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1 Thessalonians 4
New Catholic Bible

God Wills Your Sanctification[a]

Chapter 4

Respect for the Body.[b] 1 Finally, brethren, you learned from us how you ought to live so that you may be pleasing to God—and as you are indeed doing. Now we ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus to do so even more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is the will of God that you should lead a life of sanctity. You must refrain from sexual immorality. 4 Each of you must learn to acquire a wife from pure and honorable motives, 5 not to gratify passion[c] like the Gentiles who do not know God. 6 No one is ever to wrong or take advantage of a brother in this regard.

As we have previously instructed you and solemnly warned you, the Lord is the avenger in all this. 7 For God has called us to holiness, not to impurity. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects these instructions[d] rejects not human authority but the God who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

An Honorable Life.[e] 9 In respect to brotherly love, there is no necessity to write to you about that, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another. 10 And indeed you have shown your love to all the brethren throughout Macedonia. However, we urge you, brethren, to make even greater progress in this regard.

11 Strive to live quietly, to attend to your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you.[f] 12 In this way, you will earn the respect of outsiders and not have to be dependent on anyone.

13 The Dead and the Living at the Lord’s Coming.[g] We do not wish you to be uncertain, brethren, about those who have fallen asleep.[h] You should not grieve as do those who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so too do we believe that God will bring forth with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

15 Indeed, we can assure you, on the word of the Lord himself, that we who are still alive at the coming of the Lord will not have any advantage over those who have fallen asleep.[i] 16 When the command is given, at the sound of the archangel’s voice and the call of God’s trumpet, the Lord himself will descend from heaven, and those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise.

17 Then those of us who are still alive and are left will be caught up[j] together with them on clouds in the air to meet the Lord. And so, we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore, comfort one another[k] with these words.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Conversion to Christ involves a total rejection of the values and the way of life that one previously led. Speaking of sanctification and holiness in Biblical language, we are conscious of being in the presence of the Lord. This gives new value to the destiny, action, and relationships of human beings—nothing is any longer lost in insignificance. In his correspondence, Paul always underlines some important traits for one’s way of life, in keeping with the needs of the community. He does so usually by way of a warm exhortation, but sometimes also by way of a warning. The Christian life is a journey toward a goal: union with God in Christ.
  2. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 In the language of the period, two interpretations are possible: that each person should take a spouse in order to live honorably (see 1 Cor 7:2); or that each should exercise self-control and self-respect. In either case, and in light of the dissolute morals of the period, the affirmation of marriage and of sexual morality was a rejection of a meaningless and sordid existence. Paul has a high idea of human beings, for he views them in the call of God addressed to him. The effort of Christians arises from living ties with the divine Persons.
  3. 1 Thessalonians 4:5 Acquire a wife . . . gratify passion: another possible translation is: “control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable and not to succumb to lustful passion.”
  4. 1 Thessalonians 4:8 Instructions: this word does not necessarily refer to the sayings of Jesus but rather to guidelines set forth in the Holy Spirit.
  5. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 God pours the Spirit into the hearts of believers and that Spirit guides them in God’s ways. However, other questions remain: certain Christians, awaiting the imminent coming of the Lord, experience a crisis of laziness (see 2 Thes 3:6-12); they must be seriously reminded of the personal and social life, without which love is but a futile word.
  6. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 The early Church strongly believed in the need of Christians to earn their living. However, some of the converts—possibly as a result of their belief in Christ’s imminent return (see 2 Thes 3:11)—were not working and so were letting others support them.
  7. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 We are now at the heart of the Letter. Some Christians of Thessalonica have a few difficulties. One or other believer has died, and they cannot shake the image of those beautiful cemeteries built at the edge of cities like “high places” of despair. Christ must appear; this definitive coming mobilizes the hope of all; but will not Christians who have died be deprived of this grand and triumphant coming?
    In speaking of this resurrection, Paul uses the images and symbols of the Jewish apocalypses, just as in describing the return of Christ he compares it to the “parousias” or official visits of the emperors to the great cities, where the people escorted them in a lengthy procession. The scene has its grandeur, but the essential is to be found elsewhere: the solid conviction of believers that they are with Christ forever. These words sum up the final message of Christian hope.
  8. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Those who have fallen asleep: sleep was an especially apt metaphor for death, since the finality and horror of death disappear in the assurance of the resurrection.
  9. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Here Paul seems to be hoping that the parousia would take place within his own lifetime. We can say that while entertaining the possibility of his own death (see 2 Tim 4:6-8) and not wanting to go against Christ’s teaching about the date of the parousia (see Mt 24:48; 25:5; Lk 19:11-27), Paul (and all the first Christians) reckoned on the prospect of remaining alive until Christ’s return (Rom 13:11; 1 Cor 7:26, 29; 10:11; 15:51-52; 16:22; Phil 4:5). The word of the Lord: this may refer to a special revelation or simply be a general reference to the teachings of Jesus.
  10. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Will be caught up: literally, “will be carried away,” which in the Vulgate is translated by rapiemur. This Latin word has given birth to the idea of the “Rapture,” i.e., that believers will be carried away from the troubles of this world. It simply means that those who are alive on the Last Day will not have to die; they will be transformed.
  11. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Comfort one another: vv. 13-18 are not primarily intended to provide a chronology of future events but rather to urge the Thessalonians to comfort one another.
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1 Thessalonians 4
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament

4 Finally loipos, then oun, brothers adelphos, we ask erōtaō and kai urge parakaleō you hymeis in en the Lord kyrios Jesus Iēsous, that hina as kathōs you received paralambanō from para us hēmeis how pōs you hymeis ought dei to live peripateō so as kai to please areskō God theos ( even as kathōs · kai you are doing peripateō), that hina you do so more perisseuō and more mallon. 2 For gar you know oida what tis commands parangelia we gave didōmi you hymeis by dia the authority of the ho Lord kyrios Jesus Iēsous.

