Chapter 1

Salutation

1 Paul, Silva′nus, and Timothy,

The senders of the letter. See Epistle Structure article.

To the church of the Thessalo′nians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

The recipients of the letter

Grace to you and peace.

The greeting. Grace is a Greek concept and peace (shalom) is a Jewish concept.

The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, …

The thanksgiving begins…

…constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul praises the Thessalonians for their steadfastness

4 For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you; 5 for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

Paul speaks of their election.

You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 

Paul now begins to reflect upon the founding of the Thessalonian congregation (cf Acts)

6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit; 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedo′nia and in Acha′ia. 

The Church in Thessalonica was birthed in persecution. However, even then God gave joy.

Paul says that the Thessalonians imitated himself, Silas and Timothy. Likewise, they have become an example to all Christians (“believers”) in Greece.

8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedo′nia and Acha′ia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 

Both the Gospel and the faith of the Thessalonians is well known.

9 For they themselves report concerning us what a welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, …

Since Paul speaks about turning from idols, it is likely that many of the Thessalonian Church members were gentiles, since Jews already worshiped the Lord.

… 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Paul speaks of Jesus’ Second Coming. This theme of eschatology punctuates this entire letter and is finally examined directly in the final two chapters.

Introduction | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5