The verse "For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 4:2) means that the Thessalonian Christians were already aware of the specific teachings and commands that Paul and his companions had delivered to them. These instructions originated from and were authorized by Jesus Christ himself.
Here's a breakdown:
"For you know...": This indicates a shared understanding and established knowledge between Paul and the Thessalonians. He isn't introducing something entirely new.
"...what instructions we gave you...": This refers to specific directives, commands, and moral guidelines. It suggests a body of teachings beyond just general evangelistic preaching. Think practical advice on how to live a Christian life.
"...through the Lord Jesus.": This is the crucial part. It emphasizes that these instructions weren't Paul's personal opinions, but rather teachings that had their authority and source in Jesus Christ. This means:
Indirectly, through the apostles: The apostles, including Paul, were entrusted with communicating and interpreting Jesus's teachings after his ascension. They had seen and heard Jesus. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit to understand and apply his teachings. Therefore, the instructions, even if not directly quoting Jesus word-for-word, were consistent with his spirit and intentions. Paul is saying that he's passing along what Christ intended for them.
Consistent with the Gospel: These instructions align with the core message of the Gospel – faith in Jesus, repentance from sin, and a life lived in obedience to God's will.
In essence, Paul is reminding the Thessalonians that they already know what is expected of them as followers of Christ because he (and his team) had taught them those things directly, and those teachings were rooted in the authority of Jesus. He is reinforcing the importance of remembering and putting into practice what they had learned. It's a foundation for the more specific exhortations he's about to give them in the rest of chapter 4.
The verse "For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 4:2) means that the Thessalonian Christians were already aware of the specific teachings and commands that Paul and his companions had delivered to them. These instructions originated from and were authorized by Jesus Christ himself.
Here's a breakdown:
"For you know...": This indicates a shared understanding and established knowledge between Paul and the Thessalonians. He isn't introducing something entirely new.
"...what instructions we gave you...": This refers to specific directives, commands, and moral guidelines. It suggests a body of teachings beyond just general evangelistic preaching. Think practical advice on how to live a Christian life.
"...through the Lord Jesus.": This is the crucial part. It emphasizes that these instructions weren't Paul's personal opinions, but rather teachings that had their authority and source in Jesus Christ. This means:
Indirectly, through the apostles: The apostles, including Paul, were entrusted with communicating and interpreting Jesus's teachings after his ascension. They had seen and heard Jesus. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit to understand and apply his teachings. Therefore, the instructions, even if not directly quoting Jesus word-for-word, were consistent with his spirit and intentions. Paul is saying that he's passing along what Christ intended for them.
Consistent with the Gospel: These instructions align with the core message of the Gospel – faith in Jesus, repentance from sin, and a life lived in obedience to God's will.
In essence, Paul is reminding the Thessalonians that they already know what is expected of them as followers of Christ because he (and his team) had taught them those things directly, and those teachings were rooted in the authority of Jesus. He is reinforcing the importance of remembering and putting into practice what they had learned. It's a foundation for the more specific exhortations he's about to give them in the rest of chapter 4.
