1 Thessalonians
Introduction
Writing:
The apostle Paul writes this letter to “the church of the Thessalonians” (v1), which he planted on his second missionary journey. He wrote this letter while he was in Athens, greatly desiring to hear of their state, and sent it by the hand of Timothy to encourage the church there and ease their minds about the apostle’s affliction (3:1-3).
Backstory:
The church at Thessalonica was planted in a short time, with an incredible response to the gospel, “a great multitude” (Acts 17:4) believing, but it was also combined with great hostility from the Jews, which, “troubled the people and the rulers of the city” (Acts 17:8). Paul was familiar with this kind of response, as is seen planting Ephesus: when God opens a door, there are frequently enemies (1 Cor 16:9). Because of the turmoil in Thessalonica, the apostles did not spend much time there and quickly exited for Berea (Acts 17:10).
Content:
The theme of this book is undoubtedly the return of Jesus Christ, as it is frequently sprinkled throughout the book, especially at the end of every chapter (1:10, 2:19, 3:13, 4:17, 5:23). This book predates Revelation, which gives additional insight into Christ’s return, so the Thessalonians were likely advanced in their eschatological understanding beyond many other believers. The core teaching of the book is Christ’s return for the church, commonly called the rapture (4:13-18), in which time Christ will return to ‘catch away’ His saints and meet them in the air.
Chapter 1 The Example of the Thessalonians
This book opens up with a brief greeting and reminder that the apostles had for this church. The church that had a great response to the gospel and the testimony of their conversion had spread throughout all the world. Paul acknowledges them as “ensamples” (v7) and a great pattern for other churches to follow.
V1-4 The Brethren
Paul introduces himself and those in his care, “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus” (v1), as he often does. He greets this church in peace and lets them know of his love for them by sharing his gratitude for them and that he remembers them in his prayers (v2). For how could we care for someone and not pray for them?
While writing he recalls his time in Thessalonica, “remembering without ceasing your work of faith” (v3). This church had a tumultuous beginning, and they had continued in their faith with hard work and patience. He reminds that the Lord has seen everything that they’ve done, “in the sight of God” (v3). Each church that Paul planted had a unique response and culture to them, and he wanted to encourage them that the church at Thessalonica was just as important to God as any other body, “knowing… your election of God” (v4). They were saved and in Christ just like any other church. Election here is the position of believers in Jesus Christ after salvation. Other things and other people are elected (Col 3:12, 1 Tim 5:21, 1 Pet 2:6), which means to be appointed to a purpose. The Christian’s election predestinates them to be “conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom 8:29). The Thessalonians awaited this same destiny, as he reminds them later (4:15-17).
V5-7 The Response
What changed at Thessalonica? Was it Paul’s persuasive ways? No, it was the gospel, “for our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power” (v5). Paul is certainly referencing the mighty signs and wonders that would follow the gospel message to validate the apostles (Acts 5:12, 2 Cor 12:12). After the Thessalonians received the gospel they received “the Holy Ghost” (v5, Eph 1:13), who would also give them “much assurance” that they were the children of God (Rom 8:16).
Along with a powerful gospel message, the apostles had a great personal testimony among the people there, “as ye know what manner of me we were among you” (v5). The brief time spent in Thessalonica was enough for the people there to recognize that the apostles did not want to ‘use’ them, but instead they did everything “for your sake” (v5). We may not be able to reproduce the apostle’s signs and wonders with our gospel presentation, but we certainly can reproduce their character and concern for the people they ministered to. When we share the gospel with others, is it so we can feel better about ourselves or get something out of others? Or is it strictly for their benefit to be saved? We have to be careful of our motives! They must remain selfless, or people will see right through us.
The Thessalonians had so taken to the apostles ways that they, “became followers of us, and of the Lord” (v6). This is a great pattern of discipleship. New believers need someone to follow, and it is not wrong to follow another man or woman that follows the Lord (1 Cor 11:1). It was not easy for this church to change their lives over to become followers of Christ, “having received the word in much affliction” (v6), as it will be difficult for some in our day as well. We should expect that difficulty will come when a new believer is born again. The only way to endure affliction like this is to walk in the Spirit, “with joy of the Holy Ghost” (v6). It is uncanny how calm believers can be in the face of difficulty if we would simply walk with the Lord!
V7-10 The Testimony
This church, even in their infancy had become “ensamples to all that believe” (v7). The response of their salvation and endurance in affliction had traveled all throughout their area so that all in “Macedonia and Achaia” (v7) knew of them and listened intently when they heard news out of Thessalonica.
