Teaching Notes I THESSALONIANS 1 to 3
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The first Quarantine in the USA since 1918 continues. I have completely lost count of the days at this point. It is 25 or something.
The Georgia Supreme Court has closed the Georgia Court systems to April 13, 2020. Today it extended the shutdown to May 13, 2020. Not sure how we will all adjust to a multi-month closure of the Courts. Time will tell. [And I realize that if this is read many years or decades from now, it will date this post. I recognize this. However, "this" is what is happening today.]
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"The grass withers and the flower [fades], but the word of [the Lord] endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8."
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Tours: Thessalonica
Tour
Ancient Thessalonica -- Footsteps of St Paul
Tours: Modern Thessalonica
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I
THESSALONIANS
The
Lord’s Second Coming
The
Church in Thessalonica was founded about
51 AD, on
Paul’s
Second Missionary Journey, Acts 17:1-9.
It seems, from Acts 17:2, that Paul was there only three
weeks.
But Pps 4:16; I Thes 2:9; II Thes 3:8 imply that he was
there
longer. It may be that he preached in the synagogue three
sabbaths,
and later in some other place. But, at most, he was
not
there long enough to fully instruct the church.
Driven
out of. Thessalonica, he went to Berea, about 50 miles
to
the W. But soon Was driven from Berea, leaving Silas and
Timothy
there. When Paul got to Athens, 200 miles to the
lonesome,
he sent word back to Berea for Silas and Timothy
to come
to him with all possible speed, Acts 17:14,15. When
they
reached Athens, Paul, filled with anxiety about the young
church
in Thessalonica, immediately sent Timothy back. Ву the
time
Timothy returned Paul had gone from Athens to Corinth.
Timothy
brought word that the Thessalonian Christians were
enduring
their persecutions bravely; but that some had died, and
the
others were puzzled 'to know how those that had. died Would
get
any benefit of the Lord's Coming, a doctrine that Paul
evidently
had specially stressed in Thessalonica.
Then
it was that Paul wrote this Letter, to tell them, mainly,
that
those who had died would be at no disadvantage when the
Lord
Comes.
Thessalonica.
Modern “Salonika”. Situated at the NW corner
of
the Aegean Sea, facing a fine harbor, on a rich and well-
watered
plain, on the great Northern Military Highway from
Rome
to the East. Within sight of Mt Olympus, home of the
Greek
gods. Leading city of Macedonia in Paul's day. Still a
prosperous
city.
Paul‘s
Work in Thessalonica. Though there only a short time,
Paul
created a great stir. His enemies accused him of “turning
the
world upside down", Acts 17:6. A ”great multitude of Greeks
and
chief Women” believed, Acts 17:4. It was heralded all over
Greece,
I Thes 128,9.
Chapter
1. Fame of The Church
“In
power", 5, must refer to miracles which accompanied and
attested
Paul’s preaching, though none are mentioned in Acts.
“An
example", 7, to all Greece, of fortitude under persecution,
and
of a genuinely Christian manner. of life." “Wait for his Son",
10,
thus Paul closes every chapter with a reference to the Lord's
Coming,
2:19; 3:13; 4:16-18; 5:23p
Chapter
2., Paul’s Conduct Among Them
This
chapter is given mainly to Paul’s vindication of his con-
duct
in Thessalonica. The language rather conveys the impression
that
the enemies who were so bitterly persecuting the Thessa-
lonian
Christians were militantly engaged 'in a campaign. to
blacken
Paul’s character.
He
reminds them that he had taken no pay from them, which
was
in itself evidence that he could not have been actuated by
motives
of covetousness, as some travelling philosophers were.
And
reminds them also of his unselfish and tender devotion to
them,
and that he was, in every way, an example to them of the
things
which “he preached.
Their
Suffering. 13-16. It seems that the unbelieving Jews and
“certain
vile fellows of the rabble”, Acts 17:5, who had driven
Paul
out of Thessalonica, were still, with relentless fury, venting
their
Wrath against Jason and the rest of the Christians there.
Paul
tries to comfort them by reminding them that the mother
churches
in Judea had been persecuted in the same manner.
So had
Christ. So had he himself. But “wrath to the uttermost".
16,
is their lot: those who killed the Lord and persecute the
Church.
There is no hope of their repentance, and no escape from
their
doom: the impending destruction of Jerusalem, and their
eternal
doom in the Day of Judgment.
Paul’s
Plan to Return to Thessalonica, 17-20. “once and again",
18,
means that at least twice he had made an effort to get back
to Thessalonica
but “Satan hindered” him. In the early part
‚of
this same Missionary Journey Paul had made certain plans,
and
the Holy Spirit hindered him, Act57 16:6,7. Then it was
God
who was interfering _With his plans. Now it is Satan. We
Wonder
how Paul knew that in one case it was God, and in
the
other case Satan. How did Satan hinder him? Possibly,
by
illness, or by opposition of the civil authorities. At any rate.
Paul
knew that it was the arch enemy of the Church who was
keeping
him away from his beloved Thessalonian brethren.
He
was still praying “night and day", 3:10-11, that he might
return.
He felt that one of the brightest stars in his crown in
the
day of the Lord's Coming would be the Thessalonian Church.
his
“hope, joy, crown and glory", 19-20.
Chapter
3. Timothy’s Report
Paul,
in deepest anxiety for the new-born Thessalonian Church,
had
sent Timothy back to encourage them under their bitter
persecution.
See Introductory Note, and Acts 17:15; 18:15:
I
Thes 3:1,2.6. Timothy’s return with the news of their stead-
‘fastness
and devotion filled Paul with unbounded joy.
From The Bible Project (c)
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1
Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy,
To
the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace
and peace to you.
Thanksgiving
for the Thessalonians’ Faith
2 We
always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor
prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4
For we know, brothers and sisters[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5
because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with
the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your
sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the
message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 The
Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in
God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about
it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell
how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to
wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues
us from the coming wrath.
Footnotes:
1
Thessalonians 1:1 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
1
Thessalonians 1:4 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers
here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 2:1, 9,
14, 17; 3:7; 4:1, 10, 13; 5:1, 4, 12, 14, 25, 27.
1
Thessalonians 2 New International Version (NIV)
Paul’s
Ministry in Thessalonica
2
You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.
2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you
know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face
of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or
impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
4 On the contrary, we speak as
those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to
please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery,
nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not
looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as
apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were
like young children[a] among you.
Just
as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we
loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of
God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our
toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to
anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so
is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own
children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of
God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13
And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God,
which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it
actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14
For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea,
which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things
those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the
prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone
16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be
saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of
God has come upon them at last.[b]
Paul’s
Longing to See the Thessalonians
17
But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you
for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we
made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I,
Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope,
our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus
when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Footnotes:
1
Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts were gentle
1
Thessalonians 2:16 Or them fully
1
Thessalonians 3 New International Version (NIV)
3 So
when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in
Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in
spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well
that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept
telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you
well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find
out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you
and that our labors might have been in vain.
Timothy’s
Encouraging Report
6
But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about
your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of
us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore,
brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged
about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are
standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for
all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day
we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in
your faith.
11
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to
come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each
other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen
your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God
and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
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Papyri 61
1 Thessalonians
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1_Thessalonians_1
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New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Some content adapted from Halley, Henry H., Bible Handbook, Grayson Publishing, Minneapolis, MN. © 1927 - 1959, 1964
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Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia
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