Commentary on 1 Thessalonians

1Th 2:3  For our preaching was not grounded on a delusion, nor prompted by mingled motives, nor was there fraud in it.  Notes:  For our preaching was not grounded on a delusion, Preaching : Paraklesis = a calling near, exhortation. Really here it means a calling to one's side for admonition, encouragement and comfort. Thayer 5)persuasive discourse, stirring address 5a) instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse Paul Preaching a)  was not grounded on a delusion [WNT ]or error [KJV]; It was not prompted by deceit; i.e. ( plano) = designed to lead astray, to beguile.    There was a correctness of message and purity of life to back it up. b) nor prompted by mingled motives,   nor impure motives; KJV Nor of uncleanness (oude ex akatharsias). “This disclaimer, startling as it may seem, was not unneeded amidst the impurities consecrated by the religions of the day” (Lightfoot). There was no necessary connection in the popular mind between

1Th 2:1  For you yourselves, brethren, know that our visit to you did not fail of its purpose.  Paul's Ministry in Thessaloniki. Our Visit = Our way in or our Entrance. [eisodon] did not fail of its purpose.   i.e that it was not in vain. It was not a failure NIV. It had not become empty. (Literal) Every pastor watches wistfully t see what will be the outcome of his work. We want to know that our work has not been fruitless or ineffective. 1Co 15:14  And if Christ has not risen, it follows that what we preach is a delusion, and that your faith also is a delusion.  1Co 15:17  and if Christ has not risen, your faith is a vain thing--you are still in your sins.  Empty preaching leads leads to vain or empty faith in God. 1Th 2:2  But, as you will remember, after we had already met with suffering and outrage at Philippi, we summoned up boldness, by the help of our God, to tell you God's Good News amid much opposition.  after we had already met with su

1Th 1:10  and to await the return from Heaven of His Son, whom He raised from among the dead--even Jesus, our Deliverer from God's coming anger.  a) The Thessalonian Believers were awaiting the imminent Return of Christ from Heaven. b) It was the Resurrected Son of God that they were waiting for from heaven. c) He is the Deliverer from God's Coming Wrath against Sin and rebellion. He will draw us to Himself to protect is from the Coming Danger T Rom 9:22  And what if God, while choosing to make manifest the terrors of His anger and to show what is possible with Him, has yet borne with long-forbearing patience with the subjects of His anger who stand ready for destruction,  It is the Historic, Crucified, Risen and Ascended Jesus Christ, God's only Son who is the Deliverer from the Coming Wrath of God. 1Th 2:16  for they still try to prevent our preaching to the Gentiles so that they may find salvation. They thus continually fill up the measure of their o

1Th 1:8  For it was not only from you that the Master's Message sounded forth throughout Macedonia and Greece; but everywhere your faith in God has become known , so that it is unnecessary for us to say anything about it. 1Th 1:9  For when others speak of us they report the reception we had from you, and how you turned from your idols to God, to be bond-servants of the true and ever-living God,  Via Ignatia from Constantinople to Rome. Wikipedia "How Beautiful are the Feet" on the Via Egnatia Non-Technical  - Feb 19, 2014 - by  Gordon Franz MA Notes: The Master's Message : (the Word of  Lord); this Message about our Lord Jesus Christ and this Message of which Christ is the Author. Thessaloniki was a great commercial port and Political Centre for the disseminating of the Gospel of Salvation especially as it was the Capital of Macedonia and on the Via Egnatia. The Message was sounded forth by the Spoken Word throughout Macedonia and Achaia

1Th 1:6  And you followed the pattern set you by us and by the Master, after you had received the Message amid severe persecution, and yet with the joy which the Holy Spirit gives,  1Th 1:7  so that you became a pattern to all the believers throughout Macedonia and Greece.  Notes:  You followed the pattern set you by us and our Lord. You became imitators  = Greek (mimetes). They imitated the pattern of living see 1Co 11:1  Be imitators of me, in so far as I in turn am an imitator of Christ.  and of the Master : The Manner which the Saviour lived was a regular subject of their preaching and practice. A pure, holy life like Jesus shows unbelievers the contrast with their lives and how Holy Jesus was. after you had received the Message amid severe persecution,  compare Acts 17:5-8 It was in the middle of these trials and persecutions that they were converted to faith in Christ. and yet with the joy which the Holy Spirit gives,  with happiness which is produced by th

