to return and rebuild their city and temple. to encourage Judeans scattered by the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.E. “so that you became an example (Greek: typos) to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia“ (v. 7 WEB). Paul indicates this when he notes that the Thessalonians “received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit” (emphasis mine). They made a number of converts, primarily among devout Greeks (Acts 17:4)—Gentiles sympathetic to Judaism, but who had not yet become full-fledged Jewish proselytes. —The fourth subject of instruction; the bearing of the doctrine of the Advent upon the Christian’s own life. The word kopou (labor) suggests intensity. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we need not to say anything. 1:3. Paul tells the Thessalonian Christians that they have provided a faithful example (typos)—a witness with far-reaching impact. Paul, Silas, and Timothy visited Thessalonica on Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (NOTE: Silas is his name in the book of Acts, written by Luke. • “and patience of hope” (Greek: tes hupomons elpidos). This is a blessing that Paul often confers in his salutations (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:3). He says, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit” (1:6). Commentary, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Holly Hearon, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011. The fact that God raised Jesus from the dead authenticated his status as Son of God. These are my preliminary verse by verse study notes before writing my Bible Lesson for The Oklahoman newspaper. And o… Why would someone who already believes in Christ need to see the faithful example of another believer? The church is the assembled Christian believers. • Timothy was a young believer when Paul first encountered him in Lystra. The proclamation of the Gospel was enhanced by their witness. (2) Christians are chosen to salvation; 1 Thessalonians 1:4. Sometimes the testimony involves a husband and wife with babes in arms or children standing alongside—a particularly charming touch. 1 Thessalonians 1 New Living Translation (NLT) Greetings from Paul. He says, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit” (1:6). It would be appropriate to tell the person or persons offering their testimony, “you (have) become an example to all who believe.”. We need to hear this, because we are always tempted to think that our personal witness or that of our small congregation has little potential. Bible study on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. “with joy of the Holy Spirit“ (v. 6b). “For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you“ (v. 9a). He says, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit” (1:6). When the father asked Jesus to heal his son, Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” The father responded, “I believe. In the next chapter, Paul will mention how he and his colleagues suffered and were shamefully treated in Philippi (2:2). 1 This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. The Faith of the Thessalonian Believers It was founded roughly 300-400 years B.C. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!” (Acts 18:6). Silas/Silvanus was a key leader in the Jerusalem church whom Paul chose to accompany him on his Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:40). We usually think of witnessing as something that we do for the benefit of unbelievers. Five Questions for Discussion follow the Bible Lesson Commentary. Nevertheless, those testimonies are compelling. It is, indeed, a wonderful thing to see the light of faith begin to shine in the heart of someone who has heretofore lived in darkness. This experience of the Holy Spirit is important to Paul. Consequent to these crucifixion-like experiences are resurrection-like experiences. Paul uses some form of that word nearly fifty times, using it to incorporate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, I like the way that Charles Spurgeon dealt with it. Those leaders even followed Paul and his colleagues to Berea, where they agitated the people (Acts 17:13). He and his friends w… Before they had known Christ, they could look forward only to an uncertain future. Thessalonica was (and still is) an important seaport about 185 miles (300 km) north of Athens. The use of the adjectival form of typos indicates that the Thessalonians were a “type” or “paradigm” for other believers to understand and imitate. The Birth and Growth of a Church; 2. 2 - John MacArthur Who personally rescues and delivers us out of and from the wrath [bringing punishment] which is coming [upon the impenitent] and draws us to Himself investing us with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ, the Messiah]. The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing … As a result of the ensuing conflict, Paul and Silas left for Berea (Acts 17:10). Silas and Timothy stayed temporarily in Berea, while Paul went to Athens (Acts 17:14). This is currently the second largest and second most important city in Greece. Paul makes this clear from the beginning. The Thessalonian church includes some who are misbehaving (Greek: ataktos—disorderly or unruly), and Paul encourages the church to admonish them (5:14)—but he includes everyone in his thanksgiving and prayers—even those unruly ones (see also 2:13; 3:9-10). “You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction“ (v. 6a). Paul says, “[Y]ou became an example [typon] to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (2:7). Thus, this relationship is one in which we experience the fullness of our lives by imitating the life experiences of our fellow believers and of the Lord. Politically, just about the only thing Pharisees and Herodians have in common is that they don’t like Jesus. (If you don’t have a drummer or trumpeter handy, read on. 1:2-10) 4. The book of Acts includes a number of accounts of Paul’s suffering in the service of Christ (Acts 9:28-29; 13:50; 14:4, 19; 16:22-24; 21:30-36; 22:22-25; 23:1-10). Watch our overview video on 1 Thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The Greek word ekloge is closely related to eklektos. They had experienced the integrity of