1 Thessalonians 4 · Verse 2

1 Thessalonians 4:2

For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:2, King James Version

1 Thessalonians 4:2 in other translations

BSBFor you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
WEBFor you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
ASVFor ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
YLTfor ye have known what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus,
DARBYFor ye know what charges we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
BBEBecause you have in mind the orders we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
WebsterFor ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. by the Lord Jesus--by His authority and direction, not by our own. He uses the strong term, "commandments," in writing to this Church not long founded, knowing that they would take it in a right spirit, and feeling it desirable that they should understand he spake with divine authority. He seldom uses the term in writing subsequently, when his authority was established, to other churches. 1Co 7:10; 11:17; and 1Ti 1:5 (1Th 4:18, where the subject accounts for the strong expression) are the exceptions. "The Lord" marks His paramount authority, requiring implicit obedience.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 2. For ye know what commandments. It was but a short time Paul was with them, and they could not but recollect the rules of living which he had laid down.

By the Lord Jesus. By the authority of the Lord Jesus. Some of those rules, or commandments, the apostle refers to, probably, in the following verses.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 Ye know what commandments we gave you - This refers to his instructions while he was among them; and to instructions on particular subjects, which he does not recapitulate, but only hints at.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

To abide in the faith of the gospel is not enough, we must abound in the work of faith. The rule according to which all ought to walk and act, is the commandments given by the Lord Jesus Christ. Sanctification, in the renewal of their souls under the influences of the Holy Spirit, and attention to appointed duties, constituted the will of God respecting them. In aspiring after this renewal of the soul unto holiness…

Read the full comment on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 →

1 Thessalonians 4:2 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.

οἴδατεoidateYou know
γὰρgarforG1063
τίναςtinaswhatG5101
παραγγελίαςparangeliasinstructionsG3852
ἐδώκαμενedōkamenwe gaveG1325
ὑμῖνhuminyouG4771
διὰdiathroughG1223
τοῦtoutheG3588
κυρίουkuriouLordG2962
Ἰησοῦ.IēsouJesus.G2424

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Thessalonians 4:2

  • Matthew 28:20

    Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

  • Ezekiel 3:17

    Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:10

    For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:21

    To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:6

    Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 3:17; Mt 28:20; 1Co 9:21; 2Th 3:6,10

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 4:3

    For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque ya sabéis qué mandamientos os dimos por el Señor Jesús.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car vous savez quels commandements nous vous avons donnés par le seigneur Jésus.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ihr wisset, welche Gebote wir euch gegeben haben durch den Herrn Jesus.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Scitis enim quæ præcepta dederim vobis per Dominum Jesum.