I charge you before the Lord
This phrase indicates a solemn and serious command. The use of "charge" suggests an authoritative instruction, often used in legal or formal contexts. The invocation "before the Lord" emphasizes the gravity of the command, as it is made in the presence of God, highlighting accountability to divine authority. This reflects the apostolic authority Paul held and the seriousness with which he viewed the dissemination of his teachings. Similar language is found in 1 Timothy 5:21 and 2 Timothy 4:1, where Paul also uses solemn charges in the presence of God, underscoring the importance of the instructions given.

to have this letter read
The practice of reading letters aloud was common in the early church, as many believers were illiterate, and it ensured that the message was communicated accurately and uniformly. This public reading also served to foster community and shared understanding. The instruction to read the letter aloud aligns with the Jewish tradition of reading Scripture in synagogues, as seen in Luke 4:16-20, where Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah. This practice underscores the continuity between the Old and New Testament communities in valuing the public proclamation of God's word.

to all the brothers
The term "brothers" (adelphoi) is inclusive, referring to all members of the Christian community, both men and women. This reflects the early church's understanding of believers as a family united in Christ, transcending social and cultural barriers. The instruction to read the letter to "all" emphasizes the universal applicability of Paul's teachings and the importance of communal edification. This inclusivity is echoed in Galatians 3:28, where Paul speaks of the unity of all believers in Christ, regardless of ethnic, social, or gender distinctions.

1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Thessalonians, providing guidance and encouragement to the early Christian community.

2. Thessalonica
A city in Macedonia where the church was established by Paul during his second missionary journey.

3. The Thessalonian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, consisting of early Christians facing persecution and needing encouragement.

4. The Lord
Refers to Jesus Christ, under whose authority Paul issues the charge.

5. The Brothers
The members of the Thessalonian church, indicating the communal nature of the early Christian faith.The Authority of Apostolic Teaching
Paul’s charge underscores the authority of apostolic writings, which were foundational for the early church and remain authoritative for Christians today.

The Importance of Community in Faith
The instruction to read the letter to all the brothers highlights the communal aspect of faith, where learning and encouragement occur within the body of believers.

The Role of Scripture in Spiritual Growth
Regular reading and sharing of Scripture are vital for spiritual growth and unity within the church, as it ensures that all members are grounded in the same teachings.

Obedience to Spiritual Leaders
Paul’s directive reflects the importance of respecting and following the guidance of spiritual leaders who are aligned with God’s Word.

The Power of the Written Word
The preservation and dissemination of Paul’s letters demonstrate the enduring power of the written Word to instruct, correct, and inspire believers across generations.(27) I charge you.--Adjure is much nearer the original word, which is as solemn as can be. What is the cause of such awful solemnity? The question has never been very satisfactorily answered. It certainly seems as if the contempt of discipline and partial alienation of clergy and laity implied in 1Thessalonians 5:12-13, might suggest to St. Paul a doubt whether his Epistle would reach all the Thessalonian Christians. At any rate, the adjuration marks his sense of the extreme importance of the letter; and perhaps the fact that this was his first pastoral letter may have made him more anxious to ensure its reception and success. It amounts to a claim to inspiration. (Comp. 1Thessalonians 4:15.) The emphasis seems to rest on the word "all ("holy" is an interpolation). The reading is of course a public reading in the celebration of the Communion, at which we know from several early Fathers that the writings of the Apostles were read aloud. (Comp. Colossians 4:16; 2Peter 3:15-16.) Baur thought the adjuration a mark of a forger, who wished to gain authority for his cento: Bishop Wordsworth well points out, on the contrary, what a splendid guarantee for the genuineness and integrity of the Epistles this constant recitation constituted.

Verse 27. - I charge you; namely, the presbyters. By the Lord; namely, Christ, an indirect proof of his Divinity, the adjuration being in his Name. The reason of this solemn charge was, not on account of any remissness on the part of the presbyters, but was occasioned by the earnestness of the apostle and by his consciousness that what he wrote was most important to the Thessalonians, and was the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. That this Epistle be read unto all the holy brethren; unto the Church of Thessalonica.

Parallel Commentaries ...


I charge
Ἐνορκίζω (Enorkizō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3726: To adjure by, charge solemnly by. From horkos; to put on oath, i.e. Make swear; by analogy, to solemnly enjoin.

you
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[before] the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριον (Kyrion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

[to have this]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

letter
ἐπιστολὴν (epistolēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1992: A letter, dispatch, epistle, message. From epistello; a written message.

read
ἀναγνωσθῆναι (anagnōsthēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 314: To read, know again, know certainly, recognize, discern. From ana and ginosko; to know again, i.e. to read.

to all
πᾶσιν (pasin)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

brothers.
ἀδελφοῖς (adelphois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 5:27 I solemnly command you by the Lord (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)