First Thessalonians: A Pauline Epistle

Authorship:

Saint Paul, The Apostle, is the author of First Thessalonians. The authentic nature of 1 Thessalonians as Pauline Epistle is seen from the fact that the writer expected the 2nd Advent to be in his lifetime (1 Th 4:13-18), a forger would not have used the word ‘we that are alive’ (Vs. 15) after his death. The Canonical perspective and all commentaries on 1 & 2 Thessalonians agreed that Paul authored the letters. 1 Thessalonians belonged to the first group of Pauline letters. The majority of N.T. scholars affirm the authenticity of 1 Thessalonians as Pauline.

External evidence strongly supports Pauline’s authorship, i.e.

1. Augustine (c. 400)
2. Geisler, A General Introduction to the Bible, pp 188,193
3. Ignatius, Ephesians 10:1; 1 Thess. 5:17, 2:4; Romans 2:1
4. Didache 16:7 (1 Thess. 4:16)] (c. 120-150)
5. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-386)
6. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215)
7. Eusebius (c. 325-340)
8. The Marcion canon (c. 140)
9. The Marturian Canon (c. 170)

Internal evidence is equally strong for Pauline’s authorship

1. The organization of the Church (5:12)
2. The Language and style of the letter is Pauline
3. Pauline’s authorship is asserted customarily in the opening of the letter
4. The first person singular (2:18; 3:5; 5:27) and plural (1:2; 2:15,16,17,18; 3:6,7,9,10; 4:13, 5:12,14,25) are used in epistle affirming the ascribed authorship.

 

Recipients:

As clearly indicated by the name, 1 Thessalonians was written by Paul to the Church in Thessalonica, and we can adduce from the timeless nature of the writings that it is also directed to all believers everywhere in the world. Thessalonica was then the capital of the Roman Province of Macedonia and was described by Lightfoot as ‘the key to the whole of Macedonia.’

Why Written?

Paul founded the Church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey (Acts 17: 1-10) and probably with the help of Silas and Timothy. Paul had instructed them in the right Faith, but on hearing that persecutions were raging there, Paul sent Timothy to prepare the Thessalonians for the conflict, saying they might not give way through fear. Timothy had brought good news of the Thessalonians, Faith, Love, and Loyalty under persecution (1 Th 3: 6-8) and had also reported that Paul was being criticized for insincerity and ulterior motives (2: 2-6) and for Paul’s failure to return to Thessalonica (2: 17 – 3: 5); so Apostle Paul wrote this letter in response to the information he had received from Timothy. In addition, the Thessalonians needed correction and instruction in sexual morality, earning their living by working hard, preparing for the Second Coming of Christ, and handling tensions in their fellowship.

At the time of writing, the Church in Thessalonica was two or three years old after its establishment, which made it a young Church that still requires Spiritual nurturing. Paul saw the need to write this letter to instruct, direct, encourage, re-establish, and inspire them. Paul needed to assure the Thessalonians that they had not missed the rapture. As a young Church, The Thessalonians Christians needed to grow spiritually and maintain steadfast Faith. Paul had to re-direct their perspective on the issue of Christ’s Second Coming. There was a great misunderstanding in the Church on this issue; some thought Christ would return immediately and were confused when their loved ones died before Christ’s coming. Paul’s writings corrected the Thessalonians’ misconceptions about the Resurrection and Christ’s Second Coming; he assured them of Christ’s return and strengthened their Faith in Christ.

Where Written!

Almost all Theologians and Scholars agreed that Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth. Paul, Silas, and Timothy reunited in Corinth, and Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonica Church (1 Th 3: 6). This letter was one of Paul’s earliest. For a long time, it was assumed that 1 Thessalonians was Paul’s first Epistle; however, many conservative scholars now believe that Galatians was Paul’s first Epistle on the assumption that it was written just before the Jerusalem Council.

