Category Archives: 1 Thessalonians

Whether we realize it or not, people are watching us. What we do and how we live our lives has an influence on others. Our example can either draw them closer to God or turn them away from Him. In spite of severe suffering and persecution, some of those living in the city of Thessalonica became followers of Christ. Their belief had far-reaching consequences. The Apostle Paul writes in chapter 1, verses 7 through 10 of his first inspired letter, “so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. 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. For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

One way in which the followers of Christ at Thessalonica became an example is that they declared the “word of the Lord”. Or, as the NIV translations puts it, the “Lord’s message rang out” from them. The followers of Christ are sometimes hesitant or reluctant to share their faith with others. Perhaps they are afraid of ridicule. Perhaps they are afraid of persecution. In many parts of the world, it is dangerous to follow Jesus or to proclaim faith in Him. But this did not deter the people at Thessalonica. They accepted Christ and proclaimed His message in spite of severe suffering. Would that every person who truly follows Christ had their courage and boldness! Because of it, their faith became known, not only where they were living, but everywhere.

It is also important to notice that the people at Thessalonica did not exalt themselves. The message they proclaimed was not about their own goodness or greatness. On the contrary, it was the Lord’s message which rang out from them. When the gospel is preached, it is essential that glory be given to God and not man.

Another way in which these people are an example, is their response to Paul. They welcomed both him and the message which he preached. It is one thing to believe something intellectually. It is a very different matter to act on what we say we believe. These people proved that their faith was genuine by changing the way the they were living. The change was so drastic and dramatic that Paul was left in no doubt by the reports which reached him. The results of their faith were plainly evident to all who knew them.

What was it they did? First of all, they turned from idols. This was not something which merely happened or something which they were forced to do. The word Paul uses indicates a drastic change based on a deliberate choice. This is important. Many have the idea that since they were born into a Christian family they, too, belong to Christ. This is not so. No one becomes a Christian by default. The only people who can claim His name are the ones who deliberately choose to follow Him.

It is not enough to turn away from what is wrong. We must also choose to do what is right. Jesus taught, “The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” (Luke 11:24-26)

The people at Thessalonica not only turned away from idols, they turned to God. They not only turned to God, they determined to serve Him. Many people turn to God in order to obtain some blessing or benefit. But God is not a machine which we can manipulate to grant our wishes. We must not come to Him in order to get want we want, but to serve.

It is important not only to serve God, but to know who it is that we are serving. There are many false gods and many false ideas about God. The people at Thessalonica turned to the living God. He is able to act on our behalf. He is not inert or indifferent, but loves and cares for us. God is also true. This not only means that He is genuine, but that there is no falsehood in Him. Since this is so, if someone lies to us in God’s name, we know that his message is not from God.

The people at Thessalonica also recognized that serving God includes accepting what God has said about Jesus Christ. This involves several things. Paul writes that they were waiting for God’s Son from heaven. This concept is a stumbling-block for many. How can Jesus be God’s Son? There are several reasons He is called God’s Son. One of them is that He had no earthly father. He was born of a virgin. Another reason is that Jesus discloses God to us perfectly. Scripture says, “His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance…” (Hebrews 1:3) To wait for Jesus acknowledges that He is coming back to this earth. The fact that He is in heaven means that He is with God and will come from God when He returns.

Another thing which is involved in turning to and serving God is accepting that He raised Jesus from the dead. Because God raised Jesus, we can live in hope, knowing that God will also raise all those who die while serving Him. The followers of Christ at Thessalonica did not have a clear understanding of all this, and Paul addresses their lack of knowledge later in this letter. They are to be commended, however, for believing what they did understand. They did not let their lack of knowledge become an excuse for not believing.

They also accepted the fact that it is Jesus who saves. All of us face God’s judgment for the sins we have committed. It is only those who turn to God and serve Him by accepting Christ who will be spared from God’s wrath. As Scripture says, “There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!” (Acts 4:12)

Who, or what, are we trusting in to save us from God’s judgment? Have we turned away from our idols and turned to God like the people at Thessolonica did? Have we put our faith in Jesus as they did?