Word had spread even further than Macedonia, which was the surrounding region, as it “sounded out… also in every place” (v8). What an incredible testimony they had! The apostles did not even need to give a report of how it was going in Thessalonica, “so that we need not to speak any thing” (v8).
What did people hear? Word had spread that the apostles visited their area, and they responded by turning “to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (v9). Their witness was “the word of the Lord” (v8), which Paul clearly describes as the gospel in verse 10: that Jesus was crucified and “raised from the dead” to deliver us “from the wrath to come”. That’s a pretty good summary of the gospel and certainly what Paul preached upon arrival (v5). It must have been such an encouragement for the apostles to hear that this church kept a strong Christian testimony and that they clearly held onto and preached the gospel! I could think of no better thing than that new disciples would align themselves with Christ and that we would hear of it through other channels! Praise God!
Can you imagine what might have been said? Perhaps it was something like this:
Did you hear about what happened in Thessalonica? They no longer serve our gods. Apparently, they were visited by some miracle workers out of Jerusalem who told them about a man who was raised from the dead. They now claim to only serve ‘one god’, the “true God” (v9). A lot of people are really upset about it but they seem to be happy and have “joy” (v6). Something crazy definitely happened over there!
Let out testimony be so. Let the lost world watch us and hear about Jesus and the radical change He has made in our lives. And let our testimony spread to the uttermost, so that others are persuaded by our message and follow us as we follow Christ.
Chapter 2 Their Example to the Thessalonians
Chapter 2 gives us more insight into who this church was and the relationship that they had with the apostles. It is likened to a parent-child relationship, where the apostles as parents doted upon them with the truth of God’s word and their own lives as examples. Though they were briefly separated, Paul considered them a “crown of rejoicing” (v19) and longed to see them again.
V1-4 Their Preaching
Just what was it like when the apostles came to town? Paul describes their “entrance” (v1) into Thessalonica as being “bold… to speak unto you the gospel” (v2). The primary responsibility of an apostle was to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15, Rom 1:15). That is how Paul started his ministry there, and it is how we ought to begin ours as well! They considered themselves to be stewards of the message, “as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel” (v4), and upon arrival to a new city they would seek out places to share it with others. In Thessalonica, they started in the synagogue (Acts 17:1-2) and then worked their way to the Gentiles (Acts 17:4). Typically this would elicit a response of rejection in some way, which in this city produced “an uproar” (Acts 17:5), a full blown riot and public beating of believers. Paul was used to this kind of response, as we should be also.
This was not the first time Paul had experienced difficulty, as he refers to his time in Philippi, “that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated… at Philippi” (v2). Philippi was nearby in the Macedonian area and Paul started these churches successively. His rejection prior to Thessalonica though, did not jade his message or his character.
V5-12 Their Example
Next we get a description of how Paul and his team carried themselves while at Thessalonica. They did not use complex rhetoric when sharing the message of the gospel, “neither at any time used we flattering words” (v5) and did not have any hidden motives, “nor a cloke of covetousness” (v5). They didn’t arrive there to promote themselves or become famous and kept themselves from being “burdensome” (v6) to the locals. They remembered their role, “as the apostles of Christ” (v6). They were representatives of Jesus and behaved themselves in such a way. This is Paul’s regular manner, as he also said to the Corinthians, “I seek not yours, but you” (2 Cor 12:14). It is a good reminder for us that our ministry should be about the people that we minister to, not about us.
Paul describes his manner among the Thessalonians as “gentle… as a nurse cherisheth her children” (v7). The picture here is a woman caring for small children (2 Sam 4:4), perhaps even of nursing age (Ruth 4:16). For many men, it may be a struggle to care for people in this way, but if we walk in the Spirit, we will find “gentleness” (Gal 5:22) as a natural outcome in our life. New believers ought to be cared for in a different way than grown Christians.
What does it look like to care for somebody in this way? The apostles were “affectionately desirous” (v8) of these new believers, meaning they had great care for them. They did not just leave these believers with the gospel, but also “imparted” unto them their “own souls” (v8). To impart is to give, as it is seen in Luke 3:11 and rendered in Eph 4:28. These new believers were so “dear” (v8) unto the apostles that they willingly poured out their own souls to them. This is a great companion of discipleship. We do not just share the gospel with people or instruct them in God’s word; we also need to live it with them and give ourselves to them in a personalized and caring way. New believers especially need an example to follow, just like a child does a parent, “as a father doth his children” (v11). Fathers do not just instruct from a distance, but they live life with their children, teaching them through life’s experiences (Deut 6:7).