1 Thessalonians, according to NIV Application Bible, was written in A.D. 51, but James Hastings in Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible puts the date between 52 and 53 A.D. Other Scholars have put the date of writing between 50 and 51 A.D. Corinth is the last place where Acts places Paul, Timothy, and Silas together (though they may have been together afterward); Silas is not mentioned at Ephesus, and Timothy is associated with Erastus at Ephesus (Acts 19:22); therefore, Corinth is a natural candidate for the origin of the letter

The Jews were being persecuted at Thessalonica, so Paul went from Berea to Athens and from Athens to Corinth. At Corinth, Silas and Timothy joined him, and Timothy brought a good report about the Thessalonians; out of joy, Paul wrote the 1 Thessalonians and later 2 Thessalonians.

 

Issues Of The Letter:

Overview:

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, a text-based Evangelist, established the Church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. He wrote the 1 Thessalonians, a five Chapter, Eighty-Eight Verses letter to the Thessalonians. The Epistle of 1 Thessalonians is the spiritual nourishment; Paul gave the young Thessalonica Christians to fulfill their calling and life’s purpose. The letter is more than a doctrinal guide on the Second Coming of Christ; it also generates life, attests to their Faith, creates Faith in new converts, produces change, heals hurts, builds character, transforms circumstances, imparts joy, sets out guidelines to overcome adversity and persecution, defeats temptation, infuses hope, releases Power, cleanses the Thessalonian’s minds and guarantees their future forever.

 The doctrine of Christ’s second Coming was emphasized in every chapter of 1 Thessalonians. The more significant part of this letter consists of Exhortations. In the first three Chapters, Paul attested to the Steadfastness of Faith, Hope, and Love of the Thessalonians and living as a Model for other Christians. In Chapter 4, Paul made a clarion call to a continuous life of Holiness, Sanctification, Self–control, and Mutual Benevolence. Towards the end of this chapter, Paul touches upon the question of the Resurrection and explains the coming of the Lord.

In the fifth and last Chapter, Saint Paul emphasizes the unknown day of the Lord; he prohibits them from inquiring about the timing of our Lord’s return but rather to be watchful always in case they should be taken by surprise by Christ’s sudden and unexpected coming and appeal to them to put on the Armor of God as Children of Light – (Ref: Ephesians 6: 13-18)

• Belt of Truth
• Breastplate of Righteousness
• Footwear of readiness to spread the Gospel (good news)
• Shield of Faith
• Helmet of Salvation
• Sword of the Spirit
• Praying in Spirit Continually for themselves, Paul and other Missionaries

Paul concluded the Epistle by asking the Thessalonians always to be joyful and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s Will in Christ Jesus. The subject matters of 1 Thessalonians are summarized into Counsels, Exhortations, and Reminders. The Special Doctrine is the future Advent of Christ.

In I Thessalonians, the Second Coming is treated progressively and purposefully in relation to the Christian life.

Chapter 1        –                       Conversion and the Second Coming.

Chapter 2        –                       Service and the Second Coming.

Chapter 3        –                       Purity of heart, life, and the Second Coming.

Chapter 4        –                       Bereavement and the Second Coming.

Chapter 5        –                       Alertness and the Second Coming.

The Major Issues:

The significant issues of 1 Thessalonians centered on practical advice for continuous Christian Faithfulness and Watchfulness. These issues can be divided into two parts:

Narrative                     (1 Thessalonians 1: 1 – 3:13)

Exhortation                 (1 Thessalonians 4: 1 – 5:28)

Narrative                     (1 Thessalonians 1: 1 – 3: 13)

Aim:    Looking back to the Missionary’s Visit

Chapter 1 – Christian Evangelism

Greetings to a chosen Church –  vs. 1

Paul’s greeting in vs.1 is harmonious in its outflow and comes from all three founders of the Thessalonica Church. Paul authored the letter but, in Christian charity, acknowledged the greetings from Silas and Timothy. This greeting recognizes the Church’s Sublime Origin as divinely founded. It was “in” God the Father and “in” the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s Power divinely sustains the Church. Paul’s greetings start with grace and blessings. Grace from grace. Peace is the outflow and the result of grace.– RGracehil. 4: 7, 9

The Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians:

The grounds for the Thanksgiving) vs. 2-4

The Thanksgiving resulted from the Thessalonians Faith, which resulted in regular remembrance of the Thessalonica Christians in prayers because of their labor of love, Patience, and hope that was firmly anchored in Christ and under the Father’s watchful eye. The three Pillars of Christianity, Faith, hope, and love, are also emphasized in other scriptures, such as Rom. 5: 2-5 and I Cor. 13:13. Paul mentioned the election of the Thessalonians as the work of God and not of man. Election is not a plan for sentencing men to eternal torment but for rescuing them from it, Eph. 1:4. The vital connection between love and election can be discerned from Paul’s letter; 2 Th. 2:13; Acts 15:13-18.

The Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians  (Genuineness of the Grounds) vs. 5-10

The Commendation of a Missionary Church. v. 5-8.

The Gospel came in Word and Power—v. 5. Paul assured us of Jesus Christ as the Messiah and that He must suffer, die, and rise again, as recorded in Acts 17:3.

Vs.6 – 10

The Thessalonians joyfully received the Word of God and became followers of the LORD and Paul. Their exemplary attitudes became examples to other Churches and Believers. They were working and waiting for the Church. The Church had received Salvation (by turning away from idols to God), was sanctified (by serving the living God), and was glorified (by waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ).

Major issues in Chapter 1:

1. Paul reminded the Thessalonians of their conversion and subsequent Evangelism.
2. Paul confirmed that God chose them, for their conviction was not born out of any eloquence in the Gospel he proclaimed but the working Power of the Holy Spirit.

3. Paul gave thanks to God for the Thessalonians

   • Strong Faith
   • Good Reputation
   • Living Christ referenced life and a model for other believers.
4. Living Christ referenced life and a model for other believers.
5. Paul reminded them of having work that produced Faith

6. The Church in Thessalonica was described as

   • Energetic        (Vs 1:1-3)
   • Elected            (Vs 1: 4-5)
   • Exemplary      (Vs 1:7)
   • Enthusiastic    (Vs 1: 8)
   • Expectant        (Vs 1: 9-10)

 Paul’s Position:

1. The Church which receives the Gospel must pass it on
2. The Church, which passes on the Gospel, must embody it.
3. The Church must be involved in verbal and rumor Evangelism
4. The Thessalonica Christians were praised for:

• Bold rejection of idolatry
• Joy amid opposition
• Transformed values
• Faith
• Love
• Sharing of Faith and Inspiration to others

Thessalonians’ lives were characterized by the three most eminent Christian qualities (Graces): Faith, Love, and Hope.

Chapter 2 & 3 – Christian Ministry (The Review of the Church); 2: 1 – 3: 13

The Defense of the Apostolic Actions and Absence

Paul, in these two chapters, reviewed their relationship:

• How he and his co-workers in Christ brought the Gospel to them – 2: 1-12.
• He reminded them of his labor, love, and care in founding the Church in Thessalonica (2:1-12, 17, 19, 20; 3: 1-5, 7-13)
• How the Thessalonians accepted the message of the Gospel (2: 13-16).
• The Thessalonians accepted the Word of God even while suffering, and they showed genuine love to Paul and his companions (2: 13-14, 3:6)
• How he longed to be with them again 2: 17-20. The wiles of the devil in using the Judaizers (the unbelieving Jews) and hindering Paul from visiting the brethren 2:15, 16, 18.
• How Paul sent Timothy to encourage them in their Faith 3: 1-13
• Paul discloses his mind, expresses his emotions, and bares his Soul. According to John R. W. Stott, on page 46 of his book (The Message of Thessalonians), he referred to Chapters 2 and 3 as Paul’s “apologia pro vita sua.” Paul defended his conduct 2: 1-16 and explained his involuntary departure and determination to revisit the Thessalonians 2:17 – 3: 13.

