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Excel Still More!

To excel, according to some of the meanings from a few dictionaries, is to surpass others, do extremely well, outdo, do something better than anyone else.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:1, we find the phrase “excel still more”.   It prompts the question:  if we are already doing something better than anyone else, why would we be encouraged to do even more?

Perhaps it would be helpful to see the wording that other translations use for “excel still more” to see why we would be encouraged to do so.  Here is a sampling:

• abound more and more

• to keep doing so more and more

• but try even harder

• live that way more and more.

• that you progress even more.

• that you increase more and more in how you ought to walk

Maybe it would also be helpful to see some other verses where the word “excel” is used:

“Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means Dorcas); this woman was excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually.” (Acts 9:36)

“So you too, since you are eager to possess spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the edification of the church.”  (1 Cor 14:12)

“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  (1 Cor 15:58)

“for indeed you practice it toward all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to excel even more,”  (1 Thess 4:10)

But before we go any further, let’s go back to the first verse where the phrase “excel still more” appears so that we can get more context:  “Finally then, brothers, we ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.”  (1 Thess 4:1)

So from the examples of those who excelled and from the encouragement to excel, it appears both are deeply rooted in doing things for the sake of the Lord and for others.  Correspondingly, the encouragement to “excel still more” is also deeply rooted in doing things for the sake of the Lord and for others. 

Oh, so why are we encouraged to “excel still more”?  Perhaps if we have the perspective that we are doing things for the sake of the Lord and for others, why just stop at excelling, we should “excel still more”!


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