1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 · Verse 27

Authorized King James Version

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I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

Original Language Analysis

ὀρκίζω I charge G3726
ὀρκίζω I charge
Strong's: G3726
Word #: 1 of 11
to put on oath, i.e., make swear; by analogy, to solemnly enjoin
ὑμᾶς you G5209
ὑμᾶς you
Strong's: G5209
Word #: 2 of 11
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριον by the Lord G2962
κύριον by the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 4 of 11
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἀναγνωσθῆναι be read G314
ἀναγνωσθῆναι be read
Strong's: G314
Word #: 5 of 11
to know again, i.e., (by extension) to read
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπιστολὴν that this epistle G1992
ἐπιστολὴν that this epistle
Strong's: G1992
Word #: 7 of 11
a written message
πᾶσιν unto all G3956
πᾶσιν unto all
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 8 of 11
all, any, every, the whole
τοῖς G3588
τοῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίοις the holy G40
ἁγίοις the holy
Strong's: G40
Word #: 10 of 11
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
ἀδελφοῖς brethren G80
ἀδελφοῖς brethren
Strong's: G80
Word #: 11 of 11
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

Cross References

Colossians 4:16And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.Acts 19:13Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.Mark 5:7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.Matthew 26:63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.1 Timothy 5:7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.1 Timothy 1:3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,1 Timothy 5:21I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.1 Kings 22:16And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?2 Chronicles 18:15And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?Numbers 27:23And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Analysis & Commentary

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren—enorkizō hymas ton Kyrion anagnōsthēnai tēn epistolēn pasin tois adelphois (ἐνορκίζω ὑμᾶς τὸν Κύριον ἀναγνωσθῆναι τὴν ἐπιστολὴν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς). Enorkizō (ἐνορκίζω, 'I adjure/charge solemnly,' putting under oath) is extremely strong—Paul invokes divine authority. Ton Kyrion (τὸν Κύριον, 'by the Lord') grounds the charge in Christ's authority. Anagnōsthēnai (ἀναγνωσθῆναι, 'to be read') indicates public reading in worship assembly.

Pasin tois adelphois (πᾶσιν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς, 'to all the brothers')—entire church must hear the letter, not just leaders. Why such solemn charge? Possibly:

  1. Paul feared leaders might suppress content challenging them (warnings to the unruly, commands to honor leaders)
  2. some members might be excluded from gatherings (poor, slaves with limited freedom), requiring specific inclusion
  3. Paul emphasizes Scripture's authority—his letters carry divine weight requiring universal hearing.

This verse establishes apostolic letters as Scripture to be publicly read in worship, anticipating NT canon formation.

Historical Context

Early churches read apostolic letters in worship assemblies (Col 4:16: 'when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans'). This public reading established these texts as authoritative Scripture alongside OT readings. Literate members were few; public reading ensured all heard God's word. Paul's solemn charge prevented leaders from filtering content—all members needed all instruction. Later, these apostolic letters were copied, circulated, collected, and recognized as NT canon. The practice of Scripture reading in worship continues, rooted in synagogue liturgy (Luke 4:16-17) and apostolic command.

Questions for Reflection