Paul and his colleagues—their unselfishness—their agape love. Today, it is northern Greece. The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example. (ed. The persons to whom this epistle is written, namely, the church of the Thessalonians, the converted Jews and Gentiles in Thessalonica; and it is observable that this church is said to be in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ; they had fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, 1 Jn. Likewise, a letter making a formal request will not generally begin with informal salutations. PROPER 24-- Ruth 1:1-19a, Psalm 146, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22-- Norman A. Beck-- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A-- 1986 Through the use of these texts we are guided to perceive God in universal terms, as the One who has This doctrine of election might offend modern sensibilities, which resist the idea that some might be excluded from God’s kingdom. Paul then went to Corinth, where he stayed for a considerable time (Acts 18). They worked to support themselves so that they might not impose a financial burden on the people to whom they were preaching (2:9). It was the first he wrote to European Christians, and in it the fundamental things of the Christian life are very clearly set forth.” (G. Campbell Morgan) Greeting. "It can be tempting, when we receive the 'word', to think that we have received a special revelation, understood only by God and ourselves, and we allow this to become a justification for all we do and think. The Salutation (1 Thess. In his second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul gave a summary statement of his sufferings in Christ’s service. A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. The Greek word agapao indicates a joyful kind of love—the kind of love that takes delight in the beloved. Luke consistently uses Silas in the book of Acts (Acts 15:22, 27, 32, 40; 16:19, 25, 29; 17:1, 4-5, 10, 14-15; 18:5). Those people have told Paul and his colleagues that they have heard good reports about the reception that the Thessalonian Christians accorded them. Parkhurst, Jr. The congregation collectively holds its breath, listening intently to every word. The International Bible Lesson ( Uniform Series ) for June 6, 2010 , is from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 . Learning that they were Roman citizens, the magistrates apologized, freed them, and asked them to leave Philippi (Acts 16). As noted above, their faithful witness has spread widely—from Macedonia to Achaia—from north to south—and to every place where the witness of their faith has touched. However, a stamped image would need to be clear and accurate to be of value. In Paul’s day, the region in which Thessalonica was located was known as Macedonia. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. Many people believe, but none believes perfectly. Paul asked Timothy to accompany him on his Second Missionary Journey (Acts 16:1-3). ), but expressed concern about their understanding of the status of “those who have fallen asleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Agape is love that seeks the welfare of the other person, and that’s the kind of love that serves willingly—gladly—with joy. 1 Thessalonians 1:10, ESV: "and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." to spread the word. In the New Testament, euangelion is used for the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ. 1 I THESSALONIANS I THESSALONIANS 1:10 NEXT 2:1-20 HISTORY: Paul was personally acquainted with the City of Thessalonica and its inhabitants since he founded the Church of Thessalonica in his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1). “The word of the Lord” could mean “the word of God the Father” or “the word of Christ” or both. The Thessalonian Christians had suffered just as Christ had suffered—and just as Paul and his colleagues had suffered in the furtherance of their preaching ministry. The apostle alludes to this possibility when he says he cared for the Thessalonians “like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children” and that he “worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:7, 9). We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Jewish leaders, unhappy about these conversions, complained to the authorities that Paul and Silas were claiming that there was a king named Jesus (Acts 17:7). The Greek word plerophoria conveys the idea of certainty—assurance—conviction—confidence. When we write a letter of complaint, we generally do not begin with warm, fuzzy greetings. This letter may be the earliest of the letters of Paul that wehave. Following that experience, he took a new name—and a new identity as an apostle to the Gentiles. They used no words of flattery to manipulate their hearers (2:5). A life well-lived is a sermon well-preached—a truth not limited to the Judeo-Christian tradition. Paul had obviously included this emphasis in his earlier preaching in Thessalonica, and he will emphasize it again in this letter (5:2-6). Paul and his colleagues had preached an authentic word in Thessalonica—a reliable word. The book of 1 Thessalonians is a letter from the apostle Paul to a young church in Thessalonica, whom he commended for their faith, love, and endurance. “with much assurance“ (plerophoria). “and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God“ (v. 9b). THE LISTENER'S COMMENTARY 1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. As a tentmaker, Paul would have worked primarily with leather—and leather lends itself to stamped images. 1 Thessalonians 1:10. Help my unbelief!”. All of those things contributed to their confidence that Paul and his colleagues were telling the truth—that they were serving God rather than promoting some sort of private agenda. This doesn't me… But these folks are special. Those things make it possible for them to be joyful in the midst of lives that are often difficult (see also 5:16—”Rejoice always!”). Go to Index of Thessalonians. The opening of any letter sets the tone for the remainder of the letter. The Holy Spirit has conveyed the Good News of salvation through Christ to these Thessalonian Christians in such a way that they could feel certain of the ground on which they stood. Silas and Timothy rejoined him there (Acts 18:5). However, hard work doesn’t seem onerous when it is done out of agape love. The Thessalonians could have attributed the persecution they experienced to entering into a bad relationship with God through the apostle, but because they were open to the Holy Spirit, they realized that the persecution was not a sign of a bad relationship. This is hyperbole—exaggeration for effect—overstatement to make a point. Psalm 96 is for royalty. 