This letter to the Thessalonians may be the earliest of Paul's epistles. Thessalonica was the largest commercial center in southeastern Europe in Paul's day. It lay on the Aegean Sea and the major road called the Via Egnatia. The city had a large Jewish population and an active synagogue where Paul could speak and reach his fellow Jews and a large number of Gentiles, called "God-fearers," who accepted Scripture's religious and moral vision without converting to Judaism. The city had supported Augustus in the civil war that saw this emperor come to power and had been rewarded with the status of a free city, permitting its officers to govern internal affairs.
Paul came to Thessalonica early on his second missionary journey (Acts 17). The brief account in this book seems to suggest that soon after preaching on three Sabbaths in the local synagogue, the Jewish population, jealous over the responsiveness of leading Gentiles to Paul's message, staged a riot. Paul may have been in the city longer. However, as he mentions, working there at his trade (1 Thes. 2:9; 2 Thes. 3:8) he was able to establish a strong and thriving church (1 Thes. 1:9) and before leaving received two gifts from Philippi, five days' journey away (Phil. 4:16). He was also there long enough to firmly ground the church in basic Christian teachings, many of which he alludes to in this letter. Still, considerable confusion did seem to exist over one vital theme—the return of Christ. And so, in the two letters of Paul to the Thessalonians, we have the New Testament's clearest picture of what will happen at the time of Jesus' return.
As we read the Thessalonian letters it's important to remember that, just as Jesus' first coming involved a span of years, from His birth to His death and resurrection, what we call the Second Coming also involves events which are spread over a span of years. The Thessalonian letters, like the Old Testament prophets, speak of a time of great tribulation. They speak of the appearance of a "man of lawlessness," the Antichrist. They describe Jesus' personal return to catch His church up to meet Him in the air and a terrible appearance with armies of angels to "take vengeance" in "flaming fire" on all those who do not know God. Paul gives us no charts showing how all these events fit together. But he does remind us these things are coming. Perhaps very soon!
Chapter summary
Paul begins his letter with thanksgiving for the way the Thessalonians have responded to the Gospel. After a brief greeting (1:1) Paul expresses his thanks for a trio of evidences that the conversion of these believers is real (vv. 2-3). Paul goes on to further explain his confidence. The way these people have responded to God's Word demonstrates the reality of His work in them. The Gospel came to them (vv. 4-5), they welcomed the Word (v. 6), and their lives showed its impact: They became agents who spread the Word in their city and the region it dominated (vv. 7-8) and word of their sincerity in turning to God from idols has spread everywhere (vv. 9-10).
1) We (the Church) are united with God and Jesus Christ.
2) Remember one another in prayer.
3) Our faith should be active, our love working hard, and our confidence in Jesus Christ stable.
4) God loves us and has chosen us.
5) The gospel should be proclaimed with power; the evidence of the Holy Spirit and complete confidence.
6) Do good things for each other whenever possible.
7) We are to imitate Jesus Christ and godly leaders.
8) No matter what we are going through we should welcome the Word of God with the joy that the Holy Spirit gives. This joy should be a witness to others, saved and unsaved.
9) Our faith in God should be talked about by people everywhere.
10) Put away all false gods, false beliefs and serve the true and living God.
11) We are determine to be prepared for and expecting the return of the Jesus Christ at any moment.
12) Jesus whom God raised from the dead is the one who rescues us from God’s coming wrath (anger).
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