1st and 2nd Thessalonians
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The messages of the Thessalonian letters are that should patiently wait for the return of Jesus and live lives worthy of the God who saves us, even when we are suffering for the Gospel
In these letters, we see the tender pastoral heart of Paul on display.
Background - the City of Thessalonica
- Became the principal city of Macedonia after the conquest of Alexander the Great, c. 300 BC
- a large and bustling city, prominent, ethnically and religiously diverse.
- contained both a Jewish and Gentile population (Acts 17:4-5 NASB95)
- There was a notable presence of the occult in Thessalonica.
- “you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1:10).
Situation
- This church founded by Paul during his 2nd missionary journey (Acts 17.1-9 NASB95), c. AD 50
- He came to Greece responding to “the Macedonian Call” (Acts 16.9-10 NASB95)
- He and Silas did not stay in Thessalonica very long, due to intense persecution.
- Timothy remained, and later brought report to Paul at Corinth
Author and Audience and Date
- two of the earliest of Paul’s letters c. AD 50-51
- Silas and Timothy are with him as he writes both letters
- Likely written from Corinth during his 18 month stay there
Outline of 1st Thessalonians
- Greeting and Thanksgiving (1 Thes. 1 NASB95)
- How they received the Gospel (1 Thes. 2 NASB95)
- Timothy’s good report (1 Thes. 3 NASB95)
- Encouragement to holiness and love (1 Thes. 4.1-5.11 NASB95)
- Final Admonition and Blessing (1. Thes. 5.12-28 NASB95)
Outline of 2nd Thessalonians
- Greeting, Thanksgiving, and Encouragement (2 Thes. 1 NASB95)
- Details on the Day of the Lord (2 Thes. 2 NASB95)
- More thanksgiving and encouragement (2 Thes. 2.13-3.5 NASB95)
- Warning, Admonition and Blessing (2 Thes. 3.6-17 NASB95)
Themes
Gospel Power
knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction (1 Th. 1:4-5)
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. (1 Th. 2:13)
Gospel Love
But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. (1 Th. 2:7-8)
just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (1 Th. 2:11-12)
The Parousia
παρουσία - literally, “being present” refers to the coming of the Lord
For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (1 Th. 2:19)
that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. (1 Th. 3:13)
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (1 Th. 4:15)
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Th. 5:23)
Confusion and Disturbance
Has the day of the Lord already come?
Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. (2 Th. 2:1-2 NASB95)
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; (2 Th. 2:7-8 NASB95)
Already but Not Yet
“Inaugurated Eschatology”
Always Be ready
Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. (1 Th. 5:1-5)
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Th. 5:23)
Assignment
Preparing
- Read 1st and 2nd Thessalonians
- Read chapter 16 of Introducing the New Testament (1 and 2 Thessalonians)
- Watch The Bible Project 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians
Respond to the following:
Knowing
- Who was with Paul when he wrote these 2 letters?
- Why was Paul’s stay in Thessalonica so short?
- Define “parousia”
Reflecting and Communicating
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Th. 4:16-18)
For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Th. 5:9-11)
From these passages, and others in the 2 Thessalonian letters, how would you speak comfort and encouragement to a fellow disciple who is strugging with current troubles?
This is meant to encourage you to think and pray into actually doing this. Always be ready.
