Sexual Immorality
Category: Failure of holiness
Could endure: Live in sanctification and honour.
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20.
Chose wrongly: Indulged in lustful passions.
“…not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:5)
Cross-Refs: Romans 1:24; Ephesians 4:19.
Endured (negatively): Defrauded fellow believers, dishonoured God.
“…that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.” (1 Thessalonians 4:6)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 6:32; James 5:1–5.
Why (wrong motive): Selfish pleasure, rejection of God’s authority.
“Anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God.” (1 Thessalonians 4:8)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 6:7–8; Romans 8:7.
Result: Faced God’s judgment.
“The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins.” (1 Thessalonians 4:6)
Cross-Refs: Colossians 3:6; Revelation 21:8.
Idleness and Irresponsibility
Category: Failure of diligence
Could endure: Work quietly and earn a living.
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 6:6–8; 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
Chose wrongly: Some became idle, disruptive.
“Warn those who are idle and disruptive.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Cross-Refs: 1 Timothy 5:13; Titus 1:10–11.
Endured (negatively): Burdened others, weakened testimony.
“So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1 Thessalonians 4:12)
Cross-Refs: 2 Thessalonians 3:11–12; Proverbs 19:15.
Why (wrong motive): Misunderstanding of Christ’s return, spiritual laziness.
“Concerning times and seasons… the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1–2)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 24:42; Luke 12:45–46.
Result: Needed correction, risked being unprepared.
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
Cross-Refs: Romans 13:11–12; Revelation 3:2–3.
Rejection of God’s Word
Category: Failure of faith
Could endure: Receive the message as God’s word.
“When you received the word of God… you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Cross-Refs: John 17:17; Hebrews 4:12.
Chose wrongly: Opposed the gospel, persecuted messengers.
“The Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out.” (1 Thessalonians 2:15)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 23:34; Acts 7:52.
Endured (negatively): Filled up sins to the limit.
“They displease God and are hostile to everyone… In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.” (1 Thessalonians 2:15–16)
Cross-Refs: Daniel 8:23; Romans 2:5.
Why (wrong motive): Hatred of truth, jealousy.
“The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you… But the Lord is faithful.” (2 Thessalonians 3:2 — contrast with wicked men)
Cross-Refs: John 3:19; Acts 17:5.
Result: Wrath came upon them.
“The wrath of God has come upon them at last.” (1 Thessalonians 2:16)
Cross-Refs: Luke 21:20–24; Romans 11:20.