3 For gar this houtos is eimi the will thelēma of ho God theos— · ho your hymeis sanctification hagiasmos: that you hymeis abstain apechō from apo · ho sexual porneia immorality , 4 that each hekastos of you hymeis learn oida how to maintain control over ktaomai · ho his own heautou “ vessel skeuos” in en holiness hagiasmos and kai honor timē, 5 not mē with en the passion pathos of lust epithumia, like kathaper · kai the ho Gentiles ethnos who ho do not mē know oida · ho God theos. 6 No mē one should sin against hyperbainō or kai take advantage of pleonekteō his autos brother adelphos in en this ho matter pragma, · ho because dioti the Lord kyrios is the avenger ekdikos in peri all pas these houtos things , as kathōs indeed kai we told you hymeis beforehand with kai solemn warning diamartyromai. 7 For gar God theos has not ou called kaleō us hēmeis · ho for epi impurity akatharsia, but alla in en holiness hagiasmos. 8 Consequently toigaroun the ho one who rejects atheteō this is atheteō not ou rejecting atheteō man anthrōpos, but alla · ho God theos, who ho also kai has given didōmi · ho his autos Holy hagios Spirit pneuma · ho to eis you hymeis.

9 Now de with regard to peri · ho brotherly love philadelphia you have echō no ou need chreia for us to write graphō to you hymeis, for gar you hymeis yourselves autos have been eimi taught by God theodidaktos how eis to love agapaō one another allēlōn. 10 Indeed kai gar you do poieō show love autos toward eis all pas the ho brothers adelphos · ho throughout en holos · ho Macedonia Makedonia, but de we urge parakaleō you hymeis, brothers adelphos, to do so more perisseuō and more mallon. 11 · kai Make it your aim philotimeomai to lead a quiet life hēsychazō, · kai to attend to prassō · ho your own idios affairs , and kai to work ergazomai with ho your hymeis own idios hands cheir, as kathōs we commanded parangellō you hymeis. 12 In this way hina you will live peripateō a proper euschēmonōs life before pros · ho outsiders exō and kai be echō dependent on chreia no one mēdeis.

13 Now de we do not ou want thelō you hymeis to be uninformed agnoeō, brothers adelphos, about peri those ho who are asleep koimaō, so that hina you will not mē grieve lypeō as kathōs · kai · ho others loipos do who ho have echō no mē hope elpis. 14 For gar if ei we believe pisteuō that hoti Jesus Iēsous died apothnēskō and kai rose again anistēmi, so houtōs also kai do we believe that · ho God theos will bring agō with syn him autos those ho who have fallen asleep koimaō in dia · ho Jesus Iēsous.

15 For gar this houtos we say legō to you hymeis by en the word logos of the Lord kyrios, that hoti we hēmeis who ho are alive zaō, who ho remain behind perileipomai until eis the ho coming parousia of the ho Lord kyrios, will by no means ou precede phthanō those ho who have fallen asleep koimaō, 16 because hoti the ho Lord kyrios himself autos will descend katabainō from apo heaven ouranos with en a cry of command keleusma, with en the voice phōnē of an archangel archangelos, and kai with en the trumpet salpinx of God theos, and kai the ho dead nekros in en Christ Christos will rise anistēmi first prōton. 17 Then epeita we hēmeis who ho are alive zaō, who ho remain behind perileipomai, will be caught up harpazō in en the clouds nephelē together hama with syn them autos to eis meet apantēsis the ho Lord kyrios in eis the air aēr. And kai so houtōs we will be eimi forever pantote with syn the Lord kyrios. 18 So hōste encourage parakaleō one another allēlōn with en · ho these houtos words logos.

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1 Thessalonians 4
New International Version

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,(A) we instructed you how to live(B) in order to please God,(C) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God’s will(D) that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;(E) 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a](F) in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust(G) like the pagans,(H) who do not know God;(I) 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b](J) The Lord will punish(K) all those who commit such sins,(L) as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.(M) 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.(N)

9 Now about your love for one another(O) we do not need to write to you,(P) for you yourselves have been taught by God(Q) to love each other.(R) 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia.(S) Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,(T) 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,(U) just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders(V) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Believers Who Have Died

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed(W) about those who sleep in death,(X) so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.(Y) 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,(Z) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.(AA) 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,(AB) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.(AC) 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,(AD) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel(AE) and with the trumpet call of God,(AF) and the dead in Christ will rise first.(AG) 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left(AH) will be caught up together with them in the clouds(AI) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord(AJ) forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another(AK) with these words.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or learn to live with your own wife; or learn to acquire a wife
  2. 1 Thessalonians 4:6 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family.
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