THE BOOK OF FIRST THESSALONIANS

(“Greetings From Paul”)

Acts 17:1-15 (NASU)

I Thessalonians 1:1-3; 3:1-7 (NASU)

“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.” (I Thessalonians 1:1)

(A) A NEW SERIES OF MESSAGES

(1) This morning we are beginning a new series of messages, in that we are going to be studying the New Testament books of First and Second Thessalonians. Both books were written by the Apostle Paul – and both open with almost identical greetings, saying (in this morning’s text):

¹“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1; see also II Thessalonians 1:1-2).

(2) Paul only preached in the city of Thessalonica for a short period of time,¹ before Jewish opposition forced him to leave rather abruptly (c.f. Acts 17:1-10). Nevertheless, both letters reflect his great joy over the spiritual progress these new converts to Christ had made (in his absence) during the short time they had been believers.¹ For example, in First Thessalonians chapter one, starting at verse two, he says:

²“We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; ³constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ …” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:2-3).

Likewise, in Second Thessalonians chapter one, starting at verse three, he says: ³“We … always … give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; ⁴therefore, we … speak proudly of you among the churches of God …” (c.f. II Thessalonians 1:3-4).

(3) Although both letters touch on a variety of important doctrines, and practical spiritual matters – such as the reality of God’s wrath, the fact Christian people are called to be sexually pure, and the importance of working for a living (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:3-7; II Thessalonians 1:6-10; 3:10-12) – by far, the most prominent theme in both books is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.² In fact, our Savior’s return (or some matter related directly to it) is mentioned in all five chapters of First Thessalonians, as well as two of the three chapters found in Second Thessalonians – with special attention given to the Rapture in First Thessalonians chapter four (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:13-18) – and to “the man of lawlessness” in Second Thessalonians chapter two (or, “the man of sin” as he’s called in the NKJV), whose appearance (we are told) will precede that of our Lord (c.f. II Thessalonians 2:1-12).

(B) THE HISTORICAL AND BIBLICAL CONTEXT

(1) Prior to his own dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (c.f. Acts 9:1-9; 26:12-18), Paul (who was then known as “Saul”) (c.f. Acts 13:9) was a violent and aggressive persecutor of the resurrected Christ and His Church (c.f. Acts 8:3; 26:9-11; I Timothy 1:13).

Following his conversion, however, Christ called him to be an apostle, preacher, missionary and church planter (c.f. Acts 9:15-16) – and it was in these capacities that he traveled all over the Roman Empire, proclaiming to anyone who would listen that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, God’s promised Deliverer and only Savior of sinners. And that the proof this assertion was true was that He had risen from the dead three days after being crucified by the Romans, at the instigation of certain Jews.

(2) As I said, prior to his conversion Paul had vigorously persecuted Christians wherever he could find them – in fact, that’s why he was on his way to Damascus, when he was suddenly and miraculously converted as a result of an encounter with the resurrected Christ (c.f. Acts 9:1-2). After his conversion, however, he frequently found himself being persecuted – not just for having “gone over to the other side” (as it were) – i.e. not just for becoming a Christian, but for faithfully carrying out the mandate Christ had given him to preach the gospel (c.f. Acts 9:15-16).

For example (according to Acts chapter sixteen), during his second missionary journey, Paul (along with Silas and Timothy) came to the city of Philippi (c.f. Acts 16:11-12), where his fearless preaching – coupled with casting a spirit of divination out of a slave girl – resulted in he and Silas being beaten with rods, and thrown into prison (c.f. Acts 16:16-24). (By the way, this “Silas” is the “Silvanus” spoken of in the greetings found in both First and Second Thessalonians.) (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1; II Thessalonians 1:1).

