1 Thessalonians 4:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

NIV: And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,

NASB: for indeed you practice it toward all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to excel even more,

CSB: In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers and sisters in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to do this even more,

NLT: Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.

KJV: 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;

NKJV: and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;

The Christians at Thessalonica had spread their love for their fellow believers throughout the province of Macedonia (1 Thessalonians 1:2–10). Their fellow believers lived in Philippi, Berea, and perhaps in other Macedonian cities as well. According to 2 Corinthians 8:1–5, the churches in Macedonia, which would have included the Thessalonian church, contributed selflessly to the relief of distressed Jewish Christians in Judea. So the Thessalonian believers' love had spread as far as Judea. Nevertheless, Paul exhorted the believers at Thessalonica to keep on increasing their love (1 Thessalonians 4:1), and here he encourages them in much the same way.

The act of giving generously to the Lord is encouraged in 2 Corinthians 8. Paul gives a financial report of how the Macedonian churches, which included the church at Thessalonica, had responded to the grace of God by giving generously to the relief of the needy believers in Judea. They had given out of their extreme poverty and did so beyond their means, but more importantly, they had first given themselves to the Lord.

Paul will continue in the following verses to describe how to maintain a good reputation by following God's will.

First Thessalonians 4:9–12 applauds the Thessalonian believers for their love for one another. After this, Paul gives them several exhortations. He exhorts them to increase their love, to lead a peaceful life, to mind their own business, and to be industrious. By heeding these exhortations the believers would establish a good testimony before their non-Christian neighbors, and they would be self-reliant.

Chapter 4 starts with an encouragement for the Thessalonian believers to continue their spiritual growth. Their conduct is exemplary, but they need to seek to do even more. Paul especially emphasizes the importance of sexual purity, as well as the need for believers to live peaceful, polite, and productive lives. Paul then begins to discuss the subject of Christ's return. This begins with a reassurance that believers who have died prior to the return of Christ will be the first ones raised when He comes back for His people. Next will be those still living, all of whom will meet Jesus ''in the air.'' Knowledge of our eternal destiny should be encouraging!

Chapters 1—3 had a lot to say about the good reputation of the Thessalonian church. Chapter 4 begins to address points Paul wants to clarify. First of these is the need to grow in good works, and to avoid immoral living. Paul then begins to explain ''the rapture'': the moment when Christ will retrieve believers from this earth. Paul's explanation seems to be intended to dispel rumors. In the final chapter, Paul will further explain the nature of the ''day of the Lord,'' correcting what might have been said by false teachers.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.