Bible Commentaries
1 Thessalonians

A COMMENTARY

ON THE New Testament Epistles

BY

DAVID LIPSCOMB

EDITED, WITH ADDITIONAL NOTES,

BY

J. W. SHEPHERD

VOLUME V

I, II Thessalonians,

I, II Timothy,

Titus, and Philemon

GOSPEL ADVOCATE COMPANY

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

1942

INTRODUCTION TO THE

FIRST THESSALONIAN EPISTLE,

THESSALONICA.

Thessalonica is now known as Salonika, and is situated at the head of the Thermiac Gulf, which deeply indents the Macedonian shore, and it covers the irregular slope which runs, not very steeply, from the water’s edge to the crest of the hill, which forms a semicircular barrier round the upper extremity of the gulf. With a rich district in the rear and the open sea in the front, the city rapidly became one of the most important Mediterranean ports, its position being at once suitable for commerce and capable of defense. The prosperity of the city justifies the wisdom of its founders. When the Romans divided Macedonia into four governments, Thessalonica was made the chief city of the second province, and ultimately became the metropolis of the whole. At the time of Paul’s visit it enjoyed the rights of a free city, being governed by seven polytarchs, who, though responsible to the Roman proconsul, were elected by the citizens themselves.

Into this important city Paul came over the great Roman road, which connected the region north of the Aegean Sea with Rome. The First Epistle gives evidence (1 Thessalonians 2:9) that he readily found employment, and felt himself at home among the workingmen and tradespeople of the city. This coincides with the fact that one of the staple manufactures of the city was goat’s-hair cloth. The sound that follows the ear as one walks through Salonika today is the straining vibration of the loom and pendulum-like click of the regular and ceaseless shuttle.

Another allusion (1 Thessalonians 1:8) reminds us that not only must such a city have had special attraction for Paul as likely to give a favor­able hearing to the gospel message, but that its commercial and seafaring population would rapidly spread what they themselves might receive. Every ship that left the harbor, and every wagon that turned inland, carried some account of the riot at Thessa­lonica and the extraordinary man who had been the occasion of it. But though in such a short time Paul planted here the second church that rose on the European continent, those on whose aid he might naturally have counted, his own countrymen, made it so dangerous for him and Silas to remain that the brethren sent them by night to Berea. (Acts 17:10.)

Although, therefore, the population was largely Jewish, the Epistle bears evidence of being written to a church composed almost entirely of Gentile Christians. (1 Thessalonians 2:14.) There are no allusions to the tenets of Judaism or to the facts of Jewish history, nor are there any references to the Old Testament either in the way of illustration or of proof. The account Paul gives of preaching among them (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10) precisely tallies with the report of his address given to the Athenians (Acts 17:22-23), and shows that in introducing the gospel to the Gentiles, he was at that time accustomed to announce the coming of the judgment, to proclaim Jesus as raised from the dead, to judge the world, and the Savior of all who believed him.

THE OCCASION AND OBJECT OF THE EPISTLE.

We are now prepared to consider the circumstances of the church at Thessalonica which drew forth this letter. Paul had twice attempted to revisit Thessalonica and had both times been disappointed. Thus prevented from seeing them in person, he had sent Timothy to inquire and report to him as to their condi­tion. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5.) Timothy had returned with most favorable tidings, reporting not only their progress in the faith and practice, but also their strong attachment to Paul. (1 Thessalonians 3:6-12.) And this Epistle is the outpouring of his gratitude on receiving this gratify­ing news.

At the same time, Timothy’s report was not unmixed with sorrow. There were certain features in their condition which called for Paul’s interference: (1) The very intensity of their faith in Christ, dwelling too exclusively on the day of the Lord’s coming, had been attended with evil consequences. On the one hand, a practical inconvenience had arisen. In their feverish ex­pectation of his coming, some had been led to neglect their ordi­nary responsibilities as if the daily duties of life were of no account in the immediate presence of so vast a change. (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.) On the other hand, a theoretical difficulty had arisen. Certain members of the church had died, and there was great anxiety lest they should be excluded from any share in the glories of the Lord’s coming. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.) Paul rebukes the irregularity of the former and drives away fears of the latter. (2) Persecution had broken out, and the Thessalonians needed consolation and encouragement under their sore trial. (1 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4.) (3) An unhealthy feeling with regard to spirit­ual gifts was manifesting itself. They needed to be reminded of the superior value of prophesying—teaching—compared with other gifts of the Spirit which they exalted at its expense. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20.) (4) There was danger of relapsing into their old heathen habits of profligacy. Against this Paul offers words in season. (1 Thessalonians 4:4-8.)

Notwithstanding all these drawbacks, the condition of the Thessalonian church was satisfactory, and most cordial relations existed between Paul and his converts. This honorable distinction it shares with the Philippian church. At all times, and amid every change of circumstance, it is to the Macedonian churches that Paul turns for sympathy and support.

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING.

Paul, accompanied by Silvanus, came to Berea, and soon there­after was joined by Timothy. Thence, Paul and Timothy pro­ceeded to Athens, leaving Silvanus at Berea. Timothy was most likely sent back from Athens to Thessalonica to strengthen and encourage the church there. At Athens Paul intended to remain until the arrival of his fellow helpers, for he had sent “a com­mandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed.” (Acts 17:15.) It seems, however, that he left Athens without them, for unforeseen circumstances had prevented them from complying with his request, and they did not join him until after his arrival in Corinth. Inasmuch as Paul joins the names of Silvanus and Timothy in the address of the Epistle, it is evident that it was not written until after their arrival. Some time also must have elapsed between the establishment of the church in Thessalonica and the writing of the Epistle. Paul had twice attempted to visit them and failed (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8), Timothy had been sent by Paul to Thessalonica and had returned from his mission and reported that the faith of the Thessalonians had been spread abroad throughout Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8). The interval, however, could not have been long. Timothy returned at the beginning of Paul’s residence at Corinth, and Paul’s anxiety for the Thessalonians induced him to write the Epistle imme­diately on receiving the information given by Timothy. He speaks of his absence from them as lasting only a short time. (1 Thessalonians 2:17.) We may, therefore, fix the time of writing the Epistle toward the close of A.D. 52 or the beginning of 53 and during the early part of Paul's residence at Corinth, possibly six months after planting the church at Thessalonica.