1 Thessalonians

The prayer reflects the transition in Paul's life from anguish to exhilaration. The prayer served to conclude what he had said in this section (2:13:13) and prepared the readers for what Paul had to say in the second half of the letter. He prayed that God would enable him to visit his friends. Then he asked the Lord to perfect and enlarge the love the Thessalonians had already displayed toward one another.

Love toward God and toward others turns us away from selfish concerns and opens the way to moral perfection that is the condition of holiness. This radical transformation of character Paul desired for the church then and God desires for believers today so that they may face Christ's return without fear or shame. Daringly Paul set himself as a standard of love to be emulated, a step he could take only because of his imitation of Jesus (see 1 Thess. 1:5-7).

The second section of the letter shifts to ethical or doctrinal issues. Up to this point the letter has been intensely personal. Now it shifts to instruction and exhortation.

Paul encouraged his readers to purity of life, love, and faithful work. The word "finally" was used to indicate the transition in Paul's thought. He addressed matters of moral irregularities and brotherly love.

Pagan culture looked upon sexual immorality either indifferently or favorably. Had church members slipped into immorality they probably would not have thought it strange. Paul gave general guidelines concerning pleasing God and then specific ones focused on sexual morality. To please God is to do His will, and His will is the sanctification of the believer.

Verses 6-8 provide theological reasons for his ethical exhortations. These include the judgment of God and God's calling on their lives; the words themselves are God's words. To reject these words is to reject God.

Paul turned from negative commands in verses 1-8 to positive concerns in verses 9-12. The manner of the believer's lifestyle should be characterized by mutual edification. God's will includes the necessity of moral purity and love relationship with people, which demands openness and self-sacrifice on the part of believers.

This important paragraph holds out hope for believers during times of sorrow. The believing community should not grieve over those who have died in Jesus because God will bring them with Jesus at the return of the Lord. Paul desired that these believers not grieve as those who are without hope.

The "Lord's own word" further confirmed the fact that the Christian dead will experience no disadvantage at the Lord's return. Paul said the living believer will not have an advantage at the Lord's appearing. In fact, the Christian dead will rise first. After that those "who are still alive" will be "caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." These encouraging words provided great comfort to those whose family members had already died. Also it served as the basis for an evangelistic appeal to those who have no hope. Paul exhorted the believers to comfort one another with these words.

In this section Paul continued his discussion about the Lord's return with particular emphasis on the meaning of the Day of the Lord. Since the Day of the Lord will come suddenly and unexpectedly, bringing destruction on those who are spiritually insensitive, believers should maintain spiritual alertness. The good news for the Thessalonians and for all believers is that their destiny is not wrath but eschatological deliverance through Jesus Christ. Again Paul exhorted believers to comfort one another.

Believers should encourage and build up one another in the faith because one day we will live with Christ. The simultaneous truths concerning the return of Christ and the resurrection of believers offer hope and meaning for living. The flip side is that at the Day of the Lord, God's wrath will be revealed. There is no universalism in this text. People need to be saved from the wrath to come by placing their faith and hope in the Lord.

The concluding section stresses the responsibilities to the different people in the Christian community. Paul told them they were responsible to church leaders. Leaders were to guard against abusing their authority.

Verses 14-15 focused on their responsibilities to others. They were to warn when necessary, encourage the timid, and show kindness to one another. Responsibilities to oneself and to one's spiritual relationship with God can be seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Compliance with other commands and exhortations in the book is impossible apart from personal communion with God. To "be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances" is possible even in the midst of persecution when one recognizes God's superintendence over all things (see Rom. 8:28).

Paul shifted the focus from the personal to the community in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22. Here Paul reflected on the believers' responsibilities in Christian worship. They were not to underestimate the importance of prophecy while holding "on to the good." Finally they were to be free from every kind of evil that attempts to parade itself as a genuine representation of the Spirit.

Paul offered edifying words of blessing for the church. These comments underscore the importance of prayer in carrying out the purposes of God. Paul's signature theme—"the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ"—concludes this pastoral and encouraging letter.

Theological Significance. The letter is more practical than theological. It is God-centered throughout. God chose them unto salvation (1 Thess. 1:4). His will is the guide for all believers (1 Thess. 4:3). He calls His people to holy living (1 Thess. 4:7) and imparts sanctification to them so they can live obediently. He raised Jesus from the dead (1 Thess. 4:14) and will raise believers to be with Him at the Lord's return (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11).

The letter was written specifically to reassure those who were concerned about believers who had already died. Words of comfort and hope from Paul about the resurrection of believers provide equally good news for the church of all times in all places. This good news serves as a basis for practical and godly living.

Bruce, F. F. 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco: Word, 1982.

Hiebert, D. E. The Thessalonian Epistles. Chicago: Moody, 1971.

Marshall, I. Howard. 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.

Stott, John R. W. The Gospel and the End of Time. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1991.