1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians

What was happening in the Church when this Epistle was written?

The apostle Paul wrote the book of 1 Thessalonians around 50 AD. According to the introduction to the book of 1 Thessalonians in the Sourceview Bible, “Paul wrote to the believers in the church at Thessalonica, founded during his second missionary journey.  Riots and opposition had forced him to leave them sooner than he desired.  But later news of their progress encouraged Paul to write to commend them for growing in the LORD and to urge them to correct some misunderstandings.”  Paul praised the church in Thessalonica for receiving their “message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you” (see 1 Thessalonians 1:6).  He added they have “become an example to all the believers in Greece – throughout both Macedonia and Achaia” (see 1 Thessalonians 1:7).  He along with others commended them for turning away from idols in order to serve the living and true God (see 1 Thessalonians 1:9). He along with others commended them for looking forward to the coming of God’s Son (Jesus) from heaven (see 1 Thessalonians 1:10).  They received their message as if they were the very words of God rather than mere human ideas (see 1 Thessalonians 2:13).  Paul commended them for remaining strong in the faith despite troubles and suffering (see 1 Thessalonians 3:7). 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 states, “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sins.  Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor – not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.  Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter by violating his wife, for the LORD avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before.  God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.  Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.”  These verses imply that there were those in the church who were giving into sexual sin and living unholy and impure lives.  There were also those in the church who were confused about the coming day of the LORD; therefore, Paul reminded them of the truth of the second coming of Jesus.  Overall, Paul had many positive things to say about the church in Thessalonica and he encouraged them to live pure and holy lives that are worthy of God.

Main Ideas of this Epistle

Paul encouraged the believers in the church of Thessalonica “to live in a way that pleases God” (see 1 Thessalonians 4:1).  He encouraged them to be holy and stay away from all sexual sin (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3).  He encouraged them to continue loving one another and God loves (see 1 Thessalonians 4:9).  Paul corrected some misunderstandings regarding the second coming of their Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul encouraged the believers in Thessalonica to hold onto what is good and stay away from every kind of evil (see 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).  He encouraged them to be holy and to keep their whole spirit and soul and body blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ returns (see 1 Thessalonians 5:23). Paul commended them for their faithful work, loving deeds, and enduring hope they have in their Lord Jesus Christ (see 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3) and he encouraged them to remain strong in their faith in the LORD.

Character and Nature of God in this Epistle

God is holy and He desires His people to be holy.  God desires His people to stay away from all sexual sin and to live in holiness and honor with each other (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).  God desires His people to know the truth regarding the second coming of His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ. God desires His people to love one another and build each other up (see 1 Thessalonians 5:11).  God desires His people to not quench the Holy Spirit (see 1 Thessalonians 5:19).  God desires His people to always be joyful and thankful in all circumstances (see 1 Thessalonians 5:16).  God desires His people to be holy and to live blameless lives which are pleasing to Him (see 1 Thessalonians 5: 23).  God desires His people to love one another as God loves.