The
Book of 1 Thessalonians

The first letter to the Thessalonians was likely the second of
all Paul's letters, probably written by the end of A.D. 52. It was written after
Timothy had returned from Macedonia, relating the state of the church in
Thessalonica (Acts 18:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 3:6). For the most part, the letter
is personal in nature, with only the final two chapters spent addressing issues
of doctrine, almost as an aside. Paul's main purpose in writing is to encourage
and reassure the Christians there. Paul urges them to go on working quietly
while waiting in hope for the return of Christ. This book addresses the
second advent, and Paul gives us every sign of Christ's return.
1 Thessalonians 1
1Paul,
and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in
God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from
God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. The salutation from Paul,
Silas and Timothy.
2We
give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
We thank God for you and pray for you constantly.
3Remembering
without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in
our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
Never
forgetting your works (loving deeds), as we talk to the Father about your
strong
faith and steady looking forward to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4Knowing,
brethren beloved, your election of God. The brethren chosen by God. Paul was also a
chosen vessel by God when he was struck down on the road to Damascus. (Paul
always taught on three levels). To the Gentiles, to the kings and rulers, and to
the nations and children of Israel. (Acts 9:15).
5For
our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy
Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you
for your sake. You listened when we brought you the "Good News" and you
listened with great interest. You saw the proof of power in the Holy spirit and
it gave you proof that what we were saying was true. Are very lives became more
proof to you of the truth of our message.
6And
ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much
affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. You became followers of us and
the Lord's; receiving our message with joy form the Holy spirit even with the
trials and sorrows it brought you.
7So
that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
You
became examples to all other Christians in Greece. (Just as we as Christians
are to become examples to others).
8For
from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but
also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not
to speak any thing. The Word has spread everywhere, far beyond your
boundaries and you did it on your own. (With God's help). How are you doing on spreading the Word?
9For
they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how
ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
How
wonderful you welcomed us and turned away from your idols to serve the living
and true God.
10And
to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which
delivered us from the wrath to come. We here
how you are looking forward to the return of God's Son who will deliver us from
God's anger against sin. Paul is speaking of the second advent, the
return of Christ.
I Thessalonians 2
1For
yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
They new how worthwhile that visit was and why he came.
2But
even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye
know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God
with much contention. You know how badly we were treated at Philippi just
before we came to you. Paul and Silas were thrown in jail. (Acts 16:22-23).
3For
our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
We
were not preaching with any false motives or evil purpose in mind, but we were
perfectly straightforward and sincere. "No nonsense, just truth."
4But
as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak;
not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. We speak as
messengers of God, trusted by Him to tell the truth. We don't change His message
one bit to please or suit the taste of those who hear it. We teach it bold and
to the point. There are many men pleasers out there teaching what pleases
people. They teach them what they want to hear so they feel more secure, and it
also brings more to the collection plate.
5For
neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of
covetousness; God is witness: We do not try to flatter anyone so we can
just get their money. We just teach God's word the way it is. In most churches
today there is a lot of flattery going on, and those who donate the most get the
most attention. (Money talks even in religion).
6Nor
of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have
been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. We have never asked for
praise or anything else from you, although as apostles of Christ we had a right
to some honor from you. (Never begged for money even though they were
deserving to be paid).
7But
we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
We
were as gentle with you as a mother feeding her child.
8So
being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you,
not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto
us. We not only gave you God's message, but we gave you our own lives
too. (Dedicated themselves to spread the gospel).
9For
ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day,
because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the
gospel of God. We worked hard at our trades so we would have enough money
not to be a burden to anyone. (Paul was a tent maker). They didn't make their
living off of God's word. (Take a look at your super preachers today). How many
of them live in excessive luxury? Many live in mansions, drive luxury cars, have
private planes, jets, helicopters and yachts. Do you think they labored in their
own trades for this money. "Not the majority of them." (They get it from your
hard earned
donations).
10Ye
are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved
ourselves among you that believe: You are our witness along with God that
we have been pure and honest with you.
11As
ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father
doth his children, We talked to you as a father to his own children,
pleading and encouraging you.
12That
ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
God gave you the calling and your daily lives should not embarrass God.
13For
this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word
of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is
in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
You received the Word as God's Word, not ours, or mans word. "It was God's word
that changed your lives when you believed it." (Yes, the word of God changes
lives).
14For
ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in
Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even
as they have of the Jews: You suffered what the churches of Judea did,
persecution form your own countrymen, just as they suffered from their own
people the Jews. (The word Jews here is referring to a resident of Judea). The Kenites were residence of Judea but were not
true Jews. (They were trouble makers).
15Who
both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and
they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Again, it was the work
of the Kenites who killed Jesus and the prophets. (John 8:44, Revelations 2:9).
