INTRODUCTION
Thessalonica stood on the seaboard, and was the center of a large trade, which it shared with Corinth and Ephesus. It is the Saloniki of today, to which the interest of the world has recently been directed. It contained a large colony of Jews and a synagogue. The Apostle visited it, as recorded in Act_17:2-9. Probably he dispatched this Epistle from Corinth; compare 1Th_1:1; 1Th_3:1 with Act_18:15. It is the earliest of the Epistles and more elementary than the later ones. An interesting study would be to trace the development of the Apostle’s thought to the fuller and deeper teachings of the Epistles to the churches at Rome and Ephesus.
OUTLINE OF THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE TESSALONIANS
Building Up One Another
SALUTATION
FOUNDING AND GROWTH OF THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH
Fruits of the Gospel in Thessalonica
1. How extensive was the influence of the Thessalonian Christians?
GREETING
Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being from God].
THE THESSALONIANS’ FAITH AND EXAMPLE
We give thanks to God always for all of you, continually mentioning you in our prayers;
recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith, and your service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ. [1Th_1:10]
Brothers and sisters beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you;
for our good news [regarding salvation] came to you not only in word, but also in [its inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction [on our part]. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your benefit.
You became imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord, after you welcomed our message in [a time of] great trouble with the joy supplied by the Holy Spirit;
so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
For the word of the Lord has resounded from you and has echoed [like thunder], not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place [the news of] your [great] faith in God has spread, so that we never need to say anything about it.
For they themselves report about us, telling what kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
and to [look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead–Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath [and draws us to Himself, granting us all the privileges and rewards of a new life with Him].
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
On
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
IMITATORS AND EXAMPLES
This chapter abounds in thanksgiving; and the Apostle recites the many beautiful and hopeful traits of character and behavior by which the members of this Christian community had endeared themselves to him. Notice his favorite grouping of faith, hope, and love. We are taught to crave for these in our own soul-garden, and to rejoice to find them blossoming in others. Too often the gospel comes only in word; let us seek the other three accompaniments of 1Th_1:5. What a blessed thing it would be if our church life were so full of the Spirit of Christ that the ministers would not need to say anything! “By whose preaching,” a lad was asked, “were you converted?” “By no one’s preaching,” was the reply, “but by my Aunt Mary’s living.”
There are three memorable steps indicated in 1Th_1:9-10. Turn unto God: serve Him as true and living: wait for the coming of the Son of man. The last phrase strikes the keynote of this Epistle. The Church is encouraged to stand expectant at the oriel window. Behind her is the night from which she has been delivered, and on the bosom of the dawn shines the morning star.
Pastor Jeff Arthur.
Grace And Peace.
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