After being released from prison, Paul and his entourage left Philippi and went to Thessalonica – where we pick up the story, starting in Acts chapter seventeen at verse one:

¹“Now … they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. ²And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead … saying, ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.’ ⁴And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. ⁵But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason (where Paul was either lodging, or preaching after his three-week stint in the Jewish synagogue) (“and attacking the house of Jason), they were seeking to bring them out to the people. ⁶(But) When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, ‘These men who have upset the world have come here also; ⁷and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, (named) Jesus.’ ⁸(So) they stirred up the crowd and … city authorities who heard these things. ⁹And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them. ¹⁰The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (So now Paul is in Berea – but he still isn’t out of trouble. For the passage continues, in verse eleven) ¹¹Now these (Berean Jews) were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica (which is a reference to the Jews who had run Paul out of that city – not the those who had made professions of faith in Christ) (“Now these [Berean Jews] were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica), for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. ¹²Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. ¹³But when the Jews of Thessalonica (who had been responsible for running Paul out of that city – when they) found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds. ¹⁴Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; (while) Silas and Timothy remained (in Berea). ¹⁵Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left” (c.f. Acts 17:1-15)

I wanted to remind you of the events described in Acts chapters sixteen and seventeen this morning, because Paul refers to the persecutions he endured in the cities of Philippi and Thessalonica in First Thessalonians chapter two, when he says (in verse two): “but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition” (c.f. I Thessalonians 2:2) – and again, in verses fifteen and sixteen, where he talks about those who “drove us out” (v. 15), and who are “hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so … they may be saved” (v. 16) (c.f. I Thessalonians 2:15-16).

Paul also refers to his hasty departure from Thessalonica in chapter two, verses seventeen and eighteen, when he says: ¹⁷“But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while – in person, not in spirit – were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. ¹⁸For we wanted to come to you – I, Paul, more than once – and yet Satan hindered us” (c.f. I Thessalonians 2:17-18).

(3) Fearing that his sudden departure (especially under duress) – coupled with the fact that he had not returned – might have had an adverse effect upon the spiritual growth of these new converts, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica see how things were going. Hence, we read in First Thessalonians chapter three, starting at verse one:

¹“Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, ²and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, ³so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. ⁴For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. ⁵For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain” (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:1-5).

The report Timothy brought back was basically a good one – for Paul goes on to say (starting in verse six):

⁶“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, ⁷for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith” (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:6-7).

Timothy’s report became the catalyst for Paul writing this First letter to the Thessalonians – and helps explain why he spent so much time (in the first three chapters) reminding them of his ministry in their midst (as short as it was) (c.f. I Thessalonians 2:1-12), as well as praising God for their steadfastness (even in the face of their own persecutions) – saying at one point (in chapter two, starting at verse thirteen): ¹³“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. ¹⁴For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews” (c.f. I Thessalonians 2:13-14) – and then again, in chapter three (starting at verse nine), he says: ⁹“For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, ¹⁰as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? ¹¹Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; ¹²and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; ¹³so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints” (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:9-13) (Note the reference to Christ’s Second Coming in that last verse.)

(4) So, given the timeline we find in Acts chapters sixteen and seventeen (as well as chapter eighteen, which we did not look at), it’s thought that Paul wrote his First letter to the Thessalonians from the city of Corinth (c.f. Acts 18:1), around 50 or 51 A.D³ – and, that he wrote his Second letter to them (also from Corinth) a short time later⁴ (perhaps within a few months after writing the first).

If that’s true, then it means Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians are the earliest ones we have from the pen of the great Apostle (with the possible exception of Galatians)³ – and that they would have been written about twenty years after Jesus’ death, resurrection⁵ and ascension back to heaven.

(C) PAUL’S GREETING TO THE THESSALONIANS

(1) We turn, then, to this morning’s text – which is also the opening verse of Paul’s first letter to the Christians living in the city of Thessalonica – where he says (in chapter one, verse one): “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1).

Today, in our Western culture, people would begin a letter much differently.⁶ For example, we would probably start out by addressing the person to whom we are writing (saying something like, “Dear Jeff”) – and only at the end would we identify ourselves (by saying something like, “Sincerely, PastoRick”). There might be a friendly greeting of some kind after the salutation (like, “How are you doing?” – or, “I hope this letter finds you in good health”). Or, we might just get down to business (as it were) by quickly moving on to the matter that prompted us to write.

In New Testament times, however, it was quite common for people to start letters just the way Paul does here – that is, by identifying who the sender is (in this case, “Paul … Silvanus and Timothy” – followed by the name of the person or group to whom the letter is being sent (in this case, “the church of the Thessalonians”) – and finally, appending some kind of greeting (like, “Grace to you and peace”)⁶ (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1). Only after these formalities were out of the way would the sender start to address his reasons for writing.

