1Thessalonians 5:14-15 comments: care for others

14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

 

Paul’s final instructions in this first letter to the Thessalonians begin with instruction to warn those among the brethren who are unruly.  In Titus unruly is linked with out of control behavior with words such as riot and deceivers and phrases like vain talkers. In his description of a bishop, what we today would call a pastor, should not be unruly is also linked with hot-tempered, alcohol swilling  people who are quick to physically attack someone, willing to be persuaded by money, and preaching out of a pure financial gain motive.

 

Titus 1:6 ¶  If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8  But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

 

They were to warn these out of control people that their behavior was unacceptable.

 

The next thing he tells them is to comfort the feebleminded, people whose mental capacity would fall out of the range of what we consider normal. They would often lack the capacity to care for themselves in the first century and, as a result, would most likely not live very long or in very good conditions. The Christian church was to be a refuge for them, a safe place, where they could find comfort and the means by which they could live. Although we have many state run programs today to help them survive there is still an incredible loneliness and isolation for them, particularly if they have been rejected by their own families.

 

The Thessalonians are then admonished to support the weak. Paul told the elders of the church at Ephesus in Acts 20:

 

Acts 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

 

And the Romans.

 

Romans 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

 

Cut off from any pagan temple’s charity by their devotion to the only true God the Thessalonians were admonished to care for those people whose physical infirmities hindered them.

 

And to all men, of the household of God and to those outside the camp Paul wanted the Christian to extend patience. We are not dealing with people who understand what is driving them or who their spiritual father actually is. When we deal with those who do not believe we are dealing with a spirit that they have permitted to blind their minds. We must be always patient with them. Remember, that the worst enemy of spreading the Christian faith and message are other Christians who have left a foul odor of what it means to be a Christian in some unbeliever’s nostrils. We must recognize this at all times and not get angry at those who oppose us. They need salvation, pure and simple, not our judgment or our contempt, but our compassion and our pity for their eventual destination if they do not receive Christ.

So, Paul goes on to denounce any effort at revenge, telling Christians to always do right, not only between themselves but to all. There is no excuse provided in these admonitions to treat unbelievers any differently than believers in living honestly and peacefully among all men.

 

Is this how the Christian community in your town represents itself and Christ?

1Thessalonians 5:11-13 comments: meeting & caring for leaders

11 ¶  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

 

Here are given some additional reasons for the church, the body of Christ, meeting together regularly. The members of the church, if they know the Bible, are able to comfort and edify each other, to have their faith affirmed. This is helpful particularly in times of persecution. In a book written specifically and doctrinally for the Jewish church at the beginnings of Christianity and for that same body of people in the Tribulation to come not surprisingly entitled, “Hebrews,” this instruction is given.

 

Hebrews 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

Also, Paul instructs the Thessalonians to hold the elders who served them in high regard for the efforts they made in comforting and edifying the assemblies. Being over them in the Lord was a matter of responsibility and example not dictatorial rule as is evident in many fundamentalist churches.

 

1 Peter 5:1 ¶  The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3  Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

 

Paul wanted the little Christian assemblies he started to appreciate those who served the Lord by serving them. This was understood even under the Old Testament view.

 

Deuteronomy 12:19  Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.

 

As Jesus had told his disciples.

 

Matthew 10:10  Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

 

Paul reinforces the care the church should make for those who had the responsibility of caring for them.

 

Galatians 6:6  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

 

 

1Corinthians 9:9  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?10  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11  If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?12  If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.13  Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

 

1Timothy 5:17 ¶  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

 

Then, as was presented in Ephesians and in many other places in his writings, Paul tells the Thessalonians to be at peace with each other.

 

Ephesians 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

Romans 14:19  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

 

This is also reflected in the Old Testament as David said;

 

Psalm 133:1  « A Song of degrees of David. » Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

 

According to historical records the early Christians met before dawn on the first day of the week, which was always a work day, and sang hymns, read scripture, and prayed. They would then hold each other accountable for living a Godly life and go out to work. Many of the early Christians were poor laborers and craftsmen, or even slaves.

 

Paul has told them to draw comfort from each other and care for the elders who have the responsibility for pastoring and for teaching.

1Thessalonians 5:1-10: watch and wait

1 ¶  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

 

The day of the Lord is a reference to a period of time where God enacts judgment on mankind. It is a period of time, not necessarily a day with a morning and an evening. References of such a day begin in Isaiah and are found in Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Joel, Amos, and other prophet’s writings.

