- First Thessalonians Outline
- Epistolary Introduction 1:1
- Thanksgiving (Thessalonians’ conversion and relationship with Paul) 1:2-3:13
- Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ faith 1:2-10
- Thanksgiving/prayer report
- We thank God,
- Remembering you in our prayers
- We continually remember
- your work from faith,
- labor from love,
- and endurance from hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
- Reason:
- We know God has chosen you
- Reasons
- The gospel came with not just words, but with power, Holy Spirit and conviction.
- Just as you know how we were among you
- You became imitators of us and of the Lord
- You welcomed the message in spite of suffering
- You became a model for all the churches
- The message rang out from you to everywhere
- Your faith has become known everywhere
- We don’t need to say anything about it
- They report your reception
- They report how you turned to God from idols
- to serve God
- and to wait for His Son from heaven
- Whom He raised from the dead
- Who rescues us from the coming wrath
- Docs
- Description of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica 2:1-12
- Paul was empowered to speak the Gospel freely in the midst of persecution 1-8
- Intro Formula: You yourselves, brothers, know our coming to you 1a
- Specificallly what it was not, and what it was 1b-8
- Our coming to you was powerful by God 1b-2
- Neg. - our coming to you was NOT in vain 1b
- Pos. - BUT We were emboldened to speak the Gospel of God 2
- Even though we suffered in Phillipi
- Even though we were suffereing and being mistreated in Phillipi
- like you already know
- we were bold/emboldened in/by our God to speak the Gospel of God to you in much opposition/struggle
- Reason: God entrusted us with this Gospel task 3-8
- Our exhortation comes from God's call 3-4
- Neg. - Our exhortaion does not come from error or from impure motive or from deceit
- Paul is defending himself in order to defend the gospel and encourage the Thessalonians
- This is a good safety check for our own ministries - don't be underhanded/scheming
- Pos. - BUT by contrast
- We speak
- Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel
- We speak in the way appropriate to that calling
- The manner in which we speak
- Not as attempting to please men
- BUT attempting to please God who is testing our hearts
- same word as "approved" earlier
- but present tense - continually testing here, tested and approved there
- The Reason/Evidence: We displayed God's character and ways 5-8
- Neg. - We were not seeking to take from you 5-7a
- Our methods were not bad 5
- We did not act with a word of flattery - just like you Know!
- Nor did we act in a pretense/screen for greed - God is witness
- Our motivations were not bad 6-7a
- We did not seek praise/glory from men, either from you or from others
- Even though, as apostles of Christ, we were able to be a burden to you
- Pos. - But rather we were seeking to give to you 7b-8
- Our methods were good 7b
- We were childlike/innocent
- Textual issue, reading neypioi, "child" instead of eypioi, "gentle"
- Our motives were good 7c-8
- just like a nursing mother cherishes her own children
- So also we gave ourselves for you
- having a similar strong yearning/desire for you
- we were pleased to give you not only the Gospel of God, but ourselves as well
- Paul worked hard to preach the Gospel without being a burden 9
- Intro Formula: You, brothers, remember our work and labor (hardship) 9a
- Specifically: how I worked and preached 9b-d
- The manner in which we lived while preaching
- working night and day - cf. 3:10, 2Th 3:8 on "night and day"
- Purpose: so that we would not be a burden to you
- We preached to you the Gospel of God
- Paul was blameless and holy in their midst 10
- Intro Formula: You and God are witnesses 10a
- Specifically: We were this way to you who believed 10b
- we were morally upright, devout, holy
- we were upright, just, correct
- we were blameless, innocent, without fault
- to you who believed
- Paul encouraged and urged them to walk worthy of God 11-12
- Intro Formula: Intro Formula: You know 11a
- Specifically: How we dealt with you 11b-12
- I dealt with you as a Father 11b-c
- I dealt with each one of you
- As a father deals with his own children
- Manner that he dealt with them 12
- What he did 12a-c
- urging/encouraging you
- Consoling/comforting you
- testifying/witnessing
- Purpose for all this 12d
- so that you may walk worthily
- worthy of the God who called you into His own Kingdom and Glory
- Docs
- Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ response 2:13-16
- We give thanks to God continuously for this reason
- Reason:
- You received the Word as it truly is
- Not as a word from man
- But as it truly is, the Word of God
- As you received from us the Word of the report of God
- Which is working among you who believe
- You became imitators of the church of God in Christ in Judea
- That is, you suffered the same things from your contrymen
- Just as those from Judea suffered from the Jews
- Who killed the Lord and the prophets
- Who persecuted us/drove us out
- Who are not pleasing to God
- Who are hostile to all people
- Who try to hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles - so that they may be saved
- So that they always fill their sins to the full
- The Wrath has come on them at last
- Docs
- Description of Paul’s longing for the Thessalonians 2:17-20
- Paul Tried to come to them 17-18
- Being separated from you for a short time
- in face
- not in heart
- We overwhelmingly strive with much desire to see your face
- We longed to come to you, again and again
- But satan hindered us
- Reason: The Thessalonians are important to Paul 19-20
- Rhetorical quesiton:
- Who is our hope and joy and crown of boasting?
- in the presence of our Lord Jesus
- when He comes (in His parousia)
- If not you?
- For You are our glory and joy
- Docs
- Explanation of Timothy’s visit 3:1-5
- Paul couldn't stand it any more
- He thought it best to be left alone in Athens
- He sent Timothy
- Timothy
- Our Brother
- and coworker with God
- in the Gospel of Christ
- Purpose
- to establish/strengthen you
- to encourage you on behalf of your faith
- so that no one will be unsettled/thrown off by these trials
- For you know
- that we are appointed into this kind of trial
- For when we were with you
- We told you in advance that we were about to be persecuted/afflicted/pressed
- just as has happened
- just as you know
- He sent Timothy
- because of this
- when I could no longer stand it
- so that he would know your faith
- lest the tempter tempted you
- and our work turned out to be in vain
- Docs
- Description of Paul’s joy in Timothy’s report 3:6-10
- Timothy returned to Paul
- Came to us from you
- told us the good news of your faith and love
- that you always have good memories of us
- longing to see us
- just as we long to see you
- Paul was encouraged
- because of this
- in all our distress and affliction
- We have been encouraged
- because of your faith
- For we now live, since you are standing in the Lord
- Paul can't give thanks enough to God
- concerning them
- upon all joy - which we rejoice through you before our God
- praying unceasingly
- night and day
- cf. 2:9 night and day worked, here prayed
- purpose
- to see your face
- to provide whatever is lacking in your faith - remember very young church
- Docs
- Prayer report for the Thessalonians 3:11-13
- may this same God and Father and our Lord Jesus Christ prepare our way to you
- may the Lord superabound and overflow you with love toward one another and toward all - just as we to you
- so that he may strengthen your heart
- to be blameless
- in holiness
- before Our God and Father
- at the Parousia of Our Lord Jesus - cf. 2:19
- with all His saints
- Docs
- Instructions for Some Problem Issues 4:1-5:24
- Holy living 4:1-12
- Walk/Live as pleasing to God 1-2
- We ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus
- So that
- Just as you received from us how it is necessary for you to walk/lifestyle and to please the Lord
- Just as you are already walking/lifestyle
- so that you do so abundantly more
- For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus
- Docs
- Your sanctification is the will of God 3-8
- This is the will of God
- Namely - your Sanctification/holiness - both process and result
- that you keep away from/abstain from/ be far from sexual immorality
- defined generally, not precisely
- therefore, no loopholes
- Positive alternate - each of your should learn/know
- to acquire/possess his own vessel
- often translated control/gain full possession over ones own body/desires - true, of course
- could also be translated to acquire own spouse -
- cf. Prov. 5 the solution to chasing the 'foreign' woman is to be enraptured with your wife -
- guys get a wife - not as a sex toy to solve your lust problem, but as a life partner to love and cherish, which will help, but not solve your lust problem
- in holiness - same word as v. 3
- and in honor
- positive virtues to combat negative vices
- not to live in the passion of lust
- just as the Gentiles
- who do not know God
- knowing God is not compatable with passionate lusts
- if you pursue/allow/give room for passionate lusts, God will be squeezed out over time
- if you pursue/allow/give room for God, passionate lusts will be squeezed out over time
- alternate worships - Driscoll - "you worshipped your way into this, you will worship your way out of it."
- notice that this issue is primarily connected with God, not ourselves and our desires - What are you looking at? - looking at your lust will never cure it, only grow it
- No one should sin against or take advantage of his brother in this matter
- How is this connected?
- How would you feel if you were married and your spouse cheats on you? - I hope it never happens to you
- How can you expect to be faithful/self-controlled after marriage if you can't be before marriage?
- If you are fooling around with some girl before marriage - you are training her to be unfaithful - this is someone's daughter and possibly someone's future wife - you are wronging them (not to mention her)
- If you are lusting after some girl that is not married to you - you are wronging her family and future/present spouse (not to mention her)
- Make sure you see that connection - it is not just about you and your desires - other people are involved and ultimately hurt
- And make sure you see the connection with what follows
- The Lord is the one who will avenge in all these things
- just as we already told you
- and warned you
- If the girl's green beret blackbelt father walked in - your sex drive would shut off like a light
- If we keep God and the Gospel in view, our sex drive can be controlled
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
- But also the blessedness of seeing God face to face motivates purity of heart
- For God Called you to better things
- God did not cally you into uncleanness
- But He called you into sanctification
- by faith, we need to concentrate on our goal and better reward
- we need to love holiness more than sex
- we need to see Jesus as more desirable than Miss October
- connect this with God's character, the cross and our eschatological inheritance
- be killing sin or it will be killing you
- Rejecting this is rejecting God
- again close connection to God and the Gospel
- the one who rejects this does not reject man
- but he rejects the God who gives you His Holy Spirit
- Why bring up the Holy Spirit here?
