I Thessalonians Chapter 4 1~~Finally therefore {in view of the Timothy report} . . . we keep on making a special request of you, brethren {believers} . . . and keep on exhorting you in the Lord Jesus . . . for the purpose that as you have received from the immediate source of us how you ought to walk {how to live in Phase II - life after salvation} and to please God . . . so you would overflow {blessings} more and more. {Note: when you please GOD your blessings can overflow to the people around you.} 2~~For you know what commandments {doctrinal teachings} we gave you through the Lord Jesus. {Note: This means they were taught in the past. The Thessalonians were having trouble applying the doctrines they learned in the past to experience. Verses 3-5 cover sex, then comes social life, and then business life.} {Practical application - concerning sex -Verses 3-5} 3~~For this keeps on being {absolute status verb} the will of God . . . your sanctification . . . that you should abstain from fornication {porneia}. {Note: Sanctification is a synonym to the 'will of God' - You are 'set apart unto God' or sanctified when you are following the will of God, being in fellowship, and filled with the Spirit.} {Note: Porneia is the Greek word from which we get 'fornication'. It is the word from which we get pornography. Most heathen religions emphasized sex in conjunction with religion - fornication. So the meaning of porneia is to have illicit sex with an unbeliever in connection with idolatry. Per the Greek definition of porneia it also includes adultery and incest.} {Greek syntax says this verse is an amplification of the previous Verse.} 4~~To amplify . . . that each one {believer} of you should know in the past with results to apply today to experience how to possess his vessel {body} in sanctification and honor. {Note: Each is a believer - male and female. The vessel here is the human body based on the study of how it was used in other New Testament verses. To have illicit sex with an unbeliever in connection with idolatry is to defile the 'temple of God' which is in you!} 5~~Not in the mental desire of sexual lust . . . even as the Gentiles who know not God. {Note: reference to heathen religions again - sex associated with idolatry.} {Verses 6-10 applying doctrine to social life.} 6~~For the additional purpose that no man overstep and give pain and sorrow, or defraud his brother in any matter because that the Lord is the avenger of all . . . as we also have forewarned you and testified. {Amplification of verse 6 again - uncleanness is overstepping and/or defrauding a brother} 7~~For God has not called us unto uncleanness . . . but unto holiness {practical sanctification}. {Note: In RBT terms, holiness then is 'living inside the bottom circle' - filled with the Spirit.} 8~~He therefore who keeps on setting at naught {rejecting} God's provisions, keeps on setting at naught {rejecting} not man . . . but God . . .Who has also given unto us His Holy Spirit. 9~~But as touching brotherly love . . . you need not that I write unto you- to your advantage {it is to their advantage that Paul does not have to go over this doctrine again} - for you yourselves are taught of God {by His Word} to love one another. 10~~And indeed you do it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia {Northern Greece}. But we beseech you, brethren, for the purpose that you increase more and more   {in their mental attitude love toward all believers}. {Now applying doctrine to the business life - verses 11-12} 11~~For the additional purpose that you study to mind your own business   {a point of honor to mind your own business} and to do your own business. And/additionally, to work with your own hands . . . as we commanded you. {Note: Two uses of 'business' here. One to mind your own affairs and stay out of the affairs of others. And, secondly, do your labor/job every day as 'unto the Lord'.} 12~~With the additional purpose that you may walk honestly toward them that are without and that you may have lack of nothing. 13~~But I do not desire to have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep - to their advantage {Christian death} - for the purpose that you sorrow not . . . even as others who have no hope/'absolute confidence' {of everlasting life}. {Note: It is ok to sorrow, but not as one who does NOT know they will EVER see their loved ones again! We WILL see our loved ones again in heaven - hope = confidence.} 14~~For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again and we do {believe this doctrine} . . . even so them also which sleep through Jesus will God bring with Him. {Note: It is the resurrection that gives the efficacy (to make meaningful or effective) to his death! Lots of people die, but only Christ died, was resuscitated, and NEVER died again = resurrection.} 15~~For this we keep on saying to you - to your advantage - in the sphere of the word of the Lord . . . that we which are alive and keep on receiving surviving {'remain'} unto the coming of the Lord {rapture} . . . shall not prevent them who are asleep {dead in Christ will rise also}. 16~~ For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel   {commanding officer of the angelic army} and with the trump of God . . . and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17~~ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds . . . to meet them in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18~~Therefore {stop the whining} Comfort(!) {an order!} one another of the same kind with these words. {Note: Use your doctrine in your soul and these words to comfort those who have lost loved ones.}