Commentary on 1 Thessalonians

1Th 3:12  and as for you, may the Lord teach you to love one another and all men, with a growing and a glowing love, resembling our love for you.  1Th 3:13  Thus He will build up your characters, so that you will be faultlessly holy in the presence of our God and Father at the Coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones.  Notes v.12 The Thessalonian Believers already loved each other sincerely but now Paul prays for an INCREASE and an abundance of it. That they would abound in love. v. 13. May the Lord Strengthen your hearts NIV. Thus He will build up your character WNT. To the end He may establish your hearts KJV. Without the Love of God and Love for your brethren in Christ,   there can be no establishment in the religion of Christ. LOVE produces solidity and continance. He who loves fulfills the law of God and is therefore unblameable as far as holiness is concerned. He is a partaker of the Divine Nature, for GOD IS LOVE. 1 Thess 1:10  and to await the return from Heav

1Thess 3:11  But may our God and Father Himself--and our Lord Jesus--guide us on our way to you; WNT. 3:11 Now may our God and father, Himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. NIV Paul at Athens Notes: This was Paul's continued prayer for the Thessalonians. May God, Himself, even our Father.... " He who is at once our God and our father" clear the way, guide us; direct us. The "Himself" stands in graphic contrast to the "we" of 1 Thess 2:18 "we desire to come but could not because of Satan's Hindrance; but if God "HIMSELF" directs our way to come to you, (as we pray)' no one can hinder Him, Compare 2 Thess 2:16-17  And may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself--and God our Father who has loved us and has given us in His grace eternal consolation and a bright hope--  2Th 2:17  comfort your hearts and make you steadfast in every good work and word.  May God Himself and our Lord Jesus, This is a

1Th 3:9  For what thanksgiving on your behalf can we possibly offer to God in return for all the joy which fills our souls before our God for you,  1Th 3:10  while night and day, with intense earnestness, we pray that we may see your faces, and may bring to perfection whatever may be still lacking in your faith?  Notes  This is a return to the Theme of Thanksgiving f or the Thessalonians that was found in 1 Thess 1:2. " We always thank God for you all " . what Thanks giving ... can we possibly offer to God in return for all the Joy.. .... offer in return for : [ antapodidomai] to give back [apo] in return for.   compare 2Th 1:6  Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; [ antapodidomai]  : Thayer 1) in a good sense, to repay, requite 2) in a bad sense, penalty and vengeance No thanks on our part to God could equal the joy which the news of the Thessalonians walking in holiness and faith  has brought us

1Th 3:7  for this reason in our distress and trouble we have been comforted about you, brethren, by your faith.  1Th 3:8  For now life is for us life indeed, since you are standing fast in the Lord.   WE have been comforted (encouraged) [parakaleo] to call near, invite, invoke by consolation, beseech, to comfort desire, entreat, to pray. 2Co 1:3  Heartfelt thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ-- the Father who is full of compassion and the God who gives all comfort.  2Co 1:4  He comforts us in our every affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction by means of the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  2Co 1:5  For just as we have more than our share of suffering for the Christ, so also through the Christ we have more than our share of comfort.   2Co 7:6  But He who comforts the depressed--even God- - comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not by his coming only,  2Co 7:7  but also by the

1Th 3:6  But now that Timothy has recently come back to us from you, and has brought us the happy tidings of your faith and love, and has told us how you still cherish a constant and affectionate recollection of us, and are longing to see us as we also long to see you-- Notes: But now that Timothy has recently come back to us from you, This verse is the Key to the whole Epistle; everything hinged on Tomothy's arrival in Corith and the News he brought.   and has brought us the happy tidings of your faith and love,  (But now or just now Timothy has come, He announced the Good News of their faith and Love. - And that you maintain a good memory of our visit; - They are not only following Christ but also loyal to the Missionary team. Romans 1 :9; Eph 1:16 and Phil.1:3-4. -They maintained a fond memory of Paul and Silas visit. They followed their model or pattern as disciples. Paul and Timothy These disciples continued to be guided by the exemplary life of his their Teacher