"The Kenites work for devil because they are children of the devil."
16Forbidding
us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins
alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. The subject here
is the "Kenites." (The wrath will come upon them in the end).
17But
we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart,
endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
Paul
really wanted to return there, but it would be around another five years before
he did.
18Wherefore
we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
"Once again Satan puts on the breaks." (Satan will throw every brick
in the road at you when you work for Christ).
19For
what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence
of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? What is it that we live for, that
gives us hope and joy? It is you! You will bring us much joy when we stand
together before our Lord Jesus Christ when He returns.
20For
ye are our glory and joy. You are our trophy and joy.
I Thessalonians 3
1Wherefore
when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
I Paul decided to stay alone in Athens.
2And
sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the
gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
I sent Timothy, our brother and fellow co-worker to visit and strengthen you in
your faith.
3That
no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are
appointed thereunto. To keep you from becoming fainthearted in all the
troubles you were going through.
4For
verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer
tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. We told you when we
were with you before of the suffering that would come. Any time you teach truth
of God's Word you will not become very popular. (Only those with eyes to
see and ears to hear truth will accept what you teach).
5For
this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by
some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
Paul
had to find out if their faith was still strong in the Lord, and that the deceiver
had not got the best of them. Who is the deceiver? Satan himself! He is
coming soon to deceive the world.
6But
now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your
faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring
greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Timothy returned with the good
news that their faith and love were as strong as ever. They took the word far
beyond their church to many others.
7Therefore,
brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your
faith: You made it all worthwhile now that we know that you are standing
true to the Lord.
8For
now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. We can bear anything now that
we know that you remain strong in the Lord. We as Christians can have eternal life in the
Lord. (The choice is yours).
9For
what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy
for your sakes before our God; How can we thank God enough for you
(the Thessalonians), and
what a joy you are to God.
10Night
and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that
which is lacking in your faith? We pray that we will see you again to
fill up any little cracks there may yet be in your faith. (At times we
need to fill in the blanks).
11Now
God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
May God our Father and Jesus Christ send us back to you again.
12And
the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward
all men, even as we do toward you: This is Christian love that truth
brings towards one another by sharing your faith.
13To
the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our
Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
The
results of this is in your hearts being made strong, sinless and holy by God our
Father, so that you may stand before Him guiltless on the day our Lord Jesus
Christ returns. Now keep in mind that the subject here in chapters 1,2, and 3 is
at the return of Christ.
I Thessalonians 4
1Furthermore
then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have
received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more
and more. Live as closely to God's Word as possible.
"Forget mans word; it will only get you in trouble."
2For
ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. Speaking of the ten
commandments of God.
3For
this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from
fornication: Idolatry as well as adultery. Follow the ten commandments
and Gods word; not idol teachings and traditions of men.
4That
every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and
honour; Sanctification is purification, or holiness. Paul
would teach us that the flesh body always wars with the spirit. (Always
strive for the
spirit to rule). "This will set you aside from the rest of the world."
5Not
in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
To lust and desire for what is forbidden is what the heathens do.
This only shows their
ignorance of Gods Word. (The lust and practices of the world will never help you).
6That
no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is
the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
What goes around comes around! Their are no unsolved mysteries with God; and He
is the avenger.
7For
God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
God wants us
to be as pure and holy as possible; but man always comes up a little short of true
holiness. (We are not perfect like God).
8He
therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto
us his holy Spirit. He who does not try and live by the Holy Spirit, but
by evil spirits, hates God!
9But
as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves
are taught of God to love one another. The Thessalonians were doing just fine, and God
was teaching them to love one another in Christ. (Good old brotherly love).
10And
indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we
beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; Their brotherly
love spread throughout the nation to all the Christian brothers and sisters and
beyond.
11And
that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your
own hands, as we commanded you; Live a quite life, minding your own
business, and doing your own work.
12That
ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of
nothing. Those who are not Christians will trust and respect you and you
will not need to depend on others to make a living. If you have the truth and
spread it around to help others, God will give you what you need to get by.
13But
I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,
that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. Paul is about
to explain to them what happens to a Christian when they die, so when it happens, they would
not be sorrowed. (This is a good thing to look forward to when we die).
14For
if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in
Jesus will God bring with him. If we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, we must believe that when a Christian dies, God will also bring them with
Him. Upon death the body returns to the dust of the earth and the spirit goes
back to the Heavenly Father who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7). When we are absent
from this flesh body, our soul (or self), and our spirit (intellect of
the soul), is present with the Lord. (2
Corinthians 5:7-8). The flesh body is no more part of us when we die.
