Bible Strands
1 Thessalonians 5:27
I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Thessalonian church at the close of his epistle, immediately following the command to greet every brother with a holy kiss. He issues this directive as the final practical instruction before his closing benediction.
The words — The verb ἐνορκίζω (enorkizō) literally means "I adjure" or "I swear to," marking a solemn charge. The infinitive ἀναγνωσθῆναι (anagnōsthēnai) means "to be read," specifying the exact action required for the document.
The thread — The text commands public circulation of apostolic correspondence, mirroring the instruction in Colossians 4:16 to read letters in multiple congregations. This solemn charge aligns with the appeal in 2 Timothy 4:1 to act in the explicit presence of God and Christ Jesus.
Why it lands — The verse requires the congregation to ensure the letter is delivered and read to every member without omission. It demands immediate, verifiable compliance with apostolic instruction as a direct obligation to the Lord.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
Cross-references
- Colossians 4:16 After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
- 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:
- Numbers 27:23 and laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD had instructed through Moses.
- 1 Kings 22:16 But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?”
- 2 Chronicles 18:15 But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?”
- Matthew 26:63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
- Mark 5:7 And he shouted in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You before God not to torture me!”
- Acts 19:13 Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”
- 1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you on my departure to Macedonia, you should stay on at Ephesus to instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines
- 1 Timothy 5:7 Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.