1 Thessalonians 4:1
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Thessalonians 4:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Thessalonians 4:1 means
Paul turns from thanksgiving to exhortation. He appeals as a brother and as Christ’s messenger, urging the Thessalonians to keep advancing in the life they already began. To “walk” is to live day by day in a manner that aims at God’s pleasure, not man’s. They were doing this, yet holiness is not static; there is always more room to grow in obedience, love, and purity. Paul’s pastoral heart commends what is good while calling for increase. Life in Christ is not about coasting but about abounding—pressing on so that every part of life is increasingly aligned with God’s will and character.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,—that ye abound more and more.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,—that ye abound more and more.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And last of all, the prayer which we make to you from our heart and in the name of the Lord Jesus, is this: that as we made clear to you what sort of behaviour is pleasing to God, as in fact you are doing now, so you will go on in these ways, but more and more.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862As to the rest, then, brethren, we request you, and call upon you in the Lord Jesus, as ye did receive from us how it behoveth you to walk and to please God, that ye may abound the more,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the rest therefore, brethren, pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus that, as you have received from us, how you ought to walk and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the rest, then, brethren, we beg you and exhort you in [the] Lord Jesus, even as ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and pleaseGod, even as ye also do walk, that ye would abound still more.
Context
This opening “finally” signals a shift from Paul’s reflections on the church’s faith to concrete instruction. Verse 1 sets the keynote for the chapter: a life that pleases God, pursued more and more. It frames all that follows—specific commands about sanctification, love, work, and hope—as expressions of a God-pleasing walk. The next verses ground this call in Jesus’ authority and then apply it to sexual purity and integrity before moving to brotherly love and, later, to the comfort concerning those who have died.
v.1This passage
v.2For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 17:9
Yet shall the righteous hold on his way, And he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1
And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain
- Ephesians 4:1
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called,
- Philippians 1:9
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
- 2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
- 1 Corinthians 15:1
Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,
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