word fellowlabourers.  Please also see the Message called Labor for Everlasting Life which is based upon this sentence and the next couple of sentences.  Please also see the Message called Labourers for the Harvest.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S12; Ephesians C6S3 about the word admonish.  The functional definition is: 'Gentle reproof; counseling against a fault; instruction in duties; caution; direction'.

Please see the note for Romans C14S7 about the word esteem.  The functional definition is: 'To set a value on, whether high or low; to estimate; to value'.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:39-LJC; Galatians C5-S14; Philippians 1:9-11; love in 1John and 2John 1:3-LJC about the word love.  Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves  us through each of His roles.  Please also see the note for 1John C3S26 about the phrase love one another.  Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the phrase perfect love.  Please see the note for Romans C9S23 about the word beloved.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works.  Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works.  Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers.  Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men.  Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works.  Forms of the word work  are found in 1Thessalonians in: 1:3; 2:13; 4:11 and 5:13.  The basic Biblical definition of work  is: 'to move, or to labor'.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S25; 1Corinthians C9S16 and 2Corinthians 2:10-11 about the word sake.  The functional definition is: 'to press or oppress. the primary sense is to strain, urge, press or drive forward, and this is from the same root as seek, essay and L. sequor, whence we have pursue and prosecute'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'to know. 1Co 16:18; Php 2:19; Heb 13:7,17.  labour. 1Th 2:9; Mt 9:37-38; Lu 10:1-2,7; Joh 4:38; Ac 20:35; 1Co 3:9; 15:10; 16:16; 2Co 5:9; 6:1; 11:23; Ga 4:11; Php 2:16; Col 1:29; 1Ti 5:17-18; 2Ti 2:6; Re 2:3 exp: Ro 16:12.  and are. Ac 20:28; 1Co 12:28; Tit 1:5; Heb 13:7,17; 1Pe 5:2-3; Re 1:20; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14  and admonish. 1Th 5:14; 1Ti 5:1,20; Tit 1:3; 2:15  General references. exp: Pr 5:13.
esteem. Mt 10:40; 1Co 4:1-2; 9:7-11; Ga 4:14; 6:6'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S12 (Verse 13) And be at peace among yourselves.

This seems to be such a simple command and one that everyone would agree should be obeyed and yet one that can be most difficult to obey.  The simple reason is our own sinful human pride (James 4:1-2).  When there is no peace  the people are reacting to sinful human pride and when there is, they are responding to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Please see the note for 1:1 about the word peace.  Please also see the Gospel of Peace in the Word Study on Gospel.  The functional definition is: 'In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'and be. Ge 45:24; Ps 133:1; Mr 9:50; Lu 7:3-5; Joh 13:34-35; 15:17; Ro 4:17-19; 2Co 13:11; Ga 5:22; Eph 4:3; Col 3:15; 2Th 3:16; 2Ti 2:22; Heb 12:14; Jas 3:18  General references. exp: Pr 5:13; Ro 12:18; Eph 4:3'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S13 (Verse 14) How to handle problem people.
  1. Now we exhort you,
  2. brethren,
  3. warn them that are unruly,
  4. comfort the feebleminded,
  5. support the weak,
  6. be patient toward all men..

Each of these people cause problems in their own way and each must be handled differently.  There, obviously, must be consequences to follow warnings that are ignored.  However, once them that are unruly  realize that the warnings  are real, a warnings  should be sufficient to handle problems which come from the unruly.

Likewise, the feebleminded  aren't bad but have fears that they often can't express.  Once they are comforted  with assurances that the Lord  has everything in control and that the Lord  appointed the men who are in charge, they can concentrate on the things which God gave to them and they will stop causing trouble.

The weak  have physical ailments and need help,  but they often have learned things in life which can help others.  Also, if nothing else, most have learned to be effective in prayer.  Therefore, the main need is not their need of support  but the need of others to realize how helpful they can be if given just a little support.

That leaves our last phrase and the fact that one of the greatest sources of problems, for most people, is their own lack of patience.

2:3 provides references for the word exhort.  The functional definition is: 'the act of inciting to laudable deeds; incitement to that which is good or commendable. the form of words intended to incite and encourage'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S6 about the word warn.  That note has links to every place in the New Testament where we find forms of this word along with links from other commentators.  The functional definition is: 'To give notice of approaching or probable danger or evil, that it may be avoided; to caution against anything that may prove injurious'.

We find forms of the word unruly  in: 1Thessalonians 5:14; Titus 1:6; Titus 1:10; James 3:8.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a.  1. Disregarding restraint; licentious; disposed to violate laws; turbulent; ungovernable; as an unruly youth.  The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil. James. 4.  2. Accustomed to break over fences and escape from inclosures; apt to break or leap fences; as an unruly ox.  The owner of the unruly ox paid a sum of money, as a civil penalty for the ransom of his life'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:1 about the word comfort.  The functional definition is: 'To strengthen; to invigorate; to cheer or enliven. Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S20 about the word feeble.  That note has links to every place in the Bible where We find this word along with links from other commentators.  The functional definition is: 'Weakness of body or mind, from any cause; imbecility; infirmity; want of strength, physical or intellectual; as feebleness of the body or limbs; feebleness of the mind or understanding'.