(2) As already noted, three men are named as being the senders of this First letter to the Thessalonians – i.e. “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1). (a) The content of the letter, however, indicates that Paul is the primary author (if not actually the sole author). For example, his name is listed first in verse one – which suggests a place of prominence among this missionary trio (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1). More importantly, however, in chapter two, he refers to himself directly, saying in verse eighteen: “For we wanted to come to you – I, Paul, more than once – and yet Satan hindered us” (c.f. I Thessalonians 2:18). And again in chapter three, saying in verse five: “… when I could endure it no longer, I … sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain” (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:5). And once more, in chapter five (verse twenty-seven), where he says: “I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren” (c.f. I Thessalonians 5:27).

These little clues tell us that “Paul” was the main author of this first letter to the Thessalonian church – and that any contributions “Silvanus and Timothy” may have made were relatively minor, and “cannot be detected”³ (as one study bible points out) (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1).

(b) Having said that, however, it’s important to note that the bulk of this letter is written in the third-person plural – using words like “we”, “our”, and “us” – which appear over seventy-five times in eighty-nine verses!⁷

For example, in chapter one verse two Paul says: “WE give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in OUR prayers” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:2) – and again, in chapter two verse nine: “For you recall, brethren, OUR labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, WE proclaimed to you the gospel of God” (c.f. I Thessalonians 2:9) – and once more, in chapter four verse one: “Finally then, brethren, WE request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from US instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God … that you excel still more” (c.f. I Thessalonians 4:1).

Among other things, this frequent use of words like “we”, “our”, and “us” indicate that “Paul” considered “Silvanus and Timothy” to be full partners in the ministry (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1) – that both men had played important roles in establishing the church in Thessalonica – and that both had shared all the risks that often went with proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the face of fierce opposition. And since that was the case – and since they were both with him in Corinth when he wrote this letter – it was only right for Paul to include their names in his greeting to the Thessalonian church.

(c) From this we learn God has ordained that the work of ministry – whether it’s preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, establishing churches, or caring for widows and orphans – (that the work of ministry) cannot be done by a single individual. On the contrary, it takes a team (if you will) – specifically, it takes a body of believers – working together – using their God-given gifts and talents in complementary ways to accomplish what needs to be done.

Hence, even the Apostle “Paul” needed “Silvanus and Timothy” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1) (and many others!) to help carry out the work Christ had called him (and them) to do. And so do we – you and I need each other. We need a pastor (to be sure) – and we also need elders and deacons. But, it doesn’t stop there – for we also need men and women (who are not necessarily ordained) to teach Sunday School – to organize and prepare meals for people when the need arises – to sit with young moms and dads in worship and help them with their children – to sing in the choir – to visit folks in the hospital – to come together to pray for the needs of our church, community, and country – to help out on Mercy Ministry Work Days – and to do a host of other things no one person (or even a handful of people) can do by themselves (in part, because God has not equipped or gifted us to do these things alone)!

“Paul” may have been the leader – but “Paul AND Silvanus AND Timothy” were a team (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1). In this instance, a team God had brought together to establish a church in Thessalonica – and then nurture the believers in that church toward spiritual growth and Christian maturity (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:2).

(3) Most of us know who “Paul” is – but who are “Silvanus and Timothy” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1)?

(a) Very quickly – “Silvanus” (a.k.a. in Scripture as “Silas”) was one of the “leading men among the brethren” in the church at Jerusalem (c.f. Acts 15:22) – in fact, he was one of the men who carried a letter to Gentile believers living in “Antioch … Syria and Cilicia” (c.f. Acts 15:23), informing them of the Jerusalem Council’s decision, that they did not have to be circumcised in order to be saved (as certain Jews had been erroneously telling them) (c.f. Acts 15:1-2, 19, 23-29).

Later (as we’ve already noted), Paul chose “Silvanus” (or, “Silas”) to be one of his traveling companions during his second missionary journey (c.f. Acts 15:40) – which means he helped proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in places like Philippi and Thessalonica, Berea and Corinth (c.f. Acts 16:12; 17:1, 6; II Corinthians 1:19). He was also beaten and thrown into prison, along with Paul, in Philippi – and had a part in the conversion of the Philippian jailer, in Acts chapter sixteen (c.f. Acts 16:22-34).

