Whereas Colosse no longer exists, Thessalonica is now the second largest city in Greece. It has an important port and commercial centre, nice beaches and a reputation as an artistic and cultural centre. In Bible days it was the largest city in Macedonia, a Roman province, and on the same trade route as Philippi, a road called the Egnatian Way, which connected Rome with its Eastern provinces.
Paul had travelled with Silas on his second great missionary journey and they survived severe treatment and imprisonment at Philippi. After being asked to leave the city, they moved on to Thessalonica where they found a Jewish synagogue. Paul argued with them from the scriptures on three Sabbath days (Acts 17v2) and this had immediate impact on some Jews, a great many Greeks and quite a few leading women (Acts 17v4). The Jews, as in the time of Jesus, became jealous and formed a mob to create an uproar shouting “these people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also.” The situation began to turn violent so brothers, wisely, sent Paul on his way at night but it was unprecedented, even in the life of Paul, to establish a thriving church in less than a month. You can see why Paul was anxious to send them a letter and support them in every possible way.
The book of 1 Thessalonians starts with a greeting from Paul and Timothy, who we know from other letters to be a trusted co-worker. Notice the other person mentioned is Silvanus, another name for Silas, who, we saw, had been Paul’s main colleague on his second main journey. It seems likely that the letter was sent later on the same journey, probably from Corinth, and could well be the oldest of all Paul’s writings.
FAITH LOVE AND HOPE
Paul, as usual, was praying for the Christians there (v2). We noticed in previous letters that the first two things Paul looked for in a planted church were faith and love (v3)and he was not disappointed. this time, though, he also adds “steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”. This verse sets the tone for a letter which, of all of them, gives us most detail about our hope of Jesus coming again. There was also plenty of other evidence that this was a deep work of God among them, a work which defied persecution (v6) and came with the power, and joy of the Holy Spirit (v5, 6). The testimony of their lives, transformed from idol worship to the living God, spread to other regions of Greece and beyond (v 8, 9).
HOPE FOR THE PERSECUTED
It is, perhaps, in times of persecution that our hearts most need to know the reality of Christ’s second coming and verse 10 speaks of them waiting for God’s son Jesus from heaven. This is the final verse of chapter 1 and we will can see that the last verses of every chapter, from chapters 2 to 4, also encourage us about the future; so does the end of the first section of chapter 5 (v1-11). One day, like the Thessalonians, we might suffer a time of difficult persecution and hardship; maybe with the threat of our own death hanging over us. From this letter we should take encouragement that opponents may take away our life in this world but not our heavenly hope in Christ.
DOUBTS CAN COME AT A TIME OF PERSECUTION
Paul, in chapter 2, reminded them of his own suffering and maltreatment, with Silas in Philippi (v2), and how opposition continued against their gospel preaching in Thessalonica. Perhaps the severity of persecution in Thessalonica made the believers doubt whether Paul’s message and motives were true. Paul could, honestly, say that God had entrusted them with the gospel (v4) and their only desire was to please God and not mortals. They did not seek flattery or praise (v6) but had come in gentleness and tenderness, just like a nursing mother (v7) or a father encouraging them to lead worthy lives (v11, 12). How could he have been motivated by greed (v5) when he did not preach for money? In fact, quite the opposite, they worked night and day not be a financial burden on any of them (v9).
Paul reminded them that persecution was not unusual and no different, in fact, from that which Christ, the prophets and the first Judean Christians had also suffered from their own countrymen. In fact, Paul had been driven out of Israel, himself, and hindered from preaching to the Gentiles (v14-16).
Do you find it surprising that Satan could block the way of Paul, time and time again (v18), and prevent him from coming to see them? I find it useful to realise that even the faith of Paul could not overcome Satan’s blocking tactics in every situation. How we need the “whole armour” of God (Ephesians 6v13) to stand firm against him. There will be no greater glory and joy at the coming of Christ than to show Him those that we have brought to Him (v19, 20).
PAUL SENT TIMOTHY TO ENCOURAGE THEM
It is clear from chapter 3 how Paul was so anxious to support this young church suffering persecution (3v1). Not able to go himself he sent his trusted co-worker, Timothy (v2), so that no-one would be “shaken” by these persecutions (v3) and tempted by the tempter (v5). Paul, was enduring his own distress and persecution (v7) and felt great encouragement and joy that they were standing firm in theirs (v7, 8). Paul always desired his churches to seek more from the Lord and, on this occasion (v12, 13) “abounding” love and holiness to make them blameless at the Lord’s coming.
THEY SHOULD PLEASE AND HONOUR GOD WITH THEIR LIVES
Paul urged them (4v1) to continue pleasing God. We know that this was a, mainly, Gentile church and in the matter of sexuality they were not to keep the values of a lustful Greek culture. They should abstain from fornication (v3), sex between unmarried couples, and control their body with holiness and honour (v4). It is very dangerous before God to exploit and wrong others like this (v6). God himself had taught them how to love each other (v9), in the right way, and they should always desire to do so more and more (v10). Changing the subject, they should also take responsibility for their working lives and not be dependent on others (v11, 12).
HOPE FOR THOSE WHO HAD DIED
Starting at verse 13 of chapter 4, we have a whole section about the second coming of Jesus. I suspect that some of the church were grieving for those killed in the persecutions and they were not to grieve (v13) “as others do who have no hope.” Perhaps they thought that those dead would not be around to greet the coming Lord. Oh yes they will, says Paul, the dead in Christ will rise first (v16). There will be a command from the Lord, the archangel will call and God’s trumpet will sound. The dead will rise into the clouds and then those alive will join them to meet the Lord in the air. Chapter 5 reminds them, what they already knew, that the day of the Lord would be unexpected and come like a thief in the night (v2, 3). Remember Jesus’ parable of the 10 virgins when only 5 were prepared and wise. In the same spirit, Paul says we should be ready by wearing a breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet, the hope of his coming salvation. The Lord’s desire is that His people, one day, will be saved through what Jesus has done and then go on to live with Him (v10).
FELLOWSHIP LIFE
Love, faith and hope, in particular, are Paul’s main message in this book but in the section from 5v12 to v22 he quickly lists other important characteristics of his people. How should we be living?-what a great statement of church life this is. How does our church match up? Do we, His people, live in this way? for if we did the church would grow stronger.
Respect for leaders (v12)
Have a peaceful fellowship (v13)
Be patient with all but treat types of people differently. Confront the idlers (v14) but encourage the faint-hearted and help the weak (v14).
Not to repay evil for evil but always seek to do good to one another and to all (v15)
Rejoice always (v16)
Pray without ceasing (v17)
Give thanks in all circumstances (v18)
Not to quench the Spirit (v19)
Not to despise the words of prophets (v20)
Test everything, holding fast to what is good (v21)
Abstain from every form of evil (v22)
Then one final encouragement to allow God to sanctify us “entirely” and be blameless and ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (v23).
Despite all these wonderful encouragements from Paul, he is still humble enough to admit that he also needs prayer.
GREET ONE ANOTHER WITH A HOLY KISS
What do you make of his advice in verse 26 to greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss (v26). We notice this a number of times in Paul’s letters and, remember, Jesus noted that Simon had not welcomed him with a kiss. Some churches practice this around the world but it should never be just an excuse to kiss the opposite sex. In some churches it is limited to leaders and then, as part of the communion. Others think it should be expressed culturally by perhaps shaking hands or hugging. We will have to work this out for ourselves but one thing is certain we should have a heart of love for each other and, then, pray that the love abounds more and more.