We find forms of the word support  only in: Acts 20:35; 1Thessalonians 5:14.  both sentences tell us the exact same command.  Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 't. L. supporto; sub and porto, to carry.  1. to bear; to sustain; to uphold; as, a prop or pillar supports a structure; an abutment supports an arch; the stem of a tree supports the branches. Every edifice must have a foundation to support it; a rope or cord supports a weight.  2. to endure without being overcome; as, to support pain, distress or misfortunes.  This fierce demeanor and his insolence,  the patience of a God could not support.  3. to bear; to endure; as, to support fatigues or hardships; to support violent exertions. the eye will not support the light of the sun's disk.  4. to sustain; to keep from fainting or sinking; as, to support the courage or spirits.  5. to sustain; to act or represent well; as, to support the character or king Lear; to support the part assigned.  6. to bear; to supply funds for or the means of continuing; as, to support the annual expenses of government.  7. to sustain; to carry on; as, to support a war or a contest; to support an argument or debate.  8. to maintain with provisions and the necessary means of living; as, to support a family; to support a son in college; to support the ministers of the gospel.  9. to maintain; to sustain; to keep from failing; as, to support life; to support the strength by nourishment.  10. to sustain without change or dissolution; as, clay supports an intense heat.  11. to bear; to keep from sinking; as, water supports ships and other bodies; air supports a balloon.  12. to bear without being exhausted; to be able to pay; as, to support taxes or contributions.  13. to sustain; to maintain; as, to support a good character.  14. to maintain; to verify; to make good; to substantiate. the testimony is not sufficient to support the charges; the evidence will not support the statements or allegations; the impeachment is well supported by evidence.  15. to uphold by aid or countenance; as, to support a friend or a party.  16. to vindicate; to maintain; to defend successfully; as, to be able to support one's own cause.
SUPPORT, n. the act or operation of upholding or sustaining.  1. that which upholds, sustains or keeps from falling, as a prop, a pillar, a foundation of any kind.  2. that which maintains life; as, food is the support of life, of the body, of strength. Oxygen or vital air has been supposed to be the support of respiration and of heat in the blood.  3. Maintenance; subsistence; as an income sufficient for the support of a family; or revenue for the support of the army and navy.  4. Maintenance; an upholding; continuance in any state, or preservation from falling, sinking or failing; as taxes necessary for the support of public credit; a revenue for the support of government.  5. In general, the maintenance or sustaining of anything without suffering it to fail, decline or languish; as the support of health, spirits, strength or courage; the support of reputation, credit, etc.  6. that which upholds or relieves; aid; help; succor; assistance'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S2 and 1Corinthians C4S12 about the word weak.  The functional definition is: 'The primary sense of the root is to yield, fail, give way, recede, or to be soft'.

Please see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word patient.  The functional definition is: 'Having the quality of enduring evils without murmuring or fretfulness; sustaining afflictions of body or mind with fortitude, calmness or Christian submission to the divine will'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'exhort. or, beseech. Ro 12:1  you. 1Th 5:12  warn. Jer 6:12; Eze 3:17-21; 33:3-9; Ac 20:27,31; 1Co 4:14; Col 1:28  that. Tit 1:6,10  unruly. or, disorderly. 2Th 3:11-13  comfort. 1Th 2:7-12; Isa 35:3-4; 40:1-2,11; Eze 34:16; Mt 12:20; Lu 22:32; Joh 21:15-17; Ro 14:1; 15:1-3; Ga 6:1-2; Heb 12:12 exp: 1Co 14:3.  support. Ac 20:35 (Gr)  be. Isa 63:9; 1Co 13:4-5; Ga 5:22; Eph 4:2,32; 5:1-2; Col 3:12-13; 1Ti 3:3; 6:11; 2Ti 2:24-25; 4:2; Heb 5:2-3; 13:3  General references. exp: Heb 12:12'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S14 (Verse 15) Don't get vengeance.
  1. First Step: Don't react like the lost.
    1. See that none render evil for evil unto any man;.
  2. Second Step: Act the way that God directs you.
    1. but ever follow that which is good,
    2. both among yourselves,
    3. and to all men..

The phrase render evil for evil  means that the other person started it and rendered evil  first.  Romans 12:19 says, Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  It has links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase vengeance is mine  along with other links related to the word vengeance.  Simply put, if we disobey this First Step, God will not take vengeance  and what we can do is no where near as bad as what God can do.  Plus, when we take vengeance,  it hurts our character and often causes God to punish us for our disobedience.

If we obey this First Step and don't take vengeance,  that doesn't mean that God will necessarily do so Himself.  However, if He doesn't then we have the promise that For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  (Romans 8:18).  Therefore, regardless of that God does or doesn't do, we need to fight our sinful human nature and obey this First Step for our own good.

Our Second Step tells us to ever follow that which is good  and the Biblical definition of good  is: 'what comes from God'.  Our Second Step starts with the word But,  which means that following God's directions is the opposite of rendering evil for evil  and getting vengeance.  The other phrases within our sentence basically tell us that there are no circumstances, nor people, which provide an exception to this commandment.

Please see the note for 1:3 about the word see / sight.  The functional definition is: 'The act of seeing; perception of objects by the eye; view'.  Please also see the note for John 6:40-LJC about the phrase see the Son.

Please see the note for Romans C13S10 about the word render.  That note has links to every usage in the New Testament along with a note explaining each usage.  The functional definition is: 'Give all that is owed'.

Please see the note for Romans 7:19 about the word evil.  Please also see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about evil speaking.  Please also see the note for Philippians 3:2 about evil workers.  Please also see the note for Romans C1S16 about inventors of evil thing.  The functional definition is: 'to be unjust or injurious, to defraud.  Both the source and consequence of things which people consider to be really really bad.  The source and / or result can be natural or spiritual or any combination thereof.  However, even what seems to be a natural source can actually be caused by a devil, especially when the recipient is a child of God.  In all cases the result is deliberately intended and caused, which is what separates evil from the accidental'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S16 about the word follow.  Please also see the note for Romans C14S25 about the phrase follow after.  The functional definition is: 'To go after or behind; to walk, ride or move behind, but in the same direction'.  Please note that Paul, and the other preachers, did what they told these believers to do and they did it before telling someone else to do the same thing.  We find forms of the word follow  in: 1:6; 2:14 and 5:15.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16 and Romans C11S26 about the word good.  Please also see the note for Romans C11S26 about the word goodness.  Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about Good Friday.  The functional definition, that us used within the Bible, is: 'that which comes from God'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'See. Ge 45:24; 1Co 16:10; Eph 5:15,33; 1Pe 1:22; Re 19:10; 22:9 exp: Heb 12:25.  none. Ex 23:4-5; Le 19:18; 1Sa 24:13; Ps 7:4; Pr 17:13; 20:22; 24:17,29; 25:21; Mt 5:39,44-45; Lu 6:35; Ro 12:17-21; 1Co 6:7; 1Pe 2:22-23; 3:9  ever. 1Th 2:12; De 16:20; Ps 38:20; Ro 14:19; 1Co 14:1; 1Ti 6:11; Heb 12:14; 1Pe 3:11-13; 3Jo 1:11  and. Ro 12:17-18; Ga 6:10; 2Ti 2:24; Tit 3:2; 1Pe 2:17  General references. exp: Ex 23:4; Pr 17:13; Ro 12:14'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S15 (Verse 16) Rejoice evermore.

