1 Thessalonians
Acts 17
The main theme of 1 Thessalonians is the Return of Christ:
1 Thessalonians 1:10, 2:19, 3:13, 4:15-17, 5:23
Zondervan NIV Introduction to 1 Thessalonians
Theme: Although the thrust of the letter is varied (see Purpose), the subject of eschatology (doctrine of last things) seems to be predominant in both Thessalonian letters. Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ, with ch. 4 giving it major consideration (1:9-10, 2:19-20, 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23-24). Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in some sense as its theme. The two letters are often designated as the eschatological letters of Paul.
Faith, love, and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, along with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, gave the Thessalonians the power to live strong Christian lives despite severe suffering (1 Thessalonians 1:3-6).
Zondervan NIV footnote:
* 1 Thessalonians 1:3 = We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
* 1 Thessalonians 1:3 The triad of faith, hope and love is found often in the NT (5:8, Ro 5:2-5; 1 Co 13:13; Gal 5:5-6; Col 1:4-5; Heb 6:10-12; 10:22-24; 1 Pe 1:3-8, 21-22). work produced by faith. Faith produces action (see Ro 1:5; 16:26; Gal 5:6 and note; 2Th 1:11; Jas 2:14-26). hope. Not unfounded wishful thinking, but firm confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ and his return (v. 10). See Heb 6:18-20 andnotes on Ro 5:5; Col 1:5.
This passage especially interests me because Paul taught about Jesus through the Scriptures. This encourages me that if I want to get to know Jesus better, I can also gain that knowledge through the Scriptures. And if I want to talk to people about Jesus, to tell them about Jesus, I should do that through the Scriptures.
Furthermore, Jesus and Paul both warned us against false teachers and told us to be able to discern between good and bad spirits. Through the Scriptures, we learn about the True Jesus, the Biblical Jesus. And once we know who the True Jesus is, we would gain discernment against false teachers and bad spirits.
I believe this is very important because in a battle field against Satan, we need all the tools we have to fight against his deceptions.
1 Thessalonians 2–3
Paul’s work took root and grew because...
1) He had help from God (1 Thessalonians 2:2, 13)
2) The Thessalonians received and accepted the word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
3) The Thessalonians became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 2:14).
4) The Thessalonians had faith and love (1 Thessalonians 3:6).
5) The Thessalonians' faith was strong, and they stood firmly in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 3:7-8).
Zondervan NIV footnote:
* 1 Thessalonians 3:6 brought good news. The only place where the Greek for this phrase is used by Paul for anything other than the gospel. Three things caused him joy: (1) "your faith" - a right attitude toward God; (2) "your love" - a right attitude toward others; (3) "you long to see us" - a right attitude toward Paul.
1 Thessalonians 3
Believers will be persecuted for their faith in Christ, and these trials will test their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2-5).
Why?
Anyone who stands with Christ is an enemy of Satan.
So for me, I'd die in Christ over Satan any day. No persecution could be worse than sharing eternity with Satan.
My choice to stand for Christ is really that simple, but I know that it's not always that simple for other people.
I have a very dear friend who is very conflicted. She knows Jesus is the way, but her mom is a devout Buddhist. And being a very good daughter, she knew that she would need to bury her mom by following Buddhist traditions, which would involve A LOT of bowing to their gods. This is clearly against God's Will (not because God is exclusive but because God does not want us to be blinded by false gods that have no real power or meaning). And because she needs to do this, she cannot bring herself to stand for Christ.
For me, I tend toward logic. Sometimes, overly so. What is true is true, and it is futile and a waste of time to avoid the truth. So, in my opinion, the most obvious thing to do is to become a firm follower of Christ and proclaim the Good News to her mom. If her mom also becomes a Christian, then what of the Buddhist burial?
Some may argue, and indeed my friend argued, it's not that easy talking about Christianity in a culture that's deeply rooted in another religion.
My friends, if we have been seriously studying the Bible, we should learn by now that Christianity is not a religion. It is the Absolute Truth. How can we compare false idols and man-made objects with God, the one true God?