2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. If anything, this letter is about relationship and imitation. ), scholars believe that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy collaborated on this letter, with Paul as the lead author. The Thessalonians' Faith and Example. Paul makes this clear from the beginning. They then went to Thessalonica, where on three successive Sabbaths they attended the synagogue and presented their case for Jesus as the Messiah. • Chosen (ekloge) by God. The Commendation and Thanksgiving (1 Thess. 2:1-12) 5. Paul makes this clear from the beginning.1 He says, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit” (1:6). Paul and Silas had been in Philippi, but were imprisoned there on the complaint of the owner of a slave girl from whom Paul had exorcised a demon. Good news is typically transmitted by words—spoken or written. However, it is one thing to hear good news, but another to experience it personally. Having seen the authenticity of Paul and his colleagues (see the comments above on v. 5), the new Christians in Thessalonica responded by imitating them. When my wife and I visit the big city, we worship at a large, vital church that our son discovered when going to college there. Furthermore, they live in the conviction that Christ’s death and resurrection have guaranteed their own salvation. “and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom (the true God) raised from the dead—Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come“ (v. 10). He was only in the city a short time because he was forced out by enemies of the Gospel. They weren’t accustomed to traveling far and wide. Later, it also authenticated the proclamation of the apostles. (Cautionary Note: We are not certain where this idea that the Jews killed the prophets actually comes from, but it is sprinkled through several New Testament documents. They sought no human-dispensed glory (2:6). Paul sent word to Silas and Timothy to rejoin him, which they did (Acts 17:15). 1 THESS. The Greek word “execheo”, translated “sounded out,” means to “ring out.” “Grace (Greek: charis) to you and peace (Greek: eirene) from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ“ (v. 1d). The Thessalonian Christians had turned from the worship of idols—inanimate, dead idols—to the worship of the living God. He prayed, “Lord, save all the elect, and then elect some more.”, “and that our Good News (Greek: euangelion) came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance“ (Greek: plerophoria) (v. 5a WEB). In Paul’s writings, he is known as Silvanus). An earthquake freed them that night, but they remained in the jail until the following morning. When we fellowship with other believers, their faith strengthens ours—and our faith strengthens theirs. We are buffeted by forces that threaten to throw us off-balance. • Silvanus is the Latin form for Silas. If anything, this letter is about relationship and imitation. This is key! People had noticed the difference in their lives, and were favorably impressed. A Compelling Example for Ministry (1 Thess. The apostle never goes into great detail about what these “same things” (auta in Greek) are, but we can conclude that they are death-like experiences considering his invocation of the experiences of himself, the churches of Judea, Jesus Christ, and the prophets. Click the verse number to read commentary, definitions, meanings, and notesfor that particular 1-thessalonians 1 verse. • He encourages them to “build each other up” (5:11)—and “to respect and honor” “those who are over you in the Lord” (5:12-13)—”to admonish the disorderly”…and to “be patient toward all” (5:14). Some scholars believe that this idea derives from the extra-biblical work called the Martyrdom of Isaiah, which narrates the death of several prophets. But they also know the importance of encouraging the faithful Christians in Thessalonica to continue being faithful, so they include this bit of over-the-top praise. They probably wrote it in 49 or 50 A.D. • Paul, of course, is an apostle. In short, entering into this special relationship with God and the church involves death-like experiences on the part of believers. In return for 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly 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. Maybe we do not want to do the work — desiring to avoid particularly these death-like experiences. Now they live in the assurance that the Holy Spirit—God’s Spirit—dwells in them, guiding and strengthening them. In other words, when it comes to human-human and human-divine relationships, which are already so fragile, we are misdirected when we pour our energies into figuring out how to justify ending them. In other words, the experience of the Thessalonians further progresses the line of imitation this relationship engenders stretching back to that of the Lord. “to the assembly (Greek: ekklesia) of the Thessalonians“ (v. 1b). The Commendation and Thanksgiving (1 Thess. In everything give thanks” (5:16-18). That father’s response is a prayer that all of us would do well to memorize—and to pray. As they did so, they were also imitating the Lord. Of all of his letters, he says more about why he thanks God for them than any other church. The apostle reminds us indirectly that human beings can only … Continue reading "Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1:1 … Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy (3:2, 6), Paul’s traveling companions on the second missionary journey when the church was founded (Acts 17:1-9), were also mentioned in Paul’s greeting (1:1). It is the kind of love/joy that an artist might find in a work of art that turned out just as the artist had envisioned it. 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