This command is simple, easy to understand, easy to preach and hard to live the evermore  part, especially when you are hurting.  However, it is my personal experience that while Devine healing is part of our personal relationship with God, and not guaranteed just because someone 'lays hands on you', we can do things to increase the probability of receiving healing.  The first is to be actively involved in the 'Great Commission' as much and as often as we can be.  Next is to be thankful and rejoicing  while we are on the way to the hospital and while there because we can now witness to people we would not meet otherwise.  I have personally experienced this several times.  So, yes, while the evermore  can be difficult to obey at times, I've personally found that the blessings (for obedience) are inversely proportional to the difficulty in obeying this command.

In C5-S17 we read: In every thing give thanks.  Our current sentence says Rejoice evermore.  Thus, we see two different ways of saying that we should give thanks  and rejoice  in all of the circumstances of life.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S8; Galatians C4-S24 and Philippians 4:4-LJC about the word rejoice.  The functional definition is: 'To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Rejoice. 2Co 6:10; Php 4:4; Mt 5:12; Lu 10:20; Ro 12:12 exp: Ps 68:3; Php 3:1.  General references. exp: De 16:14; Isa 65:18'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S16 (Verse 17) Pray without ceasing.

This is another of the commands that we have to use wisdom while obeying.  While I was visiting a pastor in a country where it is illegal to give out the Gospel, we told us that they had to 'Watch and pray' in that country.  They did pray before eating, even in restraints.  However, they did not bow their heads and close their eyes as that would get them arrested.  They 'Watched' the people around them while they prayed,

Likewise, we have to use wisdom.  You don't have to close your eyes in order to pray.  Further, while there are lots of different messages that have been preached based upon this verse, the simplest is 'Don't give up on prayer no matter how much it seems like God isn't listening'.

Please see the note for 1:2 about the word pray.  The functional definition is: 'In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God's glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 10:2 about the word cease.  The functional definition is: 'To stop moving, acting or speaking; to leave of; to give over; followed by from before a noun'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Pray. Lu 18:1; 21:36; Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2; 1Pe 4:7 exp: 2Th 3:1; Jas 5:16'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S17 (Verse 18) No matter the circumstances, say thanks.
  1. Equivalent Section: No matter the circumstances.
    1. In every thing give thanks:.
  2. Equivalent Section: How we are to do it.
    1. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you..

Just as C5-S15 said Rejoice evermore,  our current sentence says to In every thing give thanks.  Thus, we see two different ways of saying that we should give thanks  and rejoice  in all of the circumstances of life.  As mentioned in the note for that sentence, I have personally experienced these two sentences working.  I've also had many saved people look at me as if I'm crazy when I told them to do the same.  Some things have to be experiences to understand them and some things have to be experienced several times because increased experience brings increased understanding.  That is how true Biblical faith  works.  Imagine someone telling you to rejoice evermore  and In every thing give thanks  while you're in the worst pain of your life and going to the hospital.  Your flesh wants to strangle the 'super-spiritual idiot'.  However, you need to react in true spiritual faith  and pray 'Lord Help!  You did it for him now do it for me!', and start rejoicing,  giving thanks,  and witnessing, while you are still in pain and on the way to the hospital.  Only after that will you truly experience the results of these two sentences.  (the exact circumstances can be different but similar.  What matters is our acts of faith  by obeying these commands in the worst circumstances of life.)

As pointed out in the note for this verse within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, Christ Jesus  is used in this sentence because saved people will be able to obey this command only after they have received the spiritual maturing that comes from our personal relationship with God that is called Christ  within the Bible.  We see the Bible use Christ Jesus  for the spiritual maturing that God wants all saved to receive and the Bible uses Christ  for things which require spiritual maturity but which God gives to some saved but not to all saved.

Our sentence has a colon in it to make the two Sections Equivalent.  The equivalency is seen in the requirement for spiritual maturity, which comes from Christ Jesus  being required in order to truly In every thing give thank.  We also see it in the fact that someone who truly does In every thing give thank,  has the evidence of spiritual maturity which comes through our ongoing personal relationship that is in Christ Jesus.  Please follow this link to see all other places within the Bible where the phrase in Christ Jesus  is used and to realize that the doctrinal usage of this phrase is consistent within the Bible.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:5 and Philippians 4:15 about the word give.  The functional definition is: 'Bestowing; conferring; imparting; granting; delivering. GIV'ING, n. the act of conferring'.  Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word given.  The functional definition is: 'Bestowed; granted; conferred; imparted; admitted or supposed'.  Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giver.  Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C14S19 and Ephesians C5S2 about the phrase giving of thanks.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C14S19 and Ephesians C5S2 about the word thank.  The functional definition is: 'To express gratitude for a favor; to make acknowledgments to one for kindness bestowed'.  Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C14S19 and Ephesians C5S2 about the phrase giving of thanks.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will.  The functional definition is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'.  Please also see the note for 1Peter 2:15 about the phrase will of God.  That note has links to every place in the Bible where we find this phrase along with notes on each reference.  In particular, that note explains that the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God  are not three different levels of the will of God  but, in fact, are three attributes of the single will of God.  As that note explains, there is only one will of God  for each circumstance in life but we receive variable rewards or punishment based upon how well we obey the will of God  or how much we disobey the will of God.

