(Chapters 4-5)
The practical exhortations begin in this section of the epistle. These exhortations fall into two categories:
• Chapters 4:1-5:11—Exhortations regarding our personal lives in view of the Lord's coming.
• Chapter 5:12-28—Exhortations regarding our collective assembly life in view of the Lord's coming.
Chap. 4:1—Paul begins his exhortations with: “We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus.” This indicates that the things which he was about to exhort them were connected with the believer’s recognition of the Lordship of Christ. That is, the owning of His lordship authority in their lives. The Thessalonians had “received” these practical exhortations already when Paul was with them, but he felt that it was necessary to re-emphasize them here. He added, “Even as ye also do walk,” thus commending them for having put these exhortations into practice in their lives. These things pertained to how they should “walk” to “please God.” The result would be that they would “abound more and more” in spiritual growth.