A Study in 1 Thessalonians: Final Thoughts (1 Thessalonians 5:12-24)
In this lesson we will look at the final thoughts that Paul had for the Thessalonians. When we started this study we stated that First Thessalonians is a good book for people that just got saved to read. This is shown to us once again in the closing verses. Paul gives a charge in verse 27 which states, “I charge you by the Lord the epistle be read unto all the holy brethren”. Therefore as we look at his final thoughts for the First Thessalonians we will break them up into 3 sections.
The 3 sections for Paul’s final thoughts are as follows:
1) Commands in regards to others (verses 12-15)
2) Commands in regards to you personally (verses 16-22)
3) God’s part (verses 23-24)
Commands in regards to others:
The commands in regards to others can be broken into two groups. The first one is those who are over you in the Lord. The second one is other brethren.
1) Those over you in the Lord.
- These would be the authorities that God has placed in our lives. This would include parents, teachers, pastors etc.
- We are told 3 things in regards to the commands concerning them that are over us in the Lord. First to know them, second to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake. And last of all to be at peace among yourselves.
- 1 Timothy 5:17 and Hebrews 13:17 are good verses for this passage.
2) The other brethren.
- Warn the unruly. Proverbs 19:23 will apply to warning those who will listen and those who will not listen.
- Comfort the feebleminded. This would be the members of the body that might not be as strong as the others but according to 1 Corinthians 12:22 they are just as needed.
- Support the weak. Romans 15:1-3 is a good cross reference for this verse.
- Be patient toward all. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 is a great cross reference here.
Commands in regards to you personally:
These are simple commands but very hard to do all of the time. But if we could learn to follow these simple commands then living for God would be a whole lot easier.
1) Rejoice evermore (verse 16)
- See Philippians 4:4
2) Pray without ceasing (verse 17)
- This does not means pray every hour you are awake, but be in constant communication with God.
3) Give thanks in everything (verse18)
- Note that this is part of the will of God for your life.
4) Quench not the Spirit (verse 19)
- See Ephesians 4:30-31
5) Despise not prophesying (verse 20)
6) Prove all things, hold fast that which is good (verse 21)
- This is accomplished by the word of God working in our lives as we read it daily and pray. Note Hebrews 5:12-14.
7) Abstain from all appearance of evil (verse 22)
- This is a great verse because it shows us that something does not have to be wrong to not do it, it just has to look wrong. If it looks wrong whether it is wrong or not we should simply not do it.
God’s part:
In verses 23-24 we see that God wants to help us with these things. And that he is faithful to do it.
In closing the letter Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray for him and those who were with him. We should do the same and pray for one another and help one another in regards to these final thoughts.
A Study in 1 Thessalonians
Final Commands (1 Thessalonians 5:12-24)
Handout
1) What are the 3 sections that we will break Paul’s final thoughts into for this lesson.
2) What are the two groups that are used in the section on others?
3) What is the command in regards to those over us in the Lord?
4) What are the commands in regards to the other brethren?
5) What are the commands in regards to ourselves?
6) What is God’s part?