I Thessalonians 1:1-10

I Thessalonians 1:1-10

I.                   I Thessalonians 1:1

a.       V. 1

                                                              i.      The church is the result of a missionary team: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy

1.      The of all three names adds weight to the message

2.      Possible one or both was the bearer of the message

                                                            ii.      Silvanus is almost certainly “Silas” from Acts.  He is also mentioned in II Thessalonians, as well as in II Corinthians 1:9.  Acts 17:1-9 has Silas sharing in the work at Thessalonica

                                                          iii.      Silas serves as an emissary of the Jerusalem church after the Jerusalem Conference in Acts 15, and he replaces Barnabas and John Mark as Paul’s companion on the second missionary journey

                                                          iv.      Silas was possibly considered an “apostle” (cf. II Corinthians 8:23, I Thessalonians 2:7), making him an equal with Paul

                                                            v.      Timothy is mentioned in all of Paul’s letters but Galatians and Ephesians.  He was seen as Paul’s agent, representing the apostle when Paul himself could not be present, as we have seen was the case with the Thessalonians (cf. I Thessalonians 3:2; Philippians 2:19-22; I Corinthians 4:17).  Acts 16:1-3 tells us of Timothy’s background. 

                                                          vi.      God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are the agents of the church

                                                        vii.      The lack of reference to Paul’s status as an apostle shows that his status and authority are not in question

                                                      viii.      “The gathered assembly of Thessalonians in God” helps us remember that the church is a gathering of people, not a building

II.                I Thessalonians 1:2-5

a.       V. 2

                                                              i.      The Thessalonians are a part of Paul’s  regular prayer life, both because of their faith, and because of his desire to see them thrive

                                                            ii.      Prayer and remembering are linked

                                                          iii.      Paul will use both “mother” and “father” imagery later in the letter to refer to their concern for the Thessalonians, which helps us understand what it means to be constantly thankful and in prayer for someone

b.      V. 3

                                                              i.      “Their work that proceeds from their faith”, “their labor that proceeds from their love”, and “their steadfastness that proceeds from their hope” are all part of the triad of faith, hope, and love that frequently appear in Paul’s letters.

                                                            ii.      For Paul, love was “the necessary manifestation within Christ’s body of the new creation already underway in the working of God’s Spirit.”                                         – Victor Paul Furnish

                                                          iii.      Faith- 1:2-2:16; Love- 2:17-3:13, 4:1-12, 5:12-24; Hope- 4:13-5:11

                                                          iv.      “Paul reveals little that can be quantified, yet he says a great deal about what is important.” – Beverly Roberts Gaventa

                                                            v.      Hope is listed last, and points to their eschatological hope in Jesus Christ

c.       V. 4

                                                              i.      Paul ties their election into their “work that proceeds from their faith”, not because they have earned their election, but because their work is evidence of what has already taken place

                                                            ii.      The idea of election is related to conversion, not final salvation

d.      V. 5

                                                              i.      Being Gentiles, they would have compared the gospel of Jesus Christ to that of Caesar, having apparently decided that Christ’s gospel was the more trustworthy

                                                            ii.      Preaching is not just in word, but is also done in the power of the Holy Spirit, as well as through deed

III.             I Thessalonians 1:6-10

a.       V. 6

                                                              i.      To be imitators of Paul and the Lord, they must have persevered in their faith, despite persecution or opposition

                                                            ii.      To imitate does not mean to mirror

b.      V. 7

                                                              i.      He appeals to their status as examples to other Christian communities around them, and thus praises them, while also challenging and encouraging them

c.       V. 8

                                                              i.      News of their reception of the gospel, and their conduct in the face of adversity, had spread and served to encourage and provide an example for other churches

                                                            ii.      Could be a reference to the Thessalonians position in a transportation and communication hub

d.      V. 9-10

                                                              i.      The turning of the Thessalonians from idols to God shows that both cannot be served concurrently

                                                            ii.      The parousia and resurrection are linked

                                                          iii.      Jesus is identified as “deliverer” here, which is not unique, but is uncommon in terms of NT usage.  Could this be a reference to the persecution/opposition the Thessalonians were encountering?