1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians

 

Author: Apostle Paul

 

Date: A.D.: 49-54 (+/-)

 

Main Themes: A very personal letter, commendations, personal reminiscences, counsel, future hope of the second coming of Christ, and exhortations.

 

Introduction:

     Paul himself founded the church in Thessalonica on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9)

     Thought to be the first letter to a church Paul wrote, written about A.D. 51-52, about 20 years after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

     Paul usually went to the synagogue to preach and after that went to the Gentiles.

     The Thessalonians were steeped in paganism but, through Paul preaching Christ they became believers in Christ.

     See Acts 17:1-11

     Due to persecution from the Jews Paul had to suddenly leave this young church after three weeks, but his deep concern for the Thessalonians prompted this letter.

     Acts 16:5 Jews stirred up a mob and ran Paul out of town.

     Acts 17:10-11 Paul went to Berea where Jews from Thessalonica came and stirred up another mob causing Paul to leave there also.

     Whenever the Bible repeats something in a short amount of writing or time it is emphasizing and in effect saying it has or will happen.

     Faith, Hope, and Love occur very often in Paul’s writings.

     This letter presupposes a basic truth: Paul thought it important, (even essential) to organize these young converts into a community of mutual interest, care, and fellowship. Paul “knew better than to leave his young societies with nothing more than the vague memory of pious preaching. The local organization was, as yet, primitive, but evidently it was sufficient to maintain itself and carry on the business of the church, when the guiding hand of the missionary was removed.” (Moffatt) BLB 7.23.23

     The Thessalonian had their worldview changed from a pagan worldview to a biblical, Christ centered worldview. This is a huge change, especially when most of the people around them retained a pagan worldview.

 

Outline:

Salutation (Chapter 1)

Paul almost always worked with a team. In this case it was Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy.

Commendation of the church (Chapter 1)

Paul reminds them of the characteristics of his ministry (Chapter 2)

Sending Timothy to the church (Chapter 3)

Exhortation (Chapter 4)];;;;ll00’/

Future hope in Christ (Chapters 4-5)

Duties of the Christian life (Chapter 5)

 

(There are three memorable steps indicated in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. Turn unto God: serve Him as true .and living: wait for the coming of the Son of man. The last phrase strikes the keynote of this Epistle. The Church is encouraged to stand expectant…BLB 7.23.23)

 

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 01

Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. ²We give thanks to God always for all of you, (When Paul thought of the Christians in Thessalonica, his heart filled with gratitude for them and especially to God for keeping them in the faith.) making mention of you in our prayers; ³constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, ⁴knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; ⁵for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (It is very clear Paul was able to emphasize what they preached was verified by how they acted. Their faith was accompanied by their acts. This 9s what James was saying in James 2.) ⁶You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. (Our faith is shown by our works which others see and glorify God. Often a person is brought to Christ because of what they see other believers doing. James 1:22-24, 5:17-18) ⁸For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. ⁹For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, ¹⁰and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. (When Paul says ‘the wrath to come’ he is not necessarily speaking of a particular time frame. The Thessalonians assumed he was referring to a somewhat immediate {in their lifetime} event. He could well have been referring to the end time. 2 Thessalonians clarifies this comment.}

 

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 02

Paul’s Ministry

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, ²but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. (Acts 17:4) ³For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; ⁴but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. (Paul tells the Thessalonians why he preached as he did despite strong opposition. In doing so Paul tells them and us what must be the basis for what we say and do.) ⁵For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— ⁶nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. ⁷But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. ⁸Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. (Paul continues to relate why he preached as he did, but this time is a bit more directed to the Thessalonians in particular. Paul’s comments serve to advise people called to proclaim God’s Word [all Christians] the motivation for our actions and how we should act. An important note here is that although we have authority, we do not necessarily need to use it. There are times it does need to be used {see 1 Corinthians 5:3-5} but once the desired effect has been reached a return to forgiveness MUST take place. {2 Corinthians 2:6-8} )

⁹For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; ¹¹just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, ¹²so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (Paul now calls the Thessalonians to look at how he and those with him acted. He is calling the Thessalonians to emulate him and the others with him. The reason for this is so that they live and act in a manner worthy of the children of God.)

