Senior Class Notes – October 6, 2019

Fall 2019 Unit 1 Session 6 – Uncomplicated Relationships. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-12; PSG p. 68 – 77.

October 6, 2019

The Point: Let God’s love drive how you relate to others.

Inspirational verse: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: Ultimately, God’s will is tied to our sanctification: being set apart for His purposes and His glory (PSG p. 70-71). In other words, being set apart from common usage to belong entirely to God (TSB). When we live by the world’s standard, we are not living holy, set apart lives. When we pursue whatever lusts our sinful nature craves, we are not living for God’s glory, but for our own. We are not made holy or sanctified through such behavior; therefore, we are out of God’s will. Following God’s will regarding our sanctification and purity in relationships calls for two actions that are inseparable: (PSG p. 70-71).

Keep away from sexual immorality.
Know how to control our bodies.

Sanctification (Greek hagiasmos) could also be translated “Holiness.” Here it refers to the consecration of the believer to God in holy and proper behavior in regard to sexual purity. God’s will is clear. The passage does not say to abstain from sex practiced in the context of marriage. Fornication is sex that deviates from God’s standards. This would include premarital sex, incest, homosexuality, bestiality, and adultery (KJV). Fornication (Greek porneia) means any form of sexual impurity (KJSB). Fornication, also known as sexual immorality: In the first century moral standards were generally very low, and chastity was regarded as an unreasonable restriction. Paul, however, would not compromise God’s clear and demanding standards. The warning – abstain from fornication – was needed, for Christians were not immune to the temptation (NIV). Taken from the word for harlotry, this word – fornication – refers to any type of illicit sexual intercourse, including prostitution, whoredom, licentiousness, deviant sexual behaviors, habitual immorality and those listed above. It is the word from which we get “pornography” (KJVWSB). Ye should abstain from fornication: a major problem for the early church was maintaining sexual purity (1 Cor. 5:1, 9-11). Pagan religions often included sexual orgies as part of their rites of worship, and temple prostitutes were dedicated to various gods. In contrast, Christianity taught that the body is God’s temple (1 Cor. 6:18-20). The body should be honored as created by God and should be sanctified in keeping with its holy purpose (KJVFSB). In Matthew 15:19 Jesus is pointing out that sexual sins are not merely external behaviors but arise from a sinful heart and do spiritual damage as well as physical. In addition to describing physical immorality, this word is also used of spiritual unfaithfulness – unfaithfulness to the covenant relationship between God and His people in the form of idolatry (Rev. 2:21) (KJVWSB).

The New testament delineates three kinds of Sanctification or holiness: (KJSB).

Positional Holiness: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11) (KJSB). Which is done by being declared holy through faith in Christ’s atoning death on the cross, sometimes called Positional Sanctification (1 Cor. 1:2) (NIV). I was sanctified – “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thess. 4:7) (JSB).
Progressive Holiness: (Rom. 6:12-23) (KJSB). Being made holy by the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians, sometimes called Progressive Sanctification (1 Cor. 1:2) (NIV). I am being sanctified – “it is God’s will that you should be sanctified” (1 Thess. 4:3) (JSB).
Perfected Holiness: sometimes called Perfected Sanctification: I will be sanctified (JSB). “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.” (1 Thess. 3:13) (KJSB).

