1Thessalonians, Chapter One, Lesson One SHARING GREETINGS 1Thessalonians 1:1 STIMULATE ** In our study of Paul's letter to the Colossians, we learned the importance of letting "the word of Christ richly dwell within" us (Colossians 3:16) and the impact it will have on the body of Christ as a whole. We will exercise "all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in [our] hearts to God." MOTIVATE ** Since we know that to be true, let's consider the following questions: How are love for the brethren and a desire for instruction from the Word of God related? What will they produce when they are lived out in concert with each other in the life of a believer? The answer to those questions will be given to us throughout our study of 1Thessalonians. Paul will repeatedly address these two topics and show us how they produce a genuine, spiritual growth for the child of God. ** For the next three studies, we have the privilege of looking over the shoulder of Paul as he pens the opening for this marvelous epistle. What we will learn comes from his Holy Spirit inspired instruction, of course, but also comes from observing Paul's behavior as he interacts with other believers. There is much for us to learn and apply as we see him: SHARING GREETINGS - 1Thessalonians 1:1 SHOWING GRATITUDE - 1Thessalonians 1:2-5 SERVING GOD - 1Thessalonians 1:6-10 For today, let's begin by reading through chapter one to help us set our minds on what the Lord has for us to learn from His precious word. Read passage (V.1-5) (V.6-10) Opening Prayer INVESTIGATE Sharing Greetings ** Before we begin looking at the text, let's introduce our study by taking a close look at the history of Thessalonica. When do you suppose it was founded? (Please refer to the map in the back of your Bible - Thessalonica, Ephesus and Corinth were the major sea ports of the area) 316 B.C. - by Cassander, king of Macedonia and the husband of Alexander the Great's half-sister. He simply collected up a number of villages and resettled them in his new city, which he named after his wife.
168 B.C. - Macedonia was united into a Roman providence, with Thessalonica as its capital. 42 B.C. - It was awarded the "Free City" status by Rome for helping Anthony and Octavian defeat Brutus and Cassius at Philippi. The Emperor, Augustus Caesar gave them the protection of Rome, while letting them govern their own internal affairs. Today this city is called Thessaloniki (Salonica). ** Who do you think was the author of this letter? The apostle Paul, when you consider: 1Thessalonians 1:1, 2:18, 3:5 and 5:27 ** Why does Scripture refer to him by two names? Hebrew - Sha'ul (Greek: Saulos) means "asked for" or "asked of God" Roman - Paulos (Greek) means "little" Both names were probably given to him at birth because his parents were Jewish, Roman citizens. This was a common practice. (cf. Acts 13:9) ** What reason would Paul have for using his Greek name when writing his epistles? Because Jesus had called him to preach to the Gentiles who, for the most part, did not know the Hebrew language. cf. Acts 9:15, Acts 13:46-49 ** Who does Paul include in his opening greeting to the Thessalonians? Silvanus and Timothy ** Timothy we know quite well, but who is Silvanus? Silas - chosen by Paul to replace Barnabas, after the disagreement over John-Mark. cf. Acts 15:36-40, Acts 17:1, 4 and 10, 2Corinthians 1:19 ** From where did Paul pen this epistle? From the city of Corinth, on his second missionary journey. Probably written between 50-51 A.D. and delivered by Timothy. ** In Paul's day, Thessalonica had a population of about 200,000 - comprised mostly of Greeks, Jews and rich Romans. Today the population is around 1 million. It was a very religious area, including idol worship, temple prostitutes, drunkenness, sexual orgies, mysticism and occult satanic involvement. Do you think these believers were in need of Paul's instruction? Absolutely - this is probably the second epistle written by Paul, which would become canonized as Scripture. The first one being Galatians, written around 49 A.D. from Antioch in Syria, before the council at Jerusalem recorded in Acts 15. ** Why did Paul go to Macedonia in the first place?