The meaning of the word wilt,  does not match what is found in a man-written dictionary.  The true Biblical meaning is: 'The will applied at a lifestyle level.  That is: a decision of will which does not change throughout the life.'.  Please also see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will.  The functional definition for this word is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'.  Please also see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will.  The functional definition for this word is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'.  Please also see the note for 1Peter 2:15 about the phrase will of God.  That note has links to every place in the Bible where we find this phrase along with notes on each reference.  In particular, that note explains that the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God  are not three different levels of the will of God  but, in fact, are three attributes of the single will of God.  As that note explains, there is only one will of God  for each circumstance in life but we receive variable rewards or punishment based upon how well we obey the will of God  or how much we disobey the will of God.  Please also see the Message called The Will of God for the application of these verses in the life of the believer.

Please see the note for Romans 1:1 about the word concern.  The functional definition is: ' Pertaining to; regarding; having relation to'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'every. Eph 5:20; Php 4:6; Col 3:17; Job 1:21; Ps 34:1; Heb 13:15  for. 1Th 4:3; 1Pe 2:15; 4:2; 1Jo 2:17'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S18 (Verse 19) Quench not the Spirit.

We find the word quench,  in the Bible, in: Numbers 11:2; 2Samuel 14:7; 2Samuel 21:17; 2Kings 22:17; 2Chronicles 34:25; Psalms 104:11; Psalms 118:12; Song 8:7; Isaiah 1:31; Isaiah 34:10; Isaiah 42:3; Isaiah 43:17; Isaiah 66:24; Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 7:20; Jeremiah 17:27; Jeremiah 21:12; Ezekiel 20:47-48; Amos 5:6; Matthew 3:12; Matthew 12:20; Mark 9:43-46,48; Luke 3:17; Ephesians 6:16; our current sentence and Hebrews 11:34.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines quench  as:

  1. to extinguish; to put out; as, to quench flame.
  2. To still; to quiet; to repress; as, to quench a passion or emotion.
  3. To allay or extinguish; as, to quench thirst.
  4. To destroy.
  5. To check; to stifle; as, to quench the Spirit.  1Thessalonians 5.

QUENCH, v.i. to cool; to become cool.

Dost thou think, in time she will not quench? Not in use.

Webster's says that 'To cool'  is 'Not in use'.  However, Isaiah 42:3   says about Jesus:  A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.  Flax which is smoking  no longer has any visible spark and is warm at best.  Yet it has not been quenched  because it is not yet 'cool'.  1Thessalonians 5:19   says Quench not the Spirit.  Webster's uses that quote to says that quench  means 'To check; to stifle'.  However, Psalms 104:4   says Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:.  So Quench...the Spirit  means to be less than a flaming fire.  Thus, we see that the true Biblical meaning is not just to 'To extinguish' but it also includes 'To cool'.

Please use the link in the sentence above and see the notes for Romans C8S1; Galatians C6S8 and Hebrews 8:10-LJC about the word Spirit.  The functional definition is: 'An intelligent being from the spiritual reality which is a super-set of the physical reality'.  As seen in the summary part of the Study on Spirit, 'We are made spiritually alive when God's spirit quickens our spirit'.  That study also provides links to many more verses which teach the same doctrine.  Please use his link for links to every usage in the Bible where we find the phrase Spirit of the Lord.  Please see the note for Romans C11S13 about the phrase spirit of slumber.  Please see the note for Galatians 6:1 in Word Study on Spirit for links to every place where we find the word spiritual.  Please see the notes for Romans C8S40; Ephesians C6S8 about the phrase spiritual powers.  Please see the note for 1Peter C1S11 about the phrase spiritual verses physical.  Please see the notes for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the phrase unclean spirits.  Please see the note for please see the Word Study on Holy Ghost for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost.

This verse is only three words and, once we understand the definitions of the words, understanding becomes simple.  However, proper application requires prayerful meditation.  That is the job of a preacher and there are many very good preachers who have preached on this verse.  It would be advisable for the reader to consult those messages.  That said, please note that this is a capitalized Spirit,  which means that this is God's Holy Spirit.  We can quench  God's Holy Spirit  many ways such as refusing to respond to an invitation when Holy Spirit  is trying to get us to respond.  We can also do it by discouraging others when they are trying to do the work of God and, as many preachers can tell you, we can do many other things to disobey this seemly simple command.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Quench. Song 8:7; Eph 4:30; 6:16  the Spirit. Ge 6:3; 1Sa 16:4; Ne 9:30; Ps 51:11; Isa 63:10; Ac 7:51; 1Co 14:30; Eph 4:30; 1Ti 4:14; 2Ti 1:6'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S19 (Verse 20) Despise not prophesyings.

Once more we see a sentence which seems simple but which has far more applications than what we see at a casual glance.  The note for Romans C12S5 has definitions from several dictionaries and while similar, we see some differences.  That note also provides links from other commentators and, in the word definitions below, there are links to several other notes on this site which deal with this spiritual gift.

All of the differences found in dictionaries and claimed by various religions show us that a lot of people believe a lot of error about this word.  For example, most people who interpret the Bible literally agree that there were three main anointed offices found in the Old Testament: prophet,  priest,  and king.  No one in the Bible, except for Jesus Christ, had all three offices.  Some people, such as David, had two of the offices but most people only had one.  Many people will also tell you that a prophet  spoke for God to the people, a priest  represented the people before God, and a king  ruled God's people under God's direction.  While these divisions sound nice, they don't match what we actually see in the Bible.  For example, many of the prophets  represented God's people before God while in prayer.  Also, the scribes and priests  represented God to the people as they taught the Bible.