1 Thessalonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; The phrase possess his vessel probably refers to the idea of controlling the lustful sexual desires of one’s own body that might lead a Christian to sin. An alternate but less likely view is that it refers to obtaining a wife (KJV). Some believe vessel refers to one’s wife. The verse would then advocate maintaining proper sexual relations with her to avert immorality (KJSB). Ancient sources sometimes applied “vessel” to a wife, but much more often apply it to the body (NIVCBSB). A more narrow view of the second option is that Paul refers euphemistically to a particular part of one’s body, namely, the sex organ. The apostle’s main point in this verse is that believers need to develop self-control in regard to their sexual desires and conduct (NIVZSB). It isn’t just active sexual immorality that is to be avoided, but all passionate lust as well. Even then, mere avoidance is not enough. Christians are instructed to maintain control over their bodies in a way that is both holy and honorable – in sanctification and honour (KJVCRSB). The primary reason God created us was for an intimate relationship with Himself. Actually, intimacy has nothing to do with flesh and blood – it is an issue of the spirit, having to do with knowing another on a deeper level. It is impossible to be sexually immoral with another and have intimacy with that person at the same time. Why? Because sexual sin is lust, which is inherently selfish. Intimacy, however, is based on love, which acts according to the best interest of the other person (CFSLPB).

1 Thessalonians 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: Concupiscence (evil desires). Sinful desire or sexual lust. Paul warned Christians of the dangers of this sin “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” (Col. 3:5) (QNBD). Clearly, one way to avoid sexual impurity is through marriage and a proper understanding of sex as God designed it. Scripture sets marriage apart from the motives, ideas, and values of a world – the Gentiles – that does not know God (KJVCRSB). The Greco-Roman world’s attitude toward sexual conduct was very tolerant in many sectors of society – an attitude that the majority of the Thessalonian believers, as former pagans, also had before their conversion (v. 1:9) (NIVZSB). The Christian is to be different (NIV). The NIV translates lust of concupiscence as passionate lust. Paul’s concern is only immorality (v.6; 1 Co. 7:2, 9). Sexual promiscuity was common among male Gentiles, and Jewish stereotypes of Gentiles featured it heavily. Paul reminds Gentile Thessalonian believers that, having turned to Israel’s God, they are no longer spiritually Gentiles (NIVCBSB).

1 Thessalonians 4:6 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. Paul’s reference to one’s brother is unusual. Essentially every other time he uses the word, he intends it as a synonym for believer. In this context, however, he seems to refer to a fellow human being – either male or female. His message is that inappropriate sexual behavior has victims. Adultery on the part of one spouse betrays the other. Premarital sex robs both parties of the gift of virginity at marriage. And verification of its destructive nature is the fact that God will exact punishment – is the avenger – on all such sins (KJVCRSB). Virtually all societies condemned adultery, sometimes called wife-stealing, although the practice was not uncommon at least among the elite. Biblical law condemned adultery (including intercourse with another’s future spouse) as worthy of death (Dt. 22:13-24). In this period, however, Jewish people punished adultery with divorce and shame (NIVCBSB). Paul gave us two words of instruction for keeping our relationships on the right footing: (PSG p. 72)

Don’t go beyond another person. To “go beyond” is to overreach, to go beyond the boundaries God has established. The wording implies an offence against God. (PSG p. 72). To go beyond is to transgress. In any matter points back to the discussion of sexual purity in verses 3-5 (KJV).
Don’t defraud another person. We take advantage of someone when we exploit the person or the relationship; we’re dishonest in our dealing in order to gain something. This implies an offense against the person (PSG p. 72). To commit a sexual sin is to sin against and defraud a fellow Christian. A sexual transgression is fraud in the sense that it is a form of theft: you take something that does not belong to you. It defrauds both the partner of the illicit relationship as well as a spouse or future spouse who alone has rights in sexual matters (KJV).

1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. Paul goes on to give us two reasons for Christians to abstain from sexual immorality. First is that the Lord (v. 6) will judge the offense. Second is that sexual impurity violates God’s call to holiness (KJV). Another reason for chastity is God’s call to holiness (NIV). Jewish people deemed sexual immorality spiritually defiling, i.e. making one impure rather than holy (cf. Lev 20:21) (NIVCBSB). Paul gives three reasons why believers must live a holy life with regard to their sexual conduct, and each reason involves a different time period and person of the trinity: (NIVZSB).

