1 Thessalonians 1 STRONG FAITH - A GOOD REPUTATION
In the course of the Christian life, we will have burdens to bear that we may not have expected when we were first saved. There will be pressures to conform to the ways of the world, to compromise our faith, and to live only for the present. Grief over the passing of loved ones and disappointments because of failed expectations seek to overwhelm us in our efforts to further the Gospel. The first-century Christians of Thessalonica in Greece had been expecting the Lord Jesus Christ to return right away. The death of some of their number seemed to have left them uncertain in regard to the Lord's Coming. Paul was the writer of the epistle, but he included Silvanus and Timotheus as fellow workers and those who shared the truth of this hope. The first mention of the subject in chapter one is an inspiring hope linked with their salvation. It is an encouraging hope to the servants in chapter two. It is a purifying hope for the believers in chapter three. It is a comforting hope to the bereaved in chapter four and a rousing hope to the sleepy Christians in chapter five.
When Paul first preached in the synagogue at Thessalonica, he would have taught that the predictions of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament scriptures were fulfilled when "the Christ" came in the flesh as Jesus of Nazareth. He "reasoned" with them by arranging biblical arguments supporting his teaching in ways they could be understood. "Opening' included both the scriptures and the minds of the hearers by expounding the word of God contextually in the way it was written. "Alleging" involves explaining and comparing his teaching with the scriptures. During the initial stages of the work there, he worked with his own hands to meet his needs and that of others. He had received at least two gifts from the Philippian assembly while there to support him in his work.
For at least three Sabbaths, he was teaching in the synagogue. The places he preached after that are not told, but we know the opposition became strong against them at the beginning of the work. In fact, it was so strong that Paul and Silas had to go away at night to Berea. The Jews stirred those who opposed them by charging them with turning "the world upside down." Timothy later returned to teach and encourage the saints. Now Paul writes as a father would write his children.
He begins with the first of twelve features that mark the children of God. A local church is composed of those who have been called out from the world and called unto the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ in a community. In keeping with the fatherly address of Paul to the Thessalonian saints, he told them they are "in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." This is the only time he speaks of the Father in this way in all his epistles. In this form of writing in this epistle, the emphasis is on our position in Christ. In other epistles, it is on the location of the local church on earth. Jesus is referred to as "Lord" twenty-five times in this epistle. Silas and Timothy are brethren in fellowship with Paul in their interest in the believers at Thessalonica. The support of fellowship with others in a work is strengthening and encouraging to those we are seeking to influence.
The grace of our Lord and the peace He gives sums up the Gospel and its effects. Prayers of thanksgiving and supplication for the assembly have a great impact on the Lord's people. Praying without ceasing has the idea of constantly reoccurring prayer rather than uninterrupted prayer. Continual thanks keep important things and people at the forefront of our minds. That, in turn, reminds us of the believers in that place as people of faith who practiced what they believed. They were also people of love who meet the needs of others without expecting compensation. People of hope are not easily discouraged. The work of saving faith is faith demonstrated. The labor of love is the intense action of self-sacrifice. "The hope" is what motivates the patience of hope. These three characteristics for the basis of our consecration.
Brethren beloved are believers whom the Lord loves unconditionally. They were in the same family as Paul, with the same interests and the same thinking as others in the family of God. They have experienced election not by their intuition, and they know its blessings from observation of the differences in life from those who are of the world. The elect is beloved by God and elected by God, even if we cannot explain it. Our knowledge of it is real to us because of what is seen and heard. "Our Gospel" is the same as the Gospel of God. He is the Source of the Gospel in whom we put our trust. The subject is the message of the Messiah sent to redeem us. The responsibility is ours to speak of and preach to others with conviction. The walk of believers demonstrates the word, the power to change, and the evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in the assurance they have in Christ.
The purpose of God is the proclamation of the Gospel [v.4]. The presentation of the Gospel assures us of its accomplishments demonstrated by the messengers of God to the Thessalonians. They imitated the apostles and those who followed the Lord. Disciple/followers turned to God, and as afflicted ones, their testimony was challenged. The power of their faith brought about the practical results of joy, exemplary lives, and the public proclamation of the Gospel, like heralds using trumpets and reaching far out. Being models of truth in everyday life is the best way we can prepare for Gospel work. The internal effect of the joy of the Holy Ghost makes the words we speak affect those who hear them. Afflictions are the outward effect that demonstrates how the Gospel truth really works in everyday life. The message of salvation brings joy and suffering because those who live "godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
There is a motivation in new believers to see the word of God sounded out to as many people in as many places as possible. That is one of the greatest causes of our joy because we know what it is like to be saved from hell and the consequences of sin. The entering of the Gospel depends to a great degree on the way those who preach present themselves and the message. Turning to God happens when people know something is missing in their lives and the idolatry of their main interest does not satisfy them. Servants of God have a new Master and are involved in new services with new goals. Idolaters do not have a "living God." The service of the "true God" anticipates an active interest in the things of the kingdom of God.
"Waiting" for the Son of God to come does not mean we are inactive or just filling in time trivially. This does mean we wait patiently. We know the Lord is Coming, and because we are sure of that but do not know when it will take place, we are highly motivated to work for the kingdom of God with expectancy. What a blessed hope it is that we may be engaged in His service with enthusiasm when He calls us to Himself. Features that mark the Holy Spirit's work through us are effective Gospel work when the word is preached with power and understanding. It is confirmed when there is joy and suffering, and the believer rises above circumstances. He guards us lest we presume upon His love and reminds us not to quench the flame of zeal nor to forget our sanctification.