1 Thessalonians 4:1

Furthermore. Gr. loipos, “for the rest,” translated “finally” in 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:8; 2 Thess. 3:1 (see on Phil. 3:1). Paul now turns from prayer to an extended exhortation concerning Christian living.

We beseech. Gr. erdtad (see on Phil. 4:3). Instead of using apostolic authority and issuing commands to his readers, Paul, with tact and humility, entreats them to listen, and addresses them as brethren.

Exhort. Gr. parakaled (see on Matt. 5:4). Paul does not content himself with entreaty. He adds earnest exhortation to his appeal. He had prayed that the Thessalonians might be made ready for the Lord’s coming (ch. 3:12, 13), but prayer alone would not suffice. There was something for them to do. Their part was to heed the instruction given, and, by the Lord’s grace, to act upon it.

By the Lord Jesus. Literally, “in the Lord Jesus” (cf. on Phil. 2:19). Paul was not giving personal opinions or advice, he was writing by divine inspiration. He was exhorting in the name of the Lord, and by His authority. Tactful as this approach is, it bears a strong note of authority, and is calculated to carry great weight with its hearers.

Received of us. Paul reminds his readers of what they had been taught while he was with them (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1; Gal. 1:9; Phil. 4:9). Practical instruction had been given them (cf. 1 Thess. 2:2, 7, 8, 13).

To walk and to please God. That is to walk so as to please Him. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) adding the words “even so also walk,” or “even as ye are also walking,” or “just as you are doing” (RSV). The object of the walking, or living (see on ch. 2:12), should be to gain God’s approval of their conduct (cf. on v. 4). The apostle had taught the Thessalonians to live, not like the Jews in general, who were displeasing to God (v. 15), but rather in accordance with gospel principles, and thus to have divine approval continually.

Abound more and more. The apostle has lofty heights of Christian excellence in view for his converts. He believes they can go far beyond their present achievements (cf. Ed 18). Such confidence in their possibilities would open the hearts of the Thessalonians for the serious admonitions that follow.