My heart is just so anxious--anxious for those who remain blinded to the truth. I know there is a fiery pit right in front of us, a pit made for Satan and other fallen angels. Jesus came and offered His hand to all of us, so that we can join Him in Heaven and rule as Kings and Priests instead of drowning in suffering and pain with Satan. That is the Absolute Truth. And so, how could I NOT tell those who I love about the fiery pit and how to avoid it? There is no worse persecution than suffering eternally in Hell. So what if I get yelled at and made fun of? I may not have the courage to fight off all challenges, but I know God will guide me and strengthen me. And so, with God on my side, I will do everything I can to pull people away from the fiery pit. I will never give up trying. It may take me a day or two to get back on my feet when I'm knocked down, but I will get up again and pull, pull, pull.
Satan's pulling out the big guns in his battle against Jesus. If we think we can just sit back and chill in this battle... yeah... that'd be too naive.
If we don't fight for loved ones, who will?
We should therefore be inspired by Paul’s intense love and concern for those he helped to Christ:
1) He cared for them just as a nursing mother cares for her children (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).
2) He dealt with each of them as a father deals with his own children (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
3) He longed to see them (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20).
4) Knowing that the Thessalonians were facing persecution, Paul was concerned about their faith. He hoped difficult times did not force them to take the easier way out (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5).
5) Paul frequently prayed for the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 3:10-13).
1 Thessalonians 4:1–12
According to Paul, the following things please God:
1) Sanctification by avoiding sexual immortality (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)
2) Love of fellow believers in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10)
3) One who leads a quiet life (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
4) One who minds his/her own business (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
5) One who works with his/her hands so that his/her daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that he/she will not be dependent on anybody (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
Zondervan NIV footnote:
* 4:3 sanctified. See note on 3:13. sexual immorality. In the first century moral standards were generally very low, and chastity was regarded as an unreasonable restriction. Paul, however, would not compromise God's clear and demanding standards. The warning was needed, for Christians were not immune to the temptation (see 1Co 5:1).
* 4:6 wrong his brother. Sexual sin harms others besides those who engage in it. In adultery, e.g., the spouse is always wronged. Premarital sex wrongs the future partner by robbing him or her of the virginity that ought to be brought to marriage. The Lord will punish. A motive for chastity.
* 4:7 Another reason for chastity is God's call to holiness.
* 4:8 God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. Still another reason for chastity is that sexual sin is against God (see Ge 39:9 and note), who gives the Holy Spirit to believers for their sanctification. To live in sexual immorality is to reject God, specifically in regard to the Holy Spirit.
* 4:9 brotherly love. Translates philadelphia, a Greek word that outside the NT almost without exception denoted the mutual love of children of the same father. In the NT it always means love of fellow believers in Christ, all of whom have the same heavenly Father. taught by God. Cf. Isa 54:13; Jn 6:45; 1Co 2:13.
* 4:11 to mind your own business. Some Thessalonians, probably because of idleness, were taking undue interest in other people's affairs (see 2 Th 3:11 and note). work with your hands. The Greeks in general thought manual labor degrading and fit only for slaves. Christians took seriously the need for earning their own living, but some of the Thessalonians, perhaps as a result of their belief in the imminent return of Christ (see 2 Th 3:11), were neglecting work and relying on others to support them.
* 4:12 not be dependent on anybody. Or "have need of nothing. Both meanings are true and significant. Christians in need because of their idleness are not obedient Christians (cf. Tit 3:14).
1 Thessalonians 5:12–28
Everyone has his or her own obstacles in obeying the commands mentioned therein. The important thing is to note that any command would be difficult to obey if we were to do it on our own. If we do it with God’s love and guidance, then we will overcome obstacles, not because we alone are amazing, but because God's love is amazing and strengthens us to do great things.
Hence, whenever we feel like we're stuck, the first thing we ought to do is pray. We should just go talk to God like a child would to his father when he runs into trouble.
When we pray for God’s guidance, God will lead us out of our troubles. It isn't so much about "obeying" God's commands as it is about "following" God's guidance.
