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1Thessalonians Chapter One
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SLOWLY they walked, one by one, scatting the
leaves and trampling the grass under measured and heavy steps. The minister's
words still echoing in their minds, they hear workmen moving toward the terrible
place, preparing to cover the casket of their loved one. Death, the enemy, has
torn the bonded relationships of family and friends, leaving only memories...and
tears...and loneliness.
But like a golden shaft of sun piercing the winter sky, a singular truth
shatters the oppressive gloom-death is not the end! Christ is the victor over
death, and there is hope of the resurrection through him.
As with every member of the human family, first-century Christians came
face-to-face with their morality. Many of them met early deaths at the hands of
those who hated Christ and all allied with him. Whether at the hands of zealous
Jews (like Paul before his conversion), angry Greeks, or ruthless Roman
authorities, persecution included stonings, beatings, crucifixions, torture, and
death. To be a follower of Christ meant to give up everything.
Paul established the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary
journey (in about A.D. 51). He wrote this letter a short time later to encourage
the young believers there. He wanted to assure them of his love, to praise them
for their faithfulness during persecution, and to remind them of their hope-the
sure return of their Lord and Savior.
Paul begins this letter with a note of affirmation, thanking God for the
strong faith and good reputation of the Thessalonians (1:1-10). Then Paul
reviews their relationship-how he and his companions brought the gospel to them
(2:1-12), how they accepted the message (2:13-16), and how he longed to be with
them again (2:17-20). Because of his concern, Paul sent Timothy to encourage
them in their faith (3:1-13).
Paul then presents the core of his message-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 sinful world (4:11, 12).
Paul comforts the Thessalonians by reminding them of the hope of the
resurrection (4:13-18). Then he warns them to be prepared at all times, for
Jesus Christ could return at any moment. When Christ returns, those Christians
who are alive and those who have died will be raised to new life (5:1-11).
Paul then gives the Thessalonians a handful of reminders on how to prepare
themselves for the second coming-warn the idle (5:14), encouraged the timid
(5:14), help the weak (5:14), be patient with everyone (5:14), be kind to
everyone (5:15), be joyful always (5:16), pray continually (5:17), give thanks
(5:18), test everything that is taught (5:20, 21), and avoid evil (5:22). Paul
concludes his letter with two benedictions and a request for prayer.
As you read this letter, listen carefully to Paul's practical advice for
Christian living. And when burdened by grief and overwhelmed by sorrow, take
hope in the reality of Christ's return, the resurrection, and eternal life!
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Vital Statistics
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Purpose:
To strengthen the Thessalonian Christians in their faith and give them
the assurance of Christ's return
Author:
Paul
To Whom Written:
The church at Thessalonica and all believers everywhere
Date Written:
About A.D. 50 from Corinth; one of Paul's earliest letters
Setting:
The church at Thessalonica was very young, having been established only
two or three years before this letter was written. The Thessalonian Christians
needed to mature in their faith. In addition, there was a misunderstanding
concerning Christ's second coming-some thought Christ would return immediately,
and thus they were confused when their loved ones died because they expected
Christ to return beforehand. Also, believers were being persecuted.
Key Verse:
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God
will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him" (4:14).
Key People:
Paul, Timothy, Silas
Key Place:
Thessalonica
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The Blueprint
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1) Faithfulness to the Lord...(1:1-3:13)
2) Watchfulness for the Lord...(4:1-5:28)
Paul and his companions were faithful to bring
the gospel to the Thessalonians in the midst of persecution. The Thessalonians
had only recently become Christians, and yet they had remained faithful to the
Lord, despite the fact that the apostles were not with them. Others have been
faithful in bringing God's Word to us. We must remain faithful and live in the
expectation that Christ will return at any time.
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Megathemes
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Theme:
Persecution
Explanation:
Paul and the new Christians at Thessalonica experienced persecution
because of their faith in Christ. We can expect trials and troubles as well. We
need to stand firm in our faith in the midst of trials, being strengthened by
the Holy Spirit.
Importance:
The Holy Spirit helps us to remain strong in faith, able to show genuine
love to others and maintain our moral character even when we are being
persecuted, slandered, or oppressed.
