Friday, 28 July 2017

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Chapter 4 begins the instructional part of the letter to those at Thessalonica.… Read the rest

Thursday, 27 July 2017

…so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:13

The previous two verses, tied together with this one, will give the full sense of Paul’s thought –

“Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. … Read the rest

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 1 Thessalonians 3:12

There is an emphasis in the Greek of this verse which is lacking in this translation. The word “You” begins the sentence.… Read the rest

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 1 Thessalonians 3:11

What seems like a straightforward and simple verse actually has wording of great interest. Paul begins this prayer of supplication with, “Now may our God and Father Himself.” The petition is to God, but a note of specificity is then given by saying, “and Father Himself.” Three times in this chapter, he has already referred to God, first in verse 2 and then in verse 9.… Read the rest

Monday, 24 July 2017

…night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? 1 Thessalonians 3:10

Paul’s previous words were, “For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God.” Now he completes the thought, beginning with “night and day praying exceedingly.” At the end of this epistle he says, “…pray without ceasing.”

He was not one to exhort without actually living out what he urged in others.… Read the rest