CHAPTER 16: SURVEY OF PAUL S FIRST LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK Section 1: The Human Author of the Book of 1 Thessalonians The book of 1 Thessalonians was written by Paul (1:1; 2:18). Timothy and Silvanus (also known as Silas) were with Paul at the time this letter was written (1:1). Section 2: The Date and Setting of the Book of 1 Thessalonians Thessalonica was the capital city of the Roman province of Macedonia. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had established the church at Thessalonica on Paul s second missionary journey (see Acts 17:1-9). As a result of Paul s preaching, some Jews, many Gentiles, and a number of prominent women were saved (Acts 17:1-4). Jewish leaders in Thessalonica became jealous of Paul s success and organized a mob against the missionaries, who were forced to leave the city (Acts 17:5). Paul later tried to return to Thessalonica but was prevented from doing so (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18). Concerned about the spiritual condition of the new converts in Thessalonica, Paul sent Timothy back to the city to see how the church was doing (3:1-5). While Timothy was in Thessalonica, Paul continued on to Corinth. Timothy rejoined Paul (Acts 18:5) and brought a good report of the Thessalonians spiritual growth. In response to Timothy s report, Paul wrote this letter. On his third missionary journey, Paul visited the Thessalonians again (Acts 20:1-4). This letter was likely written around AD 51, shortly after Paul arrived in Corinth on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1). Section 3:The Key Word in the Book of 1 Thessalonians Sanctification 377
Section 4: The Theme and Purpose of the Book of 1 Thessalonians The theme of the book is the salvation and sanctification of those who believe the gospel. The purpose of the book is twofold: 1. To urge the church to live appropriately as they anticipate the return of Christ 2. To comfort the church concerning the future of those who had died in Christ Section 5: The Outline of the Book of 1 Thessalonians 1. Reflections of the Thessalonians (Chapters 1-3) 2. Instructions for the Thessalonians (Chapters 4-5) 378
PART 2: CONTENT OF THE BOOK Section 1: Reflections of the Thessalonians 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Displaying the Gospel 1. Paul s Introduction to the Church (1-5) a. His Greeting in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1). b. His Thankfulness (2-3) i. He mentioned them constantly in his prayers (2). ii. He remembered their faith, hope, and love (3). c. His Knowledge (4-5) i. He knew that they were chosen by God in the gospel (4-5a). ii. He knew that they had observed his example among them (5b). 2. The Church s Imitation of Paul (6-10) a. Their Reception (6-7) i. In much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit (6). ii. An example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia (7). b. Their Teaching They set an example in word and in faith (8). c. Their Conversion They turned to God from idols (9). d. Their Hope to wait for the Son from heaven (10). 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 Responding to Affliction 1. Paul s Recap of the Apostles Ministry (1-12) a. Boldness (1-4) i. In spite of the conflict they endured from their enemies (1-2). ii. In obedience to God who entrusted them with the gospel (3-4). 379
b. Gentleness (5-8) i. They did not seek to glorify themselves or to impress others (5-6). ii. They sought to share the gospel and their lives (7-8). c. Holiness (9-12) i. They worked to display the gospel through their actions (9-10). ii. They charged the church to walk in a manner worthy of God (11-12). 2. The Church s Response to the Apostles Ministry (13-16) a. Acceptance of God s Word as what it really is (13). b. Endurance of Suffering They suffered among their own people just as the Jewish Christians had suffered among fellow Jews (14-16). 1 Thessalonians 2:17 3:13 Joyful Endurance 1. The Separation of the Apostles (2:17-20) a. The Hindrance The apostles had been forced to leave the church, and Satan hindered them from returning (17-18). b. The Hope For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy (19-20). 2. The Sending of Timothy (3:1-5) a. To establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions (1-3). b. To learn whether or not the church had maintained its faith in the midst of suffering and affliction (4-5). 3. The State of the Thessalonians (3:6-10) 380
a. The Report The church continued in their former ways of faith and love (6). b. The Reaction (7-10) i. The apostles were comforted even in their affliction (7-8). ii. The apostles were thankful, joyful, and prayerful toward them (9-10). 4. The Supplication of Paul (3:11-13) a. His Requests (11-12) i. That God may direct the apostles back to them (11). ii. That God may increase their love for one another (12). b. His Reason So that the church would be holy at the coming of Christ (13). Section 2: Instructions for the Thessalonians 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 1. Live in Personal Holiness (1-8) a. Holiness is the instruction of God The church should live to please the God who rescued them (1-2). b. Holiness is the will of God (3-6). i. Abstain from sexual immorality and control your bodies (3-4). ii. Do not wrong your brothers by imitating unbelievers (5-6). c. Holiness is the call of God God has called us to purity, so to be impure is to disregard God (7-8). 2. Continue in Brotherly Love (9-12) a. Taught by God (9) b. Modeled by the Church Their love was beneficial to other disciples and was an example for the unbelievers (10-12). 381
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 The Coming of the Lord 1. The Comfort (13-15) a. That you may not grieve as others do who have no hope (13). b. God will raise the dead just as he raised Jesus (14). c. The dead will meet the Lord before the living will meet him (15). 2. The Catching-up (16-17) a. The Lord will descend and the dead in Christ will rise first (16). b. Living saints will meet the Lord in the air to be with him forever (17). 3. The Command Encourage one another with these words (18). 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 The Day of the Lord 1. The Suddenness of the Day (1-3) a. It will come like a thief in the night (1-2). b. Destruction will come upon them as labor pains (3). 2. The Standing of the Children of Light (4-8) a. We are not in darkness but are children of the light (4-5). b. We are to keep awake since we are not of the night but belong to the day, and are equipped for action (6-8). 3. The Salvation of the Saints (9-11) a. Our Destiny Not for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that we might live with him (9-10). b. Our Responsibility Encourage one another and build one another up (11). 382
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 Applying Holiness 1. The Calling of Believers (12-22) a. In Relationships (12-15) i. Respect and esteem those who guide you spiritually (12-13). ii. Be patient with people and seek to do good to one another (14-15). b. In Mindset Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (16-18). c. In Spiritual Growth (19-22) i. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies (19-20). ii. Test everything, keep the good, and avoid the evil (21-22). 2. The Character of God (23-28) a. He will sanctify his people for the coming of Christ (23). b. He is faithful to complete his work (24). c. His grace is with the church and its activities (25-28). 383
PART 3: CONCLUSIONS TO THE BOOK Section 1: Interesting Features in the Book of 1 Thessalonians 1. With the likely exception of Galatians (around AD 48-49), 1 Thessalonians is the earliest of Paul s letters. 2. The most detailed description of the rapture (Jesus gathering his followers to meet him in the air) is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Other Scriptures that allude to this are in John 14:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. 3. Every chapter in 1 Thessalonians contains a reference to the second coming of Christ (see 1:9-10; 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:16-18; and 5:23). Section 2: Truths to Apply from the Book of 1 Thessalonians 1. Genuine conversion is evidenced by a change in priorities (1:9-10). 2. It is possible to remain loyal to the Lord even in the midst of severe affliction (3:6-8). 3. God will continue to sanctify those whom he saves (4:3-8). 4. Continually grow in your love for fellow saints (4:9). 5. The promised return of Jesus brings hope and comfort (4:16-18). 6. Be alert, because the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly (5:2-8). 384