However, once Paul’s second missionary journey was over, the Book of Acts never mentions Silas again.⁸ He is mentioned again, however, in First Peter chapter five, where it appears he wrote that letter at the apostle’s dictation (c.f. I Peter 5:12).

(b) “Timothy” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1) is probably more familiar to most of us – since he is the recipient of two of Paul’s later letters (i.e. First and Second Timothy), which we studied in an earlier series of messages several years ago.

Timothy was Paul’s “beloved and faithful child in the Lord” (c.f. I Corinthians 4:17) – even his “true child in the faith” (c.f. I Timothy 1:2) – which suggests he was converted under Paul’s ministry. He eventually became Paul’s protégé (if you will) – traveling with him during his second and third missionary journeys – and later pastored the church at Ephesus (c.f. I Timothy 1:3).⁹

In First Thessalonians chapter three (as we’ve already noted), we learn that (after Paul’s sudden departure, due to persecution) he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to find out how the believers there were doing – and to “strengthen and encourage these new converts in their faith” (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:1-3). The report Timothy brought back about their overall spiritual progress was a great encouragement to Paul (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:6-8).

Years later, as Paul languished in a Roman prison, toward the end of his life (c.f. II Timothy 4:6-8), Timothy was one of the people he wanted near him – hence, he wrote to him and said: “Make every effort to come to me soon” (c.f. II Timothy 4:9).

Finally, although Timothy apparently escaped the beating and imprisonment Paul and Silvanus had to endure in Philippi, Hebrews chapter thirteen indicates that he did spend some time in prison, at a later point in his life, for the sake of Christ and the Gospel (c.f. Hebrews 13:23).

(c) Taken together, then, these two men, “Silvanus and Timothy” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1), illustrate how God uses different people to accomplish His purposes – people from different cultures and backgrounds, with different mixes of gifts and talents. Nor will the people God chooses to use necessarily have the same experiences – or be used the same way, or in the same place – or even be used for the same amount of time.

All of which reminds me of something Paul once wrote to the Christians living in Corinth, where he and Silvanus and Timothy worked together for eighteen months after leaving Thessalonica (c.f. Acts 18:1, 5, 11) – and where he probably was when he wrote the letters of First and Second Thessalonians (namely):^{3 4}“Now there are (a) variet(y) of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵And there are (a) variet(y) of ministries, (but) the same Lord. ⁶There are (a) variet(y) of effects (or results), but the same God who works all things in all persons. ⁷(For) to each one (of us God has) given (a) manifestation of (His) Spirit for the common good” (c.f. I Corinthians 12:4-7).

To put it another way, as Christians, it doesn’t really matter whether we are a “Paul” – or a “Silvanus”, or a “Timothy” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1) (or some other person most people have never heard of). It doesn’t really matter if we are a pastor, or a ruling elder, or a deacon – it doesn’t really matter if we are a Sunday School teacher, a soloist or pianist, a nursery worker, an organizer of meals, or a visitor of shut-ins and those who are hospitalized. What is important, is that we do what Christ has called us to do (and gifted us to do) to the best of our God-given ability – albeit, always in humble reliance upon our Savior’s enabling grace (c.f. I Corinthians 15:10) (i.e. always relying on His strength to work in us and through us, as opposed to simply trusting in our own natural abilities and cleverness) (c.f. John 15:5).

Greetings, then, from “Paul”! BUT, also from “Silvanus and Timothy” (c.f. I Thessalonians 1:1) – “fellow worker(s) in the gospel of Christ” (c.f. I Thessalonians 3:2). That’s what all of you are – all you who have repented of your sins and professed faith in Jesus Christ – you, too, are “fellow workers in the gospel”.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

¹MacArthur: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary;

1 & 2 Thessalonians; p. 1.

²The English Standard Version Study Bible: Introduction to

First Thessalonians; p. 2301.

³The New Geneva Study Bible: The First Epistle of Paul the

Apostle to the Thessalonians; p. 1893.

⁴IBID; p. 1901.

⁵Ryken: Ryken’s Bible Handbook; p. 552.

⁶Hendricksen: New Testament Commentary; Thessalonians,

the Pastorial Epistles and Hebrews; p. 37.

⁷BCS: Strong’s Concordance.

⁸Hendrickson: Ibid; p. 39.

⁹MacArthur: Ibid; p. 13.