 

Isaiah 2:12  For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

 

Isaiah 13:6  Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

 

Isaiah 13:9  Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

 

Isaiah 34:8  For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

 

This is after the translation of the church, as Paul continues to give his statements on the end-times. This is the judgment on the world that God has had His prophets predict. It is the, “wrath to come,” that we have been promised that we are delivered from and that John the Baptist warned about.

 

Luke 3:7  Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

 

1Thessalonians 1:10  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

 

This passage goes against those end-times pundits who talk about how bad things are getting. When God’s judgment descends on the earth things will have been going pretty well.

 

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

 

The simile, “as a thief in the night,” underscores how no one is prepared for what is to come. No one is expecting it, further evidence that the Christian churches which are constantly expecting it and talking about it daily will be removed and not be on the scene.

What is coming is a Great Tribulation in preparation for Christ’s physical return to rule from Jerusalem.

 

Matthew 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

 

This puts the Great Tribulation as a worse disaster for humanity on earth than the Great Flood of Noah’s time.

 

Revelation 7:14  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

 

Jesus Himself said of this time;

 

Matthew 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

 

Notice that Jesus is talking to his Jewish disciples in Matthew. The third translation, the physical removal of the believing Jews will take place during the Great Tribulation. He shortens the time for their sake. “The elect,” is always a reference to God’s people, Jewish or Gentile, and never a reference to a special group of individuals who were created to be saved while others were created to be damned.

 

Without going into great detail best left for a study on the book of the Revelation let me just say that Paul now exhorts the Thessalonians to not act as unbelieving Gentiles act. They are not of the night or of darkness. They are to act, not like world, concerned with only their own little plans and problems day to day but with the greater concern as the world’s end is ahead.

 

6 ¶  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

 

In the uses of the word, “sleep,” in this letter we have not only a euphemism for physical death but for those who are spiritually dead. Notice the contrast between sleep and sober alertness.

 

Perhaps the spiritual night of the world began when Judas left to betray Christ.

 

John 13:30  He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

 

As Paul uses night-time to refer to this present dispensation. The way the Bible is written the expectations and hopes of the writers are revealed as in Paul really wanted the Lord to return in his life-time, and this method of writing also makes the verses relevant to Christians at any time in this dispensation of the Gentile and Jewish church age. Christ’s coming could have happened and at any time and could happen at any time. The night was far spent in Paul’s time and the morning of the Lord’s return is something that could happen at any moment.

 

Romans 13:11 ¶  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

 

Sleepiness and drunkenness are the opposites of being watchful and sober. The unbeliever and the carnal Christian do not expect Christ’s return at any moment as they simply expect things to go on as they have before. They are busy planning for their future, entertainment, career, possession of homes, cars, and stuff, as well as their retirement. Like a drunk staggering down the street thinking of the next drink there is no realization that at any moment the trumpet may sound and the person who has trusted Christ as his Saviour and Redeemer will be carried away and the world system will be judged.

 

Using pieces of armor to represent spiritual attitudes is present elsewhere in the Bible.

 

Isaiah 59:17  For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

 

Ephesians 6:10 ¶  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

In verse 9 Paul points out that the church is not appointed to wrath. Remember chapter one, verse 10.

 

1Thessalonians 1:10  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

 

Something really bad is going to happen to the world but those who trust Christ will not have to endure it. What we are to expect is salvation, that whether living or dead when He comes, we will live with Him. Reading and studying this letter makes you less and less interested in this life and more and more excited about the one to come, doesn’t it?

1Thessalonians 4:13-18 comments: the translation of the church

13 ¶  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Depending on context sleep can be a euphemism for death.

Psalm 13:3  Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

John 11: 11  These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12  Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13  Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14  Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

Paul is telling the Thessalonians not to be sorrowful as those would be who have no hope when a loved one that is in Christ passes away. Verse 14 tells us that it naturally follows that if we believe that Christ rose from the dead that those who die in Christ will also rise.

For review, look again at 1Thessalonians 1:10;

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

The church will not face the wrath God is bringing on the world.

Then, you can see 1Thessalonians 2:19;

“19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”

The church is in Christ’s presence at His return. And then chapter 3, verse 13;

“To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”

I have already shown that the, “saints,” are God’s people. Christ is returning with all His saints.

14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Verse 15 tells us that if we are alive when this event occurs this will not, “prevent,” which can mean not to allow to happen or it can mean to go on before as in pre-event, a meaning we no longer use in common speech.

Psalm 88:13  But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.

Psalm 119:148  Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

Matthew 17:25  He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

When the trumpet sounds, the dead in Christ go first, and then we which are alive follow.

