A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold is as pictures of silver.(Prov.25:11) It is so important to speak the right words to people at the right time to produce the right results. When you think of apples of gold in pictures of silver, then you are thinking of wealth and excellence. When we speak wisdom into the lives of others we are making them wealthy. Therefore we must seek God for He is the source of all wisdom and He will give us just the right words needed at the right time.
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#And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, And be at peace among yourselves. I Thessalonians 5:13
The Greek word for esteem is Hegeomai which means to lead, suppose, judge, or think. Figuratively to deem, I.e. considering having rule over. So Paul is saying to think of them very highly and to be at peace among yourselves. Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to walk in love. For love covers a multitude of sins.
#And we beseech you, Brethren, to know them which labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you; I Thessalonians 5:12
The Greek word for admonish is Noutheteo which means to exhort from the same as Nouthesia; to put in mind, i.e. (by implication) to caution or reprove gently according to Plato, Aristophanes and others. So Paul is telling the Thessalonians to remember those men who are laboring among them, that exhort and warn you. We must treat our ministers better because it is hard to preach the gospel we are on the front lines of the battle. We use to sing the hymn " I am on the battlefield for my Lord" That is such an appropriate hymn for I promised Him that I would serve Him until I die. That is why we must remember them and reward them with double honor for their service to the Church. I pray that as we get closer to the coming of the Lord that parishioners will realize that greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for the sheep. That is what Jesus did for us, and He told us to do it for one another.
#Wherefore comfort yourselves and edify one another, even as you do. I Thessalonians 5:11
The Greek word for Edify is Oikodomeo which means to build a house. from the same as Oikodome; to be a house-builder; i.e. Construct or (figuratively) embolden. A perfect infinitive for building a house or erecting a building. Paul is using these words as a master builder of the church and telling the Thessalonians to build one another up in their most holy faith in the body of Christ. Jesus is the Head and cornerstone of the Church and He told Peter on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not overcome it. We are to encourage one another as Christian brothers and sisters. So walk in the light as He is in the Light and fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from all ungodliness.
#Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. I Thessalonians 5:10
The Greek word for Wake is Gregoreo which means to be awake or to watch. From Epeiro; to keep awake, i.e. (literally or figuratively) be vigilant. In the aorist tense to have been aroused from sleep. As sleep is often equivalent to dying. so once it means to live or be alive on earth. So Paul is telling us that Christ who died for us will wake us when He comes from death, or whether we are alive on the earth. So that we will live forever with Him in heaven when He comes for us. Our prayers of thanksgiving that no one lost their lives in the tornado outbreak that took place in Pasadena, and Deerpark Texas. Climate change is causing tornado allies to change to the south as meteorologists have been dynamic in warning us about these storms that normally come in the springtime, yet we are having them in the winter. Christmas was very cold this year and we must stay on our guard for Christ to return for us at a time when we think not. So whether it is cold or hot let us be ready for the glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus in the air.
#For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:9
The Greek word for wrath is Orge meaning impulse from Oregomai; properly (as a reaching forth or the excitement of the mind) i.e. (by analogy) violent passion by implication punishment, indignation, and vengeance. The tribulation is a time of vengeance on all those who rejected the Lord Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior. Therefore, we are not the ones appointed to wrath, but unto salvation due to our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why He told the Church of Philidelphia that He would keep them from the hour of trial that will come upon the world. So we have the promise of not going through the tribulation. Jesus said in this world we will have tribulation, but to be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. The purpose of the great tribulation as it is called in the Old Testament a time of Jacob's trouble is to purge this world of sin and bring in everlasting righteousness through the reign of Jesus Christ as King of kings, and Lord of Lords. Then to bring Israel back into a covenant relationship to inherit the Kingdom He promised David. So this is why we must look up for our redemption draweth nigh. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
#But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. I Thessalonians 5:8
The Greek word for the breastplate is Thorax of uncertain affinity; the chest, i.e. (by implication) a corselet is consisting of two parts and protecting the body on both sides from the neck to the middle according to Homer, Plato and others. The Greek word for Helmet is Peirkephalaia; an encirclement of the head, i.e. A helmet a dropping figure, the protection of the soul which consists in the hope of salvation. Paul used this colloquialism in Ephesians 6:10 for Christians to put on the full armor of God so that they could stand against all the wiles of the devil. When we do this we will be successful in living the Christian life.
