1 Thessalonians 4 · Family Bible Notes
Jesus Christ and his apostles were exceedingly desirous not merely that men should be converted and have a good hope of heaven, but that they should be eminently holy; should not merely be planted as trees of righteousness in the garden of the Lord, but bear much fruit. Joh 15:8.
Possess his vessel ; treat his body as the work and property of God and the habitation of an immortal spirit.
Despiseth ; rejecteth these instructions. Men treat God as they treat the truths of the Bible. Those who disbelieve and reject them, disbelieve and reject him; and those who love and obey them, love and obey him.
Walk honestly ; have a deportment that is honorable and reputable. Without ; without the church; those who do not profess to love Christ. Have lack of nothing ; nothing which is needful for support, comfort, and usefulness. Diligence in lawful useful business is the duty of all men, unless disabled; it is the means by which God ordinarily supplies their wants and enables them to pay their debts, support their families, and be useful to their fellow-men.
Asleep ; asleep in Jesus, who have died in union with Christ by faith, verse 1Th 4:14. Others ; the unenlightened heathen, who have no hope of a resurrection and life of blessedness with Christ in heaven.
Will God bring with him ; raise from the dead in glorious, immortal bodies, so that they as well as those that remain alive at Christ's coming, shall appear with him in glory. 1Co 15:51-54.
Which are alive ; when the Lord shall come to judgment. Shall not prevent ; not go before, or rise to meet the Lord before those do who are dead.
Rise first ; before the living shall be changed. But after the dead in Christ are raised, the living shall be changed, and both ascend together to be for ever with the Lord.