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Selected Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:1 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
1Th 4:1	King James	Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
EXHORTATIONS TO CHASTITY; BROTHERLY LOVE; QUIET INDUSTRY; ABSTINENCE FROM UNDUE SORROW FOR DEPARTED FRIENDS, FOR AT CHRIST'S COMING ALL HIS SAINTS SHALL BE GLORIFIED. (1Th. 4:1-18) Furthermore--Greek, "As to what remains." Generally used towards the close of his Epistles (Eph 6:10; Phi 4:8). then--with a view to the love and holiness (Th1 3:12-13) which we have just prayed for in your behalf, we now give you exhortation. beseech--"ask" as if it were a personal favor. by, &c.--rather as Greek, "IN the Lord Jesus"; in communion with the Lord Jesus, as Christian ministers dealing with Christian people [EDMUNDS]. as ye . . . received--when we were with you (Th1 2:13). how--Greek, the "how," that is, the manner. walk and . . . please God--that is, "and so please God," namely, by your walk; in contrast to the Jews who "please not God" (Th1 2:15). The oldest manuscripts add a clause here, "even as also ye do walk" (compare Th1 4:10; Th1 5:11). These words, which he was able to say of them with truth, conciliate a favorable hearing for the precepts which follow. Also the expression, "abound more and more," implies that there had gone before a recognition of their already in some measure walking so.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

EXHORTATIONS TO CHASTITY; BROTHERLY LOVE; QUIET INDUSTRY; ABSTINENCE FROM UNDUE SORROW FOR DEPARTED FRIENDS, FOR AT CHRIST'S COMING ALL HIS SAINTS SHALL BE GLORIFIED. (1Th. 4:1-18)

Furthermore--Greek, "As to what remains." Generally used towards the close of his Epistles (Eph 6:10; Phi 4:8).

then--with a view to the love and holiness (Th1 3:12-13) which we have just prayed for in your behalf, we now give you exhortation.

beseech--"ask" as if it were a personal favor.

by, &c.--rather as Greek, "IN the Lord Jesus"; in communion with the Lord Jesus, as Christian ministers dealing with Christian people [EDMUNDS].

as ye . . . received--when we were with you (Th1 2:13).

how--Greek, the "how," that is, the manner.

walk and . . . please God--that is, "and so please God," namely, by your walk; in contrast to the Jews who "please not God" (Th1 2:15). The oldest manuscripts add a clause here, "even as also ye do walk" (compare Th1 4:10; Th1 5:11). These words, which he was able to say of them with truth, conciliate a favorable hearing for the precepts which follow. Also the expression, "abound more and more," implies that there had gone before a recognition of their already in some measure walking so.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Furthermore then - Τὸ λοιπὸν To loipon. "As to what remains." That is, all that remains is to offer these exhortations; see the Co2 13:11 note; Gal 6:17 note; Eph 6:10 note; Phi 4:8 note. The phrase is a formula appropriate to the end of an argument or discourse. We beseech you - Margin, "request." The Greek is, "we ask you" - ἐρωτῶμεν erōtōmen. It is not as strong a word as that which follows. And exhort you - Marg, "beseech." This is the word which is commonly used to denote earnest exhortation. The use of these words here implies that Paul regarded the subject as of great importance. He might have commanded them - but kind exhortation usually accomplishes more than a command, By the Lord Jesus - In his name and by his authority. That as ye have received of us - As you were taught by us. Paul doubtless had given them repeated instructions as to their duty as Christians. How ye ought to walk - That is, how ye ought to live. Life is often represented as a journey; Rom 6:4; Rom 8:1; Co1 5:7; Gal 6:16, Eph 4:1. So ye would abound more and more - "That is, follow the directions which they had received more and more fully." Abbott.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Furthermore then - Τὸ λοιπὸν To loipon. "As to what remains." That is, all that remains is to offer these exhortations; see the Co2 13:11 note; Gal 6:17 note; Eph 6:10 note; Phi 4:8 note. The phrase is a formula appropriate to the end of an argument or discourse.

We beseech you - Margin, "request." The Greek is, "we ask you" - ἐρωτῶμεν erōtōmen. It is not as strong a word as that which follows.

And exhort you - Marg, "beseech." This is the word which is commonly used to denote earnest exhortation. The use of these words here implies that Paul regarded the subject as of great importance. He might have commanded them - but kind exhortation usually accomplishes more than a command,

By the Lord Jesus - In his name and by his authority.

That as ye have received of us - As you were taught by us. Paul doubtless had given them repeated instructions as to their duty as Christians.

How ye ought to walk - That is, how ye ought to live. Life is often represented as a journey; Rom 6:4; Rom 8:1; Co1 5:7; Gal 6:16, Eph 4:1.

So ye would abound more and more - "That is, follow the directions which they had received more and more fully." Abbott.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Furthermore (λοιπὸν) Rev. not so well, finally, although the word is sometimes rightly so rendered. The formula is often used by Paul where he attaches, in a somewhat loose way, even in the midst of an Epistle, a new subject to that which he has been discussing.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Furthermore (λοιπὸν)

Rev. not so well, finally, although the word is sometimes rightly so rendered. The formula is often used by Paul where he attaches, in a somewhat loose way, even in the midst of an Epistle, a new subject to that which he has been discussing.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
More and more - It is not enough to have faith, even so as to please God, unless we abound more and more therein.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

More and more - It is not enough to have faith, even so as to please God, unless we abound more and more therein.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
We beseech you, brethren, and exhort - We give you proper instructions in heavenly things, and request you to attend to our advice. The apostle used the most pressing entreaties; for he had a strong and affectionate desire that this Church should excel in all righteousness and true holiness. Please God more and more - God sets no bounds to the communications of his grace and Spirit to them that are faithful. And as there are no bounds to the graces, so there should be none to the exercise of those graces. No man can ever feel that he loves God too much, or that he loves man too much for God's sake.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

We beseech you, brethren, and exhort - We give you proper instructions in heavenly things, and request you to attend to our advice. The apostle used the most pressing entreaties; for he had a strong and affectionate desire that this Church should excel in all righteousness and true holiness.

Please God more and more - God sets no bounds to the communications of his grace and Spirit to them that are faithful. And as there are no bounds to the graces, so there should be none to the exercise of those graces. No man can ever feel that he loves God too much, or that he loves man too much for God's sake.

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