1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:1

If by any means I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead. The great consummation of a glorious resurrection to a heavenly life is worth attaining by every sacrifice, and by every possible means.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

Not as though I had already attained. Had already obtained the great prize. It still requires effort. The prize is at the end of the race. Either were already perfect. He never claimed to have received such a state; nor does he intimate any where that such a state is ever reached on earth. But I follow after. Press on, as one who must push forward. If that I may apprehend. The idea is, I press on in the hope that I shall lay hold upon the prize. That for which also I am apprehended by Christ Jesus. He will seek to lay hold of that for which Christ laid hold of him at conversion, viz., his eternal salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

I count not myself to have apprehended. The prize is yet before. Constant effort is still required. This one thing [I do]. His whole life is given to one purpose. Forgetting those things which are behind. Especially the things which he once counted gain (Philippians 3:7), and even all the hardships and sufferings of the apostolic lot. And reaching forth unto those things which are before. The image is of one so eager for what is before him that hands and body are stretched to lay hold of it.

1 Thessalonians 5:4

I press on toward the mark. His eye is upon the goal and he presses through every difficulty to reach it. For the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This is the prize offered to those in the high calling of the saints in Christ. A crown was bestowed in an earthly race when the goal was reached. This prize is “the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:11) and an eternal crown.

1 Thessalonians 5:5

As many as be perfect. It cannot mean perfect in the absolute sense, for he declares that he is not perfect, and surely the Philippians were not in advance of the apostle who admonishes them. See Philippians 3:12. Meyer says the Greek word here (“teleioi”) means mature, well developed, not children in Christ. Let such as are so far advanced be thus minded. Show the spirit indicated in 3:7-14 If in anything ye are otherwise minded. If you have not the mind to count all else as refuse in contrast with Christ, etc. God shall reveal even this unto you. Will bring you to this state of mind. Of course this clause shows that he does not address those whom he believes to be “perfect”.

1 Thessalonians 5:6

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained. The meaning is, Those who have not reached the status I have described, let them make the right use of all the light, ability and knowledge they have obtained.

1 Thessalonians 5:7

Be followers together of me. Compare 1 Corinthians 4:16 11:1. Mark them which walk, as ye have for an ensample. Not only follow my example, but note those who do not follow it.

1 Thessalonians 5:8

For many walk. There is a class who walk far otherwise, who cause him great sorrow. Of whom I have told you often. Probably, when he was preaching at Philippi, or visiting there (2 Corinthians 2:13). This class had come into the church, but had not left off their pagan vices. Now tell you even weeping. Because of the evil such offenders do. [That they are] the enemies of the cross. Such persons are the worst enemies of Christ. One church member who arouses a scandal can wound the cause of Christ more than a dozen scoffers.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

Whose end [is] destruction. Their final fate must be eternal ruin (2 Peter 2:3). Whose God [is their] belly. They obey their sensual appetites. [Whose] glory [is] their shame. They glory in shameful things. Who mind earthly things. Instead of setting their affections on the things that are above (Colossians 3:1).

1 Thessalonians 5:10

For our conversation is in heaven. “Our citizenship”, as in the Revised Version. We are citizens of heaven itself, our country, from which we are now absent, and which we are seeking. Hence we ought to mind heavenly things. There our Lord dwells, and from thence he will come.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Who shall change our vile body. “Who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation” (Revised Version). Our lowly body shall undergo a change to fit it for heaven. That it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. It will take the form of his glorified body, such as was seen at the Transfiguration. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:43-52; 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 1 John 3:2. According to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. This change shall be effected in harmony with that mighty power which shall subdue all things to his sway.

1 Thessalonians 5:13

Precepts for Christian Life SUMMARY OF PHILIPPIANS 4: Personal Admonitions. Going to the Lord for Help. Setting the Mind on Noble Things. The Supply of His Wants Sent by the Philippians. Parting Salutations. Therefore. Because you are citizens of a heavenly country (Philippians 3:20). My brethren dearly beloved and longed for. The words that follow are words of the most tender affection. My joy and crown. A joy to him now on account of their faith and affection; a crown of honor to him in the day of accounts, as his coverts. So stand fast in the Lord. Be steadfast in the way I have pointed out.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche. Two good women of Philippi, who had apparently been estranged. Women were prominent in the founding of the Philippian church; Lydia was the first convert (Acts 16:14,15), and her house was a home of the missionaries (Acts 16:40). Observe the repetition of the word “beseech”. It gives it special emphasis.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

