1 Thessalonians Preview
The Apostle Paul first visited Thessalonica on his second missionary journey, establishing the church around AD 49-50. Jews, Greeks, and a few leading women decided to join Paul and Silas. Paul’s ministry was thriving. However, unbelieving Jews and many others did not like that his ministry was thriving. They accused them of acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees and proclaiming that there is another king named Jesus. As a result of the danger, Paul and Silas then went to a place called Berea, where they preached the gospel and many others believed as well. Again, unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica stirred up more trouble. This eventually led Paul to leave Berea for Athens.
While Paul was in Athens, he became concerned about the Thessalonians and their faith in the midst of intense persecution. They were facing some serious trials, so Paul sent Timothy to go check up on them. Timothy returned with an overall encouraging report about the believers there. This letter to the Thessalonians is a letter of encouragement! The purpose was to instill hope in the believers despite severe persecution, and to encourage them to excel still more. He wanted them to keep going and to keep being faithful! Paul also wanted to push them towards holiness and comfort them regarding Christ’s return. The future second coming of Christ gave them hope in their present suffering.
Unique features of 1 Thessalonians include detailed information on what some believe is referring to the Rapture and the Day of the Lord, references in each chapter to Christ’s return, and no explicit Old Testament references in the entire book. There is a lot we can learn from the example of the church in Thessalonica. May we pursue holiness, cling to the hope of Christ’s return, and excel still more!
Read 1 Thessalonians 1
1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joygiven by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Go Deeper
First Thessalonians 1 consists of Paul’s prayer and deep gratitude towards the church in Thessalonica, their example in the faith, and their reputation. The letter starts with Paul addressing himself along with Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy. It is not clear why Paul added their names, but we do know that they were Paul’s co-workers in the work of the gospel on his second missionary journey. Something to note is that Paul’s ministry was marked by discipleship. He didn’t do it alone; he raised up leaders to pass on the ministry. Paul had the ministry of multiplication, which was the ministry Jesus intended as he commanded us to “go and make disciples” in Matthew 28.
Paul continues saying, “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 2-3). Paul had a sincere love and concern for this church. He is thankful for their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in Christ Jesus. Paul reflects on God’s grace and goes to Him in prayer to show his gratitude for their faith. G.K. Beale, in his commentary on 1-2 Thessalonians, addresses this saying: “We will have a thankful attitude to the degree that we have a prayerful attitude. We will give thanks to the extent that we prayerfully consider God’s grace.” Thanksgiving towards God’s grace should lead us to prayer.
Paul points to the reputation of the church in Thessalonica. What were they known for? They were known for being both receivers of the gospel and responders to the gospel. The gospel came to them in word, power, and in the Holy Spirit with full assurance. In response to hearing the message of good news, they became imitators of Christ despite persecution. Paul says, “And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (v. 7). They were the example to many others, and they set the pace for faithfulness. The work of God was evident in their lives. Paul continues saying that their faith in God has become known everywhere, and they have turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. Like the Thessalonians, would we be a people who are both receivers and responders to the gospel. Would we be marked by prayer, thanksgiving, and discipleship. Would we be known for our example and our faithfulness!
Questions
- Do you have the ministry of multiplication? Who are the people you are investing in, and who are the people you are learning from?
- What does it look like for you to not only be a receiver of the gospel by simply believing it, but responding to it by the way you live? Is there an area of your life that does not reflect your faith in Jesus?
- This chapter addresses the reputation of the church in Thessalonica. What are the things that you want to be known for?
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4 thoughts on “1 Thessalonians Introduction + 1”
Something I noted was despite being a fledging church confronted with intense suffering, the body in Thessalonica welcomed, embraced and lived out the gospel. They would be considered baby Christians by our standards, yet were marked by their faithful work and loving deeds. Paul details they were loved and chosen by God, ones who experienced the power of the Holy Spirit to live out their convictions. As one who would be considered a mature believer, I’m humbled as I read of how these new Christians modeled their beliefs. It was not with vain our empty words, but with their very lives. May we emulate their standard as we welcome a new day.
When you’re chosen by God, and loved by Him we live differently. Yes, may we emulate their standards throughout this day! Love your take on the scripture! Blessings ~~~♥️
This is a BUT GOD book. BUT GOD works when we speak even if we never see the evidence He is in the midst stirring up that hole in someone’s heart that is made just for His Holy Spirit to live in. Speak about Jesus you never know what and how your words impact lives!!!
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank You God for my brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you, because the gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You became imitators of the Lord. So I pray you became a model to all the believers. I pray that your faith in God has become known everywhere .I pray for you as you turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. God thank You for helping me live this in this day in these minutes in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!
Yes, Amen!
9 “They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God”
Turning away from idols is evidence of a maturing faith and a testimony seen by those around us.
God, help me to see and turn from the many idols in my life!