Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church Volume 40

Paul Closes his 1st Letter with one Request plus Final Exhortations

1 Thessalonians 5:25-28 Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. KJV

Paul now concludes this first letter to these believers in the city of Thessalonica with first asking of them a request that he often made of all the Churches that he communicated with and so he says, "Brethren, pray for us." (1 Thessalonians 5:25) (KJV). Despite the fact that these men and women in the Church @ Thessalonica were new believers in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, this did not deter this old war scarred veteran of spiritual warfare with the devil and his minions to humbly request that they lift him up in prayer to our Father in Heaven. Note: "This great Apostle did not think it beneath him to call the Thessalonians brethren, nor to request their prayers. Ministers stand in need of their people's prayers; and the more people pray for their ministers the more good ministers may have from God, and the more benefit people may receive by their ministry." (Matthew Henry).

Paul exhorts them to be loving and affectionate with one another as he declares, "Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss." (1 Thessalonians 5:26) (KJV). The greeting the Apostle Paul exhorts them to with one another was and still is the common way people greet or say hello to one another in the middle east, much like in our country the handshake is customary, common, and courteous method of greeting friends and strangers. Brethren in our Lord Jesus Christ should be welcoming to one another always, for we are in the same spiritual body and we share the same Holy Spirit of God, except for those who are counterfeit (1 John 4:1-3). The Apostle Peter probably declared the meaning best when he wrote this closing to his first Epistle, "Salute one another with a kiss of love [the symbol of mutual affection]. To all of you that are in Christ {Jesus} (the Messiah), may there be peace (every kind of peace and blessing, especially peace with God, and freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts). {Amen (so be it).}" (1 Peter 5:14) (Amplified Bible). Note: "This was the commonly used or practiced salutation for Jewish Rabbis in that day and still is in this day."

Paul wanted his words of instruction and exhortation to minister to everyone in that Church, therefore, he says, "I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren." (1 Thessalonians 5:27) (KJV). The little English phrase 'I charge' is translated by one Greek word horkizo meaning to put on oath, that is, make swear; by analogy to solemnly enjoin: - adjure, charge. In other words, the Apostle Paul is putting them under oath by the Lord Jesus Christ to carry out his command here to them to read this letter to all of the brethren, for it is equivalent to binding persons by an oath. This is a solemn command Paul is giving to the individual or group recepient of the epistle sent to them.

Paul ends this epsitle where he began by declaring these words concerning the grace of God, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." (1 Thessalonians 5:28) (KJV). None can exceed a limit of the grace of Christ, nor can any of us ever have too much of the grace of God, therefore, Paul was always and at all times speaking the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ into the lives of His followers and this closing statement to the Church @ Thessalonica is no exception. Note: "We need no more to make us happy than to know that grace which our Lord Jesus Christ has manifested, be interested in that grace which He has purchased, and partake of that grace which dwells in Him as the Head of the Church. This is an ever-flowing and overflowing fountain of grace to supply all our wants." (Matthew Henry).

"Even Apostles, while acting under an extraordinary mission, and enjoying the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, felt the necessity of the prayers of the faithful. God requires that His people should pray for His ministers; and it is not to be wondered at, if they who pray not for their preachers should receive no benefit from their teaching. How can they expect God to send a message by him, for whom they, who are the most interested, have not prayed? If the grace and Spirit of Christ be not worth the most earnest prayers which a man can offer, they, and the heaven to which they lead, are not worth having." Adam Clarke

"The meaning is, that the Epistle was to be read to the whole Church on some occasion on which it was assembled together. It was not merely designed for the individual or individuals into whose hands it might happen to fall, but as it contained matters of common interest, and was designed for the whole body of believers at Thessalonica, the Apostle gives a solemn charge that it should not be suppressed or kept from them. Injunctions of this kind occurring in the Epistles, look as if the Apostles regarded themselves as under the influence of inspiration, and as having authority to give infallible instructions to the Churches." Albert Barnes

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…