Lecture Four: Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians

Context of 1st Thessalonians

Author

Paul, missionary Apostle to the Gentiles.

Date

About A.D. 50.

Place of composition

Probably Corinth or nearby Athens. 

Audience

Mostly Gentile members of a newly founded congregation in Thessalonica, Greece. 

Structure of 1st Thessalonians

I. Salutation (1:1)

II. Paul’s Relation to the Thessalonians (1:2–3:13)

A. Thanks for the Thessalonians (1:2-10) 

B. Defense of Paul’s Apostleship and the Thessalonians’ Conversion (2:1-16) 

C. Paul’s Desire to Visit (2:17–3:10) 

D. Transitional Benediction (3:11-13)

III. The Lord’s Return as a Motive for Sanctification (4:1–5:24) 

A. Proper Horizontal Relations within the Body (4:1-12) 

B. The Imminent Return of the Lord (4:13–5:11) 

C. Proper Hierarchical Relations within the Body (5:12-22) 

IV. Concluding Remarks (5:23-28) 

A. Benediction (5:23-24) 

B. Final Greetings (5:25-28)

Themes of 1st Thessalonians

The Parousia and the Resurrection 

Apparently, some Thessalonians believed that Jesus’ reappearance would occur so swiftly that all persons converted to Christianity would live to see the Second Coming. 

That belief was shaken when some believers died before Jesus had reappeared. 

What would become of them? Had the dead missed their opportunity to join Christ in ruling over the world? 

Paul explains that the recently dead are not lost but will share in the glory of Christ’s return. 

To denote Jesus’ arrival from heaven, Paul uses the term Parousia, a Greek word meaning “presence” or “coming,” a word the Thessalonians associated with the public appearance of a Roman Emperor. 

On Not Calculating “Dates and Times” 

Although he eagerly expects Jesus’ reappearance “soon,” Paul has no patience with those who try to predict the exact date of the Parousia. 

He discourages speculation and notes that calculating “dates and times” is futile because “the Day of the Lord will come like a thief at midnight.” 

Is Sex Sin?

In 1st Thessalonians 4:3-8, Paul’s exhortation to get a wife in holiness and honor and not in the passion of desire ‘is not a denial of the role of sexual desire in marriage. 

Instead, it gives advice on how to select a mate, suggesting that one should look beyond a prospective mate’s physical appeal to broader issues of character.’” 

The Role of the Spirit 

Paul reminds the Thessalonians that the Holy Spirit’s visible activity among them is also evidence of the world’s impending transformation. 

Paul believes that Christian prophets should play a significant role in the churches, but he is aware that enthusiastic visionaries can cause trouble. 

Believers are to distinguish between “good” and “bad” inspirations, avoiding the latter, but they are not to inhibit charismatic behavior. 

I. Salutation (1:1) 

Claims to be written by Paul, Silas, and Timothy 

Brief blessing of grace and peace upon the Thessalonians 

II. Paul’s Relation to the Thessalonians (1:2–3:13) 

A. Thanks for the Thessalonians (1:2-10) 

1. The Commendation of the Thessalonians before God (1:2-3) 

We always… 

Thank God for you 

Mention you in our prayers 

Remember before God your… 

Work of faith 

Labor of love 

Endurance of hope 

2. The Evidence of the Thessalonians’ Salvation before Men (1:4-10) 

a. Proclamation in Power (1:4-5) 

We know God has chosen you because the Gospel came to you… 

As more than words 

With power 

With the Holy Spirit 

With deep conviction 

b. Reception of the Gospel (1:6-8) 

You became imitators of… 

Us 

The Lord 

You welcomed the message… 

In the midst of severe suffering 

With the joy given by the Holy Spirit 

You became a model to all the believers… 

In Macedonia 

In Achaia 

Everywhere 

c. Faithfulness to the Kerygma (1:9-10) 

It’s hard to brag about you because everyone already knows how awesome you are 

You turned from idols to… 

Serve the living and true God 

Wait for His Son from heaven 

His Son Jesus… 

Was raised from the dead 

Rescues us from the coming wrath 

B. Defense of Paul’s Apostleship and the Thessalonians’ Conversion (2:1-16) 

1. Positive and Objective Defense (2:1-12) 

a. Statement (2:1-2) 

Our visit to you was not without results 

We had been mistreated in Philippi 

God helped us to share his Gospel with you despite our fear 

b. Defense (2:3-12) 

1) The Source of Paul’s Kerygma (2:3-4) 

Our appeal to you is not… 

An error 

Born of impure motives 

A trick 

We are… 

Approved by God 

Entrusted with the Gospel 

Not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts 

2) The Internal Motive (2:5-8) 

We never… 

Used flattery 

Put on a mask to cover up greed 

Were looking for praise from people 

But we were… 

Like young children among you 

Caring for you like a nursing mother cares for her child 

Delighted to share the Gospel with you 

Delighted to share our very lives with you 

3) The External Method (2:9-12) 

You witnessed… 

Our toil and hardship 

That we worked night and day to not be a burden to you as we presented you the Gospel 

That we were holy, righteous, and blameless 

That we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children 

Like a father, we… 

Encouraged you 

Comforted you 

Urged you to live a life worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory

2. Negative and Subjective Defense (2:13-16) 

a. The Thessalonians’ Reception of the Gospel (2:13-14a) 

We thank God because… 

You received His Word that works in you 

You became imitators of God’s churches in Judea 

b. Their Opponents’ Rejection of the Gospel (2:14b-16) 

