Let Me Not Wander

and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10 - ESV) Continuing the thought from the previous collection of verses... the ones that are "waiting for his Son from heaven" are the Thessalonians. This is the Jesus that the Father raised from the Dead. This is the Jesus who will deliver us from the wrath to come (eternal punishment in hell). 

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, (1 Thessalonians 1:9 - ESV) "They" ... the residents of Achaia and Macedonia that Paul has encountered are reporting to Paul, as he meets them, the way the Thessalonians received Paul and then responded to the message of the Gospel. Though turning from Idols is only mentioned here... This would have been a big deal for anyone from this time period. The real emphasis, as we will see, is the turn toward the living and true God. 

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. (1 Thessalonians 1:8 - ESV) As mentioned in the previous verse, the members of the Thessalonian church have become examples for this entire area. Their Faith in God is being demonstrated in such a way that Paul doesn't need to say anything to begin the work. I don't believe that Paul doesn't literally need to say anything at all, the gospel still needs to be demonstrated in Word, but their example has started the conversations that need to happen. 

so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:7 - ESV) The members of this Thessalonians Church have now become examples to the entire surrounding area. Thessalonika was located on a main crossroads and offered access to other communities in every direction. This church has not been silent in their living testimonial of what God was doing. They have made Paul's job easier (as we will see in the next few verses) to be able to have an example besides himself to point to. 

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, (1 Thessalonians 1:6 -- ESV) Paul is an imitator of our Lord Jesus Christ and he has set himself up to be an example for the Thessalonians to follow. True Christian Leadership is never going to be a "Do as I say, not as I do!" mentality. It will instead be a "Here is how you do it." display.

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5 - ESV) I believe that Paul is delving deeper into this gratitude that he has for the Thessalonian Church. He is now referring to the time when he was there with them and the Gospel of Jesus Christ was presented to them. The Gospel, he says, came not only in Word, but in three other things: (1) Power, (2) Holy Spirit, and (3) Full Conviction.  There is an interesting direction that Paul begins to take in this verse, that some would consider to be self-promoting or self-congratulating, but when done in the context of gratitude to God, it is a display of humility. We will see this played out a little more clearly in Chapter 2 of 1 Thessalonians. 

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, (1 Thessalonians 1:4 - ESV) Once again, Paul directs his praise all toward God. These Thessalonians that are displaying Faith, Love, and Hope through their Work, Labor, and Steadfastness... They are Loved by God.  Now, ask the question, "Are they loved by God because of their displays of Faith, Hope, and Love? Or are they displaying these things because they are loved by God?" I believe that the answer is obvious for two reasons. Consider first that Paul is thankful TO God for the Faith, Hope, and Love of the Thessalonians. He is not thanking the Thessalonian people for these things, he is thanking God! And if there is any question, consider also that final statement in this verse: that God has CHOSEN them!  What a great reality this is. 

remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:3 - ESV) Now Paul is getting into the specifics on why he is thankful to God for these Thessalonians. Notice the "triad" of things he is thankful for...  1. Faith -- Displayed in Work.  2. Love -- Displayed in Labor 3. Hope -- Displayed in Steadfastness.  This is not the first (or last) time that Paul mentions these three together: Faith, Hope, and Love. In 1 Corinthians chapter 13, he ends by pointing these three out, the order is different here, but the same three are mentioned. For the Corinthians, Paul may have ended on Love because that is what they were most needing to hear about, and it truly is the greatest of these. For the Thessalonians, Paul may have ended on Hope, because that is the place where they were in most need of encouragement.  Faith was displayed in work. This is actions and behaviors. Things that the ...

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, (1 Thessalonians 1:2 - ESV) "We" is Paul, Silas (Silvanus), and Timothy; and this trio is thanking God, in unison, for this Church at Thessalonika.  When are they doing this? -- Always. Constantly mentioning them in their prayers. Paul, Silas, and Timothy's thankfulness is to God for the Thessalonians. This demonstrates that the things that they will be thankful for and have been thankful for, are attributed to God's grace displayed in the lives of the Thessalonians. 

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. (1 Thessalonians 1:1 - ESV) Paul and Silas (Silvanus) had left Philippi and entered Thessalonika. After being there and ministering, he had been basically forced to leave the city. Paul is now in Corinth and thinking of the church that was planted in Thessalonika, missing them, worrying about them, praying for them, and writing a letter to them.  He begins his letter to that church in the way he most often does. He includes who he is with, now joined by Timothy, and greets them in the name of the Father and the Son, hoping that God's Grace and Peace are on them.