1 Thessalonians 4

through
“Through the Lord Jesus” is a literal translation of the Greek phrase διὰ τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ (dia tou kyriou Iēsou). Just as the Thessalonians rightly recognized the word of God not as from men but from God Himself (2:13), here Paul reminds them that these commandments did not originate with men, but were given through the Lord Jesus (cf. Gal 1:1 for similar phrasing).

to…in
The Greek preposition translated “to” here is ἐπὶ (epi), which often designates a position on or upon something but can also indicate motion to or toward a particular point where the movement terminates. Here, Paul uses two different Greek prepositions, saying that believers are not called “to” ἐπὶ (epi) impurity, but “in” ἐν (en) sanctification. The point is to explain that God’s calling of salvation is not meant to lead believers to a stopping point at impurity, but in a continual progression of sanctification. This is why believers are commanded to abstain from sexual immorality (v. 3).

sets this aside…setting aside
The Greek verb ἀθετέω (atheteō) in this context has the meaning of “setting aside,” as this translation communicates. This verb is often used for setting aside the Law of God or the grace of God (cf. Mark 7:9; Gal 3:15; Heb 10:28). Thus, there is a pattern of ἀθετέω (atheteō) being used to describe a sinful rejection, and consistent translation bears this out, as Paul warns that to set aside the call to sanctification is to set God aside.

urge
“Urge” translates the Greek verb παρακαλέω (parakaleō). Where this word is used to begin a section of speech, it usually translated as “exhort” (e.g., Rom 12:1; Eph 4:1). However, within a section, as here, it is translated as “urge.” In this case, Paul is continuing a section on brotherly love, begun in the previous verse, and urging the faithful Thessalonians only to increase in their admirable conduct.

walk
The translation “walk” rather than “behave” here provides a literal translation of the Greek περιπατέω (peripateō). This gives a vivid picture of the Christian life as a walk—a favorite analogy of Paul’s (used 32x throughout his epistles). It speaks of the believer’s everyday pattern of life. Believers are to walk out their Christian lives in a commendable way before unbelievers in order to be a good witness of Christ to the world.