1 Thessalonians
The apostle Paul expresses gratitude to God for the Thessalonian church's faith, labor of love, and patience in the Lord Jesus Christ, noting that their faith has spread throughout Macedonia and Achaia. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his genuine ministry among them, preaching the gospel despite persecution and hardship, and expresses his longing to see them again. He sent Timothy to establish and comfort them in their faith, and was comforted by Timothy's report of their faith and charity. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to live a life pleasing to God, abstaining from fornication and treating others with respect and honesty, and to increase in brotherly love. He comforts them regarding those who have died, assuring them that God will bring them with Him when He returns. Paul also warns the Thessalonians to be watchful and sober, living in faith, love, and hope, and to live in a way that is pleasing to God, abstaining from evil and being sanctified wholly.
Chapter 1
Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus express gratitude to God for the Thessalonian church, acknowledging their faith, labor of love, and patience in the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel was preached to them with power, the Holy Ghost, and assurance, and they became followers of the Lord despite affliction. The Thessalonians' faith spread throughout Macedonia and Achaia, serving as an example to others, and they turned from idols to serve the living God, awaiting Jesus' return from heaven.
Chapter 2
The apostle Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his genuine and selfless ministry among them, noting that he and his companions preached the gospel despite persecution and hardship. They did not seek to please men or gain personal glory, but rather to please God and serve the Thessalonians with a fatherly love. The Thessalonians received the word of God as truth and suffered persecution from their own countrymen, just as the churches in Judea had suffered at the hands of the Jews. Paul expresses his longing to see the Thessalonians again and notes that they are his hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing.
Chapter 3
The apostle Paul sent Timothy to the Thessalonians to establish and comfort them in their faith, as they were experiencing afflictions. Paul had previously warned them that they would face tribulation, and he was concerned that they might have been tempted away from their faith. However, Timothy returned with good news of their faith and charity, which greatly comforted Paul. Paul expressed his desire to see them and to perfect their faith, and he prayed that God would direct his way to them and establish their hearts in holiness.
Chapter 4
The Thessalonians are exhorted to live a life pleasing to God, abstaining from fornication and treating others with respect and honesty. They are reminded that God has called them to holiness, not uncleanness, and that those who reject this call reject God. The Thessalonians are also encouraged to increase in brotherly love and to live quietly, working with their own hands. The chapter concludes by comforting the Thessalonians regarding those who have died, assuring them that God will bring them with Him when He returns, and that those who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.
Chapter 5
The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, bringing sudden destruction upon those who are unprepared, but believers are children of light and should be watchful and sober. They should live in faith, love, and hope, knowing that God has appointed them to salvation through Jesus Christ. Believers are exhorted to live in peace, comfort one another, and respect their leaders, while also warning the unruly, comforting the feebleminded, and supporting the weak. They should rejoice, pray, and give thanks continually, and live in a way that is pleasing to God, abstaining from evil and being sanctified wholly.
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