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
Visit of Timothy
4. To what does Paul refer as necessary to his very life?
PAUL’S LONGING TO SEE THEM AGAIN
Therefore, when we could no longer endure our separation [from you], we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens,
and so we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in [spreading] the good news of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you [exhorting, comforting, and establishing you] in regard to your faith,
so that no one would be unsettled by these difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you know that we have been destined for this [as something unavoidable in our position].
For even when we were with you, we warned you plainly in advance that we were going to experience persecution; and so, as you know, it has come to pass.
For this reason, when I could no longer endure the suspense, I sent someone to find out about your faith [how you were holding up under pressure], for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our work [among you] would prove to be ineffective.
TIMOTHY’S ENCOURAGING REPORT
But now that Timothy has come back to us from [his visit with] you, and has brought us good news of your [steadfast] faith and [the warmth of your] love, and [reported] that you always think kindly of us and treasure your memories of us, longing to see us just as we long to see you,
for this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and suffering we have been comforted and greatly encouraged about you because of your faith [your unwavering trust in God–placing yourselves completely in His loving hands];
because now we really live [in spite of everything], if you stand firm in the Lord.
For what [adequate] thanks can we offer to God for you in return for all the joy and delight we have before our God on your account?
We continue to pray night and day most earnestly that we may see you face to face, and may complete whatever may be imperfect and lacking in your faith.
Now may our God and Father Himself, and Jesus our Lord guide our steps to you [by removing the obstacles that stand in our way].
And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;
so that He may strengthen and establish your hearts without blame in holiness in the sight of our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints (God’s people).
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
On
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
AWAKENING THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
At the outset observe that marginal reading by which Timothy is described as a fellow-worker with God. What a wonderful phrase, and yet it is applicable to all true workers for God! Think what it must have been for a young artist to be permitted to collaborate with Michelangelo! No thought of his own comfort interfered with Paul’s efforts for the young churches he had planted; he was only eager that they should be established and comforted amid the storm of persecution that swept over them. There is only one path for the followers of Jesus, and it is lined with flints and flecked with blood.
Though the waters surged up to Paul’s heart, he could bear anything, if only his work stood fast. What he suffered was as nothing compared with his joy at the stability of his charges. As he wrought day and night at his handicraft, so he prayed day and night for them. The stitches put into the tent cloth were accompanied by the holy threads of prayerful intercession. He only longed that Christ would make a straight thoroughfare to them, and would keep them blameless and strong.
Pastor Jeff Arthur.
Standing Fast In The Lord.
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