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CHAPTER 52 – 1 Thessalonians: Approx. 51 A.D.

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians is the fifty-second book of the Bible. The title of the book in Greek is Pros Thessalonikeis A meaning “To the Thessalonians 1.” The title in the English Bible is “The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians.”

Authorship

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, is the author of the book, The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians. It was probably written about 51 A.D.

Summary

The book of 1 Thessalonians is actually a letter (epistle) that was written by the apostle Paul to the Christian church in the city in of Thessalonica in what is modern-day Greece. It was probably written from Corinth also in modern-day Greece on his Second Missionary Journey.

The book opens with greetings from Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy, and that they give thanks to God for the Thessalonians, always mentioning them in their prayers. Paul then commends the Thessalonians for their faith in Christ, loving Christian service, and cheerful, patience endurance sustained by their hope in Christ. For they became followers of Paul and his Christian fellow-workers with joy despite much affliction and have exerted an exemplary influence far and wide, having turned from idolatry to serve the true and living God.

Paul then reminds them that his preaching to them was not in vain even after Paul and his fellow Christian workers had been shamefully mistreated at the city of Philippi. For Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy, had preached the gospel to them boldly, without deceit, with sincerity, and without covetousness. Paul and the others had been humble, gentle, and affectionate among them, working night and day because they did not wish to become a financial burden to the Thessalonians. He also states how holy, blameless, and fatherly, the conduct of Paul and the others was among the Thessalonians.

Paul then refers to the teachableness of the Thessalonians in the midst of suffering persecution from their own countrymen. He next states that though Paul and the others had been forced to leave Thessalonica, the church there was in their hearts and they were greatly desirous of seeing them again. Paul himself had sought opportunity time and again to visit them but he was hindered by Satan. Nevertheless, the church was the hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing, of Paul and the others in the presence of Christ at his second coming to the earth.

Paul then says that when he and the others could no longer endure their separation from the Thessalonians, they sent Timothy to them. Timothy’s mission was to establish and comfort them in their faith that they should not be shaken by their afflictions which they were to expect. For Paul says that he had fears that Satan, the tempter, had successfully led them into sin so that the labour of Paul and the others was in vain.

But Timothy had returned from Thessalonica with a good report of the church’s faith, love, fond remembrance of Paul and the others, and their great desire to see Paul and the others, who likewise wished to see the Thessalonians. Therefore, Paul and the others were comforted and joyful at Timothy’s report, praying night and day that they might see the Thessalonians to be a help to them in perfecting their faith in Christ.

Next, Paul declares that it is God’s will that they be sanctified, that is to say, made holy, so that they abstain from sexual immorality. Also, Paul says that he does not need to write to them about brotherly love for they are taught by God to love one another, as they now do. He urges them to seek to lead a quiet life, working with their own hands as he, Paul, had commanded them and to live honestly.

Paul then comforts them by saying that they need not sorrow over church members who have died, as others who have no hope do. For, if they believe that Jesus died and rose again from the dead to life, those who have died with faith in Christ, when Christ shall descend from heaven with a shout, they shall rise from the dead first. Then those Christians who are alive and remain shall be caught up with the risen, righteous dead in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air, and so they all will forever be with Christ in heaven.

After this, Paul states that the day when Jesus Christ will return to the earth will come unexpectedly as a thief in the night, and that the unbelievers in God will not escape sudden destruction from God. He then warns them that as children of the light they should not sleep as do others, but should be watchful and sober, having faith, love, and the hope of salvation. Therefore, he says the Thessalonians should comfort and build up each other as they are already doing.

Next, Paul instructs them to esteem those who are leaders in the church highly in love, to warn the insubordinate, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak in faith, be patient, and to do good to all others. Also, they are to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks to God in all circumstances, to be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, and not turn away from prophecies from God. Lastly, Paul pronounces a blessing upon the Thessalonians, asks them to pray for him and the others, to greet each other fondly, and to read his letter to the whole church.

Themes

• The mutual love and joy of those who have planted a church and the members of the church.
• The faith, love, and spiritual growth of believers in Christ.
• The holy, blameless, fatherly conduct of the church planters.
• Persecution of the church and their patient endurance.
• The exemplary influence of a church.
• The existence of Satan as the tempter and the one who hinders the work of the gospel.
• A missionary visit to a church and the resultant good report of the spiritual state of the church.
• The glorious return of Jesus Christ to take the righteous dead and the righteous living to heaven to be with Him forever.
• Spiritual instruction of the church in practical godliness.

God as Revealed in the Book

• God who by His grace has changed unbelievers in Christ to believers.
• God whose desire is the sanctification, that is, the holiness, of the church.
• God who takes the righteous, both living and resurrected dead, to heaven forever.

Connections with the Rest of the Bible

God says, “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner [custom] was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ [the Promised Messiah, the Deliverer from sin]. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas [Sylvanus]; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.” Acts 17:1-4.

“But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.” Acts 17:5-8.

“And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas [Sylvanus] by night unto Berea: who coming thither [there] went into the synagogue of the Jews.” Acts 17:9, 10.

Spiritual Applications

Pray to God sincerely and ask God to help you to do His will, believing that God will help you, and thus you will be enabled to make the spiritual applications noted below:

• Become a church planter who raises up believers in Christ.
• Be a holy example to the church and instruct them in godliness.
• Be aware that Satan will hinder you as a gospel worker.
• Encourage the church to be faithful in the face of persecution.
• Preach about Christ’s return to take all the righteous to heaven forever.
• Maintain spiritual contact with the church(es) you have planted.

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