1 THESSALONIANS 4:9-12 - LOVE ABUNDANTLY AND WORK EXCELLENTLY

1 THESSALONIANS 4:9-12 (KJV)

LOVE ABUNDANTLY AND

WORK EXCELLENTLY

1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Paul did not need to review the need to love one another in the familyship of God.  The scripture, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit within each of them had that covered.

1 Thessalonians 4:10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

The love the Thessalonians lavished on people was extended state-wide. They showed brotherly love, not only within their own congregation, but to believers throughout the Roman province of Macedonia.  Paul encouraged them to be increasingly loving to all believers, allowing their love to overflow.  The law is fulfilled by love.

Matthew 22:36-40 (KJV) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of love within the family of God when He said:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35)

1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Paul urged the Thessalonians to be diligent rather than lazy and to earn their own keep. They were not to be stirring up trouble, but to mind their own business. They were to work hard and live above reproach, not giving outsiders (non-believers) anything that could be used against them.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 (NIV) For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

1 Thessalonians 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

The Thessalonians were to work hard, be honest, be trustworthy, and to pay their own way.  By doing honest labor, they would not be needy nor dependent on anyone else. They would not leave themselves open to false accusations.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you believe Christians today are “known by their love”? Why? Or Why not?

2. Why is it important for God’s people to exhibit a good work ethic?