14. 1 and 2 Thessalonians
14. 1 and 2 Thessalonians
CONTENTS
1 Thessalonians
Paul links Silas and Timothy with him in the salutation (1 Thess. 1:1) and gives thanks for the faith, love, and hope of the Thessalonian Christians (1:2-3), pointing out that the way they had lived out the Christian faith had made them a model to others (1:4-10). He reminds them of the example he and his companions had set them when they evangelized the city (2:1-12) and gives thanks for their response, even when they suffered from Jewish opposition (2:13-16).
Paul speaks of his longing to see them (1 Thess. 2:17-20) and reminds them that he had sent Timothy to them and that Timothy had reported that they were standing firm in the Lord (3:1-10). Paul breaks out into a short prayer (3:11-13), exhorting his readers to continue to make progress in the Christian way (4:1-2). He mentions sexual purity (4:38), brotherly love (4:9-10), and earning one’s living (4:11-12).
Evidently some of these new believers had problems with the parousia. Paul tells them that they need not be without hope for believers who had died. When the Lord comes back, the deceased believers will be raised first, and the remaining believers will then be caught up to meet the Lord (1 Thess. 4:13-18). The time of all this is not known (5:1 -3), but they should live so that the day will not catch them unprepared (5:4-11). The letter closes with some general exhortations (5:12-27) and the grace (5:28).