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1 THESSALONIANS

AT-A-GLANCE

Chapters 1:1 – 3:13

Paul’s Love for the Thessalonians

Chapters 4:1 – 5:28

God’s Will = Your Sanctification Defense

QUICK FACTS

Author: Paul the Apostle

Original Readers: the Church in Thessalonica

Date Written: AD 50/51

Written From: Corinth

Key Verse: 3:13

Major Themes: the Coming of the Lord; Pleasing God; Persecution; Sanctification

DISCOVER THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE INDUCTIVELY

OBSERVE

What does the text say?

There’s no better way to understand the literary context than carefully observing what is said.

INTERPRET

 What does the text mean?

In light of both the literary and historical context, what was the original intended meaning of this passage?

APPLY

How do I apply what the text means?

In order for us to grow and mature more into Christ’s likeness, we must apply the truths we discover in our lives.

1:1-10 Paul's Thankfulness for the Thessalonians

OBSERVE

  • *1:3 — What qualities of the Thessalonians does Paul (and Silvanus and Timothy) remember before God?
  • 1:6-7 — How did the Thessalonians respond to Paul’s message during the short time he was with them?
  • 1:8-10 — What is the impact of the Thessalonians obedience?

INTERPRET

  • *1:3 — What does work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in Jesus look like?

APPLY

  • 1:3 — How can I grow in the areas of my work of faith? Labor of love? Steadfastness of hope in Jesus?

* HELPFUL NOTES

  • 1:1 — Silvanus is the Latin version of the name Silas, who was Paul’s partner on his Second Missionary Journey.
  • 1:3 — “Hope” is translated from the Greek word, ‘elpis’. While today the word ‘hope’ often has the connotation of an unsubstantiated optimism for the future, this is not Christian hope. In this context, hope in the Lord Jesus refers to the confident expectation of His coming and our sharing in His victory.

2:1-16 Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians

OBSERVE

  • *2:2 — How could Paul and Silvanus respond the way they did after their experience in Philippi?
  • 2:3-12 — How did Paul and Silvanus declare the Gospel of God and disciple the Thessalonians?
  • 2:12 — What is the call of God?
  • 2:13-14 — What is the evidence of the sincerity of the Thessalonian believers that Paul Silvanus, and Timothy are thankful for?

INTERPRET

  • 2:3-12 — How does Paul and Silvanus’ conduct of proclamation and discipleship to the Thessalonians compare to that of the philosophers and teachers of their day? What made Paul and Silas’ message stand out from the rest?
  • 2:12 — What does leading a life worthy of God look like?
  • 2:13-14 — What is the individual’s role, and what is God’s role in the salvation process as Paul mentions here?

APPLY

  • 2:3-12 — How is my conduct towards non-Christians? In what areas can I better imitate the example of Paul and Silas?

  * HELPFUL NOTES

  • 2:2 — In Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten with rods, then thrown in prison for preaching the Gospel. From Philippi, the next place where they stayed for ministry was Thessalonica. See Acts 16:16-40.

2:17-3:13 Timothy’s Report About the Thessalonians

OBSERVE

  • *2:17-20 — How does Paul feel about being separated from the Thessalonian church?
  • 3:1-5 — Why was Paul so worried after he was forced to leave this church?
  • *3:6-10 — Where does Paul find encouragement and joy?

INTERPRET

  • *2:17 — Why does Paul feel like an orphan from being separated from this church? 

APPLY

  • *3:6-10 — Where do I seek to find encouragement and joy? How does this compare to Paul’s example?

  * HELPFUL NOTES

  • 2:17 — Paul is likely referring to the story of them having to quickly flee out of Thessalonica due to persecution, after having spent only a short amount of time there. See the story in Acts 17:5-10.
  • 2:17 — The Greek word that Paul uses for their separation from the Thessalonians is “ἀπορφανίζω” (aporphanizō), which literally means ‘to be made an orphan’ (NRSV, NIV).
  • 3:6 — Because of this reference, along with the reference in Acts 18:5 we can be quite certain that Paul was writing this letter from Corinth.

4:1-12 Seek to Please God Even More

OBSERVE

  • *4:3-7 — What does God’s will for a Christian look like?
  • 4:8 — What is the result of choosing to only adhere to God’s will in some areas, and not in others?
  • 4:10-12 — What does brotherly love look like here?

