1 Thessalonians

Chapter 4

vs 11

Man, this verse has frustrated me to know end. As far as I can tell, the translation of the word "business" is completely confused. Of course, 'business' is one of these words that can mean eleven different things according to the dictionary. So what do PS&T mean here when they say "mind your own business"? Do they mean "work to ensure the future of your business enterprise" or "continue in your specific occupation" or "watch the amount of commercial trade"? Do they mean the more colloquial "mind your own personal matters" (as in "It's none of my business")?

What I can tell you is that nowhere in the greek does any form of any word that means or is ever translated "business" exist. What does the greek say? "Practise your own things". Ok, so they were vague. You've got to assume that the term "mind your own business" is the colloquial - that is, don't stick your nose in where it's not wanted.

What does "to be quiet" mean? Perhaps they were talking to the women? (Dont' get me started on that one). It actually means "to rest from labour" or to "not run around like a headless chook".

"Work with your..." - at least that's accurate. This is the same word PS&T use to describe their work day and night to not be a burden to the Thessalonians, so I think you're safe in thinking it's about working to sustain your life.

"...own hands." Ok, to give you an idea what the term "hand" means here - this term is almost exclusively used in talking about the "Hand (or Hands) of God". This greek word (its root is cheir) does not mean hands. Not even remotely. Even its root word doesn't have anything to do with hands (it means to pour - the term for winter storm in greek comes from the same root "pouring rain").

So the next person who tells me that PS&T in 1 Thessalonians is advocating physical labour type work with "your hands" is going to be in for a shock - PS&T are basically saying here "work with whatever it is you have that you can work with". IT'S OK TO USE YOUR BRAIN TO SERVE GOD! Far out, as if God is going to say something so specific like "you must serve me with your hands - if you can't do something dexterous, you're out of the kingdom". I'm glad God has more foresight than translators.

So, when you read this verse, you should read something like "Strive eagerly not run around like a headless chook, but to keep your cool. Do that thing that you do (or keep your nose out of people's affairs) and support yourself for living by whatever means God has given you, just like we told you". Of course, a lot of those words aren't in the greek - but then, neither is "business" or "hands".

vs 12

The reason you do these things (once you finally understand what you're meant to do - thankfully the people who got the letter first wouldn't have had this problem) is so that your life is attractive to those who don't have it. "Quiet" in the last verse didn't mean "don't attract attention" it meant "don't work yourself to death". People will notice, and want, the life you have when you just calmly go through difficult situations, instead running from side to side, bumping into things and screaming alot as if the USS Enterprise just got hit by Klingons.

"Not be dependent on anybody" is a crappy translation. Methinks the translators had something against dole bludgers. The KJV "that you may have lack of nothing" is far more literal. It's the need of nothing that is key, not the dependence. After all, what about the widows and orphans the church is meant to look after?

vs 13

Ok, now we get onto what the Thessalonian letters are known for - eschatology. So PS&T's concern here is that the people of Thessalonica don't grieve for those who have died as if they were pagans who had no hope.

vs 14

Our hope in this regard is based on Jesus being brought back from the dead by God. If God has done it for Jesus, then he can do it for Christians too. Now look at this, because it's interesting - the Thessalonians, who PS&T have praised so much, and love so dearly, don't even have a good understanding of the end times! They may very well have thought that if you died before Christ returned, it was too late for you, and you weren't going to heaven! But PS&T don't berate them for it - they just correct them.

vs 15

Those who have died are actually before we who are still alive, or who will still be alive when the Lord returns. Not in an ancestor worship kind of way (or a saints praying to sort of way). You can trust this, because Jesus said it himself.

vs 16

PS&T obviously know something we don't (well, we do now because we've read it). I'm not sure why an archangel has to be there, but it would seem it is to announce him (with voice and perhaps trumpet).

vs 17

Only after that will those still alive be taken up. I'm not going to start on a whole pre-, post-, non-millenial argument here. Sufficed to say that the Bible says what it says here. The dead will be raised, there will be some still alive, and those together will end up meeting in the air somehow. And then they'll be with the Lord forever.

vs 18

This verse is very important!!!! Look how many exclaimation marks I used and beware. So often at funerals and so on we say "Oh, he's with the Lord now" or "She's been called home to be with Christ". Now, whether those things are true or not in some way I'm not going to argue about. No, instead, I want to point to the clear advice of PS&T - encourage each other with the fact that one day, we will all be caught up together and live with the Lord forever. The bodily ressurection is of so much vital importance to Christianity. This whole "our souls go to heaven" stuff is bordering on gnostic heresy. What happens to our souls in between dying and Christ's return? 1 Thessalonians doesn't make it clear. But it does make clear that our hope is based on the return of Christ, and our bodily ressurection - so keep that in mind.