Ian & Jocelyn Barker

Paul ends chapter 3 by pointing the believers towards the reality that our citizenship is in heaven. What this means is that we are waiting for Christ to return to clothe us with the robes of heaven that we might be with Him forever. The powerful thing about this is that Christ will exert His power, and our salvation is by faith worked out in deeds (cf. 3:13-14). Our salvation and fullness of our salvation is the work of Christ.

Now he exhorts them to stand firm as they are his “joy and crown” (4:1). “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” (1 Thess. 2:19). It is interesting how Paul exhorts them in order that his account will increase, sort of speak (cf. 2:14-18). In the 1 Thessalonians passage, Paul gives the impression that the completion of the saints salvation will be a reward for Paul. It seems that Paul believed that he will be rewarded at the judgment seat.

Verse 2 is a command to Euodia and Syntyche to live in harmony with each other. Evidently, they were not getting along which may have been the cause for his command in 2:1-11 to live in unity with one another.

He continues by encouraging them to rejoice in the Lord always. He encourages them to pray and give thanksgiving for all of their needs. It is an important thing to have a thankful heart while we are asking God to meet our needs. It is hard to remember that He owes us nothing and that we are to be grateful for all of the good things that He has given us. But this thankfulness unlocks our heart to remember that He is a Father and He loves to give good gifts.