Study Notes on I Thessalonians

Joe Morgan

Author
Setting
Outlines

Author:

A second-century document describes Paul as "a man of small stature, with bald head and crooked legs . . . with eyebrows meeting and nose somewhat hooked." Yet this man, who was "unimpressive" in person (2 Cor. 10:10), was a bold defender and preacher of the Gospel and at the same time a tender, loving friend to new converts (cf. 1 Thes. 2:11-13). [Source: The Bible Readers' Companion]

Setting

The revelation of God as a Person who loves came as a jolting surprise in the first century. W.W. Tarn, in Hellenistic Civilization (London, Edward Arnold), notes that two vital elements in the new religion, quite apart from the figure of the Founder, had no counterpart in Hellenistic thought. The first was the revelation of personal immortality and resurrection. The second was the fact that:

Of all the Hellenistic creeds, none was based on love of humanity; none had any message for the poor and the wretched, the publican and the sinner. Those who labored and were heavy laden were to welcome a different hope from any which Hellenism could offer. [Source: The Teachers' Commentary]

THESSALONICA (Thehs suh loh ni' kuh) The name of modern Thessaloniki, given to the city about 315 B.C. by Cassander, a general of Alexander the Great. He founded the city in that year, naming it after his wife who was the daughter of Philip II and half sister of Alexander. Located on the Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of Salonika) with an excellent harbor—and at the termination of a major trade route from the Danube—it became, with Corinth, one of the two most important commercial centers in Greece. In the Roman period, it retained its Greek cultural orientation and functioned as the capital of Macedonia after 146 B.C. When the apostle Paul visited the city, it was larger than Philippi which reflected a predominantly Roman culture. Thessalonica was a free city, having no Roman garrison within its walls and maintaining the privilege of minting its own coins. Like Corinth, it had a cosmopolitan population due to the commercial prowess of the city. The recent discovery of a marble inscription, written partly in Greek and partly in a Samaritan form of Hebrew and Aramaic, testifies to the presence of Samaritans in Thessalonica. The Book of Acts testifies to the presence of a Jewish synagogue there (17:1). [Holeman Bible Dictionary]

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

A.D. 50-52, Acts 15:40-18:23 [Parsons' Bible Atlas]

The Thessalonians faced pressing questions:

1. When would Christ return? Had those believers who had died missed the blessings of His return?

2. What should they expect from a minister? Who could they trust as a true spiritual leader?

3. What is the place of daily work in the life of Christians waiting for the second coming?

4. Given that Paul spent only a few weeks founding the ministry, dould they become a viable church?

5. Could they stand up against violent opposition?

Two Outlines of 1 Thessalonians

Outline from Believers’ Study Bible

I. A Personal Testimony (1:1-3:13).

A. Concerning Christian Commitment (1:1-10).

1. A Word of Greeting (1:1).

2. A Word of Thanksgiving (1:2-7).

3. A Word of Confirmation (1:8-10).

B. Concerning Christian Conduct (2:1-12).

1. Faithfulness in the Proclamation of the Gospel (2:1-4).

2. Freedom from Deceit and Avarice (2:5-9).

3. Provision of a Worthy Example for Others (2:10-12).

C. Concerning Christian Compassion (2:13-3:13).

1. In a Time of Suffering (2:13-20).

2. In a Time of Temptation (3:1-5).

3. In a Time of Deficiency (3:6-13).

II. A Practical Appeal (4:1-5:22).

A. A Worthy Goal: Honor God (4:1-12).

1. Purity of Life (4:1-8).

2. Sincerity of Love (4:9, 10).

3. Honesty of Labor (4:11, 12).

B. A Comforting Hope: Believe God (4:13-5:11).

1. A Word of Promise and Comfort (4:13-18).

2. A Word of Instruction (5:1-11).

C. A Christian Duty: Please God (5:12-22).

1. Respect for God’s Leadership (5:12, 13).

2. Love for Christian Fellowship (5:14, 15).

3. Submission to Christ’s Lordship (5:16-22).

Conclusion (5:23-28).

Theological Outline from Disciples’ Study Bible

1 Thessalonians: Our Destiny in a Hostile World

I. The Church Is Founded on Past Faithfulness. (1:1-10)

A. Signature, address, and greeting (1:1)B. Past faith, love, and hope inspire thanksgiving. (1:2-3)C. Election, power, conviction, and the Spirit brought the gospel. (1:4-5)D. Model Christian living resulted from the gospel. (1:6-7)E. Zealous witness and far-reaching Christian influence spread the gospel. (1:8-9)

F. Earnest hope in the resurrection marked the church’s life. (1:10)

II. Opposition and Persecution Cannot Halt the Gospel. (2:1-20)

A. Suffering and insult do not deter Christian witness. (2:1-2)B. Sincerity of method and purpose stand behind gospel witness. (2:3-6a)C. Love, not personal greed, motivates witness. (2:6b-2:12)D. Steadfastness and endurance mark Christian converts. (2:13-16)E. The gospel creates enduring fellowship and love. (2:17-18)

F. A new church becomes the reward for a Christian witness. (2:19-20)

III. Concern for the Church Dominates the Minister’s Heart. (3:1-4:12)

A. Sacrificial love leads the minister to show concern even under personal persecution. (3:1-5)B. The church’s faithfulness gives the minister encouragement and joy. (3:6-10)C. The concerned minister prays for the church’s future. (3:11-13)D. The concerned minister teaches the church righteous living. (4:1-8)

E. The concerned minister leads the church to grow in brotherly love. (4:9-12)

IV. Problems Related to the Lord’s Return. (4:13-5:11)

A. Living and deceased believers have equal hope. (4:13-18)B. The time is uncertain. (5:1-3)C. The church needs to be alert. (5:4-8)

D. Believers have assurance. (5:9-11)

V. Concluding Exhortations (5:12-28)

A. Respect Christian leaders. (5:12-13)B. Care for fellow-Christians. (5:14-15)C. Always be thankful. (5:16-18)D. Test prophetic utterances to God. (5:19-22)E. Commit yourself to God, who is faithful. (5:23-24)

F. Closing requests and benediction (5:25-28)

[The Bible Readers' Companion] KEY DOCTRINES MENTIONED IN 1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS
Inspiration and authority of Scripture		1 Thes. 2:13; 2 Thes. 2:15; 3:6, 17
One God existing in three Persons		1 Thes. 1:1, 5-6; 4:8; 5:19; 2 Thes. 2:13
Jesus is God		1 Thes. 3:11-12; 2 Thes. 2:16-17
Salvation based on Christ’s death		1 Thes. 4:14; 5:9; 2 Thes. 2:13-14
The believer’s union with Christ		1 Thes. 1:1; 5:5; 2 Thes. 1:1
Sanctification expressed in way of life		1 Thes. 4:3-12; 5:12-18
The importance of prayer		1 Thes. 3:11-13; 5:23-24; 2 Thes. 1:11-12; 2:16-17; 3:5, 16
Jesus’ return for His church		1 Thes. 4:13-18; 2 Thes. 2:1
Appearance and activity of a "lawless one"		2 Thes. 2:1-11
Terrible judgments on sinners		1 Thes. 1:10; 2:16; 2 Thes. 1:6-10
Peace and glory for believers		1 Thes. 1:10; 5:9; 2 Thes. 1:7, 10, 12; 2:13-14
Christian responsibility to work till then		1 Thes. 4:11-12; 5:14; 2 Thes. 3:6-15

Themes

Persecution

Bereavement

Purity & Discipleship

Second Coming

Thankfulness

Key Verse: 4:17b And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Pre-Questions for You and Me

What kind of a Christian model am I? Would Paul call me and my church his hope, joy, and crown?

How prepared am I for life’s troubles and for persecution?

Am I living a pure life? Are there areas I haven’t submitted to Christ?

What’s my view of the future? Am I convinced there is a glorious plan set out for me?

What’s my view of the present? Am I "just getting by"?