Chapter 2 – The 2nd Coming (an Encouraging Hope)

1. The manner the Gospel was preached to them and Paul’s desire of coming to them – vs. 1-6
2. Re-assurance of Gospel – vs. 1-6
3. Servanthood in service as examples to others – vs. 9
4. Spiritual soul-mates
5. Leadership in the demonstration of Christ’s’ love – vs. 7-8
6. Christian bond in brotherhood as members of one body – vs. 10
7. Christian virtues displayed – vs. 11-20

• Holiness
• Righteousness
• Blameless
• Continuous Fellowship with the Saints

Paul’s reference to the fullness of God in them was transmitted to love for them. Despite the hardship of physical labor not being a burden, they maintained God’s Holiness, Righteousness, and blameless virtues among the believers – vs. 1-10. Paul catalyzed the missionaries’ dealings as a father who deals with his children by encouraging, comforting, and urging them to live worthy of God who has chosen them. Paul’s inability to see them was regretted, but Satan and its cohorts were responsible.

Chapter 3 – The Second Coming (a Purifying Hope)

1. Timothy sent to comfort the Church – vs. 2
2. Encouragement – vs. 6
3. Charity – vs. 6
4. Faith – vs.7
5. Joy – vs.9
6. Love – vs. 12
7. Blameless – vs.13
8. Hope – vs.13
9. Steadfastness
10. Accountability

• Paul’s fear of the Tempter rendered his efforts useless. By turning the Thessalonians away from the Faith, he sent Timothy, who brought back a good report of Faith and Hope.
• Paul’s prayer for Holiness in the Thessalonica Church. v. 9-13
• Paul’s Satisfaction. v. 9-10
• Paul thanked God for their stand and the joy this brought him. v. 9. (Ref: I Sam. 12:23; Acts 6:4, Acts 20:32).
• Paul’s prayer for them. vs. 10

1. Season —         Night and Day.
2. Intensity–        Praying exceedingly.
3. Object —         That he might see and perfect them.   Ephesians 4: 11, 12

• Paul’s Intercession. vs. 11-13

1. He prayed that God might direct him to them. v. 11. “Direct” is singular in Greek, thus testifying to the unity of the Godhead.
2. He prayed that they might increase and abound in love. v. 12
3. He prayed that they would be ready for the Second Coming. v. 13
4. He prayed for their hearts to be established.
5. He prayed that they would be blameless in Holiness. (II Thess. 1:10)

 

Exhortations:

Chapter 4 – An Exhortation To Purity Of Life

1. The Second Coming –  (a Comforting Hope)
2. Exhortation and Comfort
3. The Challenge for the Believers

• Avoiding sexual immorality – 4: 1-8
• Loving each other – 4:9, 10
• Living as good citizens – 4:11, 12

The Chronology of the Removal of the Believers – 4: 13-18

• Hope of the Resurrection

The core messages in Chapter 4 are:

1. God’s Will in living Christ-referenced life – vs. 1

•  Sanctification
• Believers Walk in the Light of God

2. Saved by Grace to do good deeds (works) – vs. 2
3. Pleasing God in Spiritual Progress, solemn charges, and divine vengeance
4. Avoidance of external dynamics – vs.3-8

• Sexual immorality
•  Lust
•  Concupiscence
• Lack of self-control
• Greed
• Evil passions
•  Covetousness
• Fraud
•  Impurity

5. Love – vs. 9-10
6. Exemplary attributes of Christ – vs. 11
7. Hope in the Resurrection and the Second Coming of Christ – vs. 13-17

The Divine Call to Sanctification vs. 1-12

1. Call to Higher Life
2. Call to Holy Life
3. Call to Humble Life
4. Call to Divine Living

The Blessed Hope Of The Saints. v. 13-15

Paul educated the Thessalonians on the hope of the dead Saints. He did not want them to be sorrowful like the unsaved. The living saints will not precede the sleeping saints. v. 15. The “we” seems to be an editorial we and does not indicate that Paul expected to be alive when the Lord comes.