Therefore, the simple definitions from religion are not necessarily accurate.  There are many people today who call themselves prophets,  and they may even hold a position with that title in an organization which calls itself a church.  However, a true prophet  meets the Biblical definition of that word.

While there were priests  who were also prophets,  in the Old Testament, most of the prophets  in the Bible were not priests.  One of the differences is that the priests  were paid by the temple, just like most pastors today receive a salary, while the prophets  usually received no support from the temple.  In addition, the scribes and priests  taught what other men had revealed, and quoted famous religious people, while prophets  told new revelation from God.  They did not always give something that was a totally new revelation, but often presented revealed truth in a different way.  One example is where we see Paul talk about his revealing a mystery.  (Please see the note for Romans C11S29 for more details on the word mystery.)  In pretty much every case we see the basis of that mystery  in the Old Testament.  Thus, the revelation was not something totally new so much as a different way at looking at what has already been revealed.

With this explanation the reader should see that what is on this site matches Biblical prophecy  better than the writings of some pastor who receives a salary while he writes books which quote well-known preachers of the past and only re-presents revealed truths from other men.  Anyone who has seen very much of this site can not deny that what is presented here is based upon the Bible and revealed Bible truths even while being a totally different way of looking at those Bible truths.  (There is no other known place, at this time, which approaches interpretation based upon sentence structure and word definitions which come strictly from actual Bible usages.).  On this site, there is very little quoting of other men and very little of repeating what God revealed though others.

Now that we have dealt with prophecy,  at a high-level, we can return to our sentence which says Despise not prophesyings.  People often read over this sentence and tell themselves 'I don't do that' and move on without further thought.  But if none of God's people 'do that', then why did God include this command?  God does not waste space in His word telling us to not do something that no one does.  Therefore, since this is written to God's people, there are some of God's people who despise prophesyings,  even though they may not realize that they do so.

The simplest way that God's people despise prophesyings  is by clinging to traditions even when those traditions are not producing Godly results.  Romans 6:16 says: Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  I have personally seen more than one saved person receive a judgment unto death  because they clung to 'Baptist Traditions' after they were shown in the Bible that those 'Baptist Traditions' went against what the Bible literally says.  More than one preacher has despised  truths shown on this site after they agreed that the method of finding those truths was Biblical.  They liked the results when those results showed errors held by others but rejected the results when the same method revealed their own error.

Remember that 4:8 told us He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.  When someone tells us something is in the Bible which we disagree with, we have a responsibility before God to verify what the Bible truly says.  If that person is telling us God's truth, and we reject it without verifying what they said, we are rejection God's Word.  However, it takes time and effort to verify these things.  When we let our fleshly pride tell us that they can not possibly be right, that it isn't worth the effort to verify what they said and that their efforts to study the Bible are so feeble and wrong that they couldn't possibly find God's truth and be used by God to show us our error, then we are despising  them.  If what they told us included evidence that they were telling God's truth, then we are wrong to despise  them because no one can base their arguments on the Bible itself without proper study.  That is why religious people who don't study the Bible itself while claiming to be experts, quote famous religious people instead of the Bible itself.  However, if someone truly studied the Bible with the Guidance of God's Holy Spirit,  and they truly deliver the truth from the Bible, and you despise them,  then you are guilty of despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.  You may very well be disobeying this commandment to Despise not prophesyings.

The simplest way to obey this commandment is to pray for guidance from God's Holy Spirit  and study what the Bible truly says anytime that someone tells you something is in the Bible, which goes against your traditions, especially when they back their claims from the Bible itself.

Please see the note for Romans C2S4 about the word despise.  The definition from Webster's 1828 is: 'to contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have the lowest opinion of. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov. 1.  Else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Matt. 6.
2. to abhor'.  The note in Romans discusses this word and explains why it has consequences in God's court of law.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S5 and 1Corinthians C11S4 about the words prophecy / prophesy.  Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; Romans C12S5 and Jude about the word prophet.  Please also see the Prophecies and Prophecy Fulfilled Sections for Bible references to resurrection.  Please also give serious consideration to what was said earlier within this note.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. 1Th 4:8; Nu 11:25-29; 1Sa 10:5-6,10-13; 19:20-24; Ac 19:6; 1Co 11:4; 12:10,28; 13:2,9; 14:1,3-6,22-25,29-32,37-39; Eph 4:11-12; Re 11:3-11'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S20 (Verse 21) How to keep that God gives.
  1. First Step: Do what God means by prove.
    1. Prove all things;.
  2. Second Step: Receive the results.
    1. hold fast that which is good..

I spent most of a 33-year career as a professional being used to prove  if the work by other world-class professionals was right or wrong.  I was, at one time, recognized as the best in the world, by a top industrial intellectual group, at the methods used to prove  things.  The problem with this verse is that most people have been taught the wrong way to prove  things and they think that they have proven  their doctrine but have actually failed to do so because they used the wrong way.  (There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  Proverbs 16:25).  Please prayerfully consider the paper called Prove and follow the detailed procedure found there when implementing this verse.

Our sentence is a two-step procedure.  You can't do the Second Step until after you do the First Step.  We can not hold onto what God gave us, through the worst storms of life, if we use the wrong procedure to try and prove  our doctrine.

