1st Thessalonians: Chapter 1
Written By: Steve Shirley
(1:1) Silvanus and Timothy
Silvanus is almost certainly the man who is also called “Silas.” Let’s look at a few things about him.
(Acts 15:32)
(Acts 16:25,37)
(1 Pet 5:12)
Silas accompanied Paul on his 2nd missionary journey. (Acts Ch 13-14)(Acts 15:39-18:22)
Why did Paul choose Silas? Let’s look at (Acts 15:36-41)(Acts 13:13).
However, look at what happened later: (Phile 1:23-24)(Col 4:10)(2 Tim 4:11).
Timothy and Paul were very close. Look at what Paul said about him:
(1 Tim 1:2)
(1 Tim 1:18)
(2 Tim 1:2)
(1 Cor 4:17)
We will discuss Timothy in much more depth when we get to the book of Timothy, but here are a few more important things about him:
(Acts 16:1-3)
(2 Tim 1:5)
(2 Tim 3:15)
(1:1) “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Equality: Jesus IS God! He is Lord!
(1:2-3) One of three prayers offered in 1st Thessalonians. Also see: 3:11-13, 5:23-24.
“Without ceasing.” Go to: (1 Th 5:17). What does it mean to pray “without ceasing?”
“Faith, love, and hope,” a pattern of Paul. Let’s look at (1 Th 5:8)(1 Cor 13:13)(Col 1:4-5).
(1:4) ELECTION!!! We are not going to go into detail on this! However, there are two views regarding this:
#1. Conditional Election: We are elect based on God’s foreknowledge that we would choose Jesus. God knew from the beginning who would choose Him.
#2. Unconditional Election: We are elect based only on God’s decision to choose us. God chose some people from the beginning and rejected others solely on who He wished to save.
These views are represented in Arminianism and Calvinism. Both views have Biblical evidence, and we need not divide over this issue.
(1:5) “The Gospel” What is “the Gospel?”
Not “in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit.”
(1:5-6) “What kind of men we were among you for your sake.” “Followers of us.”
What do these sayings mean?
Let’s look at some parallel verses:
(Mt 16:24)(Jn 13:15)(1 Pet 2:21)(1 Jn 2:6) _____________________________________
(1 Cor 4:16)(1 Cor 11:1)(Phil 3:17)(Phil 4:9) ____________________________________
(1:6) “Joy of the Holy Spirit” (See: Rom 14:17)
What is “joy?” (Ps 21:1)(Ps 51:8,12)(Gal 5:22)(1 Jn 1:1-4)(1 Pet 1:8)
(1:7-8) The Thessalonians were this for the people in Macedonia and Achaia.
(1:9) “Turned to God from idols.” What is “idolatry?”
What is “turned?” The Greek word “epistrepho” is used here. Strong’s defines this as “to turn about or towards.” Some (i.e. MacArthur) tie this word to “repentance.” There are some verses which point to this: (Lk 1:16-17)(James 5:19-20)(Acts 11:21)(Acts 14:15)(Acts 15:19).
(1:10) “to wait for His Son from Heaven” The imminent return of Jesus: The Christian’s hope!
MANY verses speak of this: (Lk 12:36)(Rom 8:23)(1 Cor 11:26)(2 Cor 5:2)(Gal 5:5)(Phil 3:20)(Phil 4:5) (Titus 2:13)(Heb 9:28)(James 5:7-9)(1 Pet 4:7)(1 Jn 3:3)(Jude 1:21)(Rev 3:11)(Rev 22:7,12,20)
(1:10) “whom He raised from the dead” Who raised Jesus from the dead?
(Jn 2:19)
(Rom 8:11)
(Gal 1:1)
(Rom 10:9)
This can be used for those who deny the Triune God.
“The wrath to come.” What is this referring to?