The Lord’s Coming. v. 16-18

The message of comfort to the living Saints is that at the Lord’s coming, there will be a reunion of the dead Saints with the living Saints.

Chapter 5 – The Duty Of The Church

1. The Second Coming of Christ – 5:1 – 11
2. The Church must be watchful
3. The Church must be respectful – vs. 12-13
4. The Church must be mindful – vs. 14-15

• Warning for the idle – 5:14
•  Encouraging the timid
• Helping the weak
• Patience with everyone
•  Kindness to everyone – 5:15

5. The Church must be joyful – vs. 5:16
6. The Church must be prayerful – vs. 5:17
7. The Church must be Thankful – vs. 5: 18
8. The Church must test everything that is taught – 5: 20, 21
9. The Church must avoid evil – vs. 5: 22
10. The Church must be Faithful – vs. 5: 19-28
11. Benedictions and Paul’s request

 

The Second Coming – AN AWAKENING HOPE

The day of the LORD. vs. 1-11

1. The Time Of The Day Of The Lord. v. 1-3
2. The Believer And The Day Of The Lord. v. 4-11

Exhortations To Godly Living. Vs. 12-22

1. Honoring Those In Places Of Responsibility. v. 12-13. The Thessalonians were advised to know their spiritual leaders (vs.12) who had labored among them. Those over them in the LORD – (Ephesians 4: 7-16; 1 Peter 5: 1-5). They were to obey their Spiritual leaders (Heb. 13:17) and to be at peace among themselves. v. 13
2. Exhortation For Harmony. v. 14-15
3. The unruly are to be warned. v. 14
4. The feebleminded (discouraged) to be comforted. v. 14
5. The spiritually weak to receive spiritual help. v. 14
6. Patience towards all men. v. 14
7. Believers should not render evil for evil. v. 15
8. Follow that which is good. v. 15
9. Various Exhortations. v. 16-22
10. Rejoice evermore. v. 16; Phil. 4:4
11. Pray without ceasing. v. 17; I Cor. 11:1-6; Acts 1:13-14; 4:23
12. Give thanks for everything. v. 18; Eph. 5:19; Col 3:16
13. Quench not the Spirit. v. 19; Gal. 5:16; Eph. 4:30
14. Despise not the prophets & prophesy vs. 20.
15. Faithfulness enjoined. v. 21
16. Abstain from all appearance of evil. v. 22. This teaches both personal and ecclesiastical separation.

Sanctification of Man v. 23-28

1. The Whole Man Set Apart For God. v. 23-24
2. The Spirit, Soul, and Body to be preserved. v. 23. Man is a tri-parte being.
3. The certainty of complete Sanctification. v. 24

The Closing Charge. v. 25-28

1. The prayer request. v. 25
2. The holy kiss. v. 26. This was a kiss on the cheek of people of the same sex. Later, Churches abused this with the opposite sex, which led to Lust and sin.
3. The letter to be read to all the brethren. v. 27

The closing salutation. v. 28

Purposes Of 1 Thessalonians

1. Paul wished to express his satisfaction and thanks to God for the healthy spiritual condition of the Church 1:2-10
2. Paul wished to argue against the false accusations against him and his associates 2:1–3:13
3. Paul wanted to explain to the Thessalonians why he had not returned to visit them  2:17-18
4. Paul wanted to express his affection for the Thessalonians and his desire to be with them 3:10
5. Paul wanted to correct some errors in living, which the Thessalonians had adopted (4:1-12; 5:12-18)

Meaning Of Letter For Our Ministry And Christian Life

• Faithfulness to the Lord (1:1 – 3: 13)
• Watchfulness for the Lord (4:1 – 5:28)

 

What’s Paul Saying To Christians:

A:

