What does 1 Thessalonians 5:27 mean?

Paul commands the Thessalonians to read his letter aloud to the entire church. The Greek word used here is anagnōsthēnai, meaning "to read," "to distinguish," or "to make known." Paul's inspired letter to the believers at Thessalonica was so important that he puts the Thessalonians under an oath to orally present it to the entire church. He didn't want anyone to be ignorant of its message about the rapture and what is involved in leading a solid Christian life.

Today, as well, there is no substitute for personal exposure to God's Word. In His high priestly prayer Jesus asked the Father to sanctify believers—to make them holy—in the truth. He added: "your word is truth" (John 17:17). Paul understood that God's Word is able to mature us and equip us for effective living and service (2 Timothy 3:16–17), so he admonished Timothy to "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). When the Lord commissioned Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land, He commanded: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Joshua 1:8).