I Thessalonians 2:6, 7

"Neither were we seeking praise from men, not from you or from others." (I Thessalonians 2:6)

Paul was not a glory seeker. His motive was not to get a pat on the back and have people talk about how great a guy he was.

"We were able to burden you, being Missionaries of Christ. But we were babies among you all. We were to you, like a mother holding her child close." (I Thessalonians 2:7)

Instead of demanding his rights and privileges as an Apostle, Paul acted as if he had no more rights or privileges than an infant did. Paul had a deep concern for these believers. Rather than thinking of himself, he thought only of them.

I Thessalonians 2:4, 5

"But just as we have been tested and approved by God to be trusted with the Good News, so we speak not to please men but God, the One who tests our hearts." (I Thessalonians 2:4)

Paul considered the preaching of the Gospel as a great trust given him by God. He would not betray this trust. His motive in ministry was to please God regardless of what men thought of him. It is not that he sought to upset or alienate people, but these things would not stop him from speaking what God wanted him to say. It is God that tests our motives.

"The fact is we did not use flattering words, just as you remember, nor did we have hidden greedy motives, God is our witness." (I Thessalonians 2:5)

Paul reminds them that he did not try to persuade them by using false words of flattery. He also reminds them that his motive was not to become rich. He even calls upon God to be his legal witness of this truth.

I Thessalonians 2:2, 3

"But having already suffered physically and being verbally insulted as you remember in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you God's Good News in much anguish." (I Thessalonians 2:2)

In Philippi, Paul and Silas had been beaten and imprisoned. Yet when they came to Thessalonica, God gave them the courage to boldly preach the Gospel, even though in the flesh, they were experiencing severe mental and emotional struggles.

"For the fact is our appeal to you was not our of error, nor out of immorality, nor was it a trap." (I Thessalonians 2:3)

The word for appeal or exhortation means to call to one's side. Paul had called upon these people to join him in serving Christ. Paul makes it clear that he did not teach things that were false. He did not promote immoral behavior. He was not seeking to trap his listeners for his own benefit. He was not a sheerer of God's sheep.

I Thessalonians 1:10; 2:1

"And how you are waiting expectantly for God's Son to return from heaven. God raised his Son, Jesus, from the dead. Jesus has delivered us from God's wrath that is coming." (I Thessalonians 1:10)

People knew these believers expected Jesus to return. They were patient and confident as they waited. The resurrection of Jesus proves that God accepted his sacrifice. Jesus will return to remove us just before God's wrath, the seven vials of Revelation, is poured out upon the earth. See Revelation chapter 16. You can also read my blog on Revelation: http://revelation101.blogspot.com.

"The fact is, brothers, you all, whom I am writing to now, remember our arrival, that is was not fruitless and the results are continuing." (I Thessalonians 2:1)

It seems clear from this passage, that Paul's reputation was under attack. Someone had been telling the Thessalonians that Paul was not all that he appeared to be. They were attributing to him impure motives. Paul begins with this verse to defend himself against these false accusations. Paul was writing to people who had been there when he started the church. They knew from personal experience what type of person he was. Paul's work among them had been fruitful. And his work was continuing to bear fruit.

I Thessalonians 1:8, 9

"You have trumpeted out the word of the Lord not only in Greece but all over the place. Your trust in God is being discussed all over the place. I do not even need to tell anyone about you, they already know." (I Thessalonians 1:8)

The testimony of this church had spread rapidly. It is believed that even in Rome, people had heard of these believers. Their faith was being talked about.

"They tell me about what happened when we arrived in Thessalonica. How you turned from dead idols to become willing slaves of the living God." (I Thessalonians 1:9)

People knew about how the word arrived in Thessalonica. People knew about the conversion of these believers from idolatry to Christian faith. They were serving the Lord.

I Thessalonians 1:6, 7

"You imitated us and the Lord. You accepted the word of truth even while suffering severely although the Holy Spirit gave you inner joy." (I Thessalonians 1:6)

We are to follow the example of our spiritual leaders as they faithfully follow Christ. As long as they obeyed the word of God, they would suffer, but this did not hinder their obedience. True joy is from the Spirit. It is listed in the Fruit of the Spirit.

"You have become a model to everyone in Greece." (I Thessalonians 1:7)

This is the only church that Paul calls a model. The two provinces of Macedonia and Achaia made up most of Greece.

I Thessalonians 1:4, 5

"Knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God." (I Thessalonians 1:4)

Brethren is a common word in this letter. Paul feels a close kinship to other believers. They were like brothers and sisters.
God had chosen (elected) these believers. "Election" emphasizes God's purpose for saving us. He has chosen us for a purpose: to worship Him and to minister to others in His name. Paul knew the mission for which God had chosen these believers. In the last half of this chapter, Paul will describe their ministry.

"For our Gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake." (I Thessalonians 1:5)

The good news (Gospel) was what Paul and the other Apostles preached. Paul preached the Gospel using words, but man's alone do not save. The Gospel is the power of God to salvation. The Gospel has a divine power. No one is saved unless the Spirit draws him or her to God. Those who are not yet Christian will always move away from God unless the Spirit works on them.
In the original Greek, there is no "in" before much assurance. This links the Holy Spirit and much assurance. He gives people a divine assurance that the Gospel is true.
The messenger is part of the message! Many have refused the Gospel because of the way Christians act. Paul lived a life that caused people to believe his message. His behavior helped prove his words.

I Thessalonians 1:2, 3

"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers," (I Thessalonians 1:2)

Paul thanked God for what He had done; the change in these believers was not their own doing. Paul regularly prayed for other Christians, especially his converts.

"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father," (I Thessalonians 1:3)

Work of faith is not work that produced faith, but the work produced by faith. Their deeds showed that they had faith. Their labor showed that they had true love. Labor is a stronger word in the original than that used for work. Their sure hope in the return of Jesus made them patient even under persecution. Some link the phrase, "in our Lord Jesus Christ" only to hope. However, our faith and love are also in Christ. These are spiritual gifts given us by the Holy Spirit. Also notice that God is watching all that we do in Christ.

I Thessalonians 1:1

"Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 1:1)

Paul, Silas and Timothy worked together to plant the Church at Thessalonica.

Notice that twice in this verse there is a close linking of God the Father and Jesus. The Apostle Paul believed in the divinity of Jesus. Paul also calls Jesus, Lord and Christ, that is, Messiah.

Grace is God's favor that we do not deserve.

Peace means more than an absence of conflict. It means wholeness, soundness and prosperity.

First Thessalonians

I am starting with this post a study of the book of I Thessalonians.

Thessalonica was a thriving city in New Testament times with a population of around 200 000. It was the capital and largest city in the Roman province of Macedonia, which is part of modern day Greece. It had an excellent harbour and was on a major Roman road, the Via Egnatia.

To learn about how the church in Thessalonica started, read Acts 17:1-10.

Because the Apostle Paul left Thessalonica unexpectedly, he worried about the Church. Therefore, he sent Timothy back to find out how the Church was doing. Timothy rejoined Paul in Corinth and gave his report on the Church.

Paul wrote this letter from Corinth around 51 AD in response to Timothy’s report. This would have been about a year after Paul left Thessalonica. This is the second letter of Paul that we have. (Galatians is the first.)

Timothy’s reported that the Church was doing well spiritually. However, the Christians in Thessalonica were being actively persecuted. Also, they wanted clarification on some of Paul’s teachings.

This letter reveals to us the heart of the Pastor-Missionary Paul. It contains much teaching on End Times. The main theme is the Second Coming.