1Corinthians 15:51 ¶  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

When this singular event, the fulfillment of the promise of the Resurrection of Christ, takes place we believe is before the Great Tribulation, God’s wrath upon the whole world, as we have been promised that we are delivered from that as stated previously as several early Christian leaders such as Victorinus,  Shephard,  Cyprian, and Ephraim the Syrian seemed to understand. The pretribulation “rapture” of the church, followed by a Great Tribulation, and the physical return of Christ to the earth to rule for a thousand years appears to have been understood by a great many Christians in the first three centuries of the Christian era. It wasn’t until the state church of Rome, glorifying man’s hope of a creation of God’s kingdom on earth, that this once common belief went underground.

The Bible word for what we call the “rapture,” of the church is the word, “translation.” “Translation,” is used in the Bible for removing something from one place to another. Although we understand,” translation,” today as referring to the meaning of a word in one language in another, different language that is called, “interpretation,” in the Bible as in an “Interpreter,” at the U.N.

Enoch was taken by God alive and well from this earthly plane of existence.

Genesis 5:24  And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

He was translated. Notice the mention of this three times in the next verse.

Hebrews 11:5  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Why did the Holy Spirit use the word, “translation”? In my opinion, because all existence is based on God’s speech and any work that He does from one form of existence (the physical world) to the spiritual (the invisible world – to us anyway) is a type of translating from one language to another.

Three times, in the Bible, the phrase, “Come up hither,” is used which we understand to be, “Come up here.”

Proverbs 25:7  For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

This would correspond to the events around the Resurrection of Christ and His ascent to God the Father.

Now, for the second time.

Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

This corresponds to the time when the apostle, John, the beloved, representing the church, is carried forcibly to heaven to see the events there he related in the book of the Revelation. Notice that the next verse says by what means he entered heaven.

2  And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Now for the third.

Revelation 11:12  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

This is when the two Jewish witnesses are called up representing the believing Jews toward the end of the Great Tribulation. Jesus, when speaking to his Jewish disciples said,

Matthew 24:29  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

So, while there appears to be three distinct translations of the people of God this passage in 1Thessalonians is referring to the translation of the church.

Colossians 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

After all we are currently seated with Him in heaven.

Ephesians 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

There are many things in the Bible that have happened in eternity that we have not experienced yet but faith tells us that we shall. Here are more passages that indicate that Christ’s people are to be gathered to Him before His return to rule.

Psalm 50:4  He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. 5  Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

 

Solomon, as a type of Christ, calls out His bride, His church, in the Song of Solomon.

 

Song of Solomon 2:8 ¶  The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. 9  My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.

10  My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

 

It is important to note that this is not the Second Advent, when Christ comes to rule on the earth. This is the church meeting Christ, “in the air.” When Christ returns to rule, as the passages in the letters to the Thessalonians show, He returns with the church. The next great event in history will be the translation, or rapture as it is popularly called from the Latin rapto, of the church. As Ephraim the Syrian wrote in the AD 300s,

 

For all the saints and the elect of God are gathered prior to the Tribulation that is to come and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins. (from Paul Alexander’s The Byzantine Apocalyptic Tradition, (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1985), 210.

 

Extant writings on this subject from early church writers include Shephard in AD 150, Victorinus, and Cyprian, both in the middle of the third century. So, without going into a long detailed description and explanation here let it suffice, for my purposes here, to explain that there will be a translation of the church, a Great Tribulation shaking the earth, and then the physical return of Christ to rule for a thousand years. This is what the Bible teaches and the early church taught.  It is not necessarily healthy or important to go into when these events might take place because we don’t know when or whether the Great Tribulation is a seven year period or the last half of a seven year tribulation. These are more appropriate subjects for the study on the book of Revelation.

 

What is important right now is that these verses in 1Thessalonians tell them and us that at some point all of us will be called out of this doomed earth by the Lord, to remain with Him forever. That alone is enough to shout about, one would think. We should be looking up.

 

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

Hallelujah!

1Thessalonians 4:9-12 comments: honest work

9 ¶  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10  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;

11  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12  That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Paul reinforces a statement he made in 3:6 regarding the good news that Timothy brought them about their faith and charity. The Holy Spirit teaches the Thessalonian Christians to love each other, as Jesus taught his disciples.

John 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The Thessalonians have extended their care and concern to all Christians in the region and Paul wishes that this attitude would continue to grow.