3:8 says, For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.  please see the note for Galatians C5S1 about the phrase stand fast.  Please also see the notes for Romans C14S5 and 1Corinthians C15S1 about the word stand.  Please see the note for Philippians 1:27-28 about the word fast.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C15S54 about the word stedfast.  The functional definition of the word fast  is: 'something that is held in place with a fastener and no circumstances will move the thing which is fastened down'.  5:21 says, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  this is a two-step process and there is a significant doctrinal message based upon that verse, with the link found in the note for that verse.  Please also see it for more detainls on this doctrinal concept.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S10 about the word hold.  The functional definition is: 'Stopping; confining; restraining; keeping; retaining; adhering; maintaining, etc'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:27-28 about the word fast.  Please see the note for 1Corinthians C15S54 about the word stedfast.  The functional definition of the word fast  is: 'something that is held in place with a fastener and no circumstances will move the thing which is fastened down'.  Please also see the note for Galatians C5S1 about the phrase stand fast.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16 and Romans C11S26 about the word good.  Please also see the note for Romans C11S26 about the word goodness.  Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about Good Friday.  The functional definition, that us used within the Bible, is: 'that which comes from God'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Prove. Isa 8:20; Mt 7:15-20; Mr 7:14-16; Lu 12:57; Ac 17:11; Ro 12:2; 1Co 2:11,14-15; 14:28; Eph 5:10; Php 1:10 (margin) 1Jo 4:1; Re 2:2  hold. De 11:6-9; 32:46-47; Pr 3:1,21-24; 4:13; 6:21-23; 23:23; Song 3:4; Joh 8:31; 15:4; Ac 11:23; 14:22; Ro 12:9; 1Co 15:58; Php 3:16; 4:8; 2Th 2:15; 2Ti 1:15; 3:6; 4:14; Heb 10:23; Re 2:25; 3:3,11 exp: 2Ti 1:13.  General references. exp: 1Co 10:15'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S21 (Verse 22) Abstain from all appearance of evil.

The word abstain  is defined as: 'In a general sense, to forbear, or refrain from, voluntarily; but used chiefly to denote a restraint upon the passions or appetites; to refrain from indulgence.  Abstain from meats offered to idols. Acts, xv.  Toabstain from the use of ardent spirits; to abstain from luxuries'.  We find this word, within the Bible, in: Acts 15:20; Acts 15:29; 1Thessalonians 4:3; Our current sentence; 1Timothy 4:3 and 1Peter 2:11.

With this definition, we can see that our sentence is telling us to restrain ourselves from all appearance of evil  that our flesh would find attractive.  An example of this would be a young man bragging about what a good fighter he is.  The other thing to pay attention to is that we are not commanded to just Abstain from all appearance of evil  but to Abstain from all appearance  with emphasis on the word all  and on the word appearance.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:10 about the word appear.  The functional definition for this word is: 'To come or be in sight; to be in view; to be visible'.

Please see the note for Romans 7:19 about the word evil.  Please also see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about evil speaking.  Please also see the note for Philippians 3:2 about evil workers.  Please also see the note for Romans C1S16 about inventors of evil thing.  The functional definition is: 'to be unjust or injurious, to defraud.  Both the source and consequence of things which people consider to be really really bad.  The source and / or result can be natural or spiritual or any combination thereof.  However, even what seems to be a natural source can actually be caused by a devil, especially when the recipient is a child of God.  In all cases the result is deliberately intended and caused, which is what separates evil from the accidental'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. 1Th 4:12; Ex 23:7; Isa 33:15; Mt 17:26-27; Ro 12:17; 1Co 8:13; 10:31-33; 2Co 6:3; 8:20-21; Php 4:8; Jude 1:23 exp: Le 15:24; Pr 4:15; Ro 14:16'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S22 (Verse 23) Results of obeying the prior commands.
  1. First Step: We are sanctified  by God.
    1. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;.
  2. Second Step: Our sanctification  preserves us.
    1. and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ..

Our sentence is a two-step process that starts with the word And.  That means that our sentence is added unto all of the commands which preceded this sentence.  We obey the prior commands and God adds this sentence unto our obedience.

In our First Step we see that we are sanctified  and then preservation  is added (and)  to our sanctification  with the Second Step.  Both the two-step structure and the use of the word and  make it clear that we do not get the preservation  until after we receive the sanctification.  Therefore, saved people who refuse God's sanctification  are fools who hurt themselves.  However, if we accept God's sanctification,  then our sentence tells us that God's preservation  will last unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  As pointed out in the note for this verse within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, this is until the 'Rapture'.

Within our sentence we see a lowercase spirit,  which makes it our spirit,  even as the words of this sentence (your whole spirit)  make it clear that this is our spirit.  Within this sentence we see the rule for lowercase as opposed to uppercase literally said.

Our sentence also shows us the doctrine of our being a triune being with a spirit and soul and body.

In addition, to our First Step being our sanctification,  we are told that it is the very God of peace  Who does this.  If we do not end up with peace  then the very God of peace  did not provide our sanctification.  Finally, within our First Step, we see the word wholly.  God is not going to sanctify  us while we insist upon keeping one part of ourselves available to sin.

Moving onto our Second Step, we see that Paul's prayer  is for our preservation.  This is not a promise from God but we can rely upon it if we do our part in obeying the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ.  As we all know, we can have accidents which can cause us to lose the use of a limb or can have other problems which make parts of our body  not function or only partially function.  While living right can't guarantee this won't happen, it does go a long way towards avoiding problems.

Likewise, as discussed elsewhere on this site, our heart  and soul  are the way we think, the way we react emotionally to circumstances of life and the way we make decisions.  Each of these areas of our life are directly affected by how we live.  Living according to God's laws will preserve us in each of these areas of life.

Please see the note for 1:1 about the word peace.  Please also see the Gospel of Peace in the Word Study on Gospel.  The functional definition is: 'In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind'.

Please see the notes for Jude C1S1; 2Timothy [follow link then FIND 'sanctified'] about the word sanctified.  The functional definition is: 'Made holy; consecrated; set apart for sacred services'.  We find this word in 1Thessalonians in: 4:3-4 and 5:23.  Please see the notes for 2Thessalonians 2:13-LJC and Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase salvation through sanctification.  Please see the note for Hebrews 8:2 about the word sanctuary.

