FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE
1 Thessalonians chapter 1
Introduction.
Written at the end of year 50 or early 51 AD, this is the first of the letters of the apostle Paul, having been written during his second missionary journey (Acts 15:36 to 18:22).
Thessalonica was a very important city in Macedonia (northern province of Greece), now called Salonika. Acts 17 describes the first visit of Paul: there was preaching in the synagogue, followed by conversions and persecutions, until the departure of Paul to the nearby town of Berea, and then to Athens and Corinth.
In 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 we read of the circumstances that led Paul to write this letter to encourage the troubled but faithful believers.
The key of this chapter is found in verse 3. Also read 1. Corinthians 13:13.
Preface (verse 1)
Compare with 2 Thessalonians and other letters. "Silvanus" is Silas (see Acts 15:39-40), Timothy had accompanied Paul from Lystra (Acts 16:1-3), which had been converted. In Acts 17:14-15, we see Paul with Silas and Timothy in Berea.
"Grace and peace "- Paul’s characteristic salutation. Grace is the undeserved goodness of God in the daily life of believers; this grace should keep them at peace with each other.
Thanksgiving (verses 2 to 4)
Paul always gave thanks to God for them in prayer for their faith, hope and love (v.3), thus proving to be truly "elected" (v.4). In 1 Corinthians 13:13, we see that these three virtues "remain" as characteristics of true Christians, while the "prophecies", the "tongues” and "science" were temporary demonstrations and did not prove the spiritual character (or not) of who had them.
Their virtues (verses 5 to 10)
1. Their faith - from the beginning:
- They heard the Gospel preached by the apostle, and believed, with joy and tribulation (v.5-6). Note that the preaching of the Gospel has need for power, certainty and the Holy Spirit, from the preacher. Without these essentials, it is useless to "occupy the pulpit" ...
- They proved their faith by works (v.3 - see James 2:20-24). They left the idols and turned to God (v.9). The whole surrounding region recognized the reality of their conversion (v.8). The conversion is much more than mere "profession of faith"! ... See Acts 2:41-42 - "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized ... And persevered in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers." See also Acts 26:20 - "I announced ... that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance" and also Romans 12:1-2 - "I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service; and be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God."
2. Their Love - shown by service:
- Their witness to the Gospel had spread all around (v.8). The Gospel should be preached for love of Christ and of human souls, and not only out of duty; much less for selfish ambition or as a mere office or employment.
- True love - self-sacrifice (v. 3, 9 and 10), care for the poor and sick. This proved their election as "children of God" (v.4); see Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:10; that is, the children of God show themselves by their spiritual character (1 John 3:9-10).
3. Their hope - in the risen Jesus Christ and in His coming again for the Church (v. 3, 10).
- Not the hope of many "Christians" of today: wealth, politics, purgatory, reincarnation...
- But hope in Christ coming from heaven in the future to take believers away from the wrath to come (v.10). This coming to the church is described in more detail in chapter 4 of this same letter; not to be confused with the coming in Revelation 19:11-16 where the Lord comes with the church to perform the defeat of the Beast (v.20) and imprisonment of the devil (20:1-3) at the beginning of the Millennium. The coming for the Church mentioned here in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and 4:13-17, is also indicated in John 14:3, Acts 1:11 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.
What is our faith? ... Our love? ... Our hope ...?
Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and 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, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians chapter 1