¹³For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. (Paul is very clear that he is thankful the Thessalonians accepted the Word of God he brought to them. This goes far beyond the fact they listened to him but also that they believed and their lives were changed, they were now part of the family of God, His children, and they would live forever with the Lord. All of us deserve hell but because of the sacrifice Jesus made we do not need to go there if we accept Him as our Saviour. Romans 10:9-11)   ¹⁴For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. (Paul is referring to the Jews who continually tried to stop him from speaking of the Lord, His life, His death, His resurrection, and His salvation to all people. They tried to kill Paul many times and drove him and others out of the cities where they were preaching.) They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men,¹⁶hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. (The purpose of these Jews was to stop Paul and others from telling the Gentiles about salvation through Christ. They did not believe and therefore thought the Gentiles should not believe either. They also thought that if a person did become a believer in Jesus the Savior that person should emulate, become circumcised and follow the law of Moses and not emulate Christ. Part of this seems to be pride, pride in the fact God made the original covenant with them, not the Gentiles, and they had a cultural antipathy to the Gentiles. This is not consistent with either the written Torah or the Oral Torah.)

¹⁷But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. ¹⁸For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. ¹⁹For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? ²⁰For you are our glory and joy. (How did Satan hinder him? One way was through the Jews who drove him out of Thessalonica. They also followed Paul and his companions to other cities and harassed them continually. Another way was those who claimed to be believers but preached and taught doctrines that were against the teachings of Jesus and the Torah {see Marcion and the beginnings of supersessionism}.

 

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 03

Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit

Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, (Given Paul was run out of town shortly {3 weeks} after reaching Thessalonica he was very concerned about the well-being of the new believers and was not receiving any word about them. Paul decided to send someone to find out how they were doing and report back to him.)  ²and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, ³so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.  ⁴For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. ⁵For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

(We must remember Paul was driven out of Thessalonica about 3 or 4 weeks after he started preaching. This was very little time to teach the Thessalonians and ground them in God’s Word. Paul was very concerned about them continuing on and growing in their faith. In order to set his mind at ease Paul sent Tomothy to find out how they were doing. His motivation was love and concern for the new believers {James 5:16}. Paul also reminds them he had warned them that afflictions would come from the world once they gave their lives to the Lord. In particular Paul and his helpers would be afflicted. He knew it and told the Thessalonians.)

⁶But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, ⁷for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; ⁸for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. ⁹For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, ¹⁰as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

(The report from Timothy let Paul know the Thessalonian believers were growing as a church and as individuals in Christ. There is an important lesson here. The person who brings the message of Christ {plants the seed} and the person who teaches people about Christ {waters the seed} can be any believer at any time but it is ALWAYS God who causes the seed to grow in a person’s life and heart {1 Corinthians 3:6-7}. It is the responsibility of all believers to pray for others, especially new, believers. {Matthew 5:43-48})

¹¹Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; ¹²and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; ¹³so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

(It is God who establishes the Word and belief in our hearts. God, through the Holy Spirit, gives us the direction we should take. God establishes our hearts in Him. We are sanctified, set apart, through God, not through our own doing. Paul mentions “at the coming of our Lord Jesus”. At this time it may have been thought Jesus would return to the world within their lifetime. That did not happen but Paul’s comment is still valid since Jesus came for them individually.)

 

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 04

Sanctification and Love

Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. ²For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. ³For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. ⁷For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.⁸So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

(Paul talks about Sanctification here. What is sanctification? Why is it important? Sanctification, in its simplest meaning, is to set something apart for a special purpose. In the Biblical sense sanctification is “To sanctify means commonly to make holy, that is, to separate from the world and consecrate to God.” (Sanctification - Meaning and Verses in Bible Encyclopedia (biblestudytools.com)) In its use here Paul is reminding the Thessalonians they have been separated from the world and previous life and are now set aside for God. That being the case, they must not live as they did before they were saved. I tend to say sanctification means we lose the ‘want to’ to sin. That does not mean we will never sin again but rather, when we do sin we recognize it, truly repent and ask for forgiveness and ask the Holy Spirit to help us change our actions.

