1 Thessalonians 5

… give thanks in all circumstances (see Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:17; 4:2 and comments).

To be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances—this is God’s will for [us] in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not put out the (Holy) Spirit’s fire (see Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit is like afire (Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:3-4). We must not put out that fire! What puts out the fire? Sin. Sin always puts out the fire of the Spirit in our lives. And what makes the fire burn more brightly? Joy, prayer, and thanksgiving (verses 16-18).

There is a second meaning to this verse. The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to men (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). We must use the gifts the Spirit gives to us. If we fail to use them, we will put out the Spirit’s fire.

20-21 Some of the Thessalonian believers had been given the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1,3). But others in the church were not heeding these PROPHECIES. Thus Paul admonishes the Thessalonians not to treat prophecies with contempt.

However, they must not automatically accept every prophecy; it is first necessary to weigh and examine each prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:29; 1 John 4:1). Today we also must weigh and examine each prophecy we hear or read by comparing it to what is written in the Bible. If the prophecy is in agreement with Biblical teachings, then we can be sure that the prophecy is from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit never does anything that opposes God’s written word, the Bible.

There is a second meaning of the word prophecies, as it is used in this verse: namely, preaching. We must not treat with contempt the sermons we hear preached. Even if the preacher’s manner doesn’t please us, or even if we’ve learned nothing new, we still must respectfully heed his words.

22 Avoid every kind of evil (see Romans 1:29-31; Galatians 5:19-21: Ephesians 4:31; 5:3-4 and comments).

23 God’s people must be holy. But here in this verse we see that it is God Himself who makes us holy, or “sanctifies” us. We cannot sanctify ourselves by our own efforts. We need the help and power of God’s Holy Spirit to become holy (see Philippians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:13 and comments).

Our whole spirit, soul and body must be kept blameless. Paul’s meaning is that every part of our lives, every part of us—spirit, soul and body—must remain holy.

Some Christian scholars believe that this verse teaches that man is made up of three distinct parts: spirit, soul, and body. Our spirit is that part of us which has direct contact and fellowship with God (Romans 8:16). Our soul is that part of us from which our feelings, thoughts, and desires arise. Sin also arises in the soul (James 1:1415). The Bible often calls the soul the “heart” or the “mind.” Then, the third part, our body, is the physical part of us. Our body is under the direction of our spirit and soul; whatever our spirit and soul say to do, that will our body do (Romans 6:13).

In order for us to be fully holy and healthy in God’s sight, all three parts of our lives must be holy and healthy. It does little good to take medicine to make our body well, if our soul is sick with sin and our spirit is separated from God. In fact, our physical body is the least important part of us; it is much more important that our spirit and soul be healthy, because they are the parts of us that will remain forever. We don’t need healthy bodies to enter heaven! (see Mark 9:43-48).

24 God has chosen us to be holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4). He has called us to live a holy life (1 Thessalonians 4:7). God is faithful. He will surely complete the work He has begun in us (see Numbers 23:19; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6; 2:13; Jude 24-25 and comments).

25-27 See Romans 16:16 and comment.

28 See 1 Corinthians 16:23 and comment.

¹ The two most important things are faith and love (see Galatians 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 3:6 and comments). The third most important thing is hope.

² Achaia was the southern province of Greece. Thus Macedonia and Achaia together made up most of the country of Greece.

³ In some versions of the Bible, this reference to apostles is included as part of verse 6.

⁴ In place of the words control his own body, some versions of the Bible say, “learn to live with his own wife,” or “learn to acquire a wife.” The original Greek text can mean any of these things; it is not certain how it should be translated. However, no matter which translation is used, Paul’s meaning is essentially the same: a man must control his sexual impulses. God has given us a natural way to do this: namely, to acquire a wife and learn to live with her in mutual consideration and respect (1 Peter 3:7).

⁵ In place of the word punish, some versions of the Bible say “avenge,” which is the literal translation of the Greek text. The meaning is the same.