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1 Thessalonians Intro

Be Ready

Outline

AUTHOR: The apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by Silvanus and Timothy (1:1), and with specific mention of his name again later in the epistle (2:18). Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to Paul include: Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), Tertullian (200 A.D.), and Irenaeus (200 A.D.).

THE CITY OF THESSALONICA: It was the capital and largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia. Located on the Egnatian Way, a major road from Rome to the eastern provinces, the city served as center of trade and commerce. Today, it is known as Thessaloniki, or Salonica. Here is what the road looks like near Radozda.

THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA: The establishment of the church is recorded in Acts 17:1-9. On his second missionary journey, Paul and his companions (Silas and Timothy) had just left Philippi and passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia to arrive at Thessalonica. As was his custom, Paul immediately located the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews for three Sabbaths concerning Jesus Christ. While some of them were persuaded, including a great number of devout Greeks and leading women, the unbelieving Jews became jealous and created an uproar in the city. Therefore it became necessary to send Paul and Silas away secretly by night to Berea.

[Acts 17:1-9 NKJV] 1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and [saying], "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. 5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 7 "Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king--Jesus." 8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. 9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Despite such ominous beginnings, a strong church was established in Thessalonica (cf. 1:2-10). Mostly Gentile (cf. 1:9), its members included Jason (Ac 17:9), Aristarchus, and Secundus (Ac 20:4).

[Act 20:4 NKJV] 4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia--also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING: First Thessalonians is considered one of Paul's earliest epistles, if not the first. From the letter itself (3:1-6), and the record of Paul's travels in Acts (Ac 17:10-18:11), it appears that Paul wrote this letter soon after arriving in Corinth on his second journey. This would put it somewhere around 52 A.D.

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE: The abrupt departure from Thessalonica so soon after the beginning of the church naturally left Paul anxious about the condition of the brethren. When Timothy joined Paul at Athens (cf. Acts 17:14-16), his concern prompted Paul to send Timothy at once back to Thessalonica to encourage and ground the new disciples in the faith, and to learn how they were enduring persecution (cf. 3:1-5).

[Act 17:14-16 NKJV] 14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed. 16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.

When Timothy returned to Paul in Corinth (cf. Ac 18:5), the news was mostly encouraging (cf. 3:6-7). Despite persecution they had remained strong (2:13-16), and even proved themselves to be an example to others (1:6-8). Yet, as with any young church, they needed further instruction concerning holy living (cf. 4:1-12). They also needed to be reassured that their loved ones who died in Christ would not miss out on the blessings involving the coming of our Lord (cf. 4:13-18). Therefore we can summarize by saying that Paul's purpose in writing was:

  • To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution
  • To instruct them concerning holy living
  • To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second coming of Christ

THEME OF THE EPISTLE: This book is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23). With his emphasis on steadfastness and holy living, an appropriate theme might be:

"HOLINESS IN VIEW OF THE COMING OF CHRIST"

KEY VERSES: 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
Outline

INTRODUCTION (1:1-4)

  1. Salutation (1)
  2. Thanksgiving for their faith, hope, and love (2-4)
  1. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS (1:5-3:13)
    1. REGARDING THEIR CONDITION (1:5-10)
      1. Their reception of the gospel (1:5-7)
      2. Their reputation in every place (1:8-10)
    2. REGARDING HIS CONDUCT (2:1-12)
      1. The manner of his preaching (2:1-8)
      2. The manner of his life (2:9-12)
    3. REGARDING HIS CONCERN (2:13-3:13)
      1. For their faithfulness (2:13-3:10)
      2. For their continued growth (3:11-13)
  2. APOSTOLIC INSTRUCTIONS (4:1-5:28)
    1. WALK IN HOLINESS (4:1-8)
      1. To please God (4:1-2)
      2. To abstain from sexual immorality (4:3-8)
    2. WALK IN LOVE (4:9-10)
      1. As they are taught by God to love one another (4:9)
      2. To increase more and more (4:10)
    3. WALK IN DILIGENCE (4:11-12)
      1. To work with their hands (4:11)
      2. To walk properly toward those who are outside (4:12)
    4. WALK IN HOPE (4:13-18)
      1. With no sorrow concerning those who have died (4:13-14)
      2. For we will be rejoined with them when Christ returns (4:15-18)
    5. WALK IN LIGHT (5:1-11)
      1. For the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (5:1-4)
      2. For we are sons of light and sons of the day (5:5-8)
      3. For God has appointed us to salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (5:9-11)
    6. WALK IN OBEDIENCE (5:12-22)
      1. With respect toward those over us (5:12-13)
      2. With concern for one another (5:14-15)
      3. With joy, prayer and thanksgiving (5:16-18)
      4. Don't quench the Spirit or despise prophecies, but don't be gullible either (5:19-22)