Because of a vision he received on his second missionary journey. cf. Acts 16:8-10 Let's go back and read Acts 17:1-5 and see if we can determine the kind of reception that Paul, Silas and Timothy had in Thessalonica. 1. Some of the Jews were persuaded and believed. 2. Some Gentiles who had previously been converted to Judaism (God-fearing Greeks) also believed. 3. A number of the leading women believed. 4. The Jews and wicked men rejected the truth. cf. V.5 and V.13 ** What were some of the reasons for Paul writing this great epistle. 1. To defend himself against the false charges of the Jews. cf. 1Thessalonians 2:1-6 2. To encourage his reader as they suffered for the name of Christ at the hands of non-christians. cf. 1Thessalonians 2:14 3. Some of them were confused about the Tribulation even though Paul had instructed them personally when they were face to face. cf. 1Thessalonians 5:1 4. Some believers there in Thessalonica thought that the Lord's return was imminent and decided to quit working, become lazy and live off their friends. cf. 1Thessalonians 4:11-12, 2Thessalonians 3:6-10 5. To resolve possible tensions between members of the congregation and its leadership. cf.1thessalonians 5:12-13, Hebrews 13:7 & 17, 1Peter 5:5 Alright then, having seen some of why Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, let's study our verse for today. V. 1 ** At the opening of this letter Paul, Silas and Timothy are listed as those who are Sharing Greetings for the Thessalonians. Why then do we say that Paul wrote this letter and not all three? Paul (the apostle) is writing this letter of love, encouragement and instruction under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, while Silas and Timothy join in the opening greeting because of their fondness for the church they all founded together. cf. 3:1,2 & 6 We need to remember that when the Jewish persecution got hot in that region, Paul went south to Athens while Silas and Timothy remained in Berea. cf. Acts 17:14 ** To whom, specifically, was Paul writing? "...the church of the Thessalonians..." The word used here by Paul for church is ekklesia and means, "an assembly" of believers. cf. 1Peter 2:9 ** So Paul is writing to this assembly of believers in Thessalonica, is there any other indentifying mark for the recipients of this letter? They are "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ". Not just an assembly of "believers" who believe in the false gods of the region, but those who believe specifically in the one true God!
** Just as a footnote, William Hendriksen points out that "the combination of both terms after one preposition (in) would indicate that the two are entirely co-ordinate". In other words, Paul is saying that "God the Father" and "the Lord Jesus Christ" after the single preposition "in" indicates that they are one in the same. How does that reflect on the genuiness of the church there in Thessalonica? The church of the Thessalonians was "in" one God. ** What is the greeting that these men all shared with the Thessalonians? "Grace" to you and "peace". charis - lit. means kindness, carries the idea of generosity or underserved favor. eirene - lit. peace or welfare This would become a common greeting in the early church, not at all unlike "shalom" had become for Israel. cf. John 1:17 (Grace), John 1:29 (Peace) ** We have commented on this before, but did you notice the order of this greeting? Which comes first? God's amazing grace gives us the kindness of God in the forgiveness of our sin, followed by the peace of God which makes our "welfare" whole or well, based upon the accomplishment of Christ on the cross. EXTRICATE ** What does this opening verse for today say about the intrinsic value of the Thessalonians' faith? It was "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ", which made it genuine. They had not placed their faith in the idols of their day! DELINEATE ** What do Paul, Silas and Timothy have in common regarding the believers at Thessalonica? 1. Shared in the founding of that church. 2. Shared a common love for the brethren. 3. They were co-laborers in building up the saints. EVALUATE ** As we began our study for today we noted that a genuine "love for the brethren" and a "desire for instruction from the word of God" were keys to our spiritual growth. We will be seeing their effect on the Thessalonians over the next six months, but what about us? Do we need to fan the flames of sacrificial love for my brothers and sisters in Christ? Do we need to become more involved in each others' lives. Do we need to grow in our hunger and desire for instruction from God's precious word? ACTIVATE ** You alone can answer those very important questions. Let's ask the Lord to help us fervently love one another and be faithful to learn and apply His word.
Closing Prayer