Grace Institute: The Pauline Epistles: 1 Thessalonians: 1:1 - 3:13

1 Thessalonians Survey of the New Testament: The Pauline Epistles Winter 2006

[Previous: Introduction (1:1-2)]

Paul's Relationship with the Thessalonians (1:3-3:13)

God's Election of the Thessalonians (1:2-10)

Paul begins with a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the Thessalonians work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope (1:2). But this faith, love and hope was not their own, but was a result of God's election of the Thessalonians (1:4). Paul is certain of the Thessalonians election by God for two reasons.

Their election is made evident in their responsiveness to the gospel

The gospel didn't come to the Thessalonians just through the words of Paul, but in the power of the Holy Spirit (1:4). The Holy Spirit was evident in their conviction and their conversions. God's election is accomplished through the Holy Spirit's involvement in the conviction and calling of the elect. This election is made evident in the responsiveness of hearer to the word (1:5). The Thessalonians not only heard Paul's words, but they accepted it not as just words from men, but as the very word of God (2:13).

Their election is made evident by their sanctification in the midst of persecution

The Thessalonians became “imitators” of Paul and of Christ, suffering tremendous persecution (1:6). They accepted the word of God in the midst of the persecution. This serves as an example wherever Paul goes (1:7), for it seems people have already heard of the Thessalonian conversion before Paul even arrives in a city (1:8). The news of their turning from idols (1:9) and their patient wait for the return of Christ and their deliverance from the wrath to come (1:10).

There is considerable debate regarding what Paul is referring to by the “wrath to come.” This will be addressed in chapter 5.

Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians (2:1-12)

Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his motive and his method in sharing the gospel to them. Paul and Silas had come to Thessalonica from Philippi where they had been imprisoned (2:2). Paul preached to them without deceit, error or impurity, but in an effort to please God rather than men (2:3-4). He didn't flatter them or seek their approval (2:6-7), but instead taught them as a gentle mother, full of affection and devotion (2:7-8). He wasn't a burden to them, but was devout, upright, and blameless (2:9-10). He exhorted them as a father to live in a manner worthy of their calling (2:11-12).

As we see Paul's motive and methods, this can serve as a model for how we should go about spreading the gospel. It should be with pure motives and a desire to please God. It should be done with gentleness and without burdening the hearer. After conversion, it should involve an exhortation to live up to the calling. We should share the gospel with the gentleness of a mother, and then disciple those who believe with the exhortation of a father.

The Persecution of the Thessalonians (2:13-16)

The Thessalonians readily accepted the word of God (2:13), and immediately faced persecution. Paul says they became like the Judean church in that they faced persecution at the hands of their own countrymen, as had happened in Jerusalem (1:14). In Jerusalem, their own countrymen had killed Jesus and the prophets (1:15) and had hindered the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles (2:16).

In Thessalonica, the persecution had forced Paul to cut short his ministry with them (2:17). Paul eagerly desires to return to the Thessalonians, for they are his hope and joy, and they will be his crown of glory when Christ returns (2:19-20).

Timothy's Ministry to the Thessalonians (3:1-13)

Timothy's Message: The Inevitability of Persecution (3:1-5)

Because Paul's ministry was cut short, he sent Timothy back to them (3:1-2) to encourage them, and to remind them that persecution is inevitable (3:3-4) and to see how they were holding up in the midst of the persecution (3:5). In Paul's understanding of the gospel, persecution is a normal event following someone's persecution (3:4).

If persecution of the church is inevitable, why then does affliction and persecution surprise us? Why has the American church become so indignant as an increasingly post-Christian culture ridicules Christians? If persecution is inevitable, why hasn't the American church faced more persecution than it does, and should we not expect more persecution in the coming years?

Timothy's Return (3:6-10)

Timothy had returned to Paul with good news about the Thessalonians (3:6), thereby encouraging Paul (3:7-8). Paul then prays for them, first rejoicing on their account (3:9), but also asking that God might allow him to return to them soon (3:10). Paul further prays that they might abound in love for one another and establish themselves in holiness as the Lord's coming approaches (3:12-13).

…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 (1 Thessalonians 3:13).

[Next: Exhortations annd Teachings for the Thessalonians (4:1-5:28)]