“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” 2 Peter 1:20 – 2:1
Verse 1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This epistle or letter is from not only the Apostle Paul, but from his two companions in the Faith. The Apostle Paul uses the pronoun “we” throughout this epistle. Thessalonica was located at the intersection of two major Roman roads which were major trade routes, and it was a port city. It became the capitol of Macedonia around 146 BC and today it is called Thessaloniki and is reported to be the second most important city in Greece. The Apostle Paul came to Thessalonica from Philippi on his second missionary journey and established the Church. He was forced to flee due to persecution by the Jews who incited a mob. See Acts 17:1-10.
Application: The Greek word translated a “in” is “en” and it is a preposition denoting a fixed position. In English, the preposition “in” means expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else. The Apostle Paul says the Church was “in” God and “in” Jesus. This Church was “fixed” in their relationship with God and as such, they were enclosed or surrounded by Him. Each Christian believer is ‘in” Christ and He is “in” each believer because of the presence of the Holy Ghost/Spirit. Each Christian believer is surrounded by His Spirit because Jesus said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” Hebrews 13:5 and “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,” Matthew 28:20
Verses 2-4 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Application: It is very easy to lose sight of the value of God’s people in an individual’s life and to just take them for granted along with the church being attended. Should not each believer remember to pray for their pastor and for the people in their congregation that work to keep the doors open and the building clean and tidy? The Apostle Paul always prayed for the people in the churches that he started, and he always remembered them on a regular basis. Perhaps if Christian believers began mentioning churches in their daily prayers, great things would happen for the kingdom of Heaven worldwide. There are churches in Hungary, Russia, Scotland, Japan and so forth that are unknown to the believer, but are known to God, and praying for their safety and ministry outreach is a ministry in itself for the Christian believer. Think about it.
The Greek word translated as “election” is “ekloge” and it means the act of picking out or choosing, the act of God’s free will by which before the foundation of the world He decreed his blessings to certain persons, or God’s elect. Scripture teaches that people do not choose God, but that He chooses people. This is a lengthy discussion in itself and will not be dealt with here. But the Biblical truth is that God does the choosing, not man.
Verses 5-6 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
The good news of the Gospel that the Thessalonians embraced through faith was not brought to them by just the speech or preaching of the Apostle Paul, but was accompanied by visible demonstrations of the power of the Holy Ghost. The Apostle Paul was a miracle worker and he was a Christ-like example so that the Gospel was not just a story or a doctrine, but was something that affected the lives of the people to which it was presented. They experienced salvation and the infilling of the Holy Ghost in their lives. They saw and understood what it meant to be a believer in Jesus and how a believer should live through the behavior and actions of the Apostle Paul and his companions. They also received the Gospel through “much affliction”, the Greek word “thlipsis” meaning pressure, oppression, affliction, tribulation, and distress. There was a riot in the town and a response from officials and there was the ever present persecution by the Jews to silence all things relating to the LORD Jesus Christ.
Verses 7-8 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
Therefore, the Church at Thessalonica served as a positive example to the other churches located in and around that same area and the Church did not keep the Gospel to themselves, but spread abroad and evangelized others. They embraced the Gospel and obeyed it.
Verses 9-10 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1)
The Church at Thessalonica followed the example of the Apostle Paul and turned from the idols so prevalent in their society, and they were looking for the return of the LORD Jesus Christ.
The early churches never doubted the Gospel or the fact that Jesus was/is coming back. They understood that there was wrath coming. The Greek word translated as “wrath” is “orge” and it means anger, indignation, punishment, or agitation of the soul. This wrath was/is the wrath of God when He decides that enough is enough and He is going to end time, punish the wicked, and gather His people into His kingdom in Heaven. Unfortunately, there appears to be a lack of this teaching and a lack of focusing on or looking to Jesus’ return in the churches today. “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4 Perhaps true believers in Jesus need to regularly think about His return and about the wrath that is promised to be poured out upon the unrepentant men and women on Earth. Then perhaps a greater attempt will be made to evangelize others just as the Thessalonica church did.