1 Thessalonians 4:1
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 in other translations
| BSB | Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more. |
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| WEB | Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more. |
| ASV | Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,—that ye abound more and more. |
| YLT | As to the rest, then, brethren, we request you, and call upon you in the Lord Jesus, as ye did receive from us how it behoveth you to walk and to please God, that ye may abound the more, |
| DARBY | For the rest, then, brethren, we beg you and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, even as ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and please God, even as ye also do walk, that ye would abound still more. |
| BBE | And last of all, the prayer which we make to you from our heart and in the name of the Lord Jesus, is this: that as we made clear to you what sort of behaviour is pleasing to God, as in fact you are doing now, so you will go on in these ways, but more and more. |
| Webster | Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. |
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER.
THIS chapter, properly, comprises two parts:--first, various practical exhortations, 1Thes 4:1-12; and, secondly, suggestions designed to console those who had been bereaved, 1Thes 4:13-18.
The first part embraces the following topics:--
(1.) an exhortation to increase and abound in the Christian virtues which they had already manifested, 1Thes 4:1,2.
(2.) A particular exhortation on the subject of sanctification, 1Thes 4:3-8, in which two points are specified, probably as illustrations of the general subject, and embracing those in regard to which they were exposed to special danger. The first was fornication; the other was fraud.
(3.) An exhortation to brotherly love, 1Thes 4:9,10.
(4.) An exhortation to quiet industry, and to honesty in their dealings, particularly with those who were Christians, 1Thes 4:11,12. The second part is designed to comfort the Thessalonians who had been bereaved, 1Thes 4:13-18. Some of their number had died. They appear to have been beloved members of the church, and dear blends of those to whom the apostle wrote. To console them he brings into view the doctrine of the second coming of the Saviour, and the truth that they would be raised up to live with him for ever. He reminds them that those who had died were "asleep" --reposing in a gentle slumber, as if they were to be awakened again, 1Thes 4:13; that they should not sorrow as they did who have no hope, 1Thes 4:13; that if they believed that Jesus died and rose again, they ought to believe that God would raise up all those who sleep in Jesus, 1Thes 4:14; that in the last day they would rise before the ]lying should be changed, and that the living would not be taken up to heaven and leave their departed friends in their graves, 1Thes 4:15,16; and that both the living and the dead would be raised up to heaven, and would be for ever with the Lord, 1Thes 4:17. With this prospect, they had every ground of comfort which they could desire, and they should sustain each other in their trials by bright hope, 1Thes 4:18.
Verse 1. Furthermore then. τολοιπον. "As to what remains." That is, all that remains is to offer these exhortations. 2Cor 12:11; Gall 6:17; Eph 6:10; Php 4:8. The phrase is a formula appropriate to the end of an argument or discourse.
We beseech you. Marg., request. The Greek is, "we ask you"-- ερωτωμεν. It is not as strong a word as that which follows.
And exhort you. Marg., beseech. This is the word which is commonly used to denote earnest exhortation. The use of these words here implies that Paul regarded the subject as of great importance. He might have commanded them--but kind exhortation usually accomplishes more than a command.
By the Lord Jesus. In his name, and by his authority.
That as ye have received of us. You were taught by us. Paul doubtless had given them repeated instructions as to their duty as Christians.
How ye ought to walk. How ye ought to live. Life is often represented as a journey, Rom 6:4, 8:1, 2Cor 5:7, Gall 6:16, Eph 4:1.
So ye would abound more and more. "That is, follow the directions they had received more and more fully." Abbott.
(*) "Furthermore" "Finally" (1) "beseech" "request" (2) "exhort" "beseech" (a) "walk" Col 1:10 (b) "abound" 1Cor 6:15,18
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
The apostle exhorts them to attend to the directions which he had already given them, that they might know how to walk and please God, 1Thes 4:1, 1Thes 4:2. Gives them exhortations concerning continence, chastity, and matrimonial fidelity, 1Thes 4:3-8. Speaks concerning their love to each other, and love to the Churches of Christ; and exhorts them to continue and increase in it, 1Thes 4:9, 1Thes 4:10. Counsels them to observe an inoffensive conduct, to mind their own affairs, to do their own business, and to live honestly, 1Thes 4:11, 1Thes 4:12. Not to sorrow for the dead, as persons who have no hope of a resurrection; because to Christians the resurrection of Christ is a proof of the resurrection of his followers, 1Thes 4:13, 1Thes 4:14. Gives a short but awful description of the appearing of Christ to judge the world, 1Thes 4:15. Verse 1 We beseech you, brethren, and exhort - We give you proper instructions in heavenly things, and request you to attend to our advice. The apostle used the most pressing entreaties; for he had a strong and affectionate desire that this Church should excel in all righteousness and true holiness. Please God more and more - God sets no bounds to the communications of his grace and Spirit to them that are faithful. And as there are no bounds to the graces, so there should be none to the exercise of those graces. No man can ever feel that he loves God too much, or that he loves man too much for God's sake.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
1 Thessalonians 4:1 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 4:1
- Colossians 1:10
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
- 2 Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
- Hebrews 13:16
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- Philippians 1:9
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
- 2 Peter 1:5-10
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. …
- Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12
And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:12
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
- Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
- 1 John 3:22
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6 to live holily and justly;
9 to love one another;
11 and quietly to follow their own business;
13 and last of all, to sorrow moderately for the dead.
17 And unto this last exhortation is annexed a brief description of the resurrection, and second coming of Christ to judgment.
we.
2:11; Ro 12:1; 2Co 6:1; 10:1; Eph 4:1; Phm 1:9,10; Heb 13:22
we beseech. or, we request. exhort. or, beseech. by the.
2; Eph 4:20; 2Th 2:1; 1Ti 5:21; 6:13,14; 2Ti 4:1
ye have.
11,12; Ac 20:27; 1Co 11:23; 15:1; Php 1:27; Col 2:6; 2Th 3:10-12
ye ought.
2:12
to please.
Ro 8:8; 12:2; Eph 5:17; Col 1:10; Heb 11:6; 13:16; 1Jo 3:22
so ye.
10; Job 17:9; Ps 92:14; Pr 4:18; Joh 15:2; 1Co 15:58; Php 1:9; 3:14
2Th 1:3; 2Pe 1:5-10; 3:18
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:2
For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | RESTA pues, hermanos, que os roguemos y exhortemos en el Señor Jesús, que de la manera que fuisteis enseñados de nosotros de cómo os conviene andar, y agradar á Dios, así vayáis creciendo. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Au reste donc, frères, nous vous prions et nous vous exhortons par le seigneur Jésus, pour que, comme vous avez reçu de nous de quelle manière il faut que vous marchiez et plaisiez à Dieu, comme aussi vous marchez, vous y abondiez de plus en plus. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Übrigens nun, Brüder, bitten und ermahnen wir euch in dem Herrn Jesus, wie ihr von uns empfangen habt, in welcher Weise ihr wandeln und Gott gefallen sollt, wie ihr auch wandelt, daß ihr reichlicher zunehmet. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | De cetero ergo, fratres, rogamus vos et obsecramus in Domino Jesu, ut quemadmodum accepistis a nobis quomodo oporteat vos ambulare, et placere Deo, sic et ambuletis ut abundetis magis. |