1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 1:1 Opening. SILVANUS and TIMOTHY worked with Paul during his second missionary journey. Silvanus, or Silas, was a Judean Christian (Acts 15:22) who joined Paul after he separated from Barnabas (Acts 15:39). Timothy, from Lystra in south Galatia, was a son of... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 1:2 Thanksgiving and Encouragement. It is typical for Paul to include a word of thanksgiving near the beginning of his letters (1 Thessalonians 1:2). He goes on to offer encouragement (1 Thessalonians 1:4) and to seek to clear up any possible misunderstanding... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 1:3 FAITH... LOVE... HOPE. A common Pauline pattern (see 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Romans 5:2; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 4:2). The prominent final position here belongs to hope. This seems fitting in a letter so concerned with the end times [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 1:4 BROTHERS LOVED BY GOD. God’s love is the ultimate reason for their election (Ephesians 1:4; compare Romans 1:7). CHOSEN (literally, “elected”) refers to God’s sovereign act of appointing people for eternal life (see notes on Eph. 1:4; 1:5; 1:11). Because o... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 1:5 BECAUSE. Paul bases his confidence that the Thessalonians are elect on two things: the authenticity and authority of those preaching the gospel to them (v. 1 Thessalonians 1:5) and the nature of their response to the gospel (vv. 1 Thessalonians 1:6). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 1:6 FOR YOU RECEIVED THE WORD IN MUCH AFFLICTION. See Acts 17:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:14. When people take a stand of faith in God, they should expect to encounter difficulties as a result (see Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 4:12). ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
1 THESSALONIANS—NOTE ON 1 THESSALONIANS 1:9 WAIT FOR HIS SON. The first of many references to the second coming in this letter (see 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:1 [ Continue Reading ]