I entreat thee also, true yokefellow. Some very dear brother who had been a fellow-laborer of Paul. The term is applied to the relation of husbands and wives, and to that of very intimate friends. The one addressed must have been a companion of toils and sufferings. Some have thought that Silas, associated with him in suffering at Philippi is meant (Acts 16:19-24), and that he was at Philippi when this letter was sent, but this is not certain. Help those women which laboured with me in the gospel. As Euodias and Syntyche have just been named, they are those meant. They had zealously aided his labors at Philippi. With Clement also. The Clement named is thought to be the same who was later a bishop at Rome, and the author of certain extant Epistles to the Corinthians. The name, however, was so common that this is uncertain. Whose names [are] in the book of life. Those are held to have their names in the book of life who are enrolled as the children of God. Compare Revelation 3:5 13:8 17:8 20:12.

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Rejoice in the Lord always. Compare Philippians 3:1. That a prisoner, soon to be tried for his life, should not only rejoice but bid others to rejoice, shows the power of the gospel to comfort one who has made Christ all in all.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Your moderation. Your forbearance. The Lord [is] at hand. A special watchword of the early church in time of trouble. It meant practically “Deliverance is near”.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Be careful for nothing. “In nothing be anxious” (Revised Version). The meaning is “Have no distressing anxiety about anything. “Care-ful” used to mean “full of care”. Compare Matthew 6:25. But in every thing. Instead of anxiety, just lay the case before God, and trust him to do all things well. Let your requests be made known unto God. Three elements enter into the appeal to God: Prayer, the outpouring of the soul; supplication, stating our wants; thanksgiving; we must always come to God, not in a complaining spirit, but with thankfulness for present mercies.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

And the peace of God. The peace that comes by putting all in the hands of the one who is able and willing to deliver. Which passeth all understanding. Whenever we fully trust the Lord there comes a peace that is past the understanding of those who have never experienced it. Shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. That peace will be a guard which will keep the heart and thoughts holy and pure.

1 Thessalonians 5:20

Finally, brethren. As he concludes his letter, he sums up Christian duties into a single paragraph. Whatsoever things are true. Truth in word, in action, and in thought, must be cherished. Christ is THE TRUTH. His followers must be truth itself. Honest. The Greek is “reverend”. Whatever is worthy of reverence. Just. Strict justice in all dealings; an upright life. Pure. Chaste lives and clean hearts and thoughts. Lovely. Such deeds as spring from love and inspired love in others. Of good report. A life of which no evil thing can be truthfully said. If [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise. Lest he may have omitted some excellency he adds, “If there be aught else which is virtuous or praiseworthy, let these all be the things to which you give your minds”.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Those things, which ye have both learned, and . . . seen in me, do. He turns from precept to example, the best of all teachers, and enjoins that they observe not only what he had taught, but what they had seen in his life. The God of peace shall be with you. For he is with all who so live.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly. Because of the proof of affection furnished in the relief they sent to him by the hands of Epaphroditus. That now at the last your care of me hath flourished again. They had before been careful to supply his needs. See 4:16 2 Corinthians 11:9. Wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. They had always been ready to care for him, but lacked means of communicating with him. In those times there were no systems of exchange, and all money had to be sent by messengers.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Not that I speak in respect of want. Lest they should think that he rejoiced because he had been in want, Paul adds for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. He had learned to be content, whatever was his state. He had Christ, and to him Christ was all in all.

1 Thessalonians 5:24

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. He had experienced all things; want as well as plenty, hunger and food in abundance; every variety of condition.

1 Thessalonians 5:25

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. He can rise superior to every condition through the strength that Christ gives.

1 Thessalonians 5:26

Ye have done well. Though Christ gave him strength to bear want, it was a good thing, a kind deed, that they supported him in his affliction. Ye did communicate with my affliction. “Had fellowship with” (Revised Version); share.

1 Thessalonians 5:27

In the beginning of the gospel. When you first received the gospel (Acts 16:13-15). When I departed from Macedonia. Keep in mind that Philippi “was a chief city of Macedonia” (Acts 16:12). No church communicated with me . . . but ye only. “Had fellowship with me” (Revised Version). Those who sustained him were partners of his labors. See Acts 17:14.

1 Thessalonians 5:28

Even in Thessalonica. After leaving Philippi Paul next labored at Thessalonica. See Acts 17:1-4. Ye sent once and again unto my necessity. While her the newly- founded church of the Philippians sent to him contributions at least twice. They also aided him later while he was in Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:9).