Paul corrects some misguided thinking that is common among all people. Our actions are not just rejecting man but rejecting God. By rejecting God’s instruction to be Holy and separate we are actually sinning against GOD. {1 John 2:3-6})

⁹Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; ¹⁰for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, ¹¹and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, ¹²so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. (1 John 4:20-21)

Those Who Died in Christ

¹³But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. ¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. ¹⁵For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸Therefore comfort one another with these words.

(Paul addresses what seems to be a concern of the Thessalonians: What about those who die before the Lord returns? At this time many people were expecting {hoping for} the Lord to return shortly, within their lifetime. They were unclear about what happens with those believers who die before Jesus returns. Paul clarifies this for them. Those who have died will rise first to be with the Lord and after them those who are alive when He returns. Jesus’ return will not be a secret matter, the world will know he is here. The shout and trumpet of God cannot be ignored, they are very loud so everyone will know Christ has returned. As an aside, in ancient times nations going to war would sound a trumpet and shout before entering battle. We still can hear shouting today as people go to battle. Matthew 24:31

Verse 17 has caused much confusion.  Many Christians interpret the passage to mean believers will be lifted from the earth to meet with Jesus in the clouds. Others say this could be flying in an airplane to go to a place where Jesus will meet them. I do not know which of the many interpretations is correct. I do know Jesus will accomplish His will at the proper time and in the proper way. Exodus 19:4, NASB states “⁴‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.” Israel walked behind Moses for 40 years. God used an eagle, Moses, to lead them out of Egypt and to Sinai where God made a covenant with them. They were His people. God brought them to Himself. I think the confusion stems from people emphasizing the wrong thing in this verse, they focus on gnats and ignore elephants. The important point is not how God takes believers to Him but that He DOES bring them to him. This can put a different slant on the passage in Thessalonians. (Mark 13:27)

 

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 05

The Day of the Lord

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. ²For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. ³While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. ⁴But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; ⁵for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; ⁶so then let us not sleep as others do but let us be alert and sober. ⁷For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. ⁸But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. ⁹For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

(It is important we read what Paul said, not an interpretation of what he said. Many times Christians read verses 2 and 3, then ignore verse 4 through 6. In verses 2 and 3 Paul states the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. This leads us to believe we will not or cannot know the day of Jesus’ return. Paul then uses the time of Noah as an example where the flood came and most of the people were taken by surprise, all except Noah and his family who listened to God and prepared. Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah could also be used. The destruction came on the people suddenly, when they were not expecting it, except for Lot and his family. In both cases God’s people were prepared and were saved from destruction because they listened to God.

Paul continues his explanation/clarification by stating we, God’s people, are not of the night, of darkness. The day of the return of the Lord should not surprise us because we live in the day, in the light of God’s Word. This is entirely consistent with Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:2-3, 24:42; Luke 12:39; as well as 2 Peter 3:10-18.)

 

Christian Conduct

¹²But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, ¹³and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. ¹⁴We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. ¹⁶Rejoice always; ¹⁷pray without ceasing; ¹⁸in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit; ²⁰do not despise prophetic utterances. ²¹But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; ²²abstain from every form of evil.

(Paul encourages the believers to appreciate, hold in high regard, the people who work to lead them help them grow in the Lord. This is not to come from a begrudging attitude but in love. Paul urges them to help those who are having problems. Admonish those who are unruly, causing problems, but to do it in Love through the Holy Spirit. We are not to look down on those who are weaker in the faith but to help them grow. If we are used or have evil done to us, we are not to repay in kind but to look for ways to show love and serve them, and everyone.

We are to rejoice in the Lord always regardless of circumstance. {James 1:2} Rejoicing in God despite circumstances is excellent practical advice. To rejoice in God always puts present circumstances in their proper perspective; they are temporary. God and His love are forever. An important part of rejoicing always is to pray, a lot. Keep in communication with God. God will lead us and help us understand our circumstances.

Finally, we are to examine everything carefully. How do we examine and determine what is what is from God and what is not? We examine them to God’s Word. If something does not match God’s Word, we are to reject and abstain from it. If it is in accordance with God’s Word, we are accept and do it. This does not mean my or another’s opinion of what God’s Word says but rather what does it actually say. This does not mean we cannot use or listen to another person but what they say or write must also be verified by God’s Word.