Spiritual parents care more about their children than they do their own lives, willing to work so that their kids can have the things they need. Such were the apostles among the Thessalonians, “labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you” (v9). As Paul says to the Corinthians, “the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children” (2 Cor 12:14). Parents do not charge their children for their care, and so the apostles “were not chargeable unto any of you” (v9). Instead they are examples, “how holily and justly and unblameable we behaved ourselves among you” (v10). This is how kids learn! By watching.
As a father to the Thessalonians, Paul wanted nothing more than that they would “walk worthy of God” (v12), so he in the short time that he was with them, he ‘trained them up’ (Prov 22:6) to know their calling in the Lord and live it out. They were, “called… unto his kingdom and glory” (v12), and it was his job as God’s “nurse” (v7) and “father” (v11) to prepare them for their new life in Christ.
V13-16 Their Reception
These next verses are a wonderful account of how this church received the gospel when it was preached to them. Paul was constantly giving God praise for their faith, “without ceasing” (v13) for the way they responded.
Received the Word
This church had “received the word of God” (v13), which is a critical component for their salvation. The word of God is the “seed” (Luke 8:11) which is sown upon the heart. When it is germinated on the basis of faith (Rom 10:17, Luke 8:15), it produces new spiritual life so that the hearer is “born again… by the word of God”(1 Pet 1:23). This church understood what was being presented to them was, “not… the word of men”, but “the word of God” (v13). The words of men, with their convicting arguments and grand explanations cannot produce a spiritual change, only the word of God can “pierce even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit” (Heb 4:12). If we will simply believe the word of God, it will produce incredible results in our lives! Its work is effectual to bring about new spiritual life and to nurse and cherish new believers.
Followers of Churches
Now that these Thessalonians were believers in Christ they had become a part of God’s family, which included many others! They now had taken notice of other churches and “became followers of the churches of God” (v14). It would seem they had special interest in the churches “in Judaea” (v14). It’s possible that the apostles were pointing them in that direction, as the Jerusalem church had been somewhat authoritative on doctrinal decisions (Acts 15). Likely though, as Paul points out, they related to the sufferings of the Jewish believers because they “also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews” (v14). The issue of Christian suffering is not constrained to a region or ethnicity. Although it may be more exploited in some places, all Christians who follow Christ can relate (2 Tim 3:12).
Those who reject the gospel will go to great lengths to oppose it, as the Jews “killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets” (v15), that being the case, why would we think it would be any different for us (John 15:20). The majority of the Jews in Judaea forbade the apostles from preaching Christ (v16) and proved their lostness, which will be judged (v16).
It is good for new believers to have examples to follow, even other churches. The Thessalonians took great interest into how the Judaean churches responded and learned from them. Churches in the west have been ‘safe’ from persecution for some time, and it has made us weak. We would do well to learn from the persecuted church and to be bolder in our own faith! These new believers in Thessalonica had more experience in persecution than many Christians in modernity ever will.
V17-20 Their Separation
Paul reminded these believers of the circumstances that separated them. The riot in Thessalonica caused the apostles to disperse more quickly than they had planned (Acts 17:5-10). Paul says they were “taken from you” (v17), almost as if a parent was taken away from a child. You can hear the care in his voice, that he“endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire” (v17). It would seem that he made great effort to visit them again, “we would have come unto you” (v17), but they were met with more resistance. Not stating what the resistance was, he considered it spiritual, “but Satan hindered us” (18). This is a telling lesson. Our circumstances are not always what they seem. It would have been in the Thessalonians best interest for Paul to visit them again, but Christians have an enemy, and he doesn’t fight fair. In this case, the enemy would separate parent and child, wanting the destruction of both. It would seem then that there is a spiritual war going on in the life of new believers and in the life of spiritual parents. We ought to expect that the circumstances separating new converts is likely more sinister than we think.
Even still, in separation, Paul reminds this church of his love for them and then points them to a certain day in which they will undoubtedly see each other, “in the presence of our Lord” (v19). Even if circumstances kept them apart, the Thessalonian believers were Paul’s hope, joy, and crown (v19). He would relish the day in which he could present this church to Jesus and glory in them as an offering to the Lord (Rom 15:16). This is a mature response! Paul was sustained in the separation because he had eternity in mind, as should all spiritual parents. We are able to “endure all things for the elect’s sakes” (2 Tim 2:10), knowing that there is “glory and joy” (v20) in eternity.
Chapter 3 Their Relationship With the Thessalonians
Desiring to know the state of this church from afar, Paul sends Timothy to visit with them and encourage them. He brings back a good report, and it greatly rejoices their heart. They had been praying for them and they will continue to pray and make plans to join them again soon.