1.5 The Good News that we brought to you did not come to you in words only, but also with power and with the Holy Spirit and with much certainty,......... Not with words only. It was not merely spoken and heard, but it produced a powerful effect in the hearts and lives of those who heard it. They were powerfully converted. Not merely an empty sound. This was not just human wisdom and rhetoric with sound arguments. But also with power (or in power). Compare words ( logos) and power (dunamis). 1Cor. 2:4  And my speech and my preaching  was not with the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. 1 Cor. 4:20 For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. In power (dunamis). Adam Clark, "With the miraculous manifestations to your etes and hearts showing you that this Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation." And in the Holy Spirit, or 1Cor 2:4 'the demonstration of the Spirit'.  Demonstration (apodeixis )

1Th 1:5  The Good News that we brought you did not come to you in words only , but also with power and with the Holy Spirit and with much certainty, for you know the sort of men we became among you, as examples for your sakes. Notes The Good News that we brought to you...... Compare Matthew 4:23 Then Jesus travelled through all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and infirmity among the people. Mar 1:14  Then, after John had been thrown into prison, Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming God's Good News.  Mar 1:15  "The time has fully come," He said, "and the Kingdom of God is close at hand : repent, and believe this Good News.  Billy Graham Preaching the Good News The Good News or the Gospel [ euaggelion ] According to  Thayer's Greek Dictionary means Glad Tidings or Good News 1. The reward for Good Tidings. 2. a The Glad Tidings of the Kingdom of God soon to be se

1Th 1:4  knowing as we do, brethren, that you are beloved by God and that He has chosen you . Notes. knowing   is the Greek word [eidotes] coming from [oida] eidon, a so-called causal principal . ie. which means ' since we know '.  RWP. - that  you are beloved by God.  The perfect passive participle of [ agapao ]. Meaning "being loved by God with the highest kind of love".RWP Look at these Scriptures:  2Th 2:13   And from us thanks are always due to God on your behalf-- brethren whom the Lord loves --because God from the beginning has chosen you for salvation through the Spirit's sanctifying influence and your belief in the truth.  Deu 33:12   And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.  What a place of security and protection belongs to those who are Beloved of the Lord. - For He has chosen you. [ten eklogen

1Th 1:3  For we never fail to remember your works of faith and labours of love and your persistent and unwavering hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father;  Persistent and Unwavering Hope. These Thessalonian Christians had a sure and certain Expectation in Christ because of the grace given them which was founded in Jesus Christ; His person, His blood and His Righteousness. John Gill Robertson's Word Pictures persistent unwavering Hope .  or Patience of hope . This means the endurance inspired by hope and sustained by hope despite delays and setbacks. Patience = [hupomone] from hupo meno = to remain under. "Llke agape this characteristic is to be closely associated with a distinctively Christian virtue. Milligan. Compare these in Rev 22 works [ergou]; labours [kopon]; and patience [ hupomone] There is here ans ascending scale of the practical proofs of self-sacrifice. Jesus is the object of our Hope, especially theHope of His

Labours or toil born of Love. [tou kopon tes agapes] The (tes agapes) is a descriptive genitive characterizing the "labour or toil'. This shows the origin of the labours. The sacrificial giving of oneself is the characterictic of a true believer. Labours = [kopon] or [kopos] from kopto = to cut, to lash, or to beat or kneed the bread, to toil. Love to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will constrain the believer to engage in and go through, great hardships, difficulties, toil and labours for their sake. Love of the saints must result in serving them cheerfully. PAKISTAN/KARACHI_SAYLANI WELFARE TRUST INTERNATIONAL SERVING FOOD TO THE POOR AN NEEDY & LABOUR PEOPLE These Thessalonian Christians were will to lay down their lives in loving service for God and the fellow believers. Even today this is expressed in the church where love is readily shown.

1Th 1:3  For we never fail to remember your works of faith and labours of love and your persistent and unwavering hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father ; I. What Paul remembered about the Thessalonians. Paul was always remembering , i.e. mindful or calling to mind these three distinguishing Marks of the Church at Thessaloniki. He never failed or he never left off calling to mind these characteristics. 1. Their Works of Faith.  Barnes Notes : These were their acts of duty, holiness and benevolence .  Works of faith are works which faith prompts. Because they exercised faith in God this resulted in works. James said, "Faith without works is dead." Works  (ergou, genitive case) the object of  mnemoneuontes : remembering  continually. Ergou is the general term for work, business, employment, tasks. This is the activity which is inspired by faith in God. RWP. We are justified by faith but REAL FAITH ALWAYS Produces GOOD WORKS. 

