Salutation
Paul includes Timothy and Silas along with his own name
He does not use the title “apostle”
(There was probably no issue regarding his authority)
Includes greeting of “grace and peace”                      

Thanksgiving for their faith

1:2            He always remembers to thank God for them in his
                  prayers
                  He found much to be grateful for in their lives
                  It also raised the level of thinking from human to divine
                  God is the author of spiritual progress
           
1:3            The fruits of their remembering are “work, labor, and                   endurance”
                  It is the work produced by faith
                  It is the labor of love and endurance inspired by hope
                  in Christ
                  Faith, hope, and love are three tenets of Christianity
                  Thessalonians are putting these elements into practice
           
1:4-5        God chooses those who are in Christ
                  Those who are chosen are loved by God
                  The evidence is the fact that the gospel had come to
                  them
                  The gospel was not just words, but was infused with                   power
                  The Holy Spirit is the source of this power
                  It also brings deep conviction
                  The God who has a purpose for them will bring that                   purpose to pass
                  They could see evidence of that demonstrated in the
                  lives of Paul and his companions
           
1:6-7         Imitators of Paul
                  In like manner, the Thessalonians had imitated Paul
                   and his companions
                  That makes them models of Christ
                  Their response had resulted in severe suffering
                  Despite these trials, they showed “joy given by the
                  Holy Spirit”
                  They had been transformed

1:8-10      Thessalonians as models of faith
                  They had become known throughout Macedonia
                  The word of the Lord literally “rang out” from them
                  Their testimony was known far and wide
                  They were able to communicate their faith to others
                  Paul didn’t have to tell people about them; he was                   hearing about them from others
                  They had turned others from worshiping idols to the
                  one, true God
                  Their purpose in turning to God was to serve and to wait                   for his Son
                  Many expected this to happen before they passed on
                  Jesus’ return was guaranteed by his resurrection
                  Paul affirmed that Jesus was the one God had chosen                   for judgment
                  He would rescue them from the coming wrath

II -- 2:1-3:13 – Paul’s Ministry

2:1-2         Paul defends his ministry in Thessalonica with an
                  historical review     
                  He recounts having “suffered and been beaten” in                   Philippi
                  Though some might consider this a failure, he was not                   deterred
                  Through God’s power, they continued preaching the                   gospel
  
2:3-4         The truthfulness of their preaching
                  Their message did not spring from error or impure                   motives
                  Nor was any trickery involved in trying to convert them
                  In fact, they had been approved by God and entrusted                   with his message
                  The gospel’s origin is always in God
                  Their speech is always to please God
                  They had been completely open and honest
                  So much so that God “tested their hearts”
                  God was the witness to the purity of their motives
  
2:5-6         God is their witness
                  They never used flattery nor were they greedy
                  Such attitudes would suggest they were only interested
                   in self-satisfaction and could easily manipulate others
                  (The comments about greed might be a reference to the                   gifts given to him by the Philippians.  Some might think                   he was eager to receive the same from the                   Thessalonians.)
                  Paul maintains these were never part of his ministry
                  He did not seek praise from men, or from anyone else
  
2:7-10      He was not a burden to them
                  As a missionary, Paul had the right to expect financial                   support from them
                  It was a “right” that he chose not to exercise
                  Instead, his dealings were gentle, much like a mother                   with her child
                  It is a tender, pastoral image
                  He was eager to do this because he loved them
                  Sharing the gospel was easy; sharing their lives was a                   delight
                  The imagery is one of a nursing mother with her child
                  Paul worked hard night and day not to be a burden
                  He recalls long hours of toil and hardship in order to                   support himself
                  His preaching was done “free of charge”
  
2:11-12    Paul calls on the Thessalonians to witness to his life
                  He says they were “holy, righteous, and blameless”                   among them
                  Holy refers to conduct before God
                  Righteous refers to conduct among people
                  Blameless suggests they were faultless in both regards
                  The conduct of the missionaries was irreproachable
                  Paul uses the metaphor of a father caring for his child
                  They needed fatherly teaching and guidance as well as                   motherly care
                  He urged them to live lives worthy of God
                  Their lives were to reflect the life of God
                  “For it is God who calls you into his kingdom and glory”
                  This is their incentive

2:13          Paul gives praise for their progress
                  They seemed to understand that the word was from
                  God, not men
                  That word is also at work in them who believe
                  The word has power and operates in the life of the                   believer