CONCLUDING REMARKS (5:23-28)

  1. A prayer for their sanctification and preservation (5:23-24)
  2. A request for prayer in his behalf (5:25)
  3. A charge to greet one another with a holy kiss, and to read the epistle to others (5:26-27)
  4. A benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (5:28)

Review Questions for the Introduction

  1. On which missionary journey was the church at Thessalonica established?
    • Paul's second missionary journey
  2. Where can we read about the establishment of the church at Thessalonica?
  3. How long did Paul preach in the Jewish synagogue before trouble arose? (Ac 17:2)
    • Three Sabbaths
  4. Where did Paul go after leaving Thessalonica? (Ac 17:10)
    • Berea
  5. Why did Paul have to leave so soon again and go on to Athens? (Ac 17:13-15)
    • The Jews from Thessalonica followed him there and stirred up more trouble
  6. While at Athens, whom did Paul send back to Thessalonica? (1 Th 3:1-2)
    • Timothy
  7. When Paul left Athens, where did he go? Who arrived later? (Ac 18:1, 5)
    • Corinth
    • Silas and Timothy
  8. From where and when did Paul write 1st Thessalonians?
    • From Corinth, sometime around 52 A.D.
  9. Why did Paul write this letter (see Purpose Of The Epistle)?
    • To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution
    • To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second coming of Christ
  10. What has been suggested as the theme of this epistle?
    • Holiness in view of the coming of Christ
  11. What are the key verses of this epistle?
  12. According to the outline above, what are the two main sections of this epistle?
    • Personal reflections
    • Apostolic instructions

Regarding his conduct - Manner of preaching

[1Th 2:1-20 NKJV] 1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation [did] not [come] from error or uncleanness, nor [was it] in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness--God [is] witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing [mother] cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing 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 dear to us.

Regarding his conduct - The manner of his life

9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You [are] witnesses, and God [also], how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father [does] his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Regarding his concern - Their faithfulness

13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they [did] from the Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up [the measure of] their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. 17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us. 19 For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Is it] not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

[1Th 3:1-13 NKJV] 1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also [to see] you-- 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

Regarding his concern - Their continued growth

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we [do] to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Apostolic Instructions

A walk in holiness - to please God

[1Th 4:1-18 NKJV] 1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

A walk in holiness - to abstain from sexual morality

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects [this] does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

A walk in love - As they are taught by God to love one another

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

A walk in love - to increase more and more

10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;

A walk in diligence - To work with their hands

11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

A walk in diligence - To walk properly toward those who are outside

12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and [that] you may lack nothing.

Walk in hope - With no sorrow concerning those who have died

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Walk in hope - For we will be rejoined with them when Christ returns

15 For 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 by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Walk in Light - For the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night

[1Th 5:1-28 NKJV] 1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

Walk in Light - For we are sons of light and sons of the day

5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others [do], but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation.

Walk in Light - For God has appointed us to salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ

9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Walk in obedience - With respect toward those over us

12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Walk in obedience - With concern for one another

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Walk in obedience - With joy, prayer and thanksgiving

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Walk in obedience - Don't quench the Spirit or despise prophecies, but don't be gullible either

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

A prayer for their sanctification and preservation

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 24 He who calls you [is] faithful, who also will do [it]..

A request for prayer in his behalf

25 Brethren, pray for us.

A charge to greet one another with a holy kiss, and to read the epistle to others

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

A benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.

 

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