In this particular passage, Paul told us that we are to be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We are also NOT to put out the Spirit’s fire and NOT treat prophecies with contempt (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20). Also, we are to test everything, hold on to the good, and avoid every kind of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
I think the above commands are very encouraging and inspirational. In Jesus, we can be joyful always, because when we follow Christ, we know we are under His love and protection. We also know that He will wipe every tear from our face, and this is why we can always be joyful.
We should also pray continually because God wants us to communicate with Him about everything. EVERYTHING. And in all reality, God knows our heart anyway, even if we don’t talk to Him about it. There’s no hiding our thoughts from God… so might as well be honest about it and gain guidance on it!
Prayer is also very important in helping us fulfill all the other responsibilities listed by Paul. Because as I’ve said above, if we do anything on our own, we will fail because we are not strong enough to stand on our own. Why? Because Satan is the king of this world right now, and he’s not an easy target to go up against. We definitely need God’s help to overcome Satan and his deceptive ways.
For example, we are to give thanks under ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. This is easy when we receive what we want. But... what about when we don’t? How do we say “Thank you” when something unfortunate has happened to us? Was it easy for Job to thank God when he lost his whole family and his living? These situations are definitely hard. Very hard. And so, during these circumstances, the first thing I’d do is pray. Job is really a great inspiration during these unfortunate moments. I pray for the wisdom to see God’s Will. I may not understand why misfortunes are happening in my life, but my faith in God stands strong. Why? BECAUSE GOD HAS ALWAYS FULFILLED HIS PROMISES.
And so, with this faith, I look at misfortunes from another light. Sometimes, it may be because I need to be disciplined (for example, if I’ve been too proud and need to be humbled). Other times, it may be because Satan is trying to shake my faith in God (like what he did to Job). And so when I say “Thank you” while I suffer, I say it because I’m thankful that God loves me enough to discipline me, to make me a better person, as opposed to leaving me to rot. And I’m thankful because if Satan is trying to deter me, I have God’s guidance to keep me close to God and not fall away, especially during my weakest hours.
Lastly, we are to test EVERYTHING. And I think this is extremely important. As mentioned above, Jesus has warned us against false teachers and false prophets. How do we discern between what is of God and what is not? Study the Bible and understand God’s Word. And pray. Pray for the ability to discern, and the Holy Spirit will guide us.
In essence, Paul told us we are to keep our whole spirit, soul and body blameless (1 Thessalonians 5:23). And first step towards doing this is through prayer. Through prayer, we will then be acting through God’s guidance. And with God’s guidance, we can work through anything. GOD IS THAT AMAZING. AND THEN SOME.
Zondervan NIV footnote:
* 5:24 Paul's confidence rests in the nature of God (cf. Ge 18:25 and note), who can be relied on to complete what he begins (see Nu 23:19; Php 1:6 and notes).
1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11
Paul is very clear here that we do not need to be ignorant about those who have died. We do not grieve like we have no hope, like death is something to be feared.
Why not? Because our savior CONQUERED death.
God raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus is our First Fruits! That means, He is the first of many who will not be shackled by death! We who follow Jesus will also be raised from the dead. And so, because of Jesus, death has no hold on us. We do not need to be hopeless in the face of death because JESUS CONQUERED DEATH!
Physical death is not the end for followers of Christ. Physical death is only the beginning. Physical death is the return of our souls to God. Death is us going home to God!
We should, however, fear our spiritual death. Fortunately, we have a say in that. God has given each of us the privilege and the freedom to make that choice. If we choose poorly, we really have no one to blame but ourselves.
In sum, God has thus appointed us to...
1) Receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
2) Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
And God did NOT appoint us to suffer wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). This is such an important statement! All the bad things that happen in this world, they are not God's work! They are not God's way of punishing us! Satan is king of this world, bringing forth havoc and creating seductive deception, so that he could accrue more souls to worship him. The more souls he could get to hate God and turn away from God, the more souls he can collect at the of the day (so to speak). To Satan, we are but objects that he collects so that he can feel like God. To God, we are His children, whom He dearly loves and protects. God is setting right all the wrong caused by Satan since the beginning of time. And God's plan is still in motion (Revelation).
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