2:14-16    He also gave thanks for their endurance under                   persecution
                  When one lives as a Christian, suffering is inevitable
                  Other churches suffered from Jews; they suffered from                   their own countrymen
                  While mentioning the Jews, Paul digressed to
                   condemn them for killing Jesus
                  hey had also killed the prophets, and were now working                   to drive out Paul’s missionary band
                  They had displeased God and were hostile to all men
                  They had tried to keep Paul from speaking and bringing                   salvation to Gentiles (The Jews apparently believed
                   that salvation for Gentiles would mean God had
                   forsaken Israel)
                  But in doing this, Paul stated the Jews “always heap
                  their sins to the limit”
                  Paul said the “wrath of God” would be upon them
                  Scholars are not sure what he is referring to here
                  This is surely not a reference to all Jews, but only
                  those opposed to his preaching of the gospel

2:17-20    He longs to see them
                  Paul expresses his deep feelings for them
                  He longed to return after having to leave under such
                  dire circumstances
                  He had hoped to get back quickly (but at least 5 years
                   will pass)
                  At least he was present with them in thought
                  “Satan” had hindered their return
                  This could possibly refer to opposition of magistrates
                  or other Jews
                  The Thessalonians are his “hope, his joy, the crown in                   which we will glory”

3:1-5         Paul sends Timothy to them
                  When he could no longer stand not being with them,
                  he sent Timothy
                  Timothy’s job was to “strengthen and encourage” in the                   faith
                  Then none of them would be “unsettled in these trials”
                  Timothy was to encourage them to continue trusting in                   God
                  Paul had warned them that trials would be part of being
                  a Christian
                  That had certainly been the case for them
                  That which he had predicted had actually come true
                  Christians cannot expect to have an easy life
                  This is why he had to know how they were holding up
                  He was afraid the tempter might have tempted them
                  He was afraid that all his efforts might have been in vain

Timothy’s report

3:6-10      Timothy had brought good news
                  The report includes their faith, love, and pleasant                   memories
                  Faith is trust in God
                  Love is the outworking of their faith
                  Memories of the missionaries were positive and                   pleasant
                  Paul was delighted beyond measure, which helped in
                  his present suffering
                  Their endurance was additional incentive for him to                   persevere
                  The news gave new life to Paul – “now we live”
                  What happened to them mattered a great deal to Paul
                  For this, Paul gives thanks to God
                  Words are inadequate to fully express his appreciation
                  All his suffering has been turned into “all the joy we
                  have”
                  It was God who guided them; God deserves the praise 
                  He prays night and day that he will see them soon
                  Also he hopes to “supply what is lacking in your faith”
                  This is a possible reference to additional growth
                 
3:11-13    Paul’s petitionary prayer
                  First, he prays that God will clear the way for him to
                  come to them
                  Second, he prays that God will make their love increase                   and overflow
                  Their love should extend beyond church borders to                   include all
                  Christianity is expressed in selfless devotion to others
                  He also prays that God will give them inner strength to
                  be blameless and holy in his presence
                  Love is selfless, which is the basis for holiness
                  Their practice should reflect their status as God’s
                  chosen ones
                  They should persevere until Jesus returns
                  This will be a time of final accounting in God’s presence

4:1-2        “To live” is really “to walk”
                  The Christian life is progressive, always on the move
                  In receiving Christ, one has an obligation to imitate him
                  The Thessalonians were doing this, but there was room                   for growth
                  They should do this more and more in the Lord Jesus
                  They are fully aware of the gospel that has been told to                   them
                   It was given by the authority of the Lord Jesus

4:3-8         Sexual purity
                  Christians living in holiness avoid sexual immoralities
                  This would have included all sexual encounters outside                   of marriage
                  This was certainly contrary to prevailing cultural norms
                  Paul maintains that it is God’s will for them to control
                  their own bodies
                  A wholesome marriage is the best antidote to sexual                   immorality
                  This “control” is to be achieved in a way that is holy and                   honourable
                  This is opposed to the heathen who are lustful and “do                   not know God”
                  In like manner, no one should wrong or take advantage
                  of his brother
                  (“Brother” probably means fellow Christian)
                  To “take advantage” is to want more than they should
                  They will be called to give an account of themselves
                  If they engage in these things, they will be punished
                  God did not call them to be impure, but to live a holy life
                  Anyone who rejects this instruction also rejects God
                  God is the one who gives the Holy Spirit
                   Infusion of the Holy Spirit compels them towards holy                   living
           
4:9-10      Brotherly love
                  They have already been taught to love one another
                   It is the Spirit who has placed the law of love in their                   hearts
                  They are exhibiting that kind of love, but they can always                   do more
                  He wants them to strive for that goal of perfection
           
4:11-12    Leading a quiet life
                  They are exhorted to lead a quiet life, mind their own                   business, and work with their hands
                  It is not known what has prompted this advice
                  Perhaps there was some dissension within the church
                  Free-loaders had no place in the church
                  There were also implications for life in the community
                  Such industry would indicate their independence
                  It would be a witness to others and would win their                   respect
                  Bottom line was that they would not be dependent on                   anyone

