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| Chapter 1 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, Unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 ¶ We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father, 4 knowing, brethren beloved, of your election by God. 5 For our Gospel came unto you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 ¶ And ye became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that ye were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For from you sounded forth 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 speak anything. 9 For they themselves show 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, 10 and to wait for His Son from Heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come. |
Paul and his missionary team, who were known by the Macedonian churches, sent their greetings. Silvanus (Silas), who had replaced Barnabas on this second missionary outreach. Acts 15:39,40 and Timothy. Paul mentions them because they were involved in the starting of the church in that area, Act 17:1-9. v2 Because of the way the fellowship accepted the Gospel Paul has prayers of thanks for them "always," whenever he prayed. There does not seem to be any members who were causing problems as he does not pray for them. v3 Paul is full of joy and remembrance of the time he was with them and their growth in the Lord Jesus since their faith, hope and love are remembered. ‘Faith,’ in the past. A ‘Love’ for each other - the present. And ‘Hope’ for the future and the Second coming. v4-5 Paul is full of thanks for the "election" by God. "Election" comes from the love of God, because of His attributes of knowing all things, God can see which people will accept His offer of salvation. For knowledge 1 Peter 1:2. Paul was certain of their election not just because of his words but by the action and power of the Holy Spirit, v5. The "word" was preached by men and then confirmed by the Holy Spirit, this made those who accepted it know that it was the word of God. "know what manner of men." The apostles practiced what they preached because the Holy Spirit had changed their lives. v6 This encouraged the fellowship believers to become "followers" or copiers and responded to the message, even though under pressure and attack from the world which opposed Christ. John 16:33; Gal 5:22; 1 Peter 2:19-21. v7 As a result this church became a pattern or model for the believers in the Macedonia area, affecting the whole of Greece. v8 They were like a trumpet sending the message out to the area. Paul had great joy over this church and wanted to report their faith, but where ever he went he often found the news had already gone before him. v9,10 A church which was serving and waiting. Wherever Paul went on his ministry the local church told him how the Thessalonian church members had spread the message and how they had looked after Paul and his team, seeking to follow their teaching, turning away from idols to serve the living God. Not only serving, like a slave in complete subjection, but looking and waiting, with patience, for the return of Jesus from heaven, Matt 24:42; Matt 25:13; Acts 1:11; Phil 3:20,21. Looking for the Jesus who had died for them and saved them from the anger of God, John 3:16; Acts 17:31; Rom 5:9; Rom 9:22. |
Easy English Translation
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