- emphasis in the way Paul says it falls on the word "Holy" - "His Spirit, the Holy One"
- God's nature and character is holiness
- God's will for us is holiness
- God's Holy Spirit works in us toward holiness
- What a great idea, what a great thing to have in our lives!
- What could be worth going in the other direction?
- Actively, strongly, passionately pursue holiness and lust problems will be conquered
- Docs
- Grow in love and right living 9-12
- I don't need to write you about brotherly love
- you have been taught by God to love one another
- does this just describe the Thessalonians or all Christians in general? yes!
- For you are doing this to all the brothers in all of Macedonia
- I encourage you in a few things
- continue to grow in love for one another
- make this your ambition
- live a quiet life
- do/attend to your own affairs
- i.e. mind your own business/don't be a busybody
- but the emphasis is on tending your own affairs not on avoiding other's affairs
- work with your own hands
- just as we commanded you
- purpose:
- so that you may walk in a way that is pleasing to outsiders
- so that no one will have need - not only take care of your own needs, but supply the needs of others
- Docs
- Question about the Second Coming 4:13-5:11
- Much of this is parallel in the Olivet Discourse of Christ
- The Manner of the Parousia 4:13-18
- Docs
- The Timing of the Parousia 5:1-11
- What Paul Wants them to Know 1-10
- Timing is unknown and unexpected 1-3
- We don't need to write to you about times and dates
- You know that the Day of the Lord will come like a theif in the night - Jesus' teaching Mt. 24:43
- Destruction will come unexpectedly on those who are not prepared
- Christians are not unprepared 4-10
- You are not in darkness so as to be surprised
- You yourselves are all sons of light and sons of day
- We are not night or darkness
- Therefore, be alert
- don't sleep like those others
- but be watchful
- and be sober/self-controlled - cf. I Pet 4:7-8
- We are not night people
- Those who sleep, sleep at night
- Those who are drunk, are drunk at night
- We are sober/self-controlled
- because we are day people
- Putting on the breastplate of faith and love
- and the helmet of hope of salvation
- cf. Eph 6 armor of God
- cf. Isa 59:17 God's armor
- Reason
- neg. God did not appoint us for wrath
- pos. But for preservation/possession of salvation
- through our Lord Jesus Christ
- Who died on our behalf/in our place
- Purpose:
- so that we may live together with Him
- whether we are awake (those living and watchful)
- or whether we are asleep (those who had already died)
- What Paul Wants them to Do 11
- Therefore encourage one another
- and build up each one
- Just as you are already doing
- Docs
- Miscellaneous Instructions 5:12-24
- Re: Living with One Another 12-15
- honor leaders
- Respect
- those who labor among you
- and those who rule over you in the Lord
- and those who admonish you
- probably referring to the same group of people - i.e. Christian leaders/pastors
- Hold them in highest regard
- in love
- because of their work
- Be at peace/live in peace with one another
- Various Admonishments
- warn/admonish the unruly idle
- encourage the small-faith
- take a strong interest in - in order to help the weak
- be patient toward all
- Don't do revenge
- see to it
- that no one pay back someone evil for evil
- Rather pursue the good toward one another
- always
- in all things
- Re: Attitude 16-18
- Rejoice Always
- shortest verse in the Bible
- Pray Unceasingly
- Give Thanks in all things
- Reason: This is God's will for you in Christ Jesus - God's revealed will
- Re: Prophecy 19-22
- Do not quench/ stifle/ put out the Spirit - put out the Spirit's fire -
- i.e. don't resist the Spirit's work in prophecy
- elaborated by next command
- Do not distainfully reject prophecies - not the general phenomenon, but specific example
- Test all things -
- referring to all prophecies
- test first by Scripture
- Test by fulfillment
- Mature leaders test by Wisdom and Spirit leading
- Hold on to the good
- abstain from every form of evil
- in this context every bad/false/untrue prophecy
- not appearance as in outward perception, but every example of evil
- same word abstain as 4:3 abstain from sex sin
- Re: Power for life 23-24
- May this same God of peach sanctify you completely
- May your entire Spirit, Soul and Body be kept blameless in the Parousia our our Lord Jesus Christ
- The One Who Called you is Faithful - Who will also do this
- Docs
- Conclusion 5:25-28
- Pray for us
- Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss
- I charge you in the Lord to have this epistle read to all the brothers
- The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all
- Docs