The reason we do something is as important as what we do. It is entirely possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. In speaking of the judgment, Jesus said, “Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’” (Matthew 7:22-23)

In contrast to this, the Apostle Paul writes in chapter 1, verses 2 and 3 of his first inspired letter to the church at Thessalonica, “We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers, 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.”

Paul had no hesitation in thanking God for these people because they had the right motivation for the things they did. The first thing Paul mentions is their “work of faith”. There is a great difference between works done in order to gain salvation or God’s favor and work produced by faith. Many people do all kinds of righteous things hoping to make up for the sins they have committed and to earn a place in heaven. Scripture makes it plain, however, that this is impossible. We can never do more good than God expects of us in order to make up for the wrongs which we have done. The followers of Christ at Thessalonica were not doing good works in order to gain salvation. On the contrary, their good works were a natural outcome or expression of the saving faith which they already had. As James writes, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26) Their works were evidence of their faith, not a substitute for it.

A second thing for which Paul thanked God was their “labor of love”. This refers to actions or deeds which are carried out from the desire to extend love to someone else. The followers of Christ wish to demonstrate the same kind of love to other people which God has shown to them. This may involve doing things which are even disagreeable or unpleasant in order to let someone know that God loves them. In this they follow the example of Christ. He said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13)

The followers of Christ at Thessalonica also had hope. Their hope gave them endurance. As we shall see, hope enables the followers of Christ to wait for Christ’s return, and sustains them during times of grief.

In judging the health and effectiveness of churches, people consider the size of the attendance, how large the budget is and how many activities there are. But spiritual health cannot be evaluated this way. Instead, the three qualities Paul mentions in regard to the church at Thessalonica, faith, hope, and love, are the key. If a church abounds in these, then it is a healthy and vibrant church, no matter how small and poor it may be. If it lacks these qualities, then it is a failure, regardless of how large or wealthy it is.

What is the basis of faith, hope and love? In verses 4 through 6 Paul continues, “We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,”

The followers of Christ at Thessalonica came to faith because they heard and believed the Good News (gospel). As it says in another place, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) What is the gospel? Simply put, the gospel is the news, “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

The gospel is more than just words. The people at Thessalonica could see for themselves the assurance (NIV, “deep conviction”) of Paul and his companions. They were able to believe the gospel because they saw that those who preached it to them believed it. Once they believed, they knew they were chosen by God because they also experienced the joy that only comes from the Holy Spirit. They experienced the power of God which gives new life to a believer and enables him to turn from evil. As Scripture says, “But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

It is not enough to merely hear the gospel. Belief involves putting what is heard into practice. As Jesus said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) The believers at Thessalonica not only heard the gospel, they changed the way they lived. They saw the love of Christ in the lives of Paul and his companions. Because they saw the gospel being lived, they were able to model their own lives according to that example. When people look at us what kind of example do they see? If they were to imitate us, would they be living a joy-filled life? Conversely, what kind of example do we follow? Do we model our lives after those who show the love of Christ, or do we chase after the glamor of the world?

Living for Christ is not always easy. Jesus never promised that His followers would not experience hardship or pain. Paul writes that the believers at Thessalonica experienced “much affliction” (NIV, “severe suffering”). Notice, however, that suffering did not destroy their joy. Joy does not depend on circumstances. The reason is that joy comes from the Holy Spirit. When one yields his life to Christ, Christ grants him the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit. One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. If joy is lacking in our lives, we should ask ourselves whether Christ’s Spirit is at work in us.

In spite of strong opposition, Christianity grew rapidly. Starting from the city of Jerusalem, it soon spread throughout the Roman Empire. One of the men responsible for this rapid growth was the Apostle Paul. Paul was not always a follower of Jesus. On the contrary he was, at first, bitterly opposed to Christianity and did everything he could to destroy it. After Jesus appeared to him in a vision, however, Paul realized he was mistaken and became a follower of Christ. After his conversion he began to preach the faith he had once tried to destroy. Traveling from city to city, Paul proclaimed the good news that through Jesus Christ people could be forgiven of their sins and reconciled to God. He then organized the converts into congregations so that the believers could study God’s word and worship together and give one another support and encouragement. He also trained other men to provide leadership to the converts and to carry on the work of evangelism. Two of these men were Silvanus, more commonly known as Silas, and Timothy. After establishing a congregation in one place, Paul would move on to another city. He did not, however, abandon the congregations which he had previously begun. He not only visited them from time to time, but was also inspired by Christ to write them letters of encouragement and instruction. Two of these letters were written to the church at Thessalonica. At the time at which Paul wrote, this city, which was named after the half-sister of Alexander the Great, was about 300 years old and was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. The city is still in existence today, and is located in the country now known as Greece.