1.1 (Weymouth New Testament) Paul, Silas, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be granted to you. Notes : Paul named the Sender and the Recipients. This was the usual formula for a letter in the First Century, AD.  Silas = Silvanus (Greek); Silas is just a variant reading (NIV margin). Paul and Silvanus had Latin names as they were Roman Citizens.Read acts 16 37 -38.  Heb. Saul and Silas. Silvanus was a prophet and a member of the Jerusalem church who had been sent to Antioch in Syria.Acts 15:27,30, 32,40 Timothy had joined the Evangelistic church planting band en route at Derbe. Grace and Peace be granted to you. v.1c For Grace compare ( hesed ) Hebrew for kindness/loving-kindness Exodus 43:6 " Yahweh abounds in (love and kindness) . Note there is a prayer for God's grace at the end of all Pauline Letters eg. Heb 13:25; Rom 16:23 1 Cor 16:23; 2 Cor 13:14. To the Church in Th

I. Introduction 1.1 II. Thanksgiving for God's Saving Intervention 1:2-10 III. The Apostolic Team as a Pattern for the Thessalonians. 2:1-12 IV. Recapitulation: Why they regularly gave Thanks for the Thessalonian Believers. 2:13-16 with verses 1,2. V. Paul and Silas's Frustrated Travel plans and a Solution 2:17 - 3:13 VI. Parenthesis: The Gospel Ethic in a gentile Environment. 4:1-12 VII. Instruction about the Return of Christ. 4:13 - 5:11 VIII. Final Exhortations 5:12-22 IX. Conclusion 5:23 -28 Notes from "Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament". Gary S. Shogren

This was set as about AD 49. In Acts 15:40 Paul and Silas set out from Antioch in Syria. In Acts 16:1-3 Timothy joins them. They attempted to go into Asia and Bithynia but were redirected to Macedonia by the Spirit of God. Map of the Locations Visited By Paul on his Second Missionary Journey. Bible History online. Act 16:8  So, passing along Mysia, they came to Troas. Act 16:9  Here, one night, Paul saw a vision. There was a Macedonian who was standing, entreating him and saying, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." Act 16:10  So when he had seen the vision, we immediately looked out for an opportunity of passing on into Macedonia, confidently inferring that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to the people there. Act 16:11  Accordingly we put out to sea from Troas, and ran a straight course to Samothrace. The next day we came to Neapolis, Act 16:12  and thence to Philippi , which is a city in Macedonia, the first in its district, a Roman colony. And th

Persecution in the life of the Thessalonian Believers. Following the Lord Jesus Christ lead to Trouble from the very beginning. Sometimes it was very violent persecution. 1Th 1:6  And you followed the pattern set you by us and by the Master, after you had received the Message amid severe persecution , and yet with the joy which the Holy Spirit gives ,  1Th 1:7  so that you became a pattern to all the believers throughout Macedonia and Greece.  1Th 3:3  that none of you might be unnerved by your present trials: for you yourselves know that they are our appointed lot.  1Th 3:4  For even when we were with you, we forewarned you, saying, "We are soon to suffer affliction;" and this actually happened, as you well know.  1Th 3:5  For this reason I also, when I could no longer endure the uncertainty, sent to know the condition of your faith, lest perchance the Tempter might have tempted you and our labour have been lost.  1Th 2:14  For you, brethren, followed t

Evangelism. This actively sharing your faith. They were newly 'Born Again' and they readily shared the Good News with their friends and families. 1Th 1:8  For it was not only from you that the Master's Message sounded forth throughout Macedonia and Greece; but everywhere your faith in God has become known, so that it is unnecessary for us to say anything about it.  1Th 1:9  For when others speak of us they report the reception we had from you, and how you turned from your idols to God, to be bondservants of the true and ever-living God,  Notes a. They turned to God from idols. They had been pagans but the turned; they REPENTED and turned to the True and Living God. b. They were waiting for the Son of God from Heaven. The second Coming was always in their expectation. v.10 c. They waited for the Rescuer from the Coming Wrath of God. v.10 Questions Are you actively sharing your faith at every opportunity? Have you turnd from all idolatry and self

The Thessalonian Assembly was a Charismatic Assembly. They had been timid about Prophecy. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21  WNT 1Th 5:19  Do not quench the Spirit.  This language is taken from the way of putting out a fire, and the sense is, we are not to extinguish the influences of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Possibly there may be an allusion here to fire on an altar, which was to be kept constantly burning. This fire may have been regarded as emblematic of devotion, and as denoting that that devotion was never to become extinct.  Barnes Notes on the NT. I wanted you to heard the Podcast of my daughter preaching on this verse. " The Parable of my Mum's Old Wood Stove. . She was simply Brilliant. I had said to her as a teen when I was going away for the weekend in Winter while living in Toowoomba Qld., "Don't let the fire go out or you won't have hot water and you and your teen visitors will have to have a cold shower." How true this is also in the sp