1 Thess: Chapter 1

Pauline Epistles
COACH Institute of Intercultural Studies
Hyderabad

Introduction
to the Books
• Thessalonica Was the Capital of Macedonia
− Thessalonica was a strategically located city

Introduction
to the Books
• Thessalonica Was the Capital of Macedonia
− Thessalonica was a strategically located city
− Thessalonica was a free city, governed by seven “politarchs”
− City was mostly Gentiles with a sizeable Jewish population
• Church Established on Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
− Upon arrival in Thessalonica, Paul went to the synagogue
(Acts 17:1-3)
− Many were converted to the gospel that Paul as preaching, in
the face of persecution (Acts 17:4-8)
− The Jews of the city (who were not converted) raised up a
mob and uproar against Paul (17:5-14).

Introduction
to the Books
• Paul Wrote First Thessalonians While on
His Second Missionary Journey
− Paul wanted to return to Thessalonica to continue teaching
the brethren, but he was hindered (1 Thess. 2:17-18)
− From Athens, Paul sent Timothy to teach and check on the
brethren (1 Thess. 3:1-7).
− Paul continued his journey to Corinth (Acts 18), where he
stayed 18 months.
− While in Corinth, Timothy returned to Paul with a report
about Thessalonica (Acts 18:5; 1 Thess. 3:6-7).
− Paul wrote First Thessalonians from Corinth, shortly after
Timothy’s return and perhaps only about six months since he
was forced to leave (“short time,” 1 Thess. 2:17). Around 50-
51 A.D.

Introduction
to the Books
• Noteworthy Details About the Books
− Only two books written by Paul on his Second
Missionary Journey
− Earliest epistles of Paul (written in about 51-52 A.D.)
• Only James was written earlier (45-49 A.D.)
− The two letters have two different tones.
• First Thessalonians – positive, pleasant tone with many
commendations
• Second Thessalonians – more severe in tone, with some harsh
censure

Introduction
to the Books
• Noteworthy Details About the Books
− The themes center around the second coming of Christ
• First Thessalonians:
Comfort & hope for faithful Christians at the second coming of Christ
• Second Thessalonians:
Proper preparations for the second coming of Christ
− First Thessalonians can be divided “in half”
• Chapters 1-3:
Praise for steadfastness in faith in midst of persecutions
• Chapters 4-5:
Instruction & correction regarding certain errors & misunderstandings

JOYOUS AND
THANKFUL
(1 THESS. 1:1-10)
Lesson 4 for July 28, 2012

1) Greeting (v. 1)
2) Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians (v. 2)
3) Paul’s reasons for praise (v. 3-4)
 Your FAITH
 Your LOVE
 Your HOPE
 Your choice (v. 4)
4) How did they become worthy of praise?
(v. 5-7)
 By the power of the Holy Spirit (v. 5)
 Imitating Paul and his collaborators (v. 6)
 Becoming worthy of imitation (v. 7)
5) Consequences of the Thessalonians’ faith
(v. 8-10)
 An effective witnessing (v. 8)
 Giving up the paganism (v. 9)
 Hope in the resurrection, the Second
Coming and the Judgment (v. 19)
(v. 3)

“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church 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” (1 Thessalonians 1:1)
“Although Paul associates Silas and Timothy
with him, it is evident that Paul himself is the
sole author of the epistle (chs. 2:18; 3:5; 4:13;
5:1, 23, 27). But he keeps Silas and Timothy in
mind as he writes, and frequently uses the
plural pronoun “we” throughout the five
chapters of the epistle (chs. 1:2; 2:2; 3:1; 4:1;
5:12). His two companions undoubtedly
endorsed all the admonition the apostle
wrote under their names”
(SDA Bible Commentary, on 1Ths. 1:1)
Paul adds the Jewish greeting “peace” to
the Greek expression “grace”.
“Grace and peace”, describing an
experience with Jesus.

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making
mention of you in our prayers” (1 Thessalonians 1:2)
Paul and his collaborators devoted time to
prayer. In those moments they remembered the
churches they had planted and prayed for them.
Paul informed the Thessalonians that they were
especially praying for them. Their prayer was a
prayer of gratitude.
In the next verses, he listed the reasons why he
thanked God for them.

“Remembering without ceasing your work of FAITH, labor of
LOVE, and patience of HOPE in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight
of our God and Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the
greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Paul emphasized those three Christian virtues in his letters, so it
is obvious that he is grateful because the Thessalonians stood
out in the three of them.

“Knowing, beloved brethren, your
election by God”
(1 Thessalonians 1:4)
In the original text, Paul says that
God has done an “election process”.
Bible states that God loves everyone
and He has chosen everyone for
salvation (John 3:16; Joshua 24:15;
Revelation 3:20; etc.)
The Thessalonians responded to that
divine election in a positive way.
“For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God
our Savior, who desires all men
to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth”
(1 Timothy 2:3-4)

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in
power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you
know what kind of men we were among you for your sake”
(1 Thessalonians 1:5)
“But we preach Christ
crucified, to the Jews a
stumbling block and to the
Gentiles foolishness”
(1 Corinthians 1:23)
Although the men who preached the
Gospel had been whipped and at jail in
Philippi and they were preaching a
Messiah that was unacceptable for
them (to the Gentiles foolishness), the
Thessalonians accepted the Gospel.
The power of the Holy Spirit was
shown in the believers’ changed lives.
The reality of their faith was shown in
their works.

“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word
in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became
examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7)
Jason and the other believers in Thessalonica suffered
“much affliction” from the Jews when they accepted
the Gospel.
They imitated the example of Paul and his collaborators
and endured the suffering with joy with the invaluable
help of the Holy Spirit; that way they became example
for other believers.

“For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not
only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your
faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say
anything” (1 Thessalonians 1:8)
When Paul wrote this epistle, he was in
Corinth (region of Achaia)
News in that time was quickly spread
thanks to the great communication roads of
the Roman Empire.
The example of the Thessalonians spread
like wildfire all over Macedonia and Achaia.
“Their witness was so unequivocal that it
was not necessary for Paul and his
associates to add anything to it. Higher
commendation could scarcely be given to
the Thessalonians”
(SDA Bible Commentary, on 1 Thessalonians 1:8)

“For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we
had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and
true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from
the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come”
(1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)
The example of the Thessalonians went beyond the
way they overcame the difficulties.
The way they gave up the paganism to convert to
the true God was very outstanding.
They were based in the belief of the Second
Coming, the resurrection and the absolution in the
divine Judgment.
After praising their faith, Paul encouraged them to
grow more in that faith.

The example of the
Thessalonians encourages us
to grow in the faith and in our
missionary effort for others

CONTACT @ +91-8309511427
coachinterculturalstudies@gmail.com

1 Thess: Chapter 1

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1 Thess: Chapter 1