The Jews… 

Persecuted the church 

Killed the Lord Jesus 

Killed the prophets 

Drove out the apostles 

Displease God 

Are hostile to everyone 

Try to prevent the Gospel from reaching the Gentiles 

Always heap up their sins to the limit 

The wrath of God has come upon them at last 

C. Paul’s Desire to Visit (2:17–3:10) 

1. The Hindrance of Satan (2:17-20) 

When we were separated from you… 

We were like orphans 

We made every effort to see you 

Satan blocked our way back to you 

When our Lord Jesus comes you will be our… 

Hope 

Joy 

Crown 

Glory 

2. The Sending of Timothy (3:1-5) 

We sent Timothy to you… 

Because we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens 

Because he is our brother and co-worker in God’s service 

To encourage you and strengthen you in the faith 

So that no one would be unsettled by these trials for which we are destined 

To find out about your faith 

Out of fear that the tempter had tempted you and our labors were in vain 

3. The News from Timothy (3:6-10) 

Timothy has returned and reported… 

Good news about your faith and love 

That you always have pleasant memories of us 

That you long to see us just as we long to see you 

Because you are standing firm in the Lord… 

We are encouraged in our persecution 

Now we really live 

We can’t thank God enough for you 

We have joy in the presence of our God 

We pray night and day for you that we may return to you and supply you with anything you might lack

D. Transitional Benediction (3:11-13) 

“Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” 

III. The Lord’s Return as a Motive for Sanctification (4:1–5:24) 

A. Proper Horizontal Relations within the Body (4:1-12) 

1. Statement: Pleasing God (4:1-2) 

“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.”

2. Specific Entreaties: (4:3-12) 

a. Negative: Do Not Lust (4:3-8) 

It is God’s will that… 

You should be sanctified 

You should avoid sexual immorality 

You should learn to acquire a wife in a way that is holy and honorable 

You do not live like the pagans… 

Who live in passionate lust 

Who do not know God 

You should not take advantage of a brother or sister 

Why? 

God will punish all those who commit such sins 

God did not call us to be impure 

God called us to live a holy life 

Anyone who rejects this instruction, rejects God’s Holy Spirit 

b. Positive: Edification and Work Ethic (4:9-12) 

We don’t need to talk to you about love because… 

God has taught you to love one another 

You love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia 

We urge you… 

To keep loving more and more 

To make it your ambition to lead a quiet life 

To mind your own business 

To work with your hands 

Why? 

Because we told you to 

So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders 

So that you will not be dependent on anybody

B. The Imminent Return of the Lord (4:13–5:11) 

1. Resurrection (4:13-18) 

a. Negative Statement: No Cause for Grief (4:13) 

We do not want… 

You to be uninformed about those who sleep in death 

You to grieve like the rest of mankind who have no hope 

b. Argument Proper: Resurrection (4:14-18) 

1) First Evidence: The Resurrection of Christ (4:14) 

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 

2) Second Evidence: New Revelation given to Paul (4:15) 

According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

3) Specific Content (4:16-17) 

a) Succession of Eschatological Events (4:16-17a) 

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God" 

"And the dead in Christ will rise first." 

"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." 

b) Results: Forever with Christ (4:17b) 

"And so we will be with the Lord forever." 

c. Positive Statement: Encouragement of the Saints (4:18) 

Therefore, encourage each other with these words 

2. Deliverance from God’s Wrath (5:1-11) 

a. The Suddenness of the Lord’s Return (5:1-3) 

We don’t need to write to you about times and dates because… 

You already know that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night 

While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 

b. The Vigilance of the Saints (5:4-8) 

1) Description of the Saints: Children of Light (5:4-5) 

The Day of the Lord will be no surprise to you because… 

You are not in darkness 

You are all children of the light and day 

You do not belong to the night 

2) Responsibility of the Saints: Be Alert (5:6-8) 

Let us… 

Not be like others who sleep and get drunk 

Not live in the night 

Be awake and sober 

Live in the day 

Put on faith and love as a breastplate 

Put on the hope of salvation as a helmet 

c. The Promise of God (5:9-10) 

1) Escape from Wrath (5:9) 

God appointed us… 

Not to suffer wrath 

To receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ 

2) Resurrection for All Believers (5:10) 

Christ died for us so that whether we live or die will live together with him 

d. Final Eschatological Encouragement (5:11) 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

C. Proper Hierarchical Relations within the Body (5:12-22) 

1. Recognition and Regard for Leaders (5:12-13) 

a. Recognition of Leaders’ Office (5:12) 

Acknowledge those who… 

Work hard among you 

Who care for you in the Lord 

Who admonish you 

b. Regard for Leaders’ Work (5:13) 

Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. 

Live in peace with each other. 

2. Responsible Action toward “Imperfect” Saints (5:14-15) 

Warn those who are idle and disruptive 

Encourage the disheartened 

Help the weak 

Be patient with everyone 

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong 

Always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else 

3. Reverence toward God (5:16-18) 

God’s will for you in Christ Jesus is to… 

Rejoice always 

Pray continually 

Give thanks in all circumstances 

4. Critical Receptiveness of Prophecy (5:19-22) 

Do not quench the Spirit 

Do not treat prophecies with contempt 

Test all prophesy in order to… 

Hold on to what is good 

Reject every kind of evil 

IV. Concluding Remarks (5:23-28)

A. Benediction (5:23-24) 

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 

B. Final Greetings (5:25-28) 

Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 

Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 

I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.