Please see the note for 1:2 about the word pray.  The functional definition is: 'In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God's glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits'.

This verse is found, in the Word Study on Spirit, under God's Holy Spirit  for the point titled 'After our initial profession of salvation, the Spirit of our God  washes  us and makes us sanctified  and justified'.  Please go to the beginning of that Study to see the definition which is the same for all of the Bible, the multitude of applications, and links to other verses which provide the same application as this sentence.

Please use the link in the sentence above and see the notes for Romans C8S1; Galatians C6S8 and Hebrews 8:10-LJC about the word Spirit.  The functional definition is: 'An intelligent being from the spiritual reality which is a super-set of the physical reality'.  As seen in the summary part of the Study on Spirit, 'We are made spiritually alive when God's spirit quickens our spirit'.  That study also provides links to many more verses which teach the same doctrine.  Please use his link for links to every usage in the Bible where we find the phrase Spirit of the Lord.  Please see the note for Romans C11S13 about the phrase spirit of slumber.  Please see the note for Galatians 6:1 in Word Study on Spirit for links to every place where we find the word spiritual.  Please see the notes for Romans C8S40; Ephesians C6S8 about the phrase spiritual powers.  Please see the note for 1Peter C1S11 about the phrase spiritual verses physical.  Please see the notes for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the phrase unclean spirits.  Please see the note for please see the Word Study on Holy Ghost for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost.

Please see the note for Romans C13S1 about the word soul.  The functional definition is: 'The long-term result of the short-term actions of our heart  in deciding how we will think, how we will act emotionally to circumstances of life and how we will decide the issues of life'.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S30; 1Corinthians C6S20; Ephesians 4:5-LJC and Colossians C1S4 about the word body.  The functional definition is: 'The frame of an animal; the material substance of an animal, in distinction from the living principal of beasts, and the soul of man. Used symbolically for the framework for sin including all parts of it'.  Please also see the note for Colossians C1S6 about the body of Christ.

Please see the note for Jude 1:1 about the word preserved.  The functional definition is: 'Saved from injury, destruction or decay; kept or defended from evil; seasoned with sugar for preservation'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:14-16 for links to every place in the Bible where we find forms of the word blameless  along with a definition from Webster's 1828 Dictionary and links from other commentators.  The functional definition is: 'Without fault; innocent; guiltless; not meriting censure.  A bishop then must be blameless.  1 Tim.3'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'God. Ro 15:5,13,33; 16:20; 1Co 14:33; 2Co 5:19; Php 4:9; 2Th 3:16; Heb 13:20; 1Pe 5:10 exp: 1Co 1:9.  sanctify. 1Th 3:13; 4:3; Le 20:8,26; Eze 37:28; Joh 17:19; Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 1:2; Heb 2:11; 1Pe 1:2; Jude 1:1  your. Heb 4:12 exp: 1Th 4:3.  preserved. 1Th 3:13; 1Co 1:8-9; Eph 5:26-27; Php 1:6,10; 2:15-16; Col 1:22; Jude 1:24'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S23 (Verse 24) Trust God's faithfulness.
  1. Faithful is he that calleth you,
  2. who also will do it..

This sentence is written in reference to the prior sentence where we read the God will sanctify  and preserve  us.  Our current sentence says that if there is any problem it is our problem, not one with God.  He is faithful  and He will do it  if He can do it  without taking away our free will.

Please see the note for 1:3 about the word faith.  The functional definition is: 'an action word that is based upon a belief in a promise found within the Bible with the action dictated by the Bible and the understanding that our action does not force God to act nor determines when or how God acts but proves that of our own free will we are giving God permission to act in and through our life to do what He promised within His Word'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S3 about the word call.  That note has links to notes in every New Testament book where there are links to every place where the particular book uses this word.  The functional definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'.  Please also see the note for Romans 10:13; 2Thessalonians 3:1-LJC; Ephesians 5:8-LJC and 1John 4:14-LJC about the phrase call upon the Lord.  The note for Romans 10:13 has links to every place in the Bible where we find the words call  and Lord  used together, along with a small note on each reference.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will.  The functional definition is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'.  Please also see the note for 1Peter 2:15 about the phrase will of God.  That note has links to every place in the Bible where we find this phrase along with notes on each reference.  In particular, that note explains that the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God  are not three different levels of the will of God  but, in fact, are three attributes of the single will of God.  As that note explains, there is only one will of God  for each circumstance in life but we receive variable rewards or punishment based upon how well we obey the will of God  or how much we disobey the will of God.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Faithful. De 7:9; Ps 36:5; 40:10; 86:15; 89:2; 92:2; 100:5; 138:2; 146:6; Isa 25:1; La 3:23; Mic 7:20; Joh 1:17; 3:33; 1Co 1:9; 10:13; 2Th 3:3; 2Ti 2:13; Tit 1:2; Heb 6:17-18  calleth. 1Th 2:12; Ro 8:30; 9:24; Ga 1:15; 2Th 2:14; 2Ti 1:9; 1Pe 5:10; 2Pe 1:3; Re 17:14  who. Nu 23:19; 2Ki 19:31; Isa 9:7; 14:24-26; 37:32; Mt 24:35 exp: 1Th 2:12.  General references. exp: De 18:21; Jos 21:45'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S24 (Verse 25) The main need of a pastor.
  1. Brethren,
  2. pray for us..

