Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
1 THESSALONIANS 1
1 Paul, Silas 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 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.
Application Notes
1:1 Paul and his companions probably arrived in Thessalonica in the early summer of AD 51. They planted the first Christian church in that city, but they had to leave in a hurry because their lives were threatened (Acts 17:1-10). At the first opportunity, probably when he stopped at Corinth, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to see how the new believers were doing. Timothy returned to Paul with good news: The Christians in Thessalonica were remaining firm in the faith and were unified. But the Thessalonians did have some questions about their new faith. Paul had not had time to answer all their questions during his brief visit, and in the meantime, other questions had arisen. So Paul wrote this letter to answer their questions and to commend them on their faithfulness to Christ.
1:1 For more information on Paul, see his profile on page 1899. Silas accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey and helped Paul establish the church in Thessalonica (Acts 15:36-17:15). He is also mentioned in 2 Corinthians 1:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; and 1 Peter 5:12. Silas's profile is on page 1911. Timothy's profile is on page 2103.
1:1 Thessalonica was the capital and largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia (with a population of about 200,000). The most important Roman highway, the Egnatian Way--extending from the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea all the way to modern-day Istanbul--went through Thessalonica. This highway, along with the city's thriving seaport, made Thessalonica one of the wealthiest and most flourishing trade centres in the Roman Empire. Recognised as a free city, Thessalonica was allowed self-rule and was exempted from most of the restrictions placed by Rome on other cities in the empire. With its international flavour, however, came many pagan religions and cultural influences that challenged the faith of the young Christians there.
1:3 The Thessalonians had stood firm when·they were persecuted (1:6; 3:1-4, 7-8). Paul commended these young Christians for their work produced by faith, labour prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope. These characteristics are the marks of faithful Christians in any age.
1:4 Paul reminded the Thessalonians of their status as God's chosen ones. Very few issues cause more confusion and even arguments among Christians than the issue of election (being chosen by God). It is difficult to simultaneously embrace God's sovereignty in choosing us and our human responsibility in choosing to follow him. Even though we cannot completely comprehend how these two truths can coexist, we can affirm the following: Being chosen comes from the heart of God (not our minds), should be an incentive to please God (not ignore him), and should give birth to gratitude (not pride or complacency). Human responsibility requires that we actively confess Christ as Lord focus on living to please him, and share the gospel with others.
God's choice of us energises us to obey and to serve. Our following God challenges us to build lives worthy of him. As you consider God's divine selection of you, how do you respond?
1:5 The gospel came "with power"; it had a profound effect on the Thessalonians. Whenever the Bible is heard and obeyed, lives are changed! Christianity is more than a collection of knowledge or a religious system; because of Jesus' work of salvation, the power of God through the Holy Spirit resides in everyone who believes. What has God's power done in your life since you first believed?
1:5 The Holy Spirit changes people when they believe the gospel. When we tell others about Christ, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to open their eyes and convince them that they need salvation. God's power--not our cleverness or persuasion--changes people. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, our words are meaningless. The Holy Spirit not only convicts people of sin but also assures them of the truth of the gospel. (For more on the Holy Spirit, see John 14:23-26; 15:26-27; and the notes on John 3:6 and Acts 1:5.)
1:5 Paul, Silas, and Timothy preached the truth and lived what they taught. The Thessalonians knew these words were true because they witnessed the results in the lives of these men. Does your life confirm what you say you believe? Put your words into action, asking God for the ability to live in such a way that proves the truth of his words.
1:6 The message of salvation, though welcomed with great joy, had brought the Thessalonians severe suffering because it had led to persecution from both Jews and Gentiles (3:2-4; Acts 17:5). Many believers today think that pain is the exception in the Christian life. When suffering occurs, they say, Why me? They feel as though God has deserted them, or perhaps they accuse him of not being as dependable as they thought he should be. In reality, the world is sinful, so even believers suffer. God allows some Christians to become martyrs for the faith, and he allows others to survive persecution. Rather than asking, Why me? We should ask, Why not me? Our faith and the values of this world are on a collision course. If we expect pain and suffering to come, we will not be shocked when they do. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus also suffered. He understands our fears, our weaknesses, and our disappointments (Hebrews 2:16-18; 4:14-16). He promised never to leave us (Matthew 28:18-20), and he intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 7:24-25). In times of pain, persecution, or suffering, trust confidently in Christ to help and comfort you in the difficult times and for the confident hope of eternal life free from pain and adversity.
1:9-10 We should respond to the gospel as the Thessalonians did: Turn to God, serve God, and wait for the return of his Son, Jesus Christ, from heaven. We should turn from sin to God because a relationship with Christ brings joy and purpose and because we know that Christ is coming again to judge the earth. We should be fervent in our service because we have little time to impact the world before Christ returns. We should be prepared for Christ to return because we don't know I when he will come.
1:10 Paul emphasised Christ's second coming throughout this letter. Since the Thessalonian church was being persecuted, Paul encouraged them to look forward to the deliverance that Christ would bring in the future. Our greatest and surest hope is in the return of Jesus, our great God and Saviour; when Jesus returns, he will make all things right (Titus 2:13). Our perspective on life remains incomplete without this hope. Just as surely as Christ was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven, he will return (Acts 1:11).
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)