THE FIRST LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS – PART II

CHAPTERS 4 AND 5 - LIVING FOR THE RESURRECTION

I. In chapters 4 and 5, the First Letter to the Thessalonians turns more clearly to instructional matter, with regard to moral and doctrinal issues.

A. The letter had hinted at the need for more instruction by speaking of St. Paul's desire to remedy the deficiencies of the Thessalonians' faith. Here the letter turns to this subject.

II. Chapter 4 begins with the overall theme of this second part of the letter, namely that Christians must conduct themselves so as to please God and follow the instructions of Jesus.

III. Verses 3-8 of chapter 4 then address sexual morality, which would have been a challenge in the pagan world.

IV. Verses 9-12 then turn to mutual charity that God has shown to the Thessalonians and that they are called to show to each other and the world.

- That perfect love of God then informs every other sort of love.

V. The letter goes right from the moral instructions to the doctrinal teaching regarding the resurrection of the dead.

VI. The first part of chapter 5 then describes the implications of this future judgment, warning the faithful always to be prepared, but not to try to calculate the day of this return.

VII. Verses 12 through 22 then speak of the church and prayer life, calling for peace under leadership and then setting forth fourteen instructions in rapid order.

2. The second seven maxims concern the life of prayer and the Spirit.


VIII. The conclusion consists of a benediction that summarizes the main points of the letter and offers final greetings.

B. Verses 25-28 give a farewell along lines St. Paul would generally use elsewhere.