January 10 - 1 Thessalonians

January 10 - 1 Thessalonians

Paul was in Corinth when Timothy and Silas brought him a rave review on what was happening in Thessalonica. Remember, though, that Jews from Thessalonica (it actually takes a few moments for me to type that word) also chased them out of Berea. The Christians were doing well. 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 tells a little of the report that Timothy brought to Paul.

In some of your Bible translations, you will see that the letter comes from Paul, Silvanus and Timothy. Silvanus is just the expanded Greek translation of Silas. Same person. Same name.

Thessalonica was a city of about 200,000 people, the largest city in Macedonia. It was a harbor city and strategically placed to make it a commercially viable location. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 shows that it was also a strategic location to locate a missionary ministry.

The church was under distinct pressure from the Jews in the city as referenced in 1 Thessalonians 3:3, but you will notice in 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9 that Paul assures them of rescue from future wrath of God. The day of Christ's coming is a prevalent theme in this letter (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13–5:11; 5:23). Paul wanted them to understand what that meant so as to encourage living a sanctified life (1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:3–4, 7; 5:23).

The Thessalonians had come up against a truth that we recognize today - Christ's blessings do not necessarily mean a cessation of struggle. Paul needed to clearly distinguish between human and divine wrath so that his readers could go on in faith and steadfastness (Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary).

I'm going to cut my part short today. Read through the 5 chapters of this letter. Imagine the excitement of the church in Thessalonica as they received an affirmative letter from the man who had given them so much Good News!

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
1 Thessalonians 2:1-20
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28