1 Thessalonians Introduction
Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is likely the next published work of the New Testament following his letter to the Galatians.
Silas had joined Paul for the second missionary journey, as described in Acts 15:40. Paul and Silas begin by visiting churches just north of Antioch where they started and proceeded to the churches planted by Paul and Barnabas in the first missionary journey. Timothy joined the team in Pisidia (Turkey) in Acts 16:1-3, and from there they traveled north. In Troas, Luke, the author of this book, also joins the team, as indicated in the narrative when he begins to say “we” in his narrative.
Shortly after the team was formed, they follow the direction of the Holy Spirit to sail to Macedonia. In Philippi, when Paul and Silas are beaten and imprisoned, it’s likely Luke and Timothy are separated from them. After Philippi, their next preaching location is Thessalonika, where they stay for three Sabbaths – enough time for them to found a church! Paul and Silas were present at the founding of the church, and it is likely Timothy was with them, since Acts 17:1-15 makes it clear Timothy was still with them in Berea, which followed Thessalonika. But Paul’s team is attacked and leaves so quickly that Paul worried that the church might not have survived the attack on its founder!
Paul tries several times to return to Thessalonika but was not able, perhaps because the Jews who were against Christian beliefs were influential with ship captains. The Thessalonian Jews were so vicious that they later traveled to Berea to stir up the Jews there against Paul. From Berea, Paul traveled on to Athens and left Paul and Silas in Berea, with instructions to join him when they can. Most likely, while Paul was still in Athens, he decided to have Timothy visit Thessalonika since it was so close to Berea, to make sure the fledgling church had survived, as described in this letter (1 Thessalonians 3:1-4). Silas during the same period possibly presided over the gathering of believers in Berea. Acts 18:1-8 tells us that after Paul traveled from Athens to Corinth, Silas and Timothy joined Paul again. Paul later writes the first letter to the Thessalonians from Corinth during the time he is founding that church.
What is most noteworthy about the Thessalonian church is the speed with which he founded the church and the fact that in some form the church has survived for almost 2000 years. This means that in less than a month, Paul and his team were able to present the good news of the Gospel, get people baptized and filled with the Spirit, establish some degree of leadership, educate them in behavior as well as theology, and then leave with no announcement or preparation.
The letter establishes the same form he later follows for other letters:
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In Chapter 1, he congratulates them for the miracle of becoming a church and one that is already known for their faith in the midst of trials
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In Chapter 2, he reminds them of his fatherly affection for them and his right to continue to be their apostle and exercise his authority. At the same time, he basically apologizes and explains having to leave them so suddenly.
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In Chapter 3, he celebrates how well they seem to be doing as established by Timothy’s visit and report back.
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In Chapters 4 and 5, he answers questions relating to both theology and behavior. The behavioral questions and answers are not necessarily related to questions the Thessalonians have asked, but seem fairly basic and are included because they had not had time to talk much about these things when the church was first established. But these are good reminders to every church and every Christian about how the Lord expects us to behave as his followers.
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The theological discussions in chapters 4 and 5 relate to the time and order of the Lord’s return. Because this is an early letter, the sense and expectation is of the imminence of the Lord coming back to get his church. Later apostolic letters of Paul and other churches focus more on the need for perseverance, because more time has passed without the Lord’s return and so their staying power is required. Paul answers two questions that perhaps Timothy brought back to him. Will the believers who have already died receive resurrection and eternal life? Paul answers out of his own time of revelation with the Lord, summarized in 1 Corinthians 15, and assures them those who died in the Lord will rise first and then those alive, resurrected for all eternity. The second question is about whether they will have any warning about the time of Jesus’ return, and he reminds them just as Jesus did on the earth, that they are always to be ready and never be caught by surprise.
1 Thessalonians Guide to the Transcommentary
This is a little bit more than a translation and a bit less than a full commentary. It serves a similar function to the Amplified Bible, though that work’s purpose was to provide a complete sense of the meaning of the words used by the writers of scripture. This work has a somewhat different purpose:
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To convey as close as possible the actual meaning of the sentences as they would have been understood at the time they were originally spoken or written. To accomplish this for twenty-first century Americans, dynamic equivalent words and sayings have been used at a sentence level. An attempt has been made to preserve intended wordplay and irony from the original author.
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We have attempted to clarify ideas, references, and thought sequences that would have been clear to first century audiences but are not clear to modern audiences because of differences in culture, customs, language, or degree of familiarity with Old Testament scriptures and Messianic prophecies. The phrasing of the translation itself aims at that clarity, but we have also added words, phrases, and sentences to the narrative for improved understanding. All such additions are in brackets []. This allows the reader to have the explanatory additions when reading but also insulate these additions from the translated scripture – indeed, with a little effort they can be skipped entirely when reading aloud.
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Color codes for different types of additional material are intended to further aid understanding:
- Green is used for words added to descriptive narrative because they are implied or as commentary to explain the context.
- References to scriptures are shown in gold.
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As in many translations and editions, we have added headings in bold to help understand when a new theme is introduced by the author.
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The author frequently refers to "Christ" or to "Jesus Christ". We have employed the words “the Anointed One” rather than "Christ", since that is the meaning of “Christ”. We wanted to avoid the sense of "Christ" as Jesus’ surname, yet still recognize it as a well-known title.
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We have also added study questions at the end of each chapter to help you think more thoroughly about the meaning and application of the author’s writing.
We will have succeeded in this translation if you the reader find that you can read this work of scripture with greater comprehension and enjoyment than ever before. Please let us know if you find the various supplementary materials helpful. or too distracting, or if you have any other suggestions about how to improve this approach to translation.
Richard Tittle, pneuma9@gmail.com
1 Thessalonians Chapter 1
Greetings and thanksgiving for the Thessalonian church
1 [From] Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father and the Lord Jesus the Anointed One – grace to you and peace! [Paul is acknowledging that both he and his companions and the Thessalonian church are in God through their common belief in Jesus.]
2 We always give thanks to God for all of you specifically mentioning you in our prayers before our God and Father, 3 never failing to remember your work of faith, your labor of love, and the endurance of the hope you have because of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One. [Our task in the world is to carry out the assignments God gives us through faith, to love those around us, both friends and enemies, and to maintain our hope through suffering remembering how Jesus did the same before his father.]
Beloved and accepted followers of Jesus
4 Brothers [fellow believers] beloved of God, you know you have been accepted [by him] 5 because the good news [about Jesus] came to you not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full assurance, just as we were there with you [ministering in power and full assurance] for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord [Jesus], having received the word with Holy Spirit joy in [spite of] tribulation [from the opposition of others (Acts 17:1-15)].
7 As a result, you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia [Greece]. [Thessalonika became a strong church of Jews who became followers of Jesus, in spite of the resistance of other Jews who resisted Paul’s teaching about Jesus.] 8 For the word of the Lord has trumpeted forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia [Greece] but in every place [the story of] your faith has gone abroad. [This would include especially places Paul and his team have preached plus places where the seafaring people of the church in Thessalonika have carried the message.]
So we really don’t need to say anything [to others about you], 9 for they tell us what they have heard about how you received us and how you turned to God away from idols to serve the living and true God 10 and how you are awaiting [the return of] his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – that is, Jesus, who is delivering us from the coming wrath [of God’s judgment].
Discussion questions
1. What do you think the relationship is between Paul, Silas, and Timothy, who are listed as the originators of the letter and the church in Thessalonika?
2. What are the indicators that the church in Thessalonika may consider themselves a true church, accepted by the Lord?
3. Why would this church be seen as a model to other churches in their region, according to Paul?
4. Waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus seems to have been a foundational principle for the early church (v 10). Do you think it should still be foundational for today’s church even though almost 2,000 years have passed?
1 Thessalonians Chapter 2
Initial time with the Thessalonians
1 For you know brothers that our first visit to you was not lacking in results. 2 Even after our earlier hardships and shameful treatment in Philippi [Acts 16:19-24], in [the grace of] God we spoke to you boldly the good news of God [about Jesus and what he has done for us all] in spite of much contention [in your midst (Acts 18:1-8)]. 3 For our appeal [to you] came not from any deception, corruption, or scheme. 4 But as God gave us the privilege to be entrusted with sharing the Good News, we have sought to please not men but God, who is able to discern our hearts.
5 For never at any time have we made use of flattery as you know nor disguised a desire for personal gain, as God is our witness. 6 Nor have we sought glory from men, either from you or others when we might have asserted our authority as apostles [ones sent out by] the Anointed One. 7 But we were gentle among you even as a nursemaid takes care of her children. 8 So, we cared about your well-being so much that we were willing to share with you not only the Good News of God but also our very own lives because of our love for you.
9 For you remember, brothers, our employment and hard labor both night and day [earning our keep] so we could preach to you the Good News of God without being a burden to any of you [1 Corinthians 9:11-12]. 10 You yourselves are witnesses how we behaved holy and righteous and blameless among [setting a good example for] you that believed [and chose to follow Jesus]. 11 For you know how, as a father treats his children, we encouraged and comforted and taught each of you 12 so that you would walk worthily of God, who has called you into his kingdom and glory. [We begin living in his kingdom in this life which includes some momentary glory sometimes in this life, but in the life after this life we will fully experience his kingdom and his eternal glory.]
13 For this also we thank God all the time because, when you accepted the word about God from us, you didn’t receive it as a presentation of men but just as it truly is – the word of God – which now also is working effectively in you who believe. 14 For you, [our] brothers [in the faith,] became followers of the churches of God in Judea in the Anointed One Jesus, since you have suffered at the hands of your own countrymen just as they [in Judea] have from the Jews. 15 They killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and also drove us out. They are not pleasing to God and they have been antagonistic to all men, 16 forbidding us even to speak even to the non-Jewish people, that they might be saved.
Paul’s frustrated attempts to return to the Thessalonians
17 But, brothers, after a short time that we were separated from you in person [but never in heart], we made every effort to come back because we missed you so much. 18 So we would have come to you, even I tried once and then again, but Satan kept us away.
19 For, what is our hope or joy or our crown of rejoicing, other than for you to be [with us] in the presence of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, at his coming. For you are our glory and our joy! [The Thessalonians will be his pride and joy as well as his evidence for having done his job well when the Lord gathers all of his followers and rewards them for what they have done.]
Discussion questions
1. If you read Acts 17:1-15, which explains both the planting of the Thessalonian church and the quick departure of the church planting team, how do you think the believers in Thessalonika would have been the effected by Paul’s team leaving suddenly?
2. Why do you think Paul is so concerned about how the Thessalonians might have perceived his motives when he was with them? Have you ever felt that people you were sharing the Gospel with might have misperceived your motives?
3. Why do you think it’s the case that new followers of Jesus are immediately persecuted for their beliefs? Does this harm or help their Christian walk?
1 Thessalonians Chapter 3
Timothy’s visit and report on Thessalonian church
1 When we couldn’t stand it any longer [to not be in communication with you], we thought it worth being left in Athens alone, 2 and so sent Timothy, our brother [believer] and servant of God and fellow worker in the Good News of the Anointed One, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith. 3 We hoped no one among you would be upset by these troubles [the persecutions that cut short the stay of Paul’s team in Thessalonika], since you yourselves know that we are appointed to have them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you to expect we would suffer trials, and as you know, that’s what happened!
[In fact, it is normal for all believers to experience trials. Jesus prepared his followers for persecution (Matthew 10:16-18). It would have been neglectful for Paul not to have prepared them to expect this. Furthermore, Paul was specifically appointed to suffer for the Lord in order to advance the Gospel (Acts 9:16). Many believe that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:1-7) was descriptive of the attacks he nearly always experienced when preaching the Gospel.]
5 For, as I said, when I couldn’t stand it any longer, I sent out to check up on your faith in case you had been tempted by the tempter [to give up your faith] and all our work be in vain. 6 But when Timothy returned to us, he brought us news of your faith and love and that you have such good memories of us and are always greatly desiring to see us, just as we also [desire to see] you.
7 Because of this [report], brothers, we were greatly encouraged in the midst of our trials and distress by your faithfulness. 8 For we are fully alive if you are standing in the Lord! 9 For when we are in praise before our God, we give great thanksgiving for you! 10 Both night and day we are exceedingly praying that we might see you in person and [have the opportunity to] perfect whatever is lacking in your faith.
11 And now may our God and the Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One direct our path to you. 12 And may the Lord bring increase and even cause you to overflow in love toward each other and everyone even as we are towards you, 13 to the point where he has established your hearts in perfect holiness as you stand before our Father with all of the believers at the coming of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One!
Discussion questions
1. Why do you suppose Paul chose young Timothy rather than the more seasoned Silas to go check on the Thessalonian church? What do you think the conversation was like between Timothy and the Thessalonian leaders?
2. What does Paul’s writing tell you about his prayer life? What were some of the elements of his prayers? How might you learn from him to tune up your own prayer life?
1 Thessalonians Chapter 4
Call to holiness and brotherly love
1 Finally, brothers [who are believers], we ask and urge you, in the Lord Jesus, just as you have received from us the way you should walk and please God, that you grow in this more and more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God – your holiness – keeping yourself from impure sexual behavior. 4 Every one of you should possess your vessel [body] in holiness and dignity, 5 not in the lusts of sexual desire like some pagan people who do not even know God.
6 We should never cheat a brother by violating boundaries in this area [such as seeking relationship with someone’s spouse] since the Lord himself punishes such behavior as we have warned and testified to you, 7 for our God has called us to holiness and not to impurity. 8 Anyone who ignores this is despising God rather than man, since he has given us his Holy Spirit.
9 But I really don’t need to write you concerning brotherly love for God has already taught you to love one another, 10 for indeed you extend this to all the brother [believers] throughout Macedonia, but we encourage you to do this more and more.
11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business, and working with your hands[, making yourself useful], just as we instructed you [previously]. 12 This way you will be accepted by those outside [the community of believers] and at the same time you will lack nothing [because you earn income for your work].
God’s plan to include those who died as believers in the Resurrection
13 But I don’t want you to lack knowledge concerning those who are asleep [believers who have died], so that you not grieve for them as others do who don’t have hope, 14 for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, those asleep in Jesus, God will [resurrect to be] with him. [The Thessalonians were not sure that their loved ones who had already died as believers would receive all the same benefits as those believers alive at the return of Jesus, which they believed would be during their own lifetime.]
15 For we are telling you this by the word [we have heard] through the Lord [Jesus] that we who remain alive at the coming [return] of the Lord [Jesus] shall not precede those who are asleep. 16 For with a shout of the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God, the Lord [Jesus] himself will descend from heaven and the dead in the Anointed One [who believed in Jesus] will rise first. 17 Then we who are remain alive shall be caught up in the clouds with them [who had risen first] to meet the Lord [Jesus] in the air[, and we too will be given a resurrection body according to 1 Corinthians 15:51-52], and so we [all believers] will be with the Lord [Jesus] forever. 18 So, encourage one another with these words!
[Paul is telling the Thessalonians that he has heard the specifics and order of the Resurrection from the Lord Jesus himself. He recounts this same Resurrection sequence when he writes to the church at Corinth, in 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. Paul explains in Galatians 1:11-12 that the Gospel he preaches, he received by revelation from the Lord Jesus himself. That revelation began at the time of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, continued in his time in Arabia (Galatians 1:15-17), was confirmed by meeting with Peter and James (Galatians 2:2,6), and reached a climax later (2 Corinthians 12:1-7).]
Discussion questions
1. Why do you think it was important for Paul to give instructions about behavior to each church? How are these instructions to the Thessalonians similar or different from what he shares with other churches in Ephesians 4:17-32 and Romans 12:9-21?
2. What questions do you think the Thessalonians had about the return of the Lord, resurrection from the dead, and the status of those who died as believers? Do you think Paul’s answers would have been convincing and helpful to them? What questions do you still have about the return of the Lord, bodily resurrection, and eternal life?
1 Thessalonians Chapter 5
Watch for the return of the Lord
1 But as to the times and seasons [when the Lord will return], brothers [in the Lord], you have no need that I write you, 2 for you yourselves know perfectly well that “the Day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night” [Luke 12:39], 3 for when they [society] are saying [it’s a time of] “peace and safety”, that’s when destruction suddenly comes on them like labor pains for a woman with childbirth, and they will not escape. [All Christians had been taught about the return of the Lord, either by the Lord himself (Matthew 24:30-31, Acts 1:7) or by the apostles (2 Peter 3:4) including Paul, which is why they shouldn’t need him to write about it.]
4 But you, brothers, are not in the dark, that a thief should surprise you. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day – we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 Therefore, let us not fall asleep like the others [the non-believers], but let us be watchful and sober. 7 For it is in the night that they sleep and get drunk. 8 But let us who are of the day [instead] put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation for our helmet [Ephesians 6:14,17].
9 But God’s plan for us was not judgment but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake [are still alive] or sleep [have died], we will live together with him.
How to live blamelessly
11 Therefore, encourage and build each other up, just as you have been doing. 12 We urge you, brother [believers], to notice those who are working [on your behalf] among you and have been appointed to lead you in the Lord and to guide you, 13 and show them great love for their efforts [on your behalf].
Live in peace with one another. 14 [In fact,] we encourage you to caution those who are hard to manage, to draw out those who are timid, support those who need help, and have patience with everyone. 15 See that no one responds to evil with evil but always pursue what is good, both among yourselves and to everyone [including those outside the community of believers].
16 Rejoice always! 17 Pray constantly! 18 Give thanks [to God] in all circumstances! For this [attitude] is the will of God for you [made possible by our abiding] in the Anointed One, Jesus. 19 Don’t extinguish the Spirit. 20 Don’t devalue prophecies. [Accepting both general and personal prophecies stokes the Spirit both for yourself and for the community of believers.]
21 [On the other hand,] hold fast to what is good [especially with regard to prophecy]. 22 Hold yourself back from anything that appears evil. 23 And the God of peace will make you completely holy, and your spirit, soul, and body will be blameless, protected for the return of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. 24 He that calls you is faithful to accomplish this!
25 Brothers [in the Lord], pray for us! 26 Greet the brother [believers] with a holy kiss [showing pure but loving affection]. 27 I charge you by the Lord that you share this letter with all the holy brothers. 28 The grace of the Lord Jesus the Anointed One be with you! Amen!
Discussion questions
1. Why do you think the Lord has waited so long to return? Why will the Lord come at a surprising time? What will happen to those who are ready and waiting? To those who are not ready?
2. Do you think it is more an individual or a corporate issue to remain ready for the Lord. What are some of the things that Paul urges the church and its members to do?
3. What would need to change in your life to follow Paul’s exhortation to “rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances”? How much of that change depends on you and how much on God?