4:13-18    Not being ignorant about those who sleep
                  Christians have hope of resurrection of the dead
                  Jesus was the first to rise; God will raise the others as                   well
                  Paul is confident that “we who are still alive …will not                   precede those who have fallen asleep”
                  (It’s not sure whether the “we” included Paul or                   Christians in general)
                  The Lord’s teachings were clear on this
                  (We don’t have these teachings)
                  There will be specific events: The Lord will come, there                   will be a loud command, a voice of the archangel, and
                  the trumpet call of God – then the dead will rise
                  Images suggest that Jesus’ coming will be with
                  authority and grandeur
                  After all this, those who are alive will be “caught up” in
                  the clouds
                  They will meet the Lord in the air
                  (Clouds are generally a symbol of divine glory)
                  Paul cannot describe any specific details of this
                  meeting, only to say the “saints will be with the Lord                   forever”
                  Therefore, they should encourage (comfort) each other                   with these words
           
5:1-2         Times and dates of the Lord’s return
                  What signs will accompany the end times
                  The Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night
                  Paul stresses its unpredictability
                  It would certainly be a day of high drama

5:3            Unbelievers on that day
                  For those who are unprepared, it will be a catastrophic                   time
                  They will delude themselves by saying they have peace                   and safety
                  Instead, destruction will come upon them suddenly       
                  Time is compared to onset of labor pains

5:4-11      Believers on that day
                  Unlike their counterparts, believers are prepared
                  They do not live in darkness
                  They are sons of the light and the day
                  This suggests they are already in touch with God
                  They live in a spiritual environment that unbelievers                   cannot know
                  This, then, is the basis for staying alert and not falling                   asleep
                  (“Asleep” recalls the metaphor of a thief in the night)
                  They are to be watchful and self-controlled
                  Contrast of nighttime vs. daytime behaviors
                  Nighttime is for sleep and drunkenness
                  Daytime is for alertness, putting on breastplate of faith,                   hope, love
                  Image of armor is typical of well prepared soldier
                  Despite our hope of salvation, it is not achieved through                   our own merits
                  The initiative lies with God who did not appoint us to                   suffer wrath
                  Salvation comes through Jesus who died for us
                  It matters not whether we are awake or asleep, i.e. dead                   or alive at end
                  We will live together with him
                  Therefore, they should all encourage one another and                   build each other up
                  They should help each other to become mature
                  In fact, they are already doing this                                            

5:12-13    Obligations of the leaders
                  Thessalonians are to show respect to their leaders
                  Functions of the leaders include “work hard,” “are over                   you” and they “admonish you”              
                  Even though they have authority, they are all under the                   Lord
                  Believers are to hold them in the highest regard and
                  live in peace
                  They should do this not because it’s personal
                  They should do this because of the work the leaders do
                  To the extent they can all do this, they will live in peace                   with each other

5:14-15    Responsibilities of all members
                  All “brothers” have some pastoral responsibility
                  Warn those who are idle: disorderly in conduct
                  They have mistaken ideas about the second coming
                  Encourage the timid; perhaps they have lost heart over                   those who have already passed
                  Help the weak: a reference to moral and spiritual debility
                  Those who are strong are obligated to help those who                   aren’t
                  Be patient:  an even-temperedness of one slow to anger
                  Do not return wrong for wrong
                  Christianity overcomes evil with good
                  They are to be kind to one another and to everyone else
                  Their only goal should be to put the best interests of                   others first

5:16-18    Obligations to oneself
                  Always be joyful:  Joyfulness comes from the Lord
                  Regardless of circumstances joy is grounded in God’s                   grace
                  Pray continually:  Live in the spirit of prayer
                  Praying reminds us of our dependency upon God
                  Give thanks in all circumstances: God is always there
                  Regardless of what happens, God is sovereign

5:19-22    Responsibilities in the worship community
                  The Spirit will always be a burning presence
                  Gifts of the Spirit cannot be repressed
                  Prophecies are not contemptible
                  Such utterances are proclamations of God’s will
                  Test everything, hold onto the good
                  To test is to discern what is inspired utterances
                  Good is whatever is beneficial
                  Avoid every kind of evil – whatever detracts from the                   Christian’s life     

A prayer for the Thessalonians
God, the giver of peace, will sanctify them through and through
This is what God does for them on their behalf
Their whole spirit, soul, and body will be kept blameless
He wants Christians to live on the highest level
Spirit, body, and soul encompasses wholeness
The God who calls you is faithful and He will do this

Paul invites them to also pray for him
Addressing them as “brothers” Paul indicates his feelings of warmth
They should greet the “brothers” with a kiss from Paul
This holy kiss would be comparable to greetings among family members
The letter was to be read to all the “brothers”
This letter was a substitute for Paul’s own presence

Benediction
Grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you