1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Section V. A Lesson in Christian Morals. Ch. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

We now pass from the first to the second of the two main divisions of the Epistle (see Introd. Chap. VII.), from narrativeto exhortation. Chaps. 1 3 are complete in themselves, and the letter might fitly have terminated with the prayer just concluded (ch. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13). For the Apostle has accomplished the chief objects with which he began to write, viz. to assure his readers of the intense interest he takes in their welfare, to express his sympathy with them under their persecutions, and to explain how it was that he had not himself returned to them. But he cannot let the occasion pass without adding counsel and exhortation on certain subjects in which the Thessalonian Church was specially in need of guidance. Chief amongst these were the misunderstandings that had arisen touching the parousia, or second advent of Christ (ch. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 to 1 Thessalonians 5:11). But before he deals with this topic, there are a few things he wishes to say to them about moralsand matters of conduct toward each other, which we have before us in this Section. It is significant that the Apostle puts these things first in his exhortation, although the question of the Parousia was of such absorbing interest.

The topics embraced in this Section are (1) and chiefly, that of chastityand the sanctification of the body, 1 Thessalonians 4:3; (2) brotherly love, 1 Thessalonians 4:9; (3) diligencein secular work, 1 Thessalonians 4:11.

That chaps, 4, 5 form an addendum, supplementing the primary intention of the Epistle, is shown by the introductory phrase: