1 Thessalonians 1 ESV
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. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Discussion Questions
Background: Describe Paul’s interaction with the brethren in Thessalonica.
How were the brethren in Thessalonica doing since Paul left?
Personal Application: We live in such different times and circumstances than these brethren. How were their lives an example to us?
Discussion Summary
Paul and Silas first went to Thessalonica on a missionary journey. Paul had a dream that a man from the region had urged him saying “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:4) In Acts 17 we read that Paul preached the gospel in the synagogue and found many interested people. The leaders of the synagogue were displeased and incited a riot, leading the local authorities to accuse Paul, Silas and the new converts of acting against Ceasar in proclaiming a new king. (This was similar to the accusations against Jesus in Luke 23:2.). Paul and Silas were barely able to escape Thessalonica during the riot. Paul worried about the new Christians he had left behind. When he received a report that they were doing well, he wrote this letter to them.
Paul describes the close relationship he felt to the brethren in Thessalonica. He viewed them as his own children and was proud of how they were doing. His letter is positive, encouraging and loving.
He reminds them of how his ministry was accompanied by power (verse 5) as their continued growth as Christians was evidence. They had changed their lifestyle when they stopped worshipping idols. They had a reputation among other believers and their neighbours that they were faithful to the teachings of Jesus. They were following Paul’s example as he was following Jesus’ example. Philippians 3:17.
Paul’s experience of seeing the risen Christ on the road to Damascus was an inspiration to them. They too were waiting patiently to see the Lord in glory.
The brethren in Thessalonica are now examples to us. We want to have a loving family-like relationship with other Christians. We want to have a reputation among all who know us for being followers of Christ. We too want to have the courage of our convictions.
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