V1-6 Sending Timothy
Here we get a glimpse into Paul’s heart: if he could not visit the Thessalonians, he would send a delegate! And who better to send than his “fellowlabourer” and “minister of God” than Timothy (v2). Paul writes this letter from Athens and would rather stay there alone than to see the Thessalonians fall away from the faith in their afflictions (v5). Therefore, when he could “no longer forbear” (v1, 5) he sent Timothy. He uses this phrase twice revealing that he could not restrain himself – he had to know how his new children in the Lord were doing!
The Thessalonian church was birthed in conflict. While many were saved, these new believers had to learn quickly that most people would not be excited about their newfound faith, especially the Jews of that city (Acts 17:13). Paul encouraged them with his letter that they should “not be moved by these afflictions” (v3) and “we should suffer tribulation” (v4). At some point it is the duty of Christians to suffer, as “we are appointed thereunto” (v3). While we may not be excited to endure persecution, at the moment that we trusted Christ, God made some big plans for our life. Once we are saved we become representatives of Him, and He will plans to use us as His “ambassadors” (2 Cor 5:20). Many people will reject God and the saving message of His gospel, and we could be the very ones through which they decide to reject it with vitriol. There is a certain expectation that we should have about suffering “for well doing” (1 Pet 3:17), for we believe that God will use it and reward it.
This letter is written after Timothy’s visit with the Thessalonians. He returned, “and brought us good tidings of your faith” (v6). What a joy it must have been to Paul to hear a good report back. They spent only three weeks there and were quickly thrust out of the city (Acts 17:10) under riotous circumstances. He feared the worst, that “the tempter have tempted you” (v5). Paul now mentions again that the attack on these new believers was spiritual and not just political or circumstantial (2:18). Knowing that our enemy is out there trying to work over our new converts should cause us to have Paul’s kind of concern for them.
The report back was good! The Thessalonians continued in “charity” (v6) and regarded the apostles in good reputation, “desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you” (v6). There was mutual affection between the two and it certainly warmed Paul’s heart. It was, “good news from a far country” (Prov 25:25). This news brought Paul comfort and eased his present distress (v7). He would take all the suffering that could be thrown at him if it meant that they would “stand fast in the Lord” (v8). What a heart! Paul was an incredible father to this church. He would think nothing of his own affliction so long as his “crown of rejoicing” (2:19) would hold fast in their faith. We see the same heart Paul has for other churches, like Corinth, “ye are in our hearts to die and live with you” (2 Cor 7:3).
Paul was able to thank the Lord for the report that Timothy brought back, “wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God” (v9). His affections were not set on sports team or the temporal cares of this world. His care would be seen in his prayers, “night and day praying exceedingly” (v10). That is the kind of care and desperation that pastors and leaders must have towards new believers. If we want them to thrive in their faith amidst difficulty, we must be willing to fight for them on our knees!
V10-13 Future Visit
Paul’s heart was overwhelmed with gratitude at the report of these believers' faith, but he still wanted to see them in the face. Afterall that is what he prayed for (v10). He knew that they needed more care and instruction. As he wanted to “perfect that which is lacking in your faith” (v10). He felt their vulnerability as new babes in Christ and wanted to grow them up, which is what “perfect” means. It is to bring to maturity. Now he would make plans to visit the Thessalonians upon his next journey, where he till trust the Lord to bring them together again in the near future (v11).
There is a clear conclusion to this section of the letter here, he charges them that they would “abound in love” (v12), in the same way that the apostles loved them, “even as we do toward you” (v12). Their charge was to do what they had seen (Phil 4:9)! He also charged them to keep their hearts pure, “unblameable in holiness before God” (v13). If we do not have a lot of time with new believers, we ought to work on virtue the most, to teach them to facilitate a heart that with acceptable meditations (Psa 19:14), for it we can capture the heart for God, it will protect the all the remaining evil we could imagine (Prov 4:23).
Lastly, they are reminded again of the soon “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v13). This, in combination with a pure heart will keep new believers occupied about the right things. To say that eschatology is only for mature believers would be a mistake, as Paul here points an infant church to the return of Christ. Perhaps it was God’s providence that their taking to this teaching is what they needed to persevere through their troubles? Pastors ought not to be shy about prophecy. Paul certainly wasn’t!
Chapter 4 Rapturous Living of the Thessalonians
This chapter gives us some great insight on how to live in light of Christ’s coming. Character issues within the church are addressed and they are left with an encouraging word about the Lord’s return, which would reunite them with their loved ones.