Paul’s efforts to evangelize the city of Thessalonica met with initial success. A large number of people were converted to Christ. In a short while, however, the Jewish residents of the city became jealous and started a riot in protest. In order to calm the situation down, the believers, some of whom the crowd had dragged before the authorities and had been forced to post bond, sent Paul and his companions to a neighboring city. Naturally, this chain of events caused Paul a great deal of distress and anxiety. Would the new believers, who had not had time to mature in their faith, be able to remain faithful in the face of the pressure which was being brought to bear upon them? How much of what they had been taught would they be able to remember?

Paul desperately wanted to return to complete the work which he had begun in Thessalonica, but was prevented from doing so. Finally, when it became clear that he would not be able to go personally, he sent Timothy to find out what the condition of the believers was. Were they still strong in their faith? Had they succumbed to the persecution which was directed against them? Timothy brought back a very encouraging report and the inspired letter which we know as 1st Thessalonians was written as a result. The letter begins with these words:

“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly [that is, 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.” (1:1)

Humility is one of the characteristics of a truly great person of God. Though Paul had been personally selected by Christ as an Apostle, he was always willing to acknowledge the work of others. Though Paul is writing by to the Thessalonians by inspiration, he includes the names of Silas and Timothy, his fellow-workers, in his greeting.

The letter is addressed to the church. The word ‘church’ literally means the ‘called out ones.’ This term was used by the Greeks to refer to various types of political or religious assemblies. Paul makes it clear whom he is addressing, however, when he specifies that the church is “in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:”

Why do the followers of Christ call God, ‘Father?’ There are several reasons, but one of them is that God brings the followers of Christ into a family relationship with each other and with Himself. He treats them as His children. As Paul states elsewhere in this letter, one of the roles of a father is to encourage, comfort and to urge his children to live worthy lives. This is how God treats the followers of Christ. Many people think of God as a harsh and judgmental taskmaster, but from a Christian’s point of view, God’s primary characteristic is His love.

Paul refers to Jesus as ‘Lord.’ By right, the name ‘Lord’ belongs to God. One measure of God’s esteem for Jesus is that He has given Him His own name. As Scripture says in another place, “…God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) Have I brought glory to God by confessing that Jesus is Lord?

We often use words without thinking about what they mean. This is true of many people when they call Jesus the ‘Christ.’ The title, ‘Christ,’ means ‘Anointed One.’ In other words, someone who is formally appointed to perform a particular role. God has anointed Jesus as Prophet, Priest and King. If we are going to call Jesus the ‘Christ,’ then we must also accept Him in the roles to which He has been appointed. The work of a prophet is to proclaim God’s word. Do I listen to what Jesus has said on God’s behalf? One of the responsibilities of a priest is to offer sacrifices for sin. Have I accepted the sacrifice Jesus has made for me? Another work of a priest is to petition God for others. Do I pray to God in Jesus’ name? The responsibility of a king is to rule. Do I obey Jesus’ commands?

Paul ends his salutation by asking that the followers of Christ at Thessalonica receive grace and peace. Grace is usually defined as the undeserved kindness or favor of God, but it also refers to the God-given power which enables one to live for Christ and to become like Him. This is important in considering what is meant by the word ‘peace.’ It is obvious that by ‘peace’ Paul does not mean the absence of trouble or hardship. Later he writes about the “much affliction” (NIV, “severe suffering”) (1:6) which the believers at Thessalonica had experienced. It is grace which enables one to live for Christ in spite of suffering. Peace is the contentment and assurance which God gives regardless of difficult and painful circumstances.