Summary 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4

Summary for Ch 4:1-8

 This is chock-a-block full of all sorts of very significant issues.

• Moral code
• Debauchery tirade; brought up, dropped, brought up again.
• Debauchery seems to be the point Paul most likes to emphasize, and where he got this from is difficult to say.  As a Pharisee?  From John the Baptist? Neither seems likely.
• Holiness is equated with refraining from debauchery.  A fairly narrow definition.  It almost seems like, once he hits the topic, he goes off on a rant.
• Social justice: don’t take more than your share
•  Especially: Paul got his instructions directly from Jesus.  The point is almost lost among all the fulminating against debauchery, but it may be the most significant point in these 8 verses.

Summary Ch 4:9-18

• Brotherly love that is God-taught.  Whatever that means.
• “Strive to be quiet”, or “be quiet to strive for honour”?  They are not entirely the same thing.  Which is the action, and which is the result?
• Zen moment.
• The Dead. The Parousia.
• Jesus rose, or God raised Jesus?  1:9 vs. 4:14.
• Apocalyptic imagery.  Jesus coming from the sky. Angels with trumpets, joining Jesus on the clouds.  The dead will rise—how does this affect Jesus rising in V-14?
• From the sky
• Into the clouds
• Parousia—is it imminent?
• Pastoral message of love