15For
this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain
unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
Those who are alive when the Lord returns will not prevent (or precede), those
who are dead, because the dead are already there with the Lord. Read our study
topic titled: "Where are the dead."
16For
the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
At the last trump (7th trump), the dead in Christ of course will
rise first because they
are already there.
17Then
we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
As "gathered like a cloud" is used as a statement. "Like a cloud of locust"
or "cloud of witnesses." (Hebrews 12:1). Now, what about the ones which are alive to
meet the Lord in the air? We must go back to the original Greek to translate air
which is (Aer = Breathe, Strong's 109 Greek Dictionary), prime from (Psucho = To
Breathe, 5594) prime from (Psuche = Breath or Spirit, 5590) prime from (Pneuma =
Spirit or Breath of Life, 4151). When Christ returns at the seventh trump, we
will be changed into our spirit bodies to meet him. (This is not a rapture of the
church as many believe). "This is a gathering back to Christ."
Do not be deceived with false doctrine!
18Wherefore
comfort one another with these words. Comfort and encourage each other
with this news. The words of truth; not a bunch of fables and traditions of men.
I Thessalonians 5
1But
of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
The times and seasons when the Lord will return.
2For
yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the
night. Jesus will come as a thief in the night. So, we need to remain on guard
and not spiritually asleep. (Study the word and you will know what is going
to happen in the end times).
3For
when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,
as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Those who
are saying everything is quite well and peaceful along with the misled and
ignorant, will not escape. Destruction will fall upon them suddenly. Who will
bring in this cry for peace and safety? The one world order and one world
religious system.
4But
ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
You are not in darkness about these matters, but rather you know what is
going to happen. You will not be surprised as by a thief when the day of the
Lord comes.
5Ye
are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the
night, nor of darkness. We are children of the light because Christ is
the light. "Christ has no darkness in Him." Satan is a child of the night and
darkness. (He is the dark one).
6Therefore
let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Know Gods
Word. "Be on watch for His return."
7For
they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the
night. i.e. When you fall into the darkness of ignorance, you will fall away
from God, just as a drunk in the night. (Don't let the darkness take you
over).
8But
let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and
love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. Let us who live in the
light stay on guard; protected by the Gospel armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11-17).
9For
God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus
Christ, God has not chosen to pour out His anger upon us, but rather save
us through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10Who
died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Christ died for us so we could live with Him forever, whether we are dead or
alive. "We can live in Christ and dwell with Him."
11Wherefore
comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Encourage each other and help each other out in the Word. (Never hold on to a
truth for yourself, share it with others so they may also benefit).
12And
we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you
in the Lord, and admonish you; Speaking of those who work hard and are skilled in the
Word. They can warn you against what is wrong, and make you aware of false teachings.
13And
to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among
yourselves. Love them for the work they do. We can all find peace in the Word of God if we let the Word
do the correcting and not man. (God's word has its own special way of
correcting all people).
14Now
we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded,
support the weak, be patient toward all men. Warn the lazy, comfort the
frightened, take care of the weak, and be patient with everyone. (Qualities
of a good Christian teacher).
15See
that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good,
both among yourselves, and to all men. Do not pay back evil for evil, but
rather try to do good towards each other. (All people).
16Rejoice
evermore. Always be joyful. "A smile goes a long way."
17Pray
without ceasing. Always keep on praying. Even if you do not always get
what you pray for, our Heavenly Father knows what you need. (Our Heavenly
Father loves when you call on Him, even just to talk).
18In
every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will
concerning you who belong to Jesus Christ.
19Quench
not the Spirit. "Do not smother the Holy Spirit." This can also
refer to the unpardonable sin spoke of in (Luke 12:10-12). Refusing to
let the Holy Spirit speak through you if you are delivered up against the
antichrist. (Let the spirit speak for you).
20Despise
not prophesyings. Do not scoff at those who prophesy, but on the other
hand; don't listen to a fool either. (Always check them out with
God's Word).
21Prove
all things; hold fast that which is good. Test everything that is said to
be sure it is true. Again, check it out with the Word and stay focused on what is good.
22Abstain
from all appearance of evil. "Stay away from evil things."
23And
the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and
soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Try to stay focused on Gods Word and live the best you can.
Then you will be
blameless at the Lord's return. (God only wants you to try your best to
be a good person).
24Faithful
is he that calleth you, who also will do it. God called you to become His
child and He will do all this for you just as He promised. "Know that He will
return." He is coming soon!
25Brethren,
pray for us. Pray for others as well as yourself.
26Greet
all the brethren with an holy kiss. Always greet others with Christian
love. "Praise the Lord," is a popular greeting among most Christians.
27I
charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
I command you to read this letter to all Christians, or to all that will listen.
28The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. May the grace of God be
with you. Amen.
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