The future coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to “punish all those who commit such sins (v.6).
The past electing action of God, who “calls us . . . to live a holy life” (v. 7).
The present working of the Holy Spirit, whom “God gives” to empower believers to live a holy life (v. 8).

1 Thessalonians 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given us his holy Spirit. A person should not mix human sexual impurity with God’s holy nature in the holy Spirit, who dwells within the Christian. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Cor. 6:19). Sexual immorality is unique among sins insomuch as it is sin against the body, thus assaulting the sanctity of a believer’s sacred oneness with Christ (sealed by the Holy Ghost which is in you) and the oneness of holy matrimony. The point is that the believer’s body is a sacred vessel, brought with a price by the Son of God (1 Cor. 6:20). Believers thus have no business doing anything with the Lord’s body that does not glorify Him (JKV). Paul’s language here seems to echo Jesus’ words in Luke 10:16 “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me” (KJSB). Still another reason for chastity is that sexual sin in against God, who gives the Holy Spirit to believers for their sanctification. To live in sexual immorality is to reject God, specifically in regard to the Holy Spirit (NIV). Although many streams of ancient Jewish thought emphasized the Spirit’s Biblical role in inspiring the prophets, some also emphasized the Spirit’s Biblical role in purifying God’s people (NIVCBSB). Many people refuse to accept Christ as their savior because they don’t want to live by his commands. They see godly principles as hindering their freedom – not protecting it. But be warned: although the enemy’s temptations may promise immediate pleasure with no penalty, there are always consequences for sinfulness. The Lord’s commands are for our good, and those who reject them deny the very wisdom of God (CFSLPB).

1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. The reference to brotherly and sisterly love (Greek philadelphia) seems to govern the content of these verses (9-12) (KJV) Philadelphia, a Greek word that outside the New Testament almost without exception denoted the mutual love of children of the same father. In the New Testament it always means love of fellow believers in Christ, all of whom have the same heavenly father (NIV). With the root words phileo, “to love,” and adelphos, “brother,” this word philadelphia signifies loving someone like a brother or sister. We might think of it as fraternal affection. This would be why the city of Philadelphia is nicknamed the city of brotherly love. This is not the love God has for us (Greek agapē), but rather love between equals – love between brothers and sisters in Christ. It implies that a familial bond between people who would not otherwise share affection is possible through Christ (KJVWSB). The Greek phrase that is translated as “But as touching” in the KJV is also translated as “Now about” or “Now for” in the NIV and often introduces a change in subject (NIVCBSB). Taught of God – Paul alludes to how Isaiah describes the Messianic age as a time when God will live so intimately among His people through His Spirit that they will no longer need human teachers but will be “taught by the Lord” (Isa. 54:13; cf. Isa.2:3; Jer. 31:33-34; Micah 4:1-3; John 6:45; 1 John 2:27). Paul once again takes “new covenant” language originally describing Israel and applies it to the predominantly Gentile church of Thessalonica (NIVZSB).

1 Thessalonians 4:10 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; These believers already had a good record of loving one another, but Paul desired that love to increase. This was the commandment of Jesus “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one to another.” (John 13:34-35); “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you,” “these things I command you, that ye love one another” (John 15:12, 17) and is an important basis of evangelism. In a world that is filled with self-serving individuals, the genuine love of Christians should attract others to the faith (KJVFSB). Thessalonica was the capital of and largest port in Macedonia (NIVCBSB). As Paul affirmed the Thessalonian Christians, he commented on the reach of their love. Not only did they love one another in their church family, their love reached Christians throughout Macedonia. God had called Paul to establish churches in that region (Acts 16:9-10). In keeping with God’s call, he established churches in Philippi and Berea as well as in Thessalonica (16- 17). His comment suggested that love prompted Thessalonian believers to reach out to these churches (LG p. 77).

