1Thessalonians Part 2 – 1:1-5

Verse 1

• “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus” – found together in Acts 17:10-14 Act 18:5, 2Cor 1:19.

i. Paul – Formally Saul, was saved on the road to Damascus – Act 7:58, 9:1-8

ii. Silvanus = Silas – Came from Peters group – 1Pet 5:12, Acts 15:22.

iii. Timotheous – From Lystra - Acts 16:1-3

• “Church of the Thessalonians” – Started in Acts 17:1-9

• “Grace and peace” – Paul begins all of his epistles with this greeting. Gods if offering these I’m this dispensation “From God our father, and the Lord Jesus Christ”

i. 18 times in NT – 14 from Paul, the first appearance in scripture is Romans.

Verse 2

• “We give thanks to God always for you” – 2Thess 1:3 – A pattern of Paul – Rom 1:8, Phil 1:3.

• “making mention of you in our prayers” – Thanksgiving unto God is a function of prayer.

Verse 3-5

• “Remembering without ceasing” – 1Thess 2:13 – They were constant upon their minds.

• “faith, love, hope” – 1Cor 13:13.

i. “Work of faith” – Believing the word of God – 1Thess 2:13, Acts 17:4

ii. “Labor of love” – 1Thess 4:9-10 – Paul likely experienced it himself (Acts 17:5-10) but also was reported from Timothy – 1Thess 3:6.

iii. “Patience of hope” – The Thessalonians we’re going through persecution, Hope give patience and allows us to endure – Rom 8:18-25.

• “knowing, brethren, beloved, your election of God” – The Thessalonians had faith (1:8, 2:13, 3:6,

Rom 10:17) they made a choice to believe the gospel after hearing it – Acts 17:2-4, Eph 1:13,

2Thess 2:13-14.

i. 2 Thess 2:13/election – They were chosen to hear the gospel (Acts 16:9-10) but that was unique to them – Col 1:5-6. You also had some who didn’t believe – Acts 17:5.

ii. Christ was elect – Isa 42:1 – They were in Christ – Eph 1:4-7, Col 3:10-12.

iii. Christ is the beloved son of God (Matt 3:17, 12:18) and you are accepted in him – Eph 1:6, Eph 4:32.

iv. You can be elect and know your election by being in Christ which comes by faith in the Gospel of his death and resurrection.

• “For our gospel” – Acts 17:3

• “came not in word only” – All we read about in Acts 17

• “in power…… in the Holy Ghost…… much assurance” – Spirit gifts – this was to verify Paul’s

message was of God – 1Cor 2:1-4, Gal 2:7-8, Rom 15:19.

i. We can make a contrast here in verse 3&5 between the Thessalonians and the Corinthians. The Thessalonians are praised while the Corinthians are rebuked – 1Cor 3:1, 12-14.

• “as ye know what manner of men we were among you” – Apostles that were no burdensome -

1Thess 2:6.