#For they that sleep, sleep in the night and that be drunken are drunken in the night. I Thessalonians 5:7
The Greek word for drunken is Methyo from another form of Methe; to drink to intoxication, i.e. Get drunk. The Bible tells us that wine is a mocker strong drink is raging whosoever consumes therefore is foolish. So Paul is telling the Thessalonians to be sober and not drink to the point of intoxication for those who do that are of the night and not of the day. Jesus told us that just before His coming it will be as the days of Noah, for they ate, drank, and married until the flood took them all away. This is a warning to all of us to stay sober and be the children of light that we are called to be so that there will be room for Jesus in the Inn. At Christmas, there was no room for Jesus in the Inn because the people were not expecting Him to come. Therefore be ye also ready for in such a time as ye think not that He will come.
#Therefore let us not sleep, as do others but let us watch and be sober. I Thessalonians 5:6
The Greek word for sober is Nepho which means to abstain from wine, i.e. be discreet and watch, an aorist imperative according to Sophocles. everywhere tropically, to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, and circumspect. When you see therefore in a verse it is telling you everything that was said before, as about sleep. In this context, it is talking about being awake and not spiritually dead. Do not be drunk with wine, but be ye filled with the spirit. That is what he means by being sober. Just as wine controls you when you are drunk, the Holy Spirit will control you when you are filled. God is not against us drinking wine, for Paul told Timothy to drink a little for his stomach's sake. So as long as it is done in moderation it is ok. The important thing is to be filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit and walk in love, kindness, joy, self-control, patience, faith, and meekness. These are the fruits of the Spirit that will manifest themselves in us when we are sober. So go to church and fellowship with other believers being sober and righteous in all your ways so that God will be glorified in everything that you do.
#Ye are all the children of light and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. I Thessalonians 5:5
The Greek word for the night is Nyx a primary word for midnight. In the bible, we are told to work while it is the day, for when the night comes no man can work. John 9:4 Therefore as children of the light and of the day we must be about our Heavenly Father's business which is to seek out to save the lost. We were told about the parable of the ten virgins five were wise and five were foolish. The wise purchased oil for their lamps, which is symbolic of the Holy Spirit infilling, and the foolish waited till it was too late to purchase and were left behind at the midnight call. Brothers and sisters the clock is about to turn to midnight as the signs of the times are all around us. Gabriel is about to blow his horn, so make sure that there is enough oil in your lamps when the Lord does return. He will reward the wise virgins for being ready for his coming. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Do not worry about tomorrow for the troubles of today are sufficient. Consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air for our Heavenly Father provides for them, and how much greater are we than they? So go to the merchants and buy oil for your lamps so that when the midnight call comes you will be ready to meet the Lord Jesus in the air. As little children have that child-like faith and believe every word of the Lord is true.
#But ye brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. I Thessalonians 5:4
The Greek word for darkness is Skotos from the base of Skia; shadiness, i.e. Obscurity (literally or figuratively) darkness from Homer. So Paul is telling the brethren that we as Christians are not appointed or walking in darkness or obscurity, that that day should overtake you as a thief. We know that a thief always comes unannounced, and the Lord Jesus and the prophets have told you about the Day of the Lord coming in such a manner, for there will be multitudes in the valley of decisions. We are seeing a repeat of the debt limit debacle of 2011 and politicians are walking as blind men. It is time for us to pray for our leaders that they will do the right thing for the American people and not destroy the currency. It is high time for us to put off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. For our, God is a consuming fire and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. We look forward to the Day when the Government will be on His shoulders and He shall rule with a rod of iron. We just celebrated Christmas and when Jesus comes in the second Advent He will come as the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. He will separate the nations as sheep from goats. So pray for those in authority as society is falling apart due to the political partisanship that is taking place. United Methodist churches are divided into the LGBTQ. Jesus is coming back for a Church without spots or blemishes. The Church is the pillar and ground for the truth. So let us walk in unity as children of the light and realize the church is a hospital for the sick. Therefore, let us love the sinners and hate the sin preaching the truth that sets men and women free.