A lot of church members don't realize how important it is for them to pray for their pastors and missionaries.  They don't realize the spiritual battles that these leaders face.  Even without understanding, people can obey this simple command.  When they feel that their prayers don't matter they should obey in faith that the Bible says such prayers do matter.  In the process of obeying this command, over time and with spiritual maturity, they will realize that their feelings that their prayers don't matter is actually a spiritual attack on them.  They will also realize that the best way to get God's protection and provision is to pray for someone else to receive them.  Thus, this command is not just for the good of the pastor and missionary, but is also good for the church member.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the note for 1:2 about the word pray.  The functional definition is: 'In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God's glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ro 15:30; 2Co 1:11; Eph 6:18-20; Php 1:19; Col 4:3; 2Th 3:1-3; Phm 1:22; Heb 13:18-19 exp: Ge 20:17'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S25 (Verse 26) Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

The most important word in this sentence is holy.  That means this is an expression of love which has nothing sinful or lustful in it.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; 1Corinthians C3S17; Philippians 1:3-7 and Colossians C1S6 about forms of the word holy.  The functional definition is: 'Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections'.  Please see the Word Study on Spirit for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost.  There is a Biblical doctrinal difference between the use of the phrase Holy Ghost  and God's Holy Spirit,  but I can not specify what that doctrinal difference is at this time.  Both are identifiers of the third Person within the Trinity.  Please see the link for God's Holy Spirit   for links to the various applications where this other identifier of the third Person is used.  The phrase Holy Ghost  only occurs within the New Testament.  Please also see the note for 1John C2S25 about the phrase Holy One.

Please see the note for Romans C16S18 about the word kiss.  That note has every place in the New Testament where We find this word.  It is also the exact same command.  The functional definition is: 'A salute given with the lips; a common token of affection'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ro 16:16; 1Co 16:20 exp: 2Co 13:12'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S26 (Verse 27) I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 1:3-4 about the word charge.  The functional definition is: 'A superior authority gives a formal and legal command to a subordinate which includes the necessary rights and responsibilities to accomplish the assigned task'.  Please also see the Message called A Pastoral Charge about the seven charges,  that are in 1Timothy.  Please also see the note for Luke 21:34 about the word overcharge.  Please also see the note for Mark 6:25 about the word charger.

This verse uses Lord  for all of the legal authority of our God who will judge us and reward or punish us based upon our obedience to His commandments.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C5S8 about the word epistle.  The functional definition is: 'A written message which contains several words which are combined to deliver the thoughts from one person to another person when those words are not spoken'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 4:13 about the word read.  The functional definition for this word is: 'Getting the meaning of what was written into the mind. this can be done orally or silently'.  Please also see the note for Luke 6:3 about the phrase have ye not read.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; 1Corinthians C3S17; Philippians 1:3-7 and Colossians C1S6 about forms of the word holy.  The functional definition is: 'Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections'.  Please see the Word Study on Spirit for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost.  There is a Biblical doctrinal difference between the use of the phrase Holy Ghost  and God's Holy Spirit,  but I can not specify what that doctrinal difference is at this time.  Both are identifiers of the third Person within the Trinity.  Please see the link for God's Holy Spirit   for links to the various applications where this other identifier of the third Person is used.  The phrase Holy Ghost  only occurs within the New Testament.  Please also see the note for 1John C2S25 about the phrase Holy One.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother.  Please also see the note for Romans C16S1 about the word sister.  Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren.  Webster's 1828 dictionary defines brethren  as: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.  Please see the note for RomansC12S8 about the word brotherly.  These are all used for: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I charge. or, I adjure. 1Th 2:11; Nu 27:23; 1Ki 22:16; 2Ch 18:15; Mt 26:63; Mr 5:7; Ac 19:13; 1Ti 1:3,18; 5:7,21; 6:13,17; 2Ti 4:1  that. Col 4:16; 2Th 3:14  holy. Heb 3:1  General references. exp: Col 4:16'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S27 (Verse 28) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

This is a repeat of the blessing that was offered in the opening sentence of this epistle.  Our receiving grace  from each and every role of the Son of God depends upon our submitting and being obedient to Him within each of those roles.

We find the word grace,  within our epistle, only in 1:1 and 5:28.  Please see the notes for Romans C4S5; Romans C4S17; Galatians 1:1 and Ephesians C1S2 about the word grace.  The functional definition is: 'receiving a blessing that we did not earn'.  The word grace  is usually presented as 'God's riches at Christ Expense'.  However, that obviously does not fit in James 1:11.  So while that is the main application within the Bible, the true definition is: 'that which makes the source look good'.  We are given God's grace  for the expressed purpose of making God look good.

Please click on each of the links in the sentence outline above to see the notes related to that particular word.  In general, when the word has a link within the sentence it is not included within the Word Studies at the end of the note for the sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ro 1:7; 16:20,24; 2Th 3:18'.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter
C5-S28 (Verse 28) Amen.

The Bible tells us Amen  when it wants to double what was said prior to the Amen.  That means this is doctrine which is to be obeyed by everyone who wants God to consider them to be a person of God.  Please also see the Significant Gospel Events   for this, and other, Minor Titles of the Son of God.

Home   Start of Web Page   Start of Chapter

God in 1Thessalonians

of God:  
sight 1:3
election 1:4
allowed 2:4
gospel2:2, 2:8, 2:9
worthy 2:12
word 2:13
churches 2:14
minister 3:2
will 4:3, 5:18
taught 4:9
trump 4:16
peace from God: 1:1
 church in God:1:1
to God:  
thanks 1:2, 2:13
turned 1:9
render 3:9
pray 5:23
God-Man:  
God is witness: 2:5, 2:10
know not God: 4:5
God has not called: 4:7
Please not God: 2:15
Please God: 4:1
before God: 3:9, 3:13
God direct: 3:11
despise God: 4:8
God will bring: 4:14
God hath not appointed: 5:9
God sanctify 5:23
Home   Start of Web Page
Contact:  Webmaster@LJC1611KJV.com.  Member of Tower Road Baptist Church, Abq., NM, U.S.A., 87121.  Copyright 2009 Lord Jesus Christ in the 1611KJV.  All rights reserved. Revised: 03/11/24.