1 Thessalonians 4:6-10
 
1 Th 4:6 (KJB)
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
 
Go beyond - Transgress
Defraud - Take advantage of or exploit
Avenger - The one who punished or adjures
Testified - Confirmed or charged
 
Not only are the brethren to abstain from all types of fornication but they must not transgress God’s law of loving the brethren and take advantage of them in any other matter also. Christians must be honest and forthright in their dealings with other believers in all areas and that includes business and family. In fact, the Christian needs to be honest with all people, unbelievers included. For we never know that an unbeliever today may be a believer tomorrow. If Christians continue to go beyond and transgress God’s law concerning other Christians, then God will be the one who will be the avenger and if God sees a Christian committing wrong, He will chastise that believer until they come to repentance concerning their sin. In order for these Christians to escape any punishment like that, Paul had forewarned them about this. If they remain in sanctification, they have nothing to worry about but if they fall prey to a sin, then they have much to fear because the chastising hand of God will follow them.
 
1 Th 4:7 (KJB)
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
 
Uncleanness - Ritual impurity or immorality
 
Paul now charges them straightly that God has not called us to be unclean but to be holy. They were not to engage in any of the sins they partook in while they were unbelievers, no matter what the prevailing flesh satisfying religion was among the unbelievers. God has called us to be holy and that word “holy” carries with it the same meaning as “sanctification” that we are set apart from the world unto the Lord and we are to be separate from the world system. Our calling is higher than a leader of a country because we are sons and daughters of the God of the universe. It is nice that Paul includes himself in that exhortation because he knows that he too is in the flesh and if the flesh rules, even for a moment, then he too could be in serious trouble. He did admit that he was troubled in the flesh, see Romans 7:14-25
 
1 Th 4:8 (KJB)
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
 
Despiseth - Set or sets aside
 
If a person rejects the calling of holiness in their life and they are sinning. They are not sinning against man but they are sinning against God. (Psa 51:4 KJV) Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. David knew that principle that his sin with Bathsheba was not against Uriah, but it was ultimately against God. Here is a good example of defrauding one another as David transgressed against Uriah by committing adultery with his wife and then ultimately having him killed. Whenever we commit a sin, even one that looks extremely small to us (yet even a small sin can keep a person out of Heaven), we too are sinning against God because He has placed the Holy Spirit within us and by sinning, we are grieving the Holy Spirit. (Eph 4:30 KJV) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit was given to us so we may progress in sanctification and if we sin, then it is like we are setting Him aside, like the fool in Proverbs who sets aside the wisdom of God and proceeds to get into trouble.
 
1 Th 4:9 (KJB)
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
 
Touching - Concerning
 
Paul knew that the testimony of the Thessalonians had shown that they were already practicing brotherly love toward one another. He was not mentioning it because he thought they were not loving each other but he mentioned it stating that he didn‘t have to write anything concerning that subject. Family ties in Roman and Greek times were between blood brothers, in other words, the family ties were only relation based. The Family of God has a much stronger bond than just being related. We are bound together by the blood of Christ, we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit, and we have God as our Father. With the entire Trinity working on our behalf, the love toward one another will become almost a natural thing. When one Christian meets another, there is almost instant kinship because the spirit in them witnesses with the spirit in us. In this way Christian brotherly love is all from God and will be manifest in our lives.
 
1 Th 4:10 (KJB)
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;
 
We beseech - We urge
 
The Thessalonians were not selective in who they showed brotherly love to. Not only did they show it to their own, but they showed it to all the brethren in all of Macedonia. We can see why Paul’s joy was so filled with these believers because their testimony of evangelism and brotherly love was one which was without city borders. They showed love to all the brethren and they evangelized who they could. They showed tremendous maturity as they evangelized and discipled. Even though their love was indeed being felt all over Macedonia, Paul was hoping that their love increased and if it increased, then it would be felt far beyond Macedonia. Paul had great desire to see it spread to the entire Roman Empire. This is also a great missions principle. When we support missions that go into other countries, our love for the brethren and future brethren is beyond the borders of where we live. As we continue to support missions, we will increase our outreach more and more.

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