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Daily Devotions

1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 
Day 
Day 36

"We urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus..."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1

DEEP DEVOTION TO MINISTRY

Though Paul was the writer of the Thessalonian epistles, consistently he included his fellow-worker, Silas and others who ministered alongside. Hence he would employ the plural personal pronoun, “we” in his letter. Paul and Silas were deeply committed to the preaching of the gospel of Christ. They were as deeply devoted to teaching and encouraging the brethren to walk faithfully with the Lord.

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Paul and Silas knew from personal experience what it was to feel discouraged under difficult circumstances. They lived in an age where there was little religious tolerance. Christians were persecuted badly in the first century. Thus they were deeply committed to a ministry of encouragement.

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus
that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us
how you ought to walk and to please God.”

1 Thessalonians 4:1

1. “Finally then”

a) The word translated “finally” may be translated in other ways.
b) These words were not the final words of 1 Thessalonian epistle.
c) The word in Greek is “loipos” and it has a variety of applications.
i) It may mean “finally”.
ii) It could also be translated as “the remaining matters”.
d) This was Paul’s way of making reference to “other matters”.

2. “Brethren, we urge and exhort you in the Lord Jesus”

a) The word “brethren” was used to portray a close relationship between Paul and the Thessalonians.
b) “We urge”
i) The word “urge” is the regular word for “pleading”.
ii) It is a word that is used often in prayer when we plead with the Lord to bless.
c) “Exhort”
i) This word is a regular word for “encouragement”.
ii) Combined together, the phrase is used to make a strong sense of appeal.
d) “In the Lord Jesus”
i) The name of the Lord Jesus was used for impact.
ii) The Lord Jesus is borne in mind.
iii) Paul employed the name of the Lord Jesus with a great sense of authority.

This was not just a personal word of encouragement. He spoke on behalf of the Lord!