Thought On This Chapter
1THESS 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any
man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
In Christianity there is no room for, "but he did it to
me first". You cannot find justification for doing evil to someone even if
they did it to you first. We are not to get even. The but they have
it coming argument carries no weight. Neither does the but you don't know
what they did to me argument. We are not to render evil for evil
regardless of the hurt or the circumstances. Instead we are to always
follow that which is good. And then comes the declaration that we are to
do this both to Christians and to all men.
Following good would include appropriate judgment and
proper punishment. Turning a blind eye to evil is not good.
Here is an extreme example. If someone does the evil of rape, it would not
be good to ignore that and let them go. That needs to be punished.
Executing proper justice is NOT returning evil for evil.
Verse 15 is not talking about forgoing justice.
It is about doing wrong for the sake of revenge. If someone does us wrong,
we are not to do wrong back. And if the evil done us is something small
(like gossip), then give it to the Lord and let it go. If the evil is of a
type that demands justice, then let justice be done, but it needs to be good and
honorable justice.
1THESS 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any
man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Thought On This Chapter
1THESS 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.
I think that this has been the plea of every preacher
and missionary that ever lived. It certainly is something that I have
heard from every missionary that came and presented his work. It is not
some thing that they say because it is expected. No they ask us to pray
because they need prayer. They understand that they can not do the work.
God actually has to do the work. They can spend their whole lives laboring
but if they don't rely upon God then nothing will really get accomplished.
They understand that it is God's plan for us to pray and ask God to empower the
work. They understand that God does answer prayer. They have a heart
for the people they are ministering to and they want God to do a work in the
hearts of the people. They want to see souls saved, and then follow Jesus.
They want to see people grow in the Lord. They love people and they love
their Lord. They want to do a work for Him and they know it will not
happen unless people are praying. God is honored in the answering, the
question is are we asking enough. Are we heeding the request of
missionaries. Are we praying for them like we should?
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King James Bible Main Index:
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1 Thessalonians 5 |
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
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1THESS 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1THESS 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1THESS 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1THESS 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1THESS 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1THESS 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1THESS 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1THESS 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1THESS 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1THESS 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1THESS 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1THESS 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1THESS 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1THESS 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
1THESS 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1THESS 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
1THESS 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1THESS 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1THESS 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
1THESS 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
1THESS 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1THESS 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1THESS 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1THESS 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
1THESS 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.
1THESS 5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
1THESS 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
1THESS 5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
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Thought on this Chapter
1THESS 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day
of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
Stop and think about verse two before you go on.
The day of the Lord is talking about Jesus coming back. It clearly says
that it will come as a thief in the night. How does a thief come in the
night? He comes unannounced. The thief does not phone ahead and let
you know when he is coming. You do not know the thief is coming until he
is there and you hear him. That is the way that Jesus is coming back.
He will come without warning at a time when you think not. No man knows
the hour.
1THESS 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety;
then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child;
and they shall not escape.
Again in verse 3 you see the suddenness of His coming.
1THESS 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that
that day should overtake you as a thief.
The saved know that He is coming back. We do not
know the hour, but it will not be a surprise to us whenever it is. Verse 4
does NOT teach that we will know the day that He comes back. It only
teaches that we will not be surprised by it, because we are to be watching.
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