Caleb Drahosh \\ Paul says that the Thessalonians should continue to love one another and live lives of everyday faithfulness by living a quiet life, minding one's own affairs, and working with one's hands. We must know and live like every moment we experience, all the work we do, and everything we’ve been given is designed to be applied toward loving one another.

Caleb Drahosh \\ In chapter 4 Paul turns to instruction. Everyday faithfulness includes living in holiness in areas of sexual purity. Following the ways of the world in these matters opposes God's good design and His plan to set people apart for His purposes. We joyfully believe God’s ways are better than our and live according to those ways because of the freedom that we have in Christ in order that we might represent Christ to the world around us.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Paul continues expressing his gratitude to God for the love that the Thessalonians have for one another. And now Paul looks forward: the Thessalonians will be established blameless in holiness when Jesus returns if they continue and increase in faith and love for one another.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Paul loved the Thessalonians. But because he and Silas were forced to flee Thessalonica, he wanted the Thessalonians to know that his love for them was not diminished. He longed to be back with them; they were his joy and glory. The local church is full of brothers and sisters for whom we should feel deep affection and desire to be together in person.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Paul writes that the Thessalonians did not receive the word as the word of men, but as the Word of God. This was evidenced in the way that they suffered. A clear mark of genuinely receiving God's Word is patient endurance in the face of opposition.

John Baumgartner \\ Words are powerful. We can wound with a word and heal with a word. The Ninth Commandment is put in place to protect us from the power of false words. God is the Truth and cannot lie, but in the fallen world humans lie frequently by what we say and by what we leave unsaid. This commandment forbids lies, gossip, slander, and flattery. It also requires us to defend the truth by speaking up against lies.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Paul reminds the Thessalonians of the way he intends to approach them. His aim is not to please man, but God. He didn't come to the Thessalonians flattering them, in a greedy manner, or glory-seeking. Rather, like a gentle mother and an encouraging father, Paul approaches the Thessalonians, calling them to walk in a manner worthy of God.

Caleb Drahosh \\ Paul continues to commend the Thessalonians and in these two verses he highlights their repentance. He writes that they turned from idols to serve God. Repentance is one movement: turning away from sin and turning to God. Their turning to God includes service rendered unto Him and hopeful anticipation of Christ's return.

Caleb Drahosh \\ The Thessalonians followed the example of Paul and Silas, receiving the word with joy in the midst of suffering. Their joyful reception of the gospel became a great witness and example across the region. A church that suffers like Christ suffered is poised for gospel impact in its community.

Caleb Drahosh \\ After expressing gratitude to God for the Thessalonians, Paul assures them of their status as those chosen by God. Paul is fully confident that the message of Jesus Christ was effective in the lives of the Thessalonians because the Holy Spirit was powerfully at work in and among them. The gospel message is much more than just words.