V1-12 Living for the Rapture
Coming off the heels of the last chapter, the Thessalonians had Christ’s coming in mind (3:13), and these next verses were in light of it, “furthermore then we beseech you, brethren” (v1). Because of the soon return of Christ, Christians ought to conduct ourselves like we will see Him at any moment. The apostles gave the Thessalonians examples to follow, “as ye have received of us” (v1, 2:8). While they spent time together, the church there would have learned how to “walk and to please God” (v1). This is a learned trait that all new believers need to discover, for all they know is self-service or false religion. This following verses will be great ways that they could practically “abound more and more” (v1) in these areas. All Christians, whether old or new, need to apply these principles, and it is a sad day when new believers figure them out better than long tenured saints.
Before we get into these things, there is a brief reminder that this manner of conduct was not Paul’s idea, and says it was given “by the Lord Jesus” (v2). As the apostles were writing scripture, they were continuing to give us the ‘word of God’, which will never be disconnected from the person of God or the rest of His revelation. Therefore we should be able to find these truths within the teachings of Christ as well. Let’s take a look!
Sexual Purity (v3-8)
Paul wanted the lifestyle of the Thessalonians to be very different from the lost world, valuing it so highly that he said it was “the will of God” (v3). There are a good many things that people wonder about their lives – what does God want me to do in this area? However, instead of focusing on the details, Paul made God’s will very clear for this church and for us today, “this is the will of God, even your sanctification” (v3). Christians are to be ‘set apart’ from the world to, “come out from among them, and be ye separate” (2 Cor 6:17). We have no business acting like the lost. Here the issue though is not just to be ‘weird’ or different, it is to “abstain from fornication” (v3), which would definingly make a Christian weird!
The lost world only has a relative level of morality, and they can easily sway their sexual desires based on their feelings or the permissions of their religions, but Christians are called to “holiness” (2:13), which affects all areas of our lives, including our sexuality. Fornication is any sex outside of marriage. Fornication is a lack of personal restraint, as it is here defined as a choice that we make, “that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel” (v4). The implication is that our bodies are a vessel that we are in control of. Sure, our bodies may produce a myriad of urges to encourage us to sin, but we are still ultimately responsible if we let them control us, or if we will ‘take possession’ of ourselves, and bring our body “into subjection” (1 Cor 9:27). Thankfully, we have God’s help with this as works of the flesh have been crucified with Christ (Gal 5:24) and we can “walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4) in the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16).
The purpose is for “sanctification and honour” (v4), that we would give glory to the Lord in everything we do in our lives (Col 3:17). Christians should live distinctly unto God instead of living “in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God” (v5). We cannot afford to be indistinguishable from the lost world. They should see our abstinence, singleness, or heterosexual monogamy as something very different than their own lives, for our sexual preference is not necessarily our own, it is out of submission to God and lived out in the power of the Spirit.
Furthermore, sexual immorality is a lack of love for others, “that no man go beyond and defraud his brother”(v6). This is in reference to adultery. When a person has sexual relations with another person’s spouse, they are ‘illegally obtaining’ something that isn’t theirs. This is to “defraud” (v6). God is very clear about adultery and here He says that He will be the “avenger of all such” (v6), meaning that the consequences of adultery will be inescapable because God will see them through.
There were likely some in Thessalonica that rejected this teaching, “he therefore that despiseth” (v8), for not all Christians will enjoy this kind of invasion into their personal lives, but this instruction is not simply man’s advice, it is God’s direction. Whosoever despises it, “despiseth not man, but God” (v8). If we have people in our lives or in our churches that baulk at sexual purity, they are simply in rebellion against God, not against us. We should not take it personally, for it is not our standard! It’s the Lord’s.
Christians have been called “unto holiness” (v7), therefore this is what we ought to expect from our churches and our disciples. Anything less is to despise and forsake the word of God.
Jesus taught on these same principles. See Matt 19:5-6, Luke 16:18, 18:20, Mark 7:20-23.
Brotherly Love (v9-10)
One thing that Christians can never have enough of is to love each other. The church at Thessalonica did a commendable job at this, “ye need not that I write unto you” (v9) as they had been practicing it since the apostles left, “indeed ye do it toward all the brethren” (v10), and not just in their church but in the whole area of Macedonia.
When we are saved and God’s Spirit lives within us(v8), the natural outcome is “brotherly love” (v9). Something new comes over the new creature (2 Cor 5:17). It now recognizes other believers as in the same family (Eph 2:19) and begins to treat them that way! Paul says that God teaches this to us personally, “for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another” (v9). If Christians would simply hear and obey the Spirit of God that lives within us, we would find a natural inclination to loving each other (Eph 4:3). Though we will not live perfect lives with each other, real love is sacrificial in nature and will continue to love and forgive even when our imperfections arise (Eph 4:32).
