Bible Commentaries
1 Thessalonians

1Thess

The blessed expectation of our Lord's return before the day of His indignation is the subject of these, Paul's earliest epistles. It is the early opening wedge between those who received his ministry among the nations and those of the Circumcision, who looked for Messiah's advent after the display of His indignation and the destruction of man's kingdoms. The historical background for this change is given in the book of Acts, though the doctrine itself is not found there because the Acts is a treatise on the kingdom of God for Israel. In the ministry of our Lord and His twelve apostles His coming is always presented in its connection with the promised kingdom. It will be with power and great glory ( Mat_24:30 ; Mar_13:26 ; Luk_21:27 ). His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives ( Act_1:11-12 ; Zec_14:1-5 ). All the predictions in the book of Daniel and in the Revelation of Jesus Christ will find fulfillment from then on. It will follow an era of the most awful and terrific judgments mankind will ever be called upon to endure. So long as the kingdom was impending these judgments, also, were hanging over a rebellious race. At first Paul, like all the rest, confined his ministry to the Jews. At Antioch, where the disciples were first called "Christians," there were none except Jews and proselytes. From this he was separated ( Act_13:2 ). At Pisidian Antioch he first turned to the nations, or Gentiles. After that, though he spoke to the Jews first, he proclaimed Christ freely among the nations,

preaching grace. One of the first questions for these believers among the nations was, What shall become of us in the great judgments which precede the coming of the kingdom? Will God pour out His bowls of wrath upon our heads? In answer to this the apostle is given an entirely new revelation concerning the future presence of the Lord. The believers among the nations were saved on the ground of grace. This is to characterize all God's dealings with them. Hence they cannot remain in the scene which is visited by His indignation. They must be sheltered or removed. Some saints in Israel are sheltered, but the new company, composed principally of saints from the other nations who have believed Paul's preaching, are to be removed. Paul receives the revelation that, long before the Lord descends in glory to set up His kingdom, He will descend, not to the earth, but to the air, and His saints will be caught up to meet Him there. Thus they will be above the lightnings and thunders of the terrible day of the Lord. In later epistles, as the truth was gradually developed, more details were added to this glorious revelation. The Corinthian mind found difficulties in this doctrine, so the apostle unfolds to them the secret or mystery of the resurrection ( Col_15:51-52 ), that our bodies, which, at present, are adapted only to an earthly environment, are to be changed to suit the celestial spheres. The Philippian letter caps the climax by the added revelation that they shall be transfigured into the glorious likeness of our Lord Himself!

The historical setting and occasion for this epistle is found in the book of ( Act_17:1-15 ; Act_18:5 ). By constraint of the Spirit of God, after he had revisited the scenes of his first missionary journey, Paul is led to go across to Macedonia. He perceived a vision in which a Macedonian entreated him, "Cross over into Macedonia. Help us!" In response to this appeal Paul and his party founded an ecclesia in Philippi, to which also he afterwards penned the epistle of that name. After being beaten and imprisoned, they are besought to leave the city, and came to Thessalonica. Paul first reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue for three sabbaths, showing from their Scriptures that Christ must suffer and rise from the dead and that Jesus was their Messiah. Some believed but some did not. As at Pisidian Antioch ( Act_13:46-48 ), Paul then turns to those outside the pale of Judaism and of these a vast multitude believe, But, as at Pisidian Antioch, the unbelieving Jews stirred up a persecution against them so that they were sent away. After going to Berea ( Act_17:10 ) and Athens ( Act_17:15-34 ), he came to Corinth, where both Silas and Timothy joined him ( Act_18:5 ; 1Th_3:6 ) and where he probably wrote this, the first of all the writings of the Greek Scriptures. Paul did not desire to leave the Thessalonians. They had only just received the evangel and needed to be taught and confirmed in the faith. He was deeply concerned about them and sought twice to return to them, but was hindered. So he sent Timothy in his stead. The report of Timothy greatly comforted him. Not being able to go to them, he pens this epistle. The literary framework shows that the whole epistle takes its color from the persecutions endured by the Thessalonians. At present they are suffering from the anger of men, but they shall be saved from the indignation of God. The Jews who persecute them are drawing down God's indignation, but the Thessalonians will never be subjects of His wrath ( 1Th_1:10 ; 1Th_2:16 ; 1Th_5:9 ).

The doctrinal burden of the epistle is based on the truth of the Lord's future presence. He had taught this during the few days he was with them but it needed further explanation. Some had died and some were indifferent. Would these two classes be left out when He comes? The answer is that those who are asleep will be roused first and accompany the living when they are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. They will not be left behind. So, too, those who do not watch. The death of Christ provides for their salvation from future wrath quite apart from their present walk. All who are His, whether watchful or drowsy, shall live together with Him.

FRAMEWORK, I THESSALONIANS

Complex Reversion and Alternation

SALUTATION 1Th_1:1

THANKSGIVING: receive, imitate, wait,

rescued from indignation 1Th_1:1-10

PAUL'S ENTRANCE to the Thessalonians 1Th_2:1-12

THANKSGIVING: receive, imitate, suffer,

indignation upon Jews 1Th_2:13-16

PAUL BEREAVED of the Thessalonians 1Th_2:17 - 1Th_3:11

THE LORD'S PRESENCE 1Th_3:12-13

ASKING AND ENTREATING 1Th_4:1-8

WRITING: not necessary 1Th_4:9-12

THE LORD'S PRESENCE:

those asleep, consolation 1Th_4:13-18

WRITING: not necessary 1Th_5:1-3

THE LORD'S COMING:

those drowsing, consolation 1Th_5:4-11

ASKING AND ENTREATING 1Th_5:12-22

THE LORD'S PRESENCE 1Th_5:12-22

SALUTATION 1Th_5:25-28