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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS

CHAPTER ONE:
“A FAITHFUL EXAMPLE OF ENDURANCE”

[“Tested Examples”]
Key word: Endurance
Theme Verse: 3

1 Thessalonians 1:1 – Paul, Silvanus, Timothy

1TH1:1 Paul, Silvanus and Timothy 1 – to the congregation of the Thessalonians 2 in union with God the Father and the Master Jesus Christ 3 – to you unmerited charity and peaceful harmony.

1

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: Here and 2 Thessalonians 1:1 is the only place where these three are mentioned together as the shared authors of an inspired epistle. Silvanus is the Greek form of Silas. It is possible Silvanus also assisted Peter with 1 Peter. (1 Peter 5:12) See Acts 15:27 and 2 Corinthians 1:19.

2	To the congregation of the Thessalonians: Some believe this to be the very first inspired epistle. A seaport of Macedonia today called Salonika. See Paul’s missionary visit there and his letter from Corinth around 50 AD. (Acts 17:1-4, 10-15)

3

God the Father and the Master Jesus Christ: Paul’s standard salutation that omits the Holy Spirit. The phrase “holy spirit” [PNEUMATIC HAGIO] occurs three times in this letter. (1 Thessalonians 1:5, 6; 4:8) “God” is mentioned 40 times and “Jesus” 17 times. “Father” occurs 4 times. Paul virtually always designates “God” as The God [HO THEOS, TO THEO].

1 Thessalonians 1:2-7 – An Example to all Believers

1TH1:2 We always thank The God for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 1TH1:3 as we call to mind in the sight of our God and Father your faithful work 4 and loving labor and steady expectation regarding our Master Jesus Christ.

4	Faithful work: Literally “work of the faith” [ERGOU TES PISTEOS]. Paul agrees with James that faith and work are related. Faith, love, and hope are related as something that characterized the Thessalonians.

1TH1:4 For, brothers beloved of The God, we are aware that He has chosen you. 1TH1:5 For our message of the Good News came to you – not just in speech – but also in power 5 and in holy Pneuma and with complete conviction. 6 You realize the type of men 7 we prove to be while among you in your own behalf.

5	Power: Miracles accompanied Paul’s preaching. Compare 1 Corinthians 2:4.

6	Complete conviction: That is, “fully believe.” The Greek is PLERO-PHORIA. Or, KJV: much assurance; MON: deep conviction. Compare Romans 4:20, 21.

7	The type of men: These are rare men of high Christian caliber. The historical reputation of men has been much lacking, something that men and women have duly noted as the object of their imperfections.

1TH1:6 As a result all of you became imitators of us as well as the Master, 8 for you accepted the Word under considerable persecution, 9 and this with joy inspired by the holy Pneuma. 10

8	Imitators of us and of the Master: Compare 1 Corinthians 11:1. Some fell this is a daunting challenge given the perfection of Christ Jesus. Paul is fully aware of the imperfections of the Saints, but to continue to progress one must have a worthy goal.

9	Accepted the Word under considerable persecution: They became believers during persecution. The word “affliction” is from THLIPSEI literally meaning “oppression.” It is a word used 8 times in Paul’s two letters to the Thessalonians. (See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Revelation 7:14)

10	Joy inspired by the holy Pneuma: That is, “joy that can come only from the Divine Mind.” Literally, “joy of pneuma holy.” Or, KJV: joy of the Holy Ghost. “Joy” is best defined by the words “glad,” or “satisfied.” [See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Galatians 5:22, 23]

1TH1:7 And so you became role models to all the believers 11 in Macedonia and Achaia. 12

11

Role models to all the believers: Of all the new congregations Paul points to the Thessalonians as Christian examples. Some congregations at different times in their histories are either good or bad examples. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Revelation chapters 2 and 3. It is a compliment of the highest order for a congregation to be told that they are an example for others to follow.

12	Macedonia and in Achaia: Southeast Europe in the Balkans. Achaia is another word for Greece, particularly the coastal region in the Gulf of Corinth.

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 – Reports of Your Faith Spreads

1TH1:8 For not only has the Master’s Word been announced from all of you in Macedonia and Achaia, but also your deep conviction in The God has been reported every where, and so much so that we need not even mention it. 1TH1:9 Because all of them send back reports concerning us how you welcomed us among you. And how you turned to The God from idolatry to slave for a living and true God. 1TH1:10 Also, [how you] continue waiting in expectation for His Son from out of the skies 13 – the very One He raised up from among the dead, Jesus, who will rescue from the coming wrath. 14

13

To wait for His Son from the skies: That is, “keep waiting for God’s Son to return from above.” This begins a number of phrases (duplicated in the next four chapters) that are misunderstood by the Thessalonians, prompting 2 Thessalonians. See the closing verses in chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5 where the Greek PAROUSIA is used. Compare Acts 3:20, 21 and Titus 2:13. (John 14:1-3)

14	Coming wrath: Research the word wrath. See Revelation 6:17. Paul uses similar phrases a number of times in his epistles.

Summary Questions Chapter One