Paul also instructs them on their position in making a living. They are to quietly go about their business and, “work with their own hands.” He says he commanded them to do this. The common laborer, the craftsman, and the simple man or woman of business and trade have lives that are consistent with a Christian witness. The person who gambles with other people’s money, exploits their fears and anxieties, or manipulates them is not consistent with a Christian witness. Early Christians said that being a Roman soldier or even the Emperor himself were not consistent with being a Christian as allegiances were misplaced and religious idolatry was commanded as patriotism and obedience to the state.

It would be very difficult for a Bible-believing Christian to be President of the United States. The power to send millions to their death in war, the need to negotiate and accept behavior that is against God’s mandates, and to deceive the people, “for their own good,” is not consistent with being a Christian. The chief executive is not a pastor or a messiah but a manager of the public’s interest. To demand that this person declare himself a faithful Christian as a condition for a vote is to ensure that liars, murderers, and thieves run for the office. The country is not a church and the president is not a pastor.

In President Andrew Jackson’s day, in the early part of the 1800s, it was unlawful in some parts of the nation for a preacher to even run for political office. Andrew Jackson refused to participate in a day of prayer for a cholera epidemic because he said that the people had pastors for that and that wasn’t the place of the president. Within a few decades, Abraham Lincoln was declaring national days of prayer and thanksgiving. The presidency was approaching the level of the pastorate and the lines between faith and politics were becoming confused.

James Madison, noted by many as the, “Father of the Constitution,” stated that the government had nothing to say about a man’s duty to his Creator. The government should not only not intrude but remain silent regarding religion. He was even opposed to paid chaplains in the military as eventually the government would tell them what they could and couldn’t pray, which has happened.  Even today, some vestiges of that sentiment remain as the Supreme Court recently, in a unanimous decision of both liberals and conservatives, upheld the idea that the Federal Government has nothing to say regarding a church organization’s relationship with its ministers in that church and pastor are exempt from employee protections extended to everyone else (Hosanna-Tabor Lutheran Church and School vs. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).

In today’s climate I would be extremely suspicious of a person running for high office who insisted that he was, “doing God’s will,” or that God had spoken to him  and told him to run for office. I would be more impressed if the candidate declared his personal faith but did not add, “God wills it,” to his most important opinions. Remember what John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton, Lord Acton, said and remember the entire quote that pertains to this subject. It is essential in understanding history.

“…Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority, still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it….”

Americans, even Christian Americans, have exchanged their faith in God for faith in government and both left and right are looking for someone to worship, a messiah figure, hence the devotion to the cults of Reagan and Clinton, and Obama in the first part of his presidency.

Paul calls Christians to walk quietly minding their own business, work with their own hands in some useful manner, and be honest in their dealings with the outside world so that they will lack in nothing which they need to survive in this hostile environment. He will reinforce this in his second letter to the Thessalonians.

2Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

And to Timothy in praying for leaders, none of whom were Christians when this was penned.

1Timothy 2:1 ¶  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

The ideal Christian life is not one of ambition toward the world, of gaining money, power, and influence but of ambition toward God of saving souls from destruction and living a separated and sanctified life pleasing to God. Teach your children well lest they become enamored of the world and get trapped in Satan’s web.

As regards to the one who complains that this attitude would render Christians has having no influence in the world I would argue that if the huge number of those who claim to be religious in this country didn’t support the pornography industry, the liquor industry, the entertainment industry, or voted only for leaders who showed a consistent testimony of their commitment to obey the law those industries would collapse and political leaders would be pressured to be much different than they are now. You have no greater influence than your own personal actions and consistent moral witness, honoring Christ in everything you do or say.

1Thessalonians 4:1-8 comments: our moral behavior

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. 2  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

In verse 3 we have the use of the word, “even,” to unite two ideas. Paul says that the Thessalonians sanctification is the will of God just as he says that Jesus Christ is the, “angel,” or appearance of God here.

Galatians 4:14  And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. (For the definition of an angel see Isaiah 63:9).

Notice the first mention of the word, “even,” and how it sets the tone for one of its uses elsewhere, although there are other uses.

Genesis 6:17  And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.

The vessel in verse 4 is a reference to our physical bodies.

1Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

“Concupiscence,” refers to a strong lust or sexual desire that is extreme. Sexual obsessions themselves are a religion of idolatry.

Colossians 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Paul tells the Thessalonians that he has told them how they should behave in a way that pleases God. He emphasizes their sanctification, or being set apart for God’s purpose.

Exodus 28:41  And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

This sanctification Paul emphasizes is abstaining from fornication, which is any sexual activity or desire that is not ordained by God, that is, anything apart from the sexual union and enjoyment of sex between a man and woman who are husband and wife.

