1 Thessalonians 1
Overview:
- Grief at certain times in our lives can overwhelm us. The
loss of a loved one can fill our life with gloom and depression, until we
remember that death is not the end for those who are in Christ. Jesus Christ is
the victor over death, and there is hope
of the resurrection through Him. Many in Thessalonica, as well as other 1st
century Christians, were coming face to face with their mortality at the hands
of persecutors of the church. They had many questions about eternity, as we do
today, and they developed some false assumptions about the imminence of
Christ’s return. Paul, writing from Corinth in the early 50s A.D. shortly after
establishing the church in Thessalonica writes to strengthen the early believers’
faith and to encourage them to excellence in Godly living by teaching them
important theological truths even in times of persecution and trial. The author
instills hope for this dearly loved
congregation and affirms them in a very affectionate way especially in the
beginning of the letter for the purpose of maturing them in Christ Jesus.
Major Themes:
Persecution- Faith
in Christ will always bring certain amounts of earthly persecution. There is no
way around it, so expect various trials and tribulations as the enemy seeks to
destroy your faith, but the Lord tests your perseverance. We must stand firm in
our faith and allow the Holy Spirit to do His molding work in us during rough
times.
Hope- One day all
believers will be united together with Christ, both those who are alive at His
coming and the deceased. To those Christians that die before Christ’s return,
there is still the certain hope of the resurrection of the body. If we believe
in Christ, we will live with Him forever. We can have confidence that we will
be with loved ones who have trusted in the Savior!
Being Prepared-
Since no one knows the exact time of Christ’s return to earth, we must remain
vigilant and watchful by living moral and holy lives through the power of His
Holy Spirit. This means we cannot grow complacent or weary, neglecting our
Christian responsibilities. Rather we should always work and live to please our
Lord looking expectantly for His return. Don’t be caught unprepared!!
Structure:
Paul again begins with a note of
affirmation and commendation for the faithful saints at Thessalonica. He thanks
God for their strong belief and good reputation (1:1-10). In chapter 2 he
reviews their relationship—how he and his companions brought the gospel to the
Thessalonians (2:1-12). He went into how the Thessalonians accepted the message
with eagerness and steadfastness as from God and not mere mean (2:13-16). Then
he lamented the fact that he wanted to be with them except for the fact that
Satan had hindered that reuniting up until that point (2:17-20). Because of
Paul’s great concern for the church there in Thessalonica, he sent Timothy up
to them in order to encourage them in their faith (3:1-13).
Paul then gets to the core of his
message dealing with exhortation and comfort. He challenges them to please God
in their daily living by avoiding sexual immorality (4:1-8), loving each other
(4:9-10), and living as good citizens in a fallen world (4:11-12). Paul
comforts the believers in Thessalonica by reminding them of the hope of the
resurrection (4:13-18). He gives the biblical theme of “be alert” and “ready”
for the return of Christ Jesus because we do not know the exact time of His
revelation of glory. When Christ does return, Paul promises those Christians
who are alive and those who have passed away from earth by death will be raised
to new life (5:1-11).
Paul then gives the faithful a
handful of reminders on how to prepare themselves for the second coming of
Jesus: Admonish the unruly (5:14), encourage the fainthearted (5:14), help the
weak (5:14), be patient with everyone (5:14), be kind to everyone (5:15),
rejoice always (5:16), pray without stopping (5:17), give thanks (5:18),
examine everything that is taught (5:20-21), and abstain from evil (5:22). Paul
concludes his short letter with two benedictions and a request for prayer.
As you read this letter and apply
its significance to your own life, put into practice his practical advice in
our age for Christian living. When burdened by grief and overwhelmed by sorrow,
take hope in the reality of Christ’s
return, the resurrection, and eternal life!!!!
*Notes from this overview were aided by:
New American Standard
Bible: Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Mich.: 1995,
pgs. 2096-2097.
-Paul begins chapter 1 with a sense of gratitude and loving
devotion for this afflicted and persecuted bunch of believers in Thessalonica.
He, Silvanus, and Timothy are part of the writing team who send grace and peace
in usual fashion to the recipients of the epistle. They thank God for these
believing brothers and pray for them constantly making mention of them in their
prayers because of their fruitful Kingdom labor and faith of love with a
steadfast hope in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:1-3). They were
chosen by God and had the power of His Holy Spirit working in them as New
Covenant Gentile believers full of conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). They
knew what kind of men Paul and his team were for their spiritual development
and wellbeing, and they became imitators of the apostles and of the Lord. They
received the Word in much affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit (Acts
17:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 1:5b-6). These believers through trial and tribulation
had become an example in faith to all the believers in these regions of
Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8). They had turned to the Living God
from their idols of this world and served Him in complete truth. They were waiting
for the return of His resurrected Son from Heaven as the One who delivers and
saves from the wrath of God to come (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10). *Application*
Reputation is important as we see here in this beginning chapter. Paul is able
to commend those in Thessalonica because of their faithful report to those of
faith even in tough times. Marks of them that we should demonstrate include
steadfastness, joy in the Holy Spirit, endurance, hope, hard work, faith, power
by the Holy Spirit, true, and expectant. God is able to do all things. Don’t
let your circumstances ever rob your joy in Christ Jesus who makes all things
new (Isaiah 48:6, Revelation 21:5). Cultivate these qualities that the
Thessalonians had in your own life today!
Verse to Memorize- 1
Thessalonians 1:9
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