Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [1 Thessalonians: Chapter 4].
(\a\ privative and verbal of \tith•mi\, to proscribe a thing, to
annul it.) {But God} (\alla ton theon\). Paul sees this clearly
and modern atheists see it also. In order to justify their
licentiousness they do not hesitate to set aside God.
4:9 {Concerning love of the brethren} (\peri t•s philadelphias\).
Late word, love of brothers or sisters. In profane Greek (one
papyrus example) and LXX the word means love of those actually
kin by blood, but in the N.T. it is the kinship in the love of
Christ as here. {Are taught by God} (\theodidaktoi este\). Only
here and ecclesiastical writers. Passive verbal adjective in
\-tos\ from \didask•\ as if \theo-\ in ablative case like
\didaktoi theou\ (Joh 6:45). {To love one another} (\eis to
agap•in all•lous\). Another example of \eis to\ and the
infinitive. Only those taught of God keep on loving one another,
love neighbours and even enemies as Jesus taught (Mt 5:44).
Note the use of \agapa•\, not \phile•\.
4:10 {Ye do it} (\poieite auto\). The \auto\ refers to \to
agap•in all•lous\ (to love one another). Delicate praise.
4:11 {That ye study to be quiet} (\philotimeisthai h•suchazein\).
First infinitive dependent on \parakaloumen\ (verse 10, we
exhort you), the second on \philotimeisthai\ (old verb from
\philotimos\, fond of honour, \philos, tim•\). The notion of
ambition appears in each of the three N.T. examples (1Th 4:11;
2Co 5:9; Ro 5:20), but it is ambition to do good, not evil. The
word ambition is Latin (_ambitio_ from _ambo, ire_), to go on
both sides to accomplish one's aims and often evil). A preacher
devoid of ambition lacks power. There was a restless spirit in
Thessalonica because of the misapprehension of the second coming.
So Paul urges an ambition to be quiet or calm, to lead a quiet
life, including silence (Ac 11:18). {To do your own business}
(\prassein ta idia\). Present infinitive like the others, to have
the habit of attending to their own affairs (\ta idia\). This
restless meddlesomeness here condemned Paul alludes to again in
2Th 3:11 in plainer terms. It is amazing how much wisdom people
have about other people's affairs and so little interest in their
own. {To work with your own hands} (\ergazesthai tais chersin
hum•n\). Instrumental case (\chersin\). Paul gave a new dignity
to manual labour by precept and example. There were "pious"
idlers in the church in Thessalonica who were promoting trouble.
He had commanded them when with them.
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