T 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. Since I knew that you were so liable to be persecuted, and since I feared that some might be turned from the truth by this opposition. Barnes Notes: I sent to Know (eis to gnonai) Aisia Bibi in Jail in Pakistan when I — Greek, “when I also (as well as Timothy, who, Paul delicately implies, was equally anxious respecting them, compare “we,” 1Th_3:1), could no longer contain myself (endure the suspense).” sent to know the condition of your faith. That is, your fidelity. or your steadfastness in the gospel. Barnes. He wanted to know whether they were holding firm or vacillating under the strain of the Persecution. So often Persecution and suffering is designed to turn believers away from the faith. In Malaysia new Converts from Islam are placed in reeducation camps

1Th 3:3  that none of you might be unnerved by your present trials: for you yourselves know that they are our appointed lot. Weymouth N.T. 1Th 3:3  so that these troubles don't disturb any of you. You know that we're destined to suffer persecution. GW Question 1. Why should we be disturbed by the warning of trials for Christians? Paul and Silas had warned the young Church during their three week stay in Acts 17. They were worried that the church had suffered real damage during the time of the Satanic Blockade in 2:18. " Lest you had been shaken" or "disturbed "; 'placed into a confused state by such a smooth talker' Commenatry by Leon Morris. v.3.b for you yourselves know that afflictions are our appointed lot. Question 2.: Why should God allow Christians to undergo severe trials? What a destiny - persecution. What an appointment?  To be harassed, chased, suffer as a Christian. IN Romans 5:3 we read "Sufferings produ

Paul sends Timothy to Thessaloniki 1Th 3:1  So when we could endure it no longer, we decided to remain behind in Athens alone;  1Th 3:2  and sent Timothy our brother and God's minister in the service of Christ's Good News, that he might help you spiritually and encourage you in your faith;  So = wherefore; this shows another proof of His affection for them. He so strongly desired to see them but Satan had hindered him. 2:18 Paul and Timothy when we could endure it no longer,   He could stand it no longer : waiting to hear of their progress in the Faith and their state despite all the trials and testings. So he sent Timothy from Athens to find out. v.2 Paul sent Timothy our brother and God's minister in the service of Christ's Good News Timothy was a fellow worker NIV. = minister of God. He was emplyed by God in the proclamation of the Good News. [diakonon tou theou]. Here it used in the general sense not as an official deacon.  that

1Th 2:19  For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are you not even to be in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?  1Th 2:20  For you are our glory and joy. MKJV. Notes:  For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Despite all that Satan does to thwart the Will of God in our lives, Paul was aware that although he wanted to see the Thessalonians the fact that they would be present at the Coming of Our Lord Jesus was all that mattered to him. Who gives us hope or joy, or who is our prize to boast of - it was all the Thessalonians present in Christ's presence. Our Crown: The head adornment indicating a king. Often for the Greeks it was woven and placed on the head. This is the meaning in Revelation as well. Stephanos  Thayer's Dicctionary 1a) a mark of royal or (in general) exalted rank 1a1) the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games Rev 2:10  Dismiss your fears concerning all that you are about to su

1Th 2:17  Brothers and sisters, we have been separated from you for a little while. Although we may not be able to see you, you're always in our thoughts. We have made every possible effort to fulfill our desire to see you.  1Th 2:18  We wanted to visit you. I, Paul, wanted to visit you twice already, but Satan made that impossible.  G.W. translation Notes.  Brothers and sisters, we have been separated from you for a little while.   In other words He had been torn way from them and felt like an Orphan feels. Jn  14:16 I will not leave you as orphans I will come to you.  This had been a painful separation like a bereavement. When he left in a hurry he did not know that it would be for such a long time. Acts 17:10 he went to Berea. Out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you..  WE endeavoured all the more earnestly, with intense longing, to see you face to face. WNT. Application: So even the Great Apostle could not always go or do what he wanted, even th

