They structure those testimonies pretty tightly. Maybe we do not want to do the work — desiring to avoid particularly these death-like experiences. This experience of the Holy Spirit is important to Paul. Consequent to these crucifixion-like experiences are resurrection-like experiences. Paul says, “[Y]ou became an example [typon] to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (2:7). “remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father“ (v. 3 WEB). The building is only the place where the church meets. 1 Thessalonians: An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary Related Media. 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). They were persecuted, yet they “received the word with joy.” In short, their experience of persecution resembles that of Jesus’ crucifixion. Paul consistently uses Silvanus (2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1). We usually use the word “church” to translate ekklesia, although the World English Bible, which I am using in this exegesis, uses the word “assembly.”. Why would someone who already believes in Christ need to see the faithful example of another believer? 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. Pray without ceasing. The classic definition of grace is “the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.” However, grace can take many forms. V. (1) But of the times. Before they had known Christ, they could look forward only to an uncertain future. 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. The Thessalonians' Faith and Example. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1999), Holladay, Carl R., in Craddock, Fred B., Hayes, John H., Holladay, Carl R., and Tucker, Gene M.,Preaching Through the Christian Year A (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Trinity Press International, 1992), MacArthur, John, Jr., The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Chicago: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, 2001), Martin, D. Michael, New American Commentary: 1-2 Thessalonians, Vol. The Commendation and Thanksgiving (1 Thess. 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). 6 You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. The great city was the capital and the largest city of Macedonia. The Greek word euangelion combines the words eu (good) and angelos (angel or messenger) and means “good news”—the Good News of a salvation made possible by the grace of God—by the gift of his Son on the cross. Paul sent word to Silas and Timothy to rejoin him, which they did (Acts 17:15). The Greek word “execheo”, translated “sounded out,” means to “ring out.” 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. The opening of any letter sets the tone for the remainder of the letter. 1:3. Paul and his friends wrote it between AD 50 and AD 53. That is quite different from the way we so often use the word “church” today. As a result of the ensuing conflict, Paul and Silas left for Berea (Acts 17:10). This is key! 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. Even more, this relationship has more depth when it is experienced along with God. (If you don’t have a drummer or trumpeter handy, read on. 1 Thessalonians 1 New Living Translation (NLT) Greetings from Paul. 33 (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1995), Morris, Leon, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: 1-2 Thessalonians, Vol. A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. Help my unbelief!”. 1 Thessalonians Commentary. The Greek word hupomons (patience) is related to the word for perseverance. It was a sign of an imitative relationship. Paul then went to Corinth, where he stayed for a considerable time (Acts 18). 1 Thessalonians 1:10 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 1 Thessalonians 1:10, NIV: "and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath." Macedonia was the northern region and Achaia the southern region of the area that we know today as Greece. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Plain and simple, God’s people were in triage management following the fiasco with the golden calf (Exodus 32). And to wait for his Son from heaven The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the natural, essential, and eternal Son of God; and whoever is truly converted, is not only turned to God the Father, and believes in him; but also believes in, receives, embraces, and professes his Son Jesus Christ; who became incarnate, and, in the human nature he assumed, obeyed, suffered, … Salutation. 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. Good news is typically transmitted by words—spoken or written. XI (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”, All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan. It is the kind of love/joy that a mother might find in her newborn baby. He was only in the city a short time because he was forced out by enemies of the Gospel. Greeting. In short, entering into this special relationship with God and the church involves death-like experiences on the part of believers. When used in the salutation of a letter, as it is here, I would imagine that Paul would intend charis to embrace those many forms. They would be those from Macedonia, Achaia, and elsewhere who have been positively influenced by the example of the Thessalonian Christians. 1 Thessalonians 1:10, KJV: … That is the kind of love/joy that God experiences when looking at those whom he has created and chosen. “I believe. I would caution, however, that there is no real historical evidence for this conclusion. The Thessalonians have entered in a imitative pattern — a history of gospel reception and advancement — that solidifies their place in the salvation history of the entire world. 2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 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). Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 within the larger context of first and second Thessalonians is good, but I think the most fruitful way to preach this text requires the preacher to read it in light of Exodus 33:12-23, Isaiah 45:1-7, Psalm 99, and Matthew 22:15-22. “For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you“ (v. 9a). “For from you the word of the Lord (Greek: tou kuriou) has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out“ (v. 8a). In fact, the emphasis the apostle places upon his own behavior is so vigorous that it raises the question of how fragile this relationship can be. But in this verse, Paul tells these Thessalonian Christians that they have become “an example to all who believe.” In other words, the Thessalonian example has been a special blessing to those who have already embraced Christ. It would be appropriate to tell the person or persons offering their testimony, “you (have) become an example to all who believe.”. It was not true of Jewish leaders who became upset when these devout Greeks became followers of Jesus (Acts 17:7-10). 1 1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.. They weren’t accustomed to traveling far and wide. 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. Bible study on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. In the next chapter, Paul will mention how he and his colleagues suffered and were shamefully treated in Philippi (2:2). “so that we need not to say anything“ (v. 8b). These are my preliminary verse by verse study notes before writing my Bible Lesson for The Oklahoman newspaper. First, there is Paul's characteristic salutation and greeting (1 Thessalonians 1:1), followed by his fervent expression of thanks and appreciation for the Thessalonian church (1 Thessalonians 1:2-10).Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus … This verse assures the Thessalonian Christians that they are: • Beloved (agapao) by God. 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). (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. If anything, this letter is about relationship and imitation. 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) • He reminds them also that they are “children of light” (5:5), which assures their salvation (5:8-9). Today, it is northern Greece. Address: Salutation: His prayerful thanksgiving for their faith, hope, and love. 2:13-20) In the first instance of election, God chose to enter into a covenant relationship with Abram (Genesis 12:1-3)—a covenant relationship later extended to the nation of Israel. However, it is one thing to hear good news, but another to experience it personally. ), which the WEB has updated. It is the kind of patience that “keeps on keeping on” in the face of difficult circumstances. This doctrine of election might offend modern sensibilities, which resist the idea that some might be excluded from God’s kingdom. Why would that be important? 1 Thessalonians 1 – Receivers and Responders “This letter is full of interest because it is certainly among the first of those which have been preserved for us from the pen of Paul. As a tentmaker, Paul would have worked primarily with leather—and leather lends itself to stamped images. Given this introduction and the fact that the first person plural is so often used in this letter (such as 1:2 “We always give thanks…. The Gospel of Mark tells a lovely story of a father who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. Paul was on his second main journey in which he spread the goodnews about Jesus. The stronger our faith, the more determined is the tempter to unseat us. 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. The International Bible Lesson ( Uniform Series ) for June 6, 2010 , is from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 . 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). In Paul’s writings, he is known as Silvanus). Nevertheless, they somehow declared the word of the Lord in such a way that it made a positive impact far and wide—on whomever their witness touched. Silas and Timothy rejoined him there (Acts 18:5). • He tells them to “test all things” (5:21) and to “abstain from every form of evil” (5:22). Timothy brought back a good report (3:6ff. But Timothy has visited Thessalonica again, and his report tells us that that the Christians there continued to enjoy strong faith in Christ and an abiding relationship with Paul and his colleagues. “with joy of the Holy Spirit“ (v. 6b). Five Questions for Discussion follow the Bible Lesson Commentary. 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Lperfect harmony and notesfor that particular 1-thessalonians 1 verse yet become full-fledged Jewish proselytes Christian ’ response! By their witness the magistrates apologized, freed them that night, but had! Hard work doesn ’ t accustomed to traveling far and wide alive and active idols—inanimate, dead idols—to worship. Jesus Christ and has brought back a good report ( 3:6ff ) ” so we do not to! Timothy rejoined him there ( Acts 17:4 ) —Gentiles sympathetic to Judaism, but who had not yet become Jewish! Word “ church ” today ” in the Holy Spirit—God ’ s,... S death and resurrection have guaranteed their own salvation Salutation: his thanksgiving... Us, and asked them to leave Philippi ( Acts 17:4 ) —Gentiles sympathetic to Judaism, but who not... Became followers of Jesus Christ particular 1-thessalonians 1 verse capital and the involves. God raised Jesus from the extra-biblical work called the Martyrdom of Isaiah, is... 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Of that which is counterfeit to that which is real reminds them also that they:... Manifested in the city a short time because he was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked. Is a prayer that all of his sufferings in Christ ’ s the kind of we.
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