INTERPRET

  • *4:3-8 — What does rejecting God look like?
  • 4:10-12 — In light of the hostility towards Christians in Thessalonica, why do you think Paul chose to highlight these aspects of brotherly love? What impact do you think they might have had?

APPLY

  • 4:3-8 — How am I doing with reflecting God’s will in these areas in my own life? Are there some areas I need to grow more in?
  • 4:10-12 — How can I better show brotherly love to those around me? 

  * HELPFUL NOTES

  • 4:3, 4, 7 — In verse 3 Paul says that the will of God is “ἁγιασμός” (hagiasmos), meaning holiness/sanctification (being distinct from the world around us). In verse 4 he says that this is how we are to control our own bodies. In verse 7 he repeats the same word, saying that this is also the call of God.

4:13-5:11 The Coming of the Lord

OBSERVE

  • *4:13-17 — What reasons does Paul give, that Christians can have hope, even when faced with loved ones who have died?
  • 4:14 — What is the assurance that there is a hopeful future for followers of Jesus, even after death?
  • 4:14-17 — Carefully observe, and then summarize what Paul says about the event of the coming of the Lord in this passage.
  • 4:17 — Who are the ones who are caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord?
  • 4:17 — How long is our time with the Lord after this life?
  • *5:2-5 — Carefully observe, and then summarize what Paul says about the timing of the coming of the Lord in this passage.
  • *5:6-8 — According to Paul, how should Christians live in light of this view of Christ’s coming?
  • 5:9-11 — What reason does Paul give, that Christians should live in this way?
  • 4:18; 5:11 — How are Christians to view the coming of the Lord?

INTERPRET

  • *4:13-18 — How does the Christian view of life after death compare with the Greek view? 
  • *5:6-8 — What does Paul mean when he says that Christians are to “keep awake”?
  • 4:13-5:11 — How might the Christian view of life after death impact the way they live their lives in the midst of their Greek world?

APPLY

  • 4:13-5:11 — Carefully and honestly evaluate your own view(s) of the coming of the Lord to what is said here. Are there any views that I currently hold that I need to re-evaluate? Keep in mind that large doctrines such as eschatology (view of the end) must be carefully constructed on a contextual understanding of all that the Bible says on this topic.
  • Do I hold this hope in Christ, and live my life accordingly? Take some time to pray, and reflect with the Lord on this hope that we look forward to. 

  * HELPFUL NOTES

  • 4:17 — The Greek word that Paul uses that is often translated as “caught up” implies a sudden quickness to this event. 
  • 4:17 — When Paul says that the Christians who are alive at this event will “meet” the Lord in the air, he uses a technical Greek word that was used to welcome a dignitary into a city. The implication is that those who are alive will meet Christ in the air, and then accompany Him and His followers who have died to earth, where Christ will rule forever. See also Paul’s expanded description of the resurrection to the Corinthians (also a Greek audience) in 1 Corinthians 15:12-58.
  • 5:2ff — Jesus uses this same imagery of a thief in the night in Matthew 24:43-44, and Luke 12:39-40, and Peter uses it in 2 Peter 3:10.
  • 5:8 — Paul expands on this imagery (with slight differences) in Ephesians 6:14-17. Paul seems to pull some of this imagery from Isaiah 11:5, 52:7, and 59:17.

4:13-18 THE COMING OF THE LORD

This passage from 1 Thessalonians 4 is one that has evoked a wide variety of feelings amongst Christians; from excitement to fear, or even straight up confusion. What is this passage referring to? In this video we look at two main approaches that Christians take with this passage.

5:12-28 Hold Fast to What is Good

OBSERVE

  • 5:12-22 — Observe and list each command that Paul gives.
  • 5:16-18 — Compare what Paul says is the will of God here, with what he says is the will of God in 4:3-7.
  • 5:23 — Who is the one who sanctifies us/makes us holy?

INTERPRET

  • 5:12-22 — In light of the challenges that the Thessalonian church was facing, why do you think Paul gives them these specific commands? What impact would they have?

APPLY

  • 5:12-22 — Which of these commands do you feel the Holy Spirit is challenging you to better apply in your life? How can you do this?

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