Theme:
Paul's ministry
Explanation:
Paul expressed his concern for this church even while he was being
slandered. Paul's commitment to share the gospel in spite of difficult
circumstances is a model we should follow.
Importance:
Paul not only delivered his message, but gave of himself. In our
ministries, we must become like Paul-faithful and bold, yet sensitive and
self-sacrificing.
Theme:
Hope
Explanation:
One day all believers, both those who are alive and those who have died,
will be united with Christ. To those Christians who die before Christ's return,
there is hope-the hope of the resurrection of the body.
Importance:
If we believe in Christ, we will live with him forever. All those who
belong to Jesus Christ-from throughout history-will be present with him at his
second coming. We can be confident that we will be with loved ones who have
trusted in Christ.
Theme:
Being prepared
Explanation:
No one knows the time of Christ's return. We are to live moral and holy
lives, ever watching for his coming. Believers must not neglect daily
responsibilities, but always work and live to please the Lord.
Importance:
The gospel is not only what we believe, but also what we must live. The
Holy Spirit leads us in faithfulness, so we can avoid lust and fraud. Live as
through you expected Christ's return at any time. Don't be caught unprepared.
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Paul's Profile
No person, apart from Jesus himself,
shaped the history of Christianity like the apostle Paul. Even before he was
a believer, his actions were significant. His frenzied persecution of
Christians following Stephen's death got the church started in obeying
Christ's final command to take the gospel worldwide. Paul's personal
encounter with Jesus changed his life. He never lost his fierce intensity,
but from then on it was channeled for the gospel.
Paul was very religious. His training under Gamaliel was the finest
available. His intentions and efforts were sincere. He was a good Pharisee,
who knew the Bible and sincerely believed that this Christian movement was
dangerous to Judaism. Thus Paul hasted the Christian faith and persecuted
Christians without mercy.
Paul got permission to travel to Damascus to capture Christians and
bring them back to Jerusalem. But God stopped him in his hurried tracks on
the Damascus road. Paul personally met Jesus Christ, and his life was never
again the same.
Until Paul's conversion, little had been done about carrying the gospel
to non-Jews. Philip had preached in Samaria and to an Ethiopian man;
Cornelius, a Gentile, was converted under Peter, and in Antioch in Syria,
some Greeks had joined the believers. When Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem
to check on this situation, he went to Tarsus to find Paul and bring him to
Antioch, and together they worked among the believers there. They were then
sent on a missionary journey, the first of three Paul would take, that would
carry the gospel across the Roman empire.
The thorny issue of whether Gentiles believers had to obey Jewish laws
before they could become Christians caused many problems in the early
church. Paul worked hard to convince the Jews that Gentiles were acceptable
to God, but he spent even more time convincing the Gentiles that they were
acceptable to God. The lives Paul touched were changed and challenged by
meeting Christ through him.
God did not waste any part of Paul - his background, his training, his
citizenship, his mind, or even his weaknesses. Are you willing to let God do
the same for you? You will never know all he can do with you until you allow
him to have all that you are!
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Paul's Strengths and Accomplishments
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1) Transformed by God from a persecutor of
Christians to a preacher for Christ
2) Preached for Christ throughout the Roman empire on three missionary
journeys
3) Wrote letters to various churches, which became part of the New Testament
4) Was never afraid to face an issue head-on and deal with it
5) Was sensitive to God's leading and, despite his strong personality,
always did as God directed
6) Is often called the apostle to the Gentiles
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Paul's Weaknesses and Mistakes
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1) Witnessed and approved of Stephen's
stoning
2) Set out to destroy Christianity by persecuting Christians
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Lessons from Paul's Life
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1) The Good News is that forgiveness and
eternal life are a gift of God's grace received through faith in Christ and
available to all people
2) Obedience results from a relationship with God, but obedience will never
create or earn that relationship
3) Real freedom doesn't come until we no longer have to prove our freedom
4) God does not waste our time - he will use our past and present so we may
serve him with our future
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Paul's Vital Statistics
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1) Where: Born in Tarsus, but became a world
traveler for Christ
2) Occupation: Trained as a Pharisee, learned the tent making trade, served
as a missionary
3) Contemporaries: Gamaliel, Stephen, the apostles, Luke, Barnabas, Timothy
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Key Verses
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"For to me, to live is Christ and to die
gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for
me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I
desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more
necessary for you that I remain in the body" (Philippians 1:21-24).
