Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Thessalonians 4:1

"Finally 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." — 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ASV)

We now approach the practical portion of the Epistle. The first point on which the Thessalonians need instruction is in the matter of social purity (1 Thessalonians 4:1–8).

Furthermore hardly expresses the original. St. Paul is not adding a further injunction, for he has not yet given any. It is literally, For the rest, then; and serves to introduce the conclusion of the letter.

Beseech.—The marginal request is better, the word signifying a calm and friendly asking, implying that the person so addressed will recognize the propriety of complying.

Exhort is correct, though “encourage” suits the context a little better, as it assumes that they are already acting this way, but not with enough heart.

By the Lord.—Better, in the Lord. It is not an adjuration, as in Romans 12:1, but states the authoritative ground of his request: “We encourage you, on the strength of our union in the Lord Jesus.” (Compare to 1 Thessalonians 1:1).

How ye ought to walk.—Literally, the how. It indicates that part of the apostolic tradition was a systematic moral code, almost as if it were the title of a well-known book: “We gave you the ‘How ye ought to walk, so as to please God.’” The best texts add immediately after, “even as also ye walk.”

Abound more and more.—Or, still more. “You did receive from us the rules of a holy life; you are living by them, and that to a very large degree; but we beg you and encourage you, in your Christian faith, to be still more lavish in your self-denial.”