Though the Thessalonians may have struggled more in sexual purity, they thrived at brotherly love. How are our churches doing today? If a church doing it well is told to “increase more and more” (v10), how much more so should our churches that struggle with it?
This kind of love is only available to believers. Though we are called to love, this kind of love is specifically ‘Christian’ in nature. It is translated from the Greek word ‘philadelphia’, which is a brotherly and familial love, compared to an ‘eros’ erotic love or an ‘agape’ sacrificial love. This kind of love says, ‘we’re family’ and we’re going to work it out together’.
Jesus taught on these same principles. John 13:34-35, 15:17, Matt 19:18-19, 22:38-40
Honest Work (v11-12)
Christian character brings with it a sort of blameless work ethic that takes care of one’s responsibilities. These Thessalonians were so ready for Christ’s return that they needed to be told to get back to work, “study to be quiet, and to do your own business” (v11). They had gotten lax and become busybodies. The solution to too much mingling and hanging around is to get quiet and get to work. That would fix a good many of our problems! For we get in trouble whenever we become lazy. David is a good example of that, for his problem with Bathsheba came when he was aimlessly strolling the house at a time of war (2 Sam 11:1-5).
As we work hard, with our “own business” and our “own hands” (v11), we take responsibility of the things in our lives and that becomes a means of testimony to the lost, “that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without” (v12), and it also provides for the needs of family and others, “that ye may have lack of nothing” (v12). Providing for our families within our means is so basically Christian that not doing so is considered apostasy (1 Tim 5:8). This doesn’t mean that a jobless or poor Christian is no longer saved, it means that it becomes the Christian to work hard at whatever God has given them as a means of provision and testimony.
Jesus taught on these same principles. Luke 6:38, 16:1-13, Mark 13:33-37, Matt 5:16
V13-18 Revealing the Rapture
The next section is an incredible revelation given to this church. These words were intended to comfort the Thessalonian believers (v18), who apparently had some of their loved ones pass away in the short time between the church being planted and the writing of this epistle, as it addresses, “them which are asleep”(v13), meaning those that have died. These words are not just encouraging to the believers in Thessalonica, but they should encourage all of us who have ever lost a loved one. We should note that this hope is only good for those who “believe that Jesus died and rose again” (v14), meaning it is for Christians, not the lost. This teaching is commonly called the ‘rapture’, from the phrase “caught up” in verse 17.
All believers will be with Christ after death (2 Cor 5:8), but some will not die, “which are alive and remain shall be caught up together” (v17). Paul says it similarly to the Corinthian church, “we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” (1 Cor 15:51). There is a small group of people that will exist at a specific time in history when they will not experience death and instead be instantly given their spiritual bodies when they meet Christ in the air, “for this corruptible must put on incorruption” (1 Cor 15:53).
The next event of the prophetic calendar is the rapture of the church, in which God will resurrect “them also which sleep in Jesus” (v14) and the saints that are currently alive today. They will be “caught up together”(v17) for the first time in history and united with Jesus, “so shall we ever be with the Lord” (v17). During this event, all living persons and dead in Christ will meet Jesis “in the clouds” and “in the air” (v17). This is very different from other glimpses of the return of Christ, like when He comes to tread “the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Rev 19:15). In the rapture, Jesus comes to save His bride, the church from that future wrath, as “God hath not appointed us to wrath” (5:9), and will save us from the “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world” (Rev 3:10) – the tribulation. In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he will refer to the tribulation in more detail (2 Thess 2:1-12). We also see more information on that time immediately succeeding these verses in the next chapter.
This event is a “mystery” (1 Cor 15:51), which was revealed to the Thessalonians. Christians, “sorrow now… as others which have no hope” (v13), for we believe in eternal life and have confidence that those who have accepted Christ will live forever, and we see them again! In this way, Christian grief should be different from the grief of the world, which has “no hope” (v13). Can you imagine the grief of an atheist? If, in the atheist’s worldview, ‘nothing’ exists in life after death then they will never, ever see their loved ones again. For Christians though, believing in eternal life (Titus 1:2), we have the confidence in knowing that we will see our brothers and sisters in the Lord again, after they have passed on. Amen, and what a comfort!
Chapter 5 The Teaching of the Thessalonians
The final chapter in this book picked up where the last one left off, continuing the theme of end times events and encouraging the Thessalonians to live in light of those events. A fast-paced list of truths are given at the end as a brief charge to equip the church until they could meet again.
V1-5 Post Rapture
Chapter 5 begins with a “but” (v1), which links this information back to the prior verses regarding the Lord’s coming. The order of events is here sequential, that the rapture will precede verses 1-3. The Thessalonian believers, though new in the faith, were well informed by Paul concerning the “times and the seasons” (v1). He did not include much detail in this section because there was no need, “ye have no need that I write unto you” (v1). They had ‘perfect knowledge’ (v2) of these events. Nevertheless, we get to glean from the few remarks that he makes here before finally moving on into more applicable matters.
