I Thessalonians Background - 1:1-5

Geographical Background

A. Paul’s First Contact with the City

While Paul was planning this ministry, there arose a disagreement between him and Barnabas (Acts15:36-41) so they split up and Paul chose Silas to take Barnabas’ place.

While revisiting the churches of the First Journey, South Galatia, Paul heard some good news about one of his first journey converts, Timothy. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.

Paul traveled west in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Being forbidden to turn either North or South, he continued west until he arrived at Troas. Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” So he went to Philippi.

At Philippi he preached the Gospel, until he was thrown into prison. After the earthquake – The jailor asked Paul a question: “What must I do to be saved? (16:30) Paul answered him: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, and your household” i.e. “If those in your household believe they will be saved also.”

He left there for Thessalonians traveling west on the Egnatian Way, (The main Roman highway from Rome to the East.)

B. Paul’s Ministry at Thessalonica

Paul “as his custom was” (Acts 17:2) preached for three Sabbaths in the synagogue to both Jews and Gentiles. “And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.”

When the Jews became antagonistic, they moved their meetings to Jason’s house next to the synagogue.

C. Paul’s Exit from the City

Paul, Silas ad Timothy went on to Berea (more noble), then Paul went on alone to Athens and then to Corinth, where they later joined him. (Acts 18) Paul wrote both Epistles from Corinth, as long as a year apart.

Textual Background

Introduction – 1:1-5

I. Paul and His Companions – 1:1a

Paul, no title. He doesn’t need “apostle” to correct errors in doctrine, like Galatians or errors in conduct like Corinthians.

“Paul” was good enough for them. “Silvanus” (i.e. Silas) senior member of the team. “Timothy” - Leader in training. Later on dispatched to Philippi by Paul, then still

later, Pastor in Ephesus. (Pastoral Epistles.)

II. Paul and the Congregation – 1:1b-2

A. A Proper Greeting

“To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:”

“Church”, ἐκκλησίᾳ was a purely secular word. It referred to gatherings of any kind Acts 19:32. The Assembly (worshipers of Diana) was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.

This use of “church” refers to local church. Other times, it refers to universal church.

Matt. 16:18 “on this rock…” -- Universal Matt. 18:17 “tell it to the church” -- Local

He describes the church as in God the Father security, love, and strength

“Lord Jesus Christ”: the Son is also Divine “Lord” (κυρίῳ) is His title of Deity “Jesus” O.T. Joshua - salvation, deliverer in his name of humanity “Christ” (Heb. Messiah) means “the Anointed One”

1. Grace – Unmerited favor or favor in spite of demerit -- Salvation is by grace, true. But every favor that God shows us is also by His Grace.

2. Peace – Greek “” - Hebrew “shalom” -- Wholeness, prosperity, welfare.

B. A Prayer of Gratitude – 1:2-5

“We give thanks to God always for you all,”“We” here includes all three, but that does not mean that all three are the authors of the Epistle. He switches to the singular in some places. In most other places the plural “we” is an editorial “we,” much like the royal “we” of the British king (or queen if that’s all you have).

1. The Circumstance of the Prayer – 1:2

“making mention of you in our prayers,”

The thanksgiving is accompanied by prayer. He, (they), always pray for the Thessalonians. They pray for all of them. Paul must have had a long prayer list. And the longer he served the Lord, the longer it got.

2. The Content of the Prayer – 1:3

“remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,”

a. Work Resulting from Faith

Faith in God will bring results far beyond any of our own expectation. It was obvious to Paul that their work was a result of seeking God’s will and depending on His power.

b. Labor Prompted by Love

Again Paul is not emphasizing the work of loving-people, but the work resulting from loving-people. We need to love the Lord Jesus. We need to love each other. We need to love the lost.

c. Endurance Inspired by Hope

The emphasis here is on the endurance in tribulation which comes from placing hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith, love and hope all found its object in the Lord Jesus Christ and was observed and commended by God the Father in the sight of our God and Father,

3. The Core of the Prayer – 1:4

“knowing, brothers, beloved by God, your election.”

In his “election sentence” Paul calls them brothers – 22 times in I (15) and II (7). It would be illogical in this context to put himself above them. The ground at the foot of the cross is level. No one knew that better than Paul. They are more than that – they are beloved by God. They did not become elect by their work.

Ryrie says in his study Bible: “God’s choosing is sovereign. It is for salvation. It is proved by the works that accompany salvation.”

At first I hesitated on that 3rd statement. That “proof” is fine if he means: Proof to others. – not to yourself.

My proof of my election (and salvation) is the Word of God - That when I believed, he gave me eternal life (John.3:16). But there is another proof and that is to other people.

James 2:23-26 shows that there are two kinds of justification:

Justification by faith before God Justification by works before men.

So, there is justification by faith, and there is justification by works. But there is no Justification by faith and works.

4. Confidence of the prayer – 1:5

a. Paul’s explanation – 1:5a-b

1) The Power of the Holy Gospel – 1:5a

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only,”

The gospel is always in word. Spoken or written. It also came in power.

Romans 1:16“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power δύναμις of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

There is power in it, if we loose it and let it go. There is no substitute for that power.

2) The Person of the Holy Spirit – 5b

“but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit”

Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit. The word goes to the mind and the Holy Spirit takes the message to the heart, the spiritual center of the person.

b. Paul’s Expectation – 1:5c

“and in much assurance,”

Paul went into town with the one weapon that can withstand the methods of Satan the hardness of the hearts of man blindness of his spiritual sight -- THE GOSPEL OF GOD’S GRACE.

c. Paul’s Example – 1:5d

“as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”

A pure gospel must be serve up in pure vessels. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. (II Tim 3)

We must join the Holy Word with to a holy walk in order to be used of God to produce holy people – (saints of God)

Conclusion: