Protecting the Interests of Others. 1 Thessalonians 4:6-8. Dear Royal Priesthood, As he continues the discussion on sexual purity, Paul introduces the element of third parties that are affected by the immoral behavior of others. Intrusion (v. 6). Sex with a person one is not married to is a trespass. Even in cases where people are…
Holy Living.1 Thessalonians 4:3-5. Dear God’s Chosen People, We continue with the encouragement to live lives that are pleasing to God. Sanctification (v. 3a). Paul declares that God desires the sanctification of the believers. Sanctification and holiness are the same words, really. Holiness is the state while sanctification is the process. That which is holy is…
Living to Please God. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2. Dear Saints, As Paul begins the conclusion to this letter, he has some important instructions for the Thessalonians. The first is a lifestyle aimed at pleasing God. Received (v. 1). The Thessalonians had been taught how to live in order to please God. There is a standard by which those…
Prayer. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13. Dear Family, We have seen how Paul and the other evangelists rejoiced over the news of the Thessalonians and their steadfastness in the faith. They now declare again their longing for a visit to Thessalonica. This is expressed in the form of a prayer, in which they also petition God for…
Relief! 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10. Dear Pilgrims and Sojourners, Previously we saw how for fear that persecution might cause the Thessalonian believers to cave in and abandon the faith, Paul and his companions sent Timothy to check on them. Now Timothy has returned to Corinth and brought with him a Report (v. 6). The news of the…
Concern for Charges. 1 Thessalonians 3:4-5. Dear Strangers in this World, We continue with the theme of the emissary – Timothy, who was sent to the Thessalonian Christians because of the overpowering longing that the evangelists had for them. We learn here that they also were concerned for the Christians. Forewarned (v. 4). The evangelists had…
Reaching Out. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3. Dear Holy Nation, The last chapter closed with the declaration that the Thessalonians were the glory of Paul and his companions. They were therefore an important investment that could not be ignored. Paul could not go back to Thessalonica and this brought about Exasperation (v. 1).That Paul and his companions could…
Affection.1 Thessalonians 2:17-20. Dear Apple of God’s Eye, One of the things that come out very clearly in this letter is the great love that Paul and his companions have for the Thessalonian Christians. The Thessalonians are young in the faith and Paul would have loved to spend more time with them, to teach and…
The Persecutors. 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16. Dear Ambassadors of the Risen Christ, In the preceding passage, we saw the commendable devotion of the Thessalonians to the faith that they had embraced, in spite of the persecution that they had to endure. We now look at the persecutors. Murder (v. 15a). The Jewish opponents of the gospel were…
Thankfulness. 1 Thessalonians 2:13-14. Dear People of whom the World Is not Worthy, In the previous passage, we saw how Paul and his companions urged and encouraged the Thessalonians to “walk in a manner worthy of God.” Now we see how the Thessalonians responded. Reception (v. 13). Paul is thankful to God because his efforts and those…