Christ's return is still the context, “the day of the Lord” (v2) being used to describe the time after the rapture. Once the church is taken up, a new series of events will unfold. We now get a brief look at the tribulation, which will be a period of seven years which will be bookended by the rapture at the beginning and the second advent at the end. During this time, the man of sin (2 Thess 2:3) will bring peace upon the planet, when they shall say, “peace and safety” (v3), only to have his covenant broken which will usher in “sudden destruction” (v3, Dan 8:25). The second half of the tribulation is called the “great tribulation” (Matt 24:21) and will be the worst events the planet has ever experienced. It is likened unto the unbearable pains of childbirth, “as travail upon a woman with child” (v3). During this time God pours out His wrath on the earth, as seen in the vials in Revelation (Rev 15-16), which will be used to bring a remnant of mostly Jewish believers back to the Lord and to Jews through the ministry of the 144,000 (Rev 7:4, Hos 2:14). Every person that rejects God, and takes the beast’s mark (Rev 14:9-10) will “not escape” and (v3) will have no hope of salvation.
The lost who are alive at the time of tribulation will be overtaken “as a thief” (v4), but not so for Christians, because we are “the children of light” (v5). Although we are alarmed at the world’s events, and we can see the spirit of antichrist already at work, (1 John 2:18), we won’t be on the planet for the great deception. There will be a remnant of believers during that time, who also won’t buy antichrist’s ruse (Matt 24:24), but it won’t be the church of today.
V6-11 Walk In the Day
Because Christians are of the “light” and the “day” (v5), we can see clearly what many others will fall victim to. How much more should be “watch and be sober” (v6). We have been saved out of darkness (Col 1:13)! There is a contrast here: the lost are “drunken in the night” (v7) and the saved are prepared for battle in the day (v8). Once we have had our eyes opened to the glorious realities of the truth of God’s word, how could we ever go back to being satisfied with the numbing agents that the forces of darkness use to keep man in believing a lie? The difference is likened unto being asleep or being awake (v10). Once we have been awakened unto righteousness (1 Cor 15:34), we have work to do! We are now in a spiritual war against the forces of darkness, with a here abbreviated list of our resources, “the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (v8).
We are here reminded of the end of our struggle with darkness, God has appointed us to “obtain salvation”(v9) on that great day when He comes for His saints so that, “whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him” (v10). Though Christians war against darkness, we will not experience the atrocities of the future, “for God hath not appointed us to wrath” (v9). Verse 9 is an incredible proof for a pre-tribulation rapture and what a hope it is! God is not mad at us or upset with us! Christians are already saved and there is nothing that can change that. These words should be encouraging to us, and we are reminded yet again to “comfort yourselves together” (v11) with them. We ought not to overly focus on the tragic happenings of the end times, but rather seek hope and comfort in knowing that our Lord will save us out of these events instead.
Christian, are you walking in the day? Are you watching with sobriety for what God is doing in your life? Or are you taken by the devil’s ruses as he is able to do with the lost? It’s time to “cast off the works of darkness, and… put on the armour of light” (Rom 13:12).
V12-13 Know Your Leaders
Though the leaders of the Thessalonian church may have been young in their faith or immature, the church was told to, “know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord” (v12). God has given all churches pastors and leaders whom they are to learn and follow (Eph 4:11). Here Paul gives these leaders authority, “and are over you in the Lord” (v12), meaning that God values a distinction in leadership just as much as any other organization. The qualifications for pastoral ministry today are clearly laid out for us in the pastoral epistles (1 Tim 3:1-11, Titus 1:7-9). Qualified and spirit led men have the duty of watching “for your souls” and they “must give account” for you to Christ (Heb 13:17), therefore at times they must also “admonish you” (v12) to help you align with God’s word. Whoever these men were in Thessalonica, they were told to “esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (v13). We find then two things: that good pastors and leaders should be given honour and loving respect, and that they are called to a “work” (Acts 13:2). Men of God are called to “labour in the word and doctrine” (1 Tim 5:17), which takes significant effort, even “study” (2 Tim 2:15). Because pastors and leaders are essentially working for your benefit and spiritual development, they should be valued as such as care for you and are necessary for your growth.
Because no men are mentioned here by name, it is possible that Paul is referring to Timtohy and others whom he would send, yet even still there were some “which labour among you” (v12), so it would seem localized leadership had begun to solidify even in the early days of the church. Perhaps some of the founding members of new churches could find themselves in leadership roles more expeditiously than in a founded and established church? Of course, with the rest of God’s revelation in mind, we would do well to “lay hands suddenly on no man” (1 Tim 5:22) so much as it is possible.