1. Paul and his companions faithfully brought the Gospel to the Thessalonians amid persecution. This  teaches Christians a lesson to be a Soldier of Christ. A true Ambassador of Christ in whatever situation we find ourselves, obeying the great commission as written in Matthew 28: 18-20.
2. Christians must remain faithful in the propagation (proclamation) of the Gospel, yet sensitive and self-sacrificing.
3. Christians must live their lives in the expectation that Christ will return at any time
4. Christians need to and must stand firm in their Faith amid trials, being strengthened by the Holy Spirit and remembering God’s word in 1 Corinthians 10:13
5. Christians must pray for and consistently be filled with the Holy Spirit to remain strong in Faith and express genuine love (Agape love of Christ) to others.
6. Christians must maintain in moral character even when persecuted, slandered, or oppressed.
7. Christians must hold on to the belief in Christ, hoping at the end of time, they will live with Christ forever.
8. Christians must be watchful, awaiting the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
9. Christians must live a moral and holy life. Christ has called them to Holiness, and they must be holy as He is holy.
10. Christians must bear lasting fruits by abiding in Christ The True Vine.
11. Christians must avoid Evil, Lust, and Fraud in whatever form.
12. Christians have been sanctified and anointed to serve the living God. they must never betray that trust.
13. Christians must not encourage idolatry or worship any idols. The Holy Spirit will help them to remain strong in Faith and show genuine love to others.
14. Christians must be a challenge to others and challenge someone to join them in a project to keep the Ministry of Christ going.

B:

1. God Calls Christians to a higher Life. Paul’s sacred call is to ‘walk to please God.’ The Christian life is compared to a Walk, so;

• They must walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called. Eph. 4:1
• They must walk not as unbelievers walk. Eph. 4:17
• They must walk in love. Eph. 5:2
• They must walk as a child of light. Eph. 5:8
• They must walk by Faith. II Cor. 5:7
• They must walk in the light. I John 1:5-7

2. God Calls Christians to a Holy Life.

• God calls them to Sanctification.
• God’s people are to be separated from the world and live holy lives before God.
• God calls them to sexual purity. Ex. 20:14.
• God calls them to control their bodies successfully.

3. God Calls Christians to a Humble Life.

• Life of brotherly love.- John 15:12,17; James 2:8; and I John 3:11-18
• A growing life of love.
• A life of honesty and labor.
• A life of testimony to the world. – I Cor. 14:40.

 

What’s Paul Saying To Christians’ Ministries:

1. Christians’ Ministries must focus on Evangelism and fulfilling the Great Commission.
2. Christians’ Ministries must anchor on the fact that Christ died, rose from the dead, and is coming again.
3. Christians’ Ministries must be proactive in its outlook to win Souls for Christ.
4. Christians’ Ministries must hold other Christian leaders in the highest regard
5. Christians’ Ministries must encourage and teach brethren to live in peace with each other.
6. Christians’ Ministries must encourage the timid by reminding them of God’s promises
7. Christians’ Ministries must build up others by showing appreciation for the quality of service to Christ
8. Christians’ Ministries will help the weak and the needy by supporting, loving, and praying for them.
9. Prayer is the master key in Christians’ Ministries, and must pray continuously and at all times with Thanksgiving.
10. The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit that the Ministry would hold dearly and teach authentically and truthfully.
11. Christians’ Ministries will never treat prophecies with contempt but seek Holy guidance in interpretation and action.
12. Christians’ Ministries must count on God’s constant help for strength and Spiritual Nurturing.
13. Like Paul’s Ministry, Christians’ Ministries also must be;

• Fearless
• Faithful
• Bold
• Sensitive
• Self-sacrificing
• Prayerful
• Servanthood
• Leadership by example

 

References:

1. Kingsway, Life Application Bible – New International Version
2. NIV Study Bible
3. Kirkbride, Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible, (KJV)
4. John Calvin, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, The Crossway Classic Commentaries (Alister McGrath J. I. Packer-Series Editors)
5. John R. W. Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, (BST-The Bible Speaks Today)
6. E. L. Bynum, Pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Sunday School Lessons (Lubbock, Texas 79411)

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