1267

Introduction to The Epistles To Thessalonica

Writer. The Apostle Paul (1:1.)

Date: The Epistle was written from Corinth, A.D. 54, shortly after Paul's departure from Thessalonica (Acts 16:17.), and is the earliest of his letters.

Theme: The theme of the Epistle is threefold:

• 1) To confirm young disciples in the foundational truths already taught them.

• 2) To exhort them to go on to holiness.

• 3) To comfort them concerning those who had fallen asleep.

  • The second coming of Chrtist is prominent throught.
  • The Epistle is incidentally most interesting as showing the richness in doctrine of the primitive evangelism.
  • During a mission of aout one month the apostle had taught all the great (1) doctrines of the Christian faith.

The divisions of the Epistle are sufficently indicated by the chapters:

I. The model church, and the three tenses of the Christian life. 1 Thess. 1:1-10.

II. The model servant and his reward, 1 Thess. 2:1-20.

III. The model brother, and the believer's sanctification, 1 Thess. 3:1-13.

IV. The model walk, and the believer's hope, 1 Thess. 4:1-18.

V. The model walk, and the day of Jehovah, 1 Thess. 5:1-28.

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1267_1; (See Introductory notes).

• That is: election, 1:4.
• Holy Spirit, 1:5, 6; 4:8; 5:19.
• Assurance, 1:5.
• Trinity, 1:1, 5, 6.
• Walk, 2:12; 4:1.
• Sanctification, 4:3; 5:23.
• Day Of Jehovah, 5:1-3.
• Resurrection, 4:14-18.
• The Tripartite Nature Of Man, 5:23.

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1267_2; 1 Thessalonians 1:9, and how ye turned to God from idols

The Tenses Of The Believer's Life.

Here is indicated the tenses of the Christian life: that they are logical and give the true order. They occur also in verse 3.

• The "work of faith" is to "turn to God from idols" (Cf. John 6:28-29);

• the "labour of love" is to "serve the living and true God";

• and the "patience of hope" is to "wait for his Son from heaven" (Cf. Matthew 24:42; 25:13; Luke 12:36-48; Acts 1:11; Philippians 3:20, 21).

  Paul repeats this threefold sequence in Titus 2:11-13.
  

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1267_a; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church

Churches (local), 1 Thessalonians 2:14.

(Acts 2:41; Philippians 1:1.)

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1267_b; 1 Thessalonians 1:1b, unto the church of the Thessalonians

Acts 17:1.

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1267_c; 1 Thessalonians 1:3, without ceasing your work of faith

Lit. operative faith, and laborious love, and hope-filled patience.

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1267_d; 1 Thessalonians 1:4, Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God

Election (corporate). 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 8, 9.

(Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Peter 1:2.)

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1267_e; 1 Thessalonians 1:5, For our gospel came not unto you in word only

Gospel, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 8, 9.

(Genesis 12:1-3; Revelation 14:6.)

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1267_f; 1 Thessalonians 1:5b, and in much assurance

Assurance, 2 Timothy 1:12.

(Isaiah 32:17; Jude 1.)

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1267_g; 1 Thessalonians 1:6, with joy of the Holy Ghost

Holy Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 4:8.

(Matthew 1:18; Acts 2:4.)

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1267_h; 1 Thessalonians 1:6b, joy of the Holy Glost

1 Thessalonians 1:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:8.

(Matthew 1:18; Acts 2:4.)

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1267_i; 1 Thessalonians 1:8, For from you sounded out the word

Romans 10:18.

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1267_j; 1 Thessalonians 1:8b, but also in every place your faith to God

2 Thessalonians 1:4.

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1267_k; 1 Thessalonians 1:9b, how ye turned to God from idols

1 Corinthians 12:2; Galatians 4:8.

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1267_l; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, And to wait for his Son

Christ Second Coming, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10; 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

(Deuteronomy 30:3; Acts 1:9-11.)

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1267_m; 1 Thessalonians 1:10b, whom he raised from the dead

from among.

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1267_n; 1 Thessalonians 1:10c, which delivered us from the wrath to come

Matthew 3:7; Romans 5:9.

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