They displease God and are hostile to all men ; 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 own sins , and God's anger in its severest form has overtaken them.   See Acts 17:5,13 Notes: T he Jews did not want Paul and Silas to preach the Good News to the pagan Gentiles.   Paul believed that now the Jew and the Gentile were on a level as regards Salvation; the Wall of Petition had been broken down. The Jews no longer had any advantage over the rest of mankind in regards to this, and that the pagans might be saved without becoming Jews or being Circumcised. Rom 2:25  Circumcision does indeed profit, if you obey the Law; but if you are a Law-breaker, the fact that you have been circumcised counts for nothing.  Rom 2:26  In the same way if an uncircumcised man pays attention to the just requirements of the Law, shall not his lack of circumcision be overlooked, a

1Th 2:14  For you, brethren, followed the example of the Churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judaea; seeing that you endured the same ill-treatment at the hands of your countrymen, as they did at the hands of the Jews.  1Th 2:15  Those Jewish persecutors killed both the Lord Jesus and the Prophets, and drove us out of their midst. They are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind;   Note s:    followed the example of the Churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judaea ; This Assembly had been founded on Our Lord Jesus Christ and were united with Him. They were suffering at the hands of the Thessalonian Jews as those in Judea had. Others had suffered and now here were these new believers suffering in the same way.  See Acts 17 Those Jewish persecutors killed both the Lord Jesus and the Prophets, and drove us out of their midst. They are displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind ;  v. 15   A ccording to Acts 2 :23 The Great Characteristic of

1Th 2:13  And for this further reason we render unceasing thanks to God, that when you received God's Message from our lips , it was as no mere message from men that you embraced it, but as-- what it really is--God's Message, which also does its work in the hearts of you who believe.   Notes:Paul was Grateful and gave thanks to God for the Thessalonian Christians. Why? When they received God's Message from Paul and Silas they embraced it. Paul and Silas were unknown Jews without wealth or influence. They were battered and bruised from their beating and imprisonment in Philippi. It was not because of Miracles they performed or any other publicity they had made. Actually they had to flee again in three weeks after arriving in Thessaloniki. But despite all this the Good News had been accepted as the Very Word of God. You embraced it, as no mere message from men but as - what it really is - God's Message. They realized that it was not of Human Origin but as a DIVIN

1Th 2:11  For you know that we acted towards every one of you as a father does towards his own children, encouraging and cheering you ,  1Th 2:12  and imploring you to live lives worthy of fellowship with God who is inviting you to share His own Kingship and glory.  Notes: He says that they witnessed His manner of life and character while he was with them for three weeks. v.10. 'how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. holy = separated from sin unto God.' piously; righteous = full of what was right , straight and just. They showed moral rectitude, and they lived uprightly.  and finally blameless ='above reproach'  Thayer says, "The conviction and trust which a man is impelled by; a certain inn higher prerogative  and law of the soul. Thus they showed to the Thessalonians that Christian Character and conduct were to be exemplory. Couldn't we wish that all of us Ministers of the Good News were such examples to the new Christia

1Th 2:9  For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil: how, working night and day so as not to become a burden to any one of you, we came and proclaimed among you God's Good News.  You remember, brethren, our labour - "Doubtless in the occupation of a tent-maker; Act_20:34 note; 1Co_4:12 note. And  toil (travail)  - see the notes on 2Co_11:27. The word means “wearisome labor.” For labouring night and day - That is, when he was not engaged in preaching the gospel. He appears to have labored through the week and to have preached on the Sabbath; or if engaged in preaching in the day time during the week, he made it up by night labor. We preached unto you the gospel of God - That is, I supported myself when I preached among you. No one, therefore, could say that I was disposed to live in idleness; no one that I sought to make myself rich at the expense of others." Barnes Notes on the N.T. How many these days earn their own way while they serve Christ. I