V14-22 Parting Truths
The remaining list of this chapter is a series of brief statements to encourage the church to Christian behaviour. We get the sense that Paul was trying to ingest as much truth into this new church as he could through the brevity of these remarks. We will not break down the whole of each statement, as most of them are plain on the face and easy to understand. Much more could be said about each one!
The church at Thessalonica was to encourage each other in these things, “we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly” (v14). If other believers there would not honor the words of God through the apostles then they should be warned of the consequential outcome of not obeying God. Others though, were not rebellious, some were “feebleminded” or “weak” (v14). As we look to help other Christians apply the word of God to their life, these are types of people that we will find. Some will reject the truth, and others will simply struggle to apply them. We must be “patient toward all men” (v14), knowing that, at times, we also have struggled to apply even the simplest of truths in the bible.
Christian conduct is not “eye for eye” (Exo 21:24), as we are now under grace and not the law, so we must be careful not to “render evil for evil” (v15). Instead, Christians have new commands, to “rejoice” (v16), “pray” (v17), and “give thanks” (v18). These things are possible even in life’s most difficult circumstances, especially when someone else wrongs us. Yet we find that these should be our focus, instead of what others have done against us. Giving thanks is placed in such high priority to the Christian life that it is considered,“the will of God… concerning you” (v18). If you’ve ever wondered, what does God want me to do in this situation, you can confidently say “give thanks” (v18), knowing that His will never change, as should our discipline of gratitude in all situations.
Verses 19-21 give us some insight into spiritual discernment. Upon a new church there will always come a litany of false teaching, and these new believers would need to be wise. Paul told them later in his next letter, “let no man deceive you” (2 Thess 2:3), and the following verses would be the tools they would need to interpret the truth. The Holy Spirit is always our guide in the truth, being called the “Spirit of truth” (John 16:13), therefore we are told not to “quench” the Spirit (v19). Doing so would thwart our ability to hear His voice and properly interpret the “prophesyings” (v20) that would be flying around a new first century church. In the absence of a written bible, these gifts were still available to the church, and the church was cautioned not to write them off so easily. Prophetic declarations were always “subject to the prophets” (1 Cor 14:32), so again, they needed the Holy Spirit to interpret well.
Not everyone in ministry has good motives or good doctrine, so they were given permission to “prove all things” (v21). Christians don’t need to believe somebody just because they say something is ‘from God’ or they have a reputation in the church. We are allowed to test and try what is being taught, and the spirits behind it (1 John 4:1). This is the difference in people that hold the truth, and cults that will not allow their members to test for biblical accuracy. If your leadership will not let you ask questions or say, ‘just trust me’, then you need to find a new church.
When we do find the truth, we are told to “hold fast that which is good” (v21). We don’t need to keep reproving the truth over-and-over. If the math checks out, and the doctrine is good, we simply need to cling to it for dear life, “buy the truth, and sell it not” (Prov 23:23). Paul writes in another place to “hold fast the form of sound words” (2 Tim 1:13). Be discerning, and don’t give up what you know to be true just because something else comes along!
We can summarize a lot of good Christian advice in verse 22,“abstain from all appearance of evil”. If we are unsure what to do, we can abstain, especially if it ‘looks bad’. That is not to say that we are ashamed to hang out with certain people, etc. It is to ensure that our witness as Christians is not conflated with what is happening around us. Though we have considerable liberty, like Paul eating meat offered to idols (1 Cor 8:10), if our actions make us indistinguishable from the lost world, it would be best to “abstain” (v22).
In his parting words, Paul asks God to sanctify and prepare the Thessalonian church for the return of Christ (v23) and reminds them that He will take care of them until then, “faithful is he that calleth you” (v24). God has not abandoned us until the rapture, but instead “given unto us the earnest of the Spirit” (2 Cor 5:5) until the “redemption of the purchased possession” (Eph 1:14). He will ensure that we make it do that day through the sealing of His Holy Spirit. What great assurance we have in eternal security!
V25-29 Conclusion
After his parting words, Paul asks for prayer (v25), greets the brethren with love (v26), and charges them to ensure that this epistle “be read unto all the holy brethren” (v27). Reading it aloud would remind everyone of Paul’s love and instruction for them and begin the precedent of distributing the writings of the apostles as the inspired word of God. The words of the founding pastor of the church would serve as a comfort and constant reminder how to “hold fast that which is good” (v21).
Departures are always with grace, as is fitting the church.