1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice the grace Paul uses to address the church of the Thessalonians? It’s encouraging and uplifting, and this is a great example how we should address our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Now who is “Silvanus?”

He’s the same “Silas,” who was a church leader, a prophet, and a traveling companion of Paul. Silas also helped establish many churches, (Acts 15:22, 32, 41).

How about “Timotheus?”

This is Timothy, our brother in Christ who also traveled with Paul, (2 Corinthians 1:1). In fact, Silas and Timothy helped established the church of the Thessalonians. Evident by Paul’s statement in verses 5-6, which we’ll get to in a moment.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

In this address to the Thessalonians, Paul not only ensures they are constantly in his prayers, but he informs them about it. Think how encouraging that is to hear. To know that others love you so much, they even place you in their prayers.

That’s a fantastic feeling, and it builds our faith and relationships.

From this verse, it becomes evident, the Thessalonians not only accepted the Word of God, but their faith was continual, and it brought forward righteous works.

This is a such great example for us. As Christians, we are to accept Jesus, and bring forward righteous works, always being patient in the process.

Election Of God

1 Thessalonians 1:4
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

The word “election” means “chosen.”

Simply stated, the “election of God” can refer to “chosen” vessels. We can think of people like Moses, Isaiah, Daniel, and so on. In fact, God knew Jeremiah before he was formed in the womb, and God ‘sanctified and ordained’ him to be a prophet, (Jeremiah 1:5).

However, the word “election” cannot always be thought of or used in this sense. We are all “chosen” by God for salvation. It’s simply up to us to accept the invitation.

To be clear, Paul was not saying all of the Thessalonians were the “election of God,” in the sense of being foreordained like Jeremiah. Paul was saying, he was pretty certain the Thessalonians would obtain the Kingdom of God, and salvation through Jesus due to their faith.

This becomes evident as Paul sent Timothy to check on the faith of the Thessalonians. Paul did that to ensure the tempter, which is Satan, did not tempt them and undo Paul and the Apostles hard work, (Matthew 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:5).

Had all of the Thessalonians been “ordained” as Jeremiah, Paul would have never made that statement in 1 Thessalonians 3:5. Moreover, we were given a fantastic example of God’s elect by Paul in Colossians 3. That would be an example for all Christians to follow, not just a select few.

The Gospel Came In Power

1 Thessalonians 1:5
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

Paul was not saying, “our gospel” originated with him, Silas, and Timothy. They were simply discussing the Gospel they shared, which is the Word of God. Paul was taking ownership as an evangelist and teacher.

There can be no doubt about this as Paul gives credit to the “Holy Ghost” which means “Holy Spirit.” In fact, he explains this Gospel came to the Thessalonians “in power.”

What exactly does “power” mean?

Force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself): – ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

So the Gospel came to the Thessalonians not in word only, but through “miracles” that were provided by the Holy Spirit. Don’t let this be a surprise to you, the Apostles worked miracles, and these miracles helped to establish the early church, (Acts 3:6-8, 6:8).

1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

The Thessalonians became followers of Paul, Silas, and Timothy in the sense they were followers of Jesus Christ. They were certainly not taking credit for the miracles being performed or the growth of the church.

Always remember, all credit goes to God, no matter what.

I also want you to note, life wasn’t a picnic for the Thessalonians. They didn’t accept Jesus and everything suddenly became better. In fact, they “received the word in much affliction.” That means, their decision to accept Jesus cost them dearly, and it added stress to their lives.

Why?

The Gospel of Jesus was not popular with the religious institutions of the time. It was certainly not popular with the Jews of the synagogue. So the Thessalonians were troubled by other faiths, for their newfound belief in Jesus, a belief that brought them eternal life.

The Thessalonians Were An Example

1 Thessalonians 1:7
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

Nevertheless, due to the resolute faith and works of the Thessalonians, they became a positive example for all of the churches in Macedonia.

How?

By applying Biblical principals to their lives, by living according to the Book.

Wait, there’s more…

1 Thessalonians 1:8
For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

Not only did the Thessalonians accept Jesus and live according to the Book, but they spread the Gospel. The Thessalonians became active evangelists and preachers, becoming allies and assists of Paul and the Apostles. So much so, they didn’t have to say a word.

• That is God’s Word in action.
• That is Christians helping other Christians.
• That is Christians helping non-believers come to accept Jesus Christ.

That is our example to follow.

The Thessalonians Were Idol Worshippers

1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

We are reading about the reputation of the Thessalonians after their conversion.

“For they themselves” refers to all of the people who encountered the Thessalonians. The people who provided a good report concerning them. This proved to Paul, the Thessalonians were following the Gospel to a tee, and had relinquished their former doctrine of idols.

Today, people rarely serve idols in the form of false gods like the Thessalonians did. Instead, people serve idols in the form of material possessions. It could be anything really, your spouse, a job, house, car, even a hobby.

If you give those things more importance than God, they have become an idol to you. Never do that, always make God number one in your life, just like the Thessalonians did.

Wait For Jesus

1 Thessalonians 1:10
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

The Thessalonians are a great example for all of us today.

Not only did they relinquish heathenism rooted in idol worship, but they accepted Jesus Christ and performed good works. They didn’t stop there, they produced more fruit by spreading the Gospel outside of their community, into the other regions and towns around them.

This is why Paul opened his letter praising them and encouraging them. The Thessalonians had come along way, and Paul was extremely proud of them.

Now, before we conclude this chapter, I want you to take note of something…

Paul started this verse by saying, “to wait for his Son.” The reason, it’s most likely the Thessalonians assumed Jesus would return soon. This thought will become clear when we get to chapter 5.