Paul's story is told in Acts 7:58-28:31 and
through his New Testament letters. |
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(1) Faithfulness to the Lord
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith
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1) To whom did Paul write, and in whose name
did he write in?
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Paul and his companions probably arrived in
Thessalonica in the early summer of A.D. 50. They planted the first Christian
church in that city, but had to leave in a hurry because their lives were
threatened (Acts 17:1-10). At first opportunity, probably when he stopped at
Corinth, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to see how the new believers
were doing. Timothy returned to Paul with good news: the Christians in
Thessalonica were remaining firm in the faith and were unified. But the
Thessalonians did have some questions about their new faith. Paul had not had
time to answer all their questions during his brief visit, and in the meantime,
other questions had risen. So Paul wrote this letter to answer their questions
and to commend them on their faithfulness to Christ.
2) How was their work produced, how was their
labor prompted, how was their endurance inspired, who has chosen the believers,
how did the gospel come to the Thessalonians, and why did Paul and the others
live among them?
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The Thessalonians had stood firm when they
were persecuted (1:6; 3:1-4, 7, 8). Paul commended these young Christians for
their work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by
hope. These characteristics are the marks of effective Christians in any age.
The gospel came "with power," it had a powerful effect on the Thessalonians.
When ever the Bible is heard and obeyed, lives are changed! Christianity is more
than a collection of interesting facts; it is the power of God to every one who
believes. What has God's power done in your life since you first believed?
The Holy Spirit changes people when they believe the gospel. When we tell
others about Christ, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to open their eyes and
convince them that they need salvation. God's power changes people-not our
cleverness or persuasion. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, our words are
meaningless. The Holy Spirit not only convicts people of sin but also assures
them of the truth of the gospel.
Paul wrote, "You know how we lived among you for your sake." The
Thessalonians could see that what Paul, Silas, and Timothy were preaching was
true because these men lived it. Does your life confirm or contradict what you
say you believe?
3) Whom did the Thessalonians become imitators
of, in spite of severe suffering, how did they welcome the message, and who did
they become a model to?
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The message of salvation, though welcomed with
great joy, brought the Thessalonians severe suffering because it led to
persecution from both Jews and Gentiles (3:2-4; Acts 17:5). Having believed the
gospel message and accepted new life in Christ, apparently many Thessalonians
believed that they would be protected from death until Christ returned. Then,
when believers began to die under persecution, some Thessalonian Christians
started to question their faith. Many of Paul's comments throughout this letter
were addressed to these people, as he explained what happens when believers die
(4:13 ff).
4) Who reports the kind of reception the
church in Thessalonica gave the believers, why did the Thessalonians turn from
idols, who are the people of Thessalonica waiting for, and who will rescue us
from the coming wrath?
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All of us should respond to the Good News as
the Thessalonians did: turn to God, serve God, and wait for
his Son, Christ, to return from Heaven. We should turn from sin to God because
Christ is coming to judge the earth. We should be fervent in our service because
we have little time before Christ returns. We should be prepared for Christ to
return because we don't know when he will come.
Paul emphasizes Christ's second coming throughout this book. Because the
Thessalonian church was being persecuted, Paul encouraged them to look forward
to the deliverance that Christ would bring. A believer's hope is in the return
of Jesus, our great God and Savior (Titus 2:13). Our perspective on life remains
incomplete without this hope. Just as surely as Christ was raised form the dead
and ascended into heaven, he will return (Acts 1:11).
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Answers 1Thessalonians Chapter One
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1) to the church of the Thessalonians...God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
2) by faith...by love...by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ...God...not simply with
words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction...for
your sake
3) of us (Paul, Silas, and Timothy) and of the Lord...with the joy given by the
Holy Spirit...to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia
4) they themselves...to serve the living and true God...his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead...Jesus
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Taken from The NIV Life Application Study Bible,
Zondervan Publishers
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