This always requires the Christian to go against his or her culture. From the most ancient times many ancient religions such as that of Canaan, revolved around sexual behaviors, with temple prostitution of women (whores) and men (dogs – still a slang term for a male prostitute).

Deuteronomy 23:18  Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Male temple prostitution, as well as female, was vigorously condemned by God, practiced even in relation to God’s Holy Temple against His will.

2Kings 23:7  And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.

The Greco-Roman world that the Thessalonians lived in was also filled with fornication in the way of temple prostitution and sexual affairs, hetero- and homo-, as a part of cultural practice in no way associated with God’s plan for mankind.

The Greek’s most private behavior was influenced by public expectations. Homosexual and heterosexual behavior outside of marriage were not condemned but were either expressed through religious activities or social behavior identifying one party as the other’s superior in social ranking. It could be a man and a younger man or a boy or a man and a woman as long as they were not on an equal position of power and social status. What was condemned for men as immoral was a lack of self-control, regardless of what behavior was expressed. I recommend reading,”Against Timarchus,” by Aeschines and books like Women in the Classical World and Women in Antiquity. To be a moral Greek had nothing to do with the standard set by man’s Creator in the Bible. It only had to do with doing things accepted by the society in moderation.

Paul has called the Thessalonians out of their culture, to live in their culture, but not to practice as their culture taught and even insisted. All Christians are called to do the same. We must control the excesses of our sexual nature or, at least, to permit them to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. This is not prudery or mid-Victorian paranoia but focus on a life that is pleasing to God.

Paul here narrows his focus on adultery as you can see by his references to defrauding a Christian brother and holding him in contempt, which is essentially doing the same to God. Remember Paul’s criticism of the Corinthian church for accepting a man who had slept with whom we suppose was his step-mother and then his admonition to accept that man after he had repented of his sin.

1Corinthians 5:1  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.

2Corinthians 2:6  Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

Notice also how Paul exhorts a Christian husband and wife not to defraud each other by denying each other their sexual favors as it leads to fornication.

1Corinthians 7:3  Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4  The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5  Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

In our culture today we are bombarded by sexual imagery. Advertising and entertainment sexualize us at way too early an age. To live as a Christian is supposed to live in this culture requires one to oppose the culture and reject its values just as the Thessalonians were called to do. We often consider ourselves sophisticated and liberated by our lack of morality but what we have done is to condemn large segments of the youthful part of society to a lifetime of struggle, regret, disease, and heartbreak. Our culture is no less awash in self-destructive, exploitive, and manipulative sexual behavior than the ancient Greeks or Canaanites. It’s just that in our case we don’t call it religion. We call it being liberated, “normal”, feminist, free, or in tune with our feelings. Modern man is no less a fool than ancient man and Paul is telling the Thessalonians and ourselves to step out of that world and come to God’s way.

1Thessalonians 3:6-13 comments: He's returning with His saints

6 ¶  But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: 7  Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: 8  For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9  For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10  Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Notice how Paul is pleased with news of the Thessalonians continued faith and charity, which I have explained before is the love that Christians are supposed to feel for each other which is actively expressed by our ministering to each other’s needs.

Charity is not simply giving money, food, and material goods to others. It is the perfection of brotherly love.

2 Peter 1:5 ¶  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

1Corinthians, chapter 13, is not merely about giving to the poor which is evident from this verse.

1Corinthians 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Paul goes on to say that his difficulties were alleviated by the knowledge that the Thessalonians were continuing in their faith. His statement reflects that he can go on because they are standing fast in the Lord. He wants dearly to see them again.

11 ¶  Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. 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: 13  To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Again, a chapter ends in triumph and joy. Paul’s prayer is that not only will he be permitted to visit them again but that the Thessalonians grow in their love toward each other, and not only toward each other, but to all men. Lest someone think that the ideal Christian life is one of confinement with other Christians and no love for the lost these kinds of verses overthrow that notion. The Christian only learns to love the people of the world he desires to save by loving first his fellow believers.

It is important to note here that Jesus is going to return with all His saints. You can’t return with someone who is not with you when you return. Again, a clear statement that indicates that the church will not be on this earth when Christ returns confronts the reader.

First, you see 1Thessalonians 1:10;

“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

The church will not face the wrath God is bringing on the world.

Then, you can see 1Thessalonians 2:19;

“19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”

The church is in Christ’s presence at His return. And now chapter 3, verse 13;

“To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”

Any review of how the word, “saint,” is used in the Bible will make it clear that God is referring to His people.

In the Old Testament;

Deuteronomy 33:2  And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

And in the New;

Romans 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.