1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; Paul is encouraging fellow Christians to lead a quiet life, mind one’s own business, and work with one’s own hands. To do otherwise places a burden of dependence on the community of faith and gives poor testimony to outsiders (2 Thess. 3:7-12). Study literally means “aspire” or “determine.” (KJSB). Those who lead a quiet life do not stir up conflict; they live peacefully, even in the midst of trials. You can’t be walking with God in holiness and be a troublemaker (1 Peter 4:15) (JSB). People often criticized those who sought to remain completely aloof from public life, and Paul does not expect complete withdrawal. Nevertheless, minority groups, such as Jews and Christians, had fewer problems if they remained inconspicuous (NIVCBSB). Work with your own hands: This and 2 Thessalonians 3:11 “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.” suggest that some believers had abandoned their occupations, believing Christ’s second coming was near at hand (KJSB). The Greeks in general thought manual labor degrading and fit only for slaves. Christians took seriously the need for earning their own living, but some of the Thessalonians – those who believed in the imminent return of Christ – were neglecting work and relying on others to support them (NIV). Although the Thessalonian church may have included a few well-to-do benefactors (Acts 17:4, 9), much of the church was probably poor (2 Co. 8:1-2), and, like many towns, Thessalonica had its share of unemployed men simply conversing in the marketplace (Acts 17:5) (NIVCBSB). Usually people who are busy running other people’s affairs – busybodies – do not run their own affairs well. A Christian’s house should be in order as a testimony to others. Study to be quiet: This does not refer to a lack of activity but rather to an inner quietness and peace befitting the Christian faith (2 Thess. 3:12; 1 Tim. 2:11) (KJVFSB). The spirit-filled Christian life should not be characterized by drama and disorder, but by the unfettered peace of God, steadfast self-control and faithfulness to commitments (Gal. 5:22-23). Though the storms of adversity rage in outward circumstances, the believer continues to experience the quiet inward confidence which can only come from the Lord (CFSLPB).

1 Thessalonians 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may lack of nothing. Paul demonstrated this work ethic by providing for his own needs “For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: (travail – the labor pains associated with childbirth [Gen. 38:27] {QNBD}) for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God” (1 Thess. 2:9). Paul preached God’s gospel to the Thessalonians, not taking any financial support but working not to burden them. It was clear that Paul was not in the ministry for the money, and this helped testify to the truth of his message. Paul was a tentmaker by trade (Acts 18:3) (KJV). Lack of nothing: The biblical means of supplying one’s needs is to work. Verses 11 and 12 are important for the Christian work ethic (KJSB). The NIV translates lack of nothing as not being dependent on anybody. Both meanings are true and significant. Christians in need because of their idleness are not obedient Christians (NIV). Some in the Thessalonian church were not working but were living off the generosity of fellow church members. Paul first warned against such idle conduct during his mission-founding visit. He next addresses the problem both here and in 5:14. The problem, however, becomes worse, and so he takes it up for the third time at much greater length in 2 Thess. 3:6-15 (NIVZSB).

References: Fall 2019

(CWB) – Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry Copyright © 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(ETB) – Explore The Book by J. Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with In My Opinion.
(JSB) – The Jeremiah Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by David Jeremiah, Inc. Using The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
(LG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Leader Guide Summer 2019 Unit 2 Session 5
(NIVMEB) – The Ministry Essentials Bible, Copyright © 2014 by Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC. Based on The Holy Bible, New International Version NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NCBD) – Nelson’s Compact Bible Dictionary Copyright © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. with Scripture Quotations from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(NIVBTSB) – The New International Version Biblical Theology Study Bible © 2018 by The Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. previously published as The New International Version Zondervan Study B
(NIVCBSB) – The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. published by The Zondervan Corporation.
(NIVSB) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the New York International Bible Society.
(NIVZSB) – The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible © 2015 by the Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(PSG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Personal Study Guide Spring 2019 Vol. 6, No. 3.
(SEC) – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Dictionaries of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament words. Copyright © 1890 by James Strong. Based on the King James Version of the Bible
(TDNT) – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.