 

²³Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; (make you holy and set you apart from the world) and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

²⁵Brethren, pray for us. ²⁶Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. ²⁷I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren. ²⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

 

 

 

Summary of the Book of 1 Thessalonians

This summary of the book of 1 Thessalonians provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 1 Thessalonians.

Background of the Thessalonian Letters

It is helpful to trace the locations of Paul and his companions that relate to the Thessalonian correspondence. The travels were as follows:

1.                Paul and Silas fled from Thessalonica to Berea. Since Timothy is not mentioned (see Ac 17:10 and note), it is possible that he stayed in Thessalonica or went back to Philippi and then rejoined Paul and Silas in Berea (Ac 17:14).

2.                Paul fled to Athens from Berean persecution, leaving Silas and Timothy in Berea (see Ac 17:14).

3.                Paul sent word back, instructing Silas and Timothy to come to him in Athens (see Ac 17:15; see also note on 1Th 3:1-2).

4.                Timothy rejoined Paul at Athens and was sent back to Thessalonica (see 3:1-5). Since Silas is not mentioned, it has been conjectured that he went back to Philippi when Timothy went to Thessalonica (see note on 3:1-2).

5.                Paul moved on to Corinth (see Ac 18:1).

6.                Silas and Timothy came to Paul in Corinth (see 3:6; Ac 18:5).

7.                Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians and sent it to the church.

8.                About six months later (a.d. 51/52) he sent 2 Thessalonians in response to further information about the church there.

Author, Date and Place of Writing

Both external and internal evidence (see 1:1; 2:18) support the view that Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians (from Corinth; see note on 3:1-2). Early church writers are agreed on the matter, with testimonies beginning as early as a.d. 140 (Marcion). Paul's known characteristics are apparent in the letter (3:1-2,8-11 compared with Ac 15:36; 2Co 11:28). Historical allusions in the book fit Paul's life as recounted in Acts and in his own letters (2:14-16 compared with Ac 17:5-10; 3:6 compared with Ac 17:16). In the face of such evidence, few have ever rejected authorship by Paul.

It is generally dated c. a.d. 51. Weighty support for this date was found in an inscription discovered at Delphi, Greece (see map No. 13 at the end of this study Bible), that dates Gallio's proconsulship to c. 51-52 and thus places Paul at Corinth at the same time (see Ac 18:12-17 and note on 18:12; see also chart, p. 1673). Except for the possibility of an early date for Galatians (48-49?), 1 Thessalonians is Paul's earliest canonical letter.

Thessalonica: The City and the Church

Thessalonica was a bustling seaport city at the head of the Thermaic Gulf (see map, p. 2280). It was an important communication and trade center, located at the junction of the great Egnatian Way and the road leading north to the Danube. It was the largest city in Macedonia and was also the capital of its province.

The background of the Thessalonian church is found in Ac 17:1-9. Since Paul began his ministry there in the Jewish synagogue, it is reasonable to assume that the new church included some Jews. However, 1:9-10; Ac 17:4 seem to indicate that the church was largely Gentile in membership.

Purpose

Paul had left Thessalonica abruptly (see Ac 17:5-10) after a rather brief stay. Recent converts from paganism (1:9) were thus left with little external support in the midst of persecution. Paul's purpose in writing this letter was to encourage the new converts in their trials (3:3-5), to give instruction concerning godly living (4:1-12) and to give assurance concerning the future of believers who die before Christ returns (4:13-18; see Theme below; see also notes on 4:13,15).

Theme

Although the thrust of the letter is varied (see Purpose), the subject of eschatology (doctrine of last things) seems to be predominant in both Thessalonian letters. Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ, with ch. 4 giving it major consideration (1:9-10; 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23-24). Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in some sense as its theme. The two letters are often designated as the eschatological letters of Paul.

 

 

FELDICK teaching #495 Lesson 1 Part 3 Book 42-1, watched June 29, 2023.

 

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Study Guide for 1 Thessalonians 1 by David Guzik (blueletterbible.org)  Retrieved 6/12/23