1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
1 Thessalonians 1 (NKJV) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and 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, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
(Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary (7 Vols.))
OUTLINE OF THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS
BUILDING UP ONE ANOTHER
SALUTATION (1:1).
FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH (1:2-3:13).)
- Fruits of the Gospel in Thessalonica (1:2-10).
- Paul’s Missionary Methods (2:1-12).
- Results of His Labor (2:13-20).
- Visit of Timothy (3:1-10).
- Benediction (3:11-13).
THE WALK OF THE CHRISTIAN (4-5).)
- The Need of Purity (4:1-8).
- The Need of Love for the Brethren (4:9-12).
- The Return of Christ (4:13-18).
- How To Be Prepared (5:1-8).
- The Will of God for the Christian (5:9-22).
CONCLUSION (5:23-28).
Paul the Apostle who wrote about A.D. 50 to A.D. 51 from Corinth
V1 “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is a typical greeting in Paul’s letters. Note: 1) this church is God’s, just like all true believing churches (believers) and 2) true peace and grace come from the Lord God.
V2 “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers…” Paul thanks God for them–all of them. The importance of prayer cannot be dismissed.
V3 “…remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father…” The church is recognized by Paul to have good works among which are faith, love, and patience of hope. Work of faith: The Greek word for “work” is (G2041) ἔργον érgon, which means any type of effort from one’s occupation to an undertaking. It is a doing. It is active, not passive. It can mean a thought, a deed (act), occupation, etc. Faith is not the work, but the believers are doing things by faith, by believing in God and His ways as Paul taught them. Work is a doing something, not always something for reward or wages. See John 8:29, Matthew 26:10, John 8:39). Work most often refers to keeping Mosaic Law, not the work of faith (Romans 4:15). Also see the contrast found in Romans 9:29-32. The phrase “work of faith” is also used in 2 Thessalonians 1:11. The Greek word for labor is (G2873) κόπος kópos, which means a labor with intensity and difficulty. Love is not always easy. Hope is the expectancy of something promised. The NT has many of God’s promises for the believers–rapture, resurrection, heaven. God being with us, etc.
Work
(Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “These words, common from Homer, denote action or active zeal. They occur in relation to all kinds of work, working with various materials, building, and technical and cultural activity. They also denote work as a social or ethical task.
Doing sin as in Matthew 7:23. Making idols as in Revelation 9:20. Works of darkness (Romans 13:12). Works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19). The things a person does as in Titus 1:16. Working with your hands (occupation, employment, crafting, etc.) as in 1 Thessalonians 4:11. Ministry or assignment as in John 17:4. An undertaking as in Acts 5:38. Jesus’s miracles as in Matthew 11:2 and John 14:10-12. A sinful action as in 1 Corinthians 5:2. Behavior as in Ephesians 2:8-10.”
V4 “…knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.” Why are they the “elect?” Because they believed God; they believed God’s gospel. It is faith–a believing God like Abraham believed God. The Greek word for “election” is (G1589) ἐκλογή eklogḗ, which means select, make a choice. So, election is based on what thing? Works? NO! Calvinist understanding of predestination? NO! The Scripture teaches that election is based on faith! See Galatians 3:5-9. Why is a person one of the chosen? Anyone who is chosen must meet certain qualifications. The Lord Jesus is the “Chosen.” Why? 1) He is the beloved Son (Luke 9:35), 2) He is a servant to do the Father’s will, which is to be the Messiah Isaiah 42:1), 3) He is holy, which is without sin (Isaiah 49:7), 4) He is life (1 Peter 2:4, John 1:4, and John 14:6), 5) He was a willing volunteer (Hebrews 10:5-9), and 6) He is God (John 1:1-20. No one else could meet these qualifications. The qualifications for humans are to believe God (faith) as in John 3:16, Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:9, Romans 4:20-25, and Galatians 3:7-9.
V5 “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” Paul reminds them that when he came he spoke the Gospel, but he also did miracles as authorized by God to show authentication and giving glory to the Holy Spirit who enabled him. The Greek word “assurance” is (G4136) πληροφορία plērophoria, which means entire confidence. It is derived from (G4135) πληροφορέω plērophoreō , which means (Olive Tree Enhanced Strong’s Dictionary) “to carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish: — most surely believe, fully know (persuade), make full proof of.” Here it means to have full confidence that the Gospel is 100% true. Also, the missionary team’s life showed their truthfulness.”
V6 “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit…” They believed after God freed their will. They became followers of the Lord Jesus (Christians) with regards to His worldview, lifestyle, and rules. The missionary team also believed and lived that way. Lifestyle does mean the particular foods or dress they wore but their standards of living. The Judaizers are the main opposition to Paul’s preaching. Note how the believers had much joy. This is not just a happiness but a work and grace given by the Holy Spirit to believers. This joy is different than what nonbelievers experience.
V7 “…so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.” Their testimony and life was noised about all Macedonia and Achaia.
V8 “For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.”
Their testimony is strong and honest. Our life and words should reflect the Gospel and become a living testimony to all we meet.
V9 “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God…” Turned from idols to God refers to the radical change in their lives. This also brought suffering. Yahweh is the living (as opposed to dead, cold stone or wood) and true (as opposed to the Pantheon of gods).
V10 “…and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” They knew about the Rapture, which he will write about later. Paul had to write these letters because everything that Paul taught was being challenged by false teachers. Paul wrote to clarify and strengthen them. God’s Son is Jesus Christ, God the Son. Jesus is now in heaven at the right hand of His Father interceding and carrying out His ministry as Chief Shepherd of the sheep. The resurrect is very important (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). It is an essential doctrine. Jesus is our deliverer from the wrath to come. This is not the wrath of hell, but the wrath of God poured out during the Tribulation. The word “delivers” is a present tense (Verb, Present, middle or passive deponent, participle, accusative, singular, masculine).