1Th 2:8  Seeing that we were thus drawn affectionately towards you, it would have been a joy to us to have imparted to you not only God's Good News, but to have given our very lives also, because you had become very dear to us. WNT. v.8. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God but our own lives as well, because you had become so dear to us . N.I.V. Notes: We loved you so much: Thayer's Dictionary  G2442 ἱμείρομαι himeiromai Thayer Definition: 1) to desire, long for, especially the longing of love Part of Speech: verb A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: middle voice from himeros (a yearning, of uncertain affinity)  Here is another Antithesis which was that the Apostles did not simply preach but they shared their 'very selves', their lives as well. They worked night and day to support themselves, so as not to be a burden. ( see verse 9 below. ) 1Th 2:9  For you remember, brethren, our labo

1 Thess 2:7 On the contrary, in our relations to you we showed ourselves as gentle as a mother is when she tenderly nurses her own children W.N.T. 1Th 2:7  even though as apostles of Christ we could have made demands on you. But we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her children. GNB Instead of using authority, we used only the most kind and gentle methods to win you and to promote your peace and order. The word here rendered “nurse,” may mean any one who nurses a child, whether a mother or another person. It seems here to refer to a mother (compare 1Th_2:11), and the idea is, that the apostle felt for them the affectionate solicitude which a mother does for the child at her breast. A Daddy Blog young brunette mother breastfeeding her baby gentle: G2261  ἤπιος  ēpios  ay'-pee-os Probably from G2031; properly affable, that is, mild or kind: - gentle. What a picture of a 'mother nursing her baby lovingly.'  She cherishes her

1Th 2:6  nor did we seek glory either from you or from any other mere men, although we might have stood on our dignity as Christ's Apostles.  Notes :  nor did we seek glory either from you or from any other mere men  WNT We were not looking for praise from men, not from you , or anyone else. NIV. They are not interested in flattering his hearers , nor were they interested in gaining human glory, or honour or prestige. Jesus Himself disdained human honours. Joh 5:41  "I do not accept glory from man,  Joh 5:44  How is it possible for you to believe, while you receive glory from one another and have no desire for the glory that comes from the only God?  Joh 7:18  The man whose teaching originates with himself aims at his own glory. He who aims at the glory of Him who sent him teaches the truth, and there is no deception in him.  Joh 12:43  For they loved the glory that comes from men rather than the glory that comes from God.  In a society where perso

1Th 2:5  For, as you are well aware, we have never used the language of flattery nor have we found pretexts for enriching ourselves--God is our witness;  1Th 2:6  nor did we seek glory either from you or from any other mere men, although we might have stood on our dignity as Christ's Apostles.  Reason no.1 : For, as you are well aware, we have never used the language of flattery, The language of Flattery [fawning]. This was the self - centered conduct of many of the Rhetoricians of Paul's day which was very repugnant to him. cp. 1 Thess 2 1-2 Meaning of Fawning: (adj) displaying exaggerated flattery or affection; obsequious. Reason no. 2.  nor have we found pretexts for enriching ourselves.  KJV (nor a cloak of Covetousness) CEV  God himself knows that what we did wasn't a cover-up for greed.  Greediness is the desire to have more and more in a very bad sense. God is our Witness: Rom 9:1  I am a follower of Christ, and the Holy Spirit is a witnes

1Th 2:4  But as God tested and approved us before entrusting us with His Good News, so in what we say we are seeking not to please men but to please God, who tests and approves our motives.  a) But as God tested and approved us before entrusting us with His Good News, But = on the contrary as God tested and approved us before entrusting us with His Good News, ( we speak as men approved by God... N.I.V.  as God has tested and approved us W.N.T.  Because they had been tried and tested and approved by God Himself. tried= [dokimazo] to put to the test. Metals are tested by fire in a crucible and the slag is removed A modern crucible used in the production of  silicon  ingots via the  Czochralski process . WIKIPEDIA "Because he had been entrusted with so much it was demanding sincerity, fidelity and honesty then we endeavoured to act in conformity to the trust God had reposed upon us." Barnes so in what we say we are seeking not to please men but to please God, w