1 Thessalonians 4

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1 Thessalonians 4
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Tesa.jpg
First Epistle to the Thessalonians 4:16 (with the word archangelou, "of an archangel", in the red box) on Codex Sinaiticus (c. 330–360).
Book First Epistle to the Thessalonians
Category Pauline epistles
Christian Bible part New Testament
Order in the Christian part13

1 Thessalonians 4 is the fourth chapter of the First Epistle to the Thessalonians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, likely written in Corinth in about 50-51 CE for the church in Thessalonica. [1] This chapter contains an exhortation about a life pleasing to God and describes the circumstances of the Second Coming. [2]

Contents

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 18 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Keeping the traditions (4:1–2)

Paul wants the believers to 'walk' (Greek: peripatein; cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:12) and to please God according to the commandments or instructions they received (parelabete) from him previously (when he founded the church). Theologian Philip Esler refers to these instructions as "the traditions" and argues that they are distinctive norms of behaviour to be adopted by those who follow Christ. [3]

Purity (4:3–8)

This section deals with the sanctification (Greek: hagiasmos) of the people as the will of God. [3]

Brotherly love (4:9–12)

Paul brought up the subject of 'brotherly love' (Greek: philadelphia), which he says he does not need to write because the Thessalonians have been 'God-taught' (Greek: theodidaktoi) to love (agapan) one another. [4]

The circumstances of Christ's second coming (4:13–18)

1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:5 in Uncial 0226 from 5th century. Uncial 0226 r.jpg
1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:5 in Uncial 0226 from 5th century.

Verse 16

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [5]

Verse 17

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. [6]

See also

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References

Sources