1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Chapter 3 is really connected to the end of Chapter 2. Paul is still cautiously excited about this church and wants to know how they’re doing. The church has heard about his struggles. Yet, I can imagine that Paul spoke about his trials and struggles as badges of honor. He often mentions … Continue reading 1 Thes 3:1-5
1 Thessalonians 3:6 Paul sitting on pins and needles to know how this congregation was doing. He couldn’t help but send Timothy to find out if they had been swept up by the enemy. Had his and their trials detailed their faith? Low and behold Timothy returns. Not only has this church remained, but it’s … Continue reading 1 Thes 3:6-13
1 Thessalonians 2:13 The Gospel was fruitful with the Thessalonians and it reads like it was well received from the start. Paul makes it very clear that the Gospel message that he’s preaching and teaching isn’t one of his own imaginations, but from God. This is in contrast to the false teachers. Where was their … Continue reading 1 Thess 2:13-16
1 Thessalonians 2:8-10 Paul jumps back to contrast himself, his associates, and the false teachers of the day. Paul worked for his own living and living an upright life. He also makes a bold claim here. He states that their conduct has been “holy, and righteous and blameless”. To really punctuate this point he calls … Continue reading 1 Thess 2:8-12
1 Thessalonians 2:1 It’s hard to think of “vain” missions. We don’t know every sermon Paul preached or every person he spoke to about the gospel. We have to guess that some ventures didn’t seem as fruitful as others. Never the less this church was a fruitful venture. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Paul was mistreated in … Continue reading 1 Thess 2:1-8
Thessalonians 1:1 The normal Pauline introduction. The church of Thessalonica is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus. It’s God’s Grace that brings peace. The more of God’s Grace we experience the more peace we will have in this troubled world. Thessalonians 1:2-10 The Gospel was preached to the people. The “power” Paul speaks … Continue reading 1 Thess 1:1-10
Paul wrote this book around 49-51 A.D. He possibly wrote it from Corinth during the events of Acts 18:1-18. Paul wrote this letter because the Thessalonian church was discouraged by false teachers and lots of questions. Timothy told Paul how the church was doing given many unexpected deaths, either by natural causes or some kind … Continue reading Thessalonians
I love this book. I can’t believe how many times I’ve read the massive 25 verses of it! So what do you think happened? There are two outcomes. Philemon could’ve ignored Paul or listened to Paul. I am pretty sure he did exactly what Paul asked. Here’s why I think that. If he had ignored … Continue reading The end of Philemon
The reason for Paul’s letter starts to unfold. Onesimus was a former slave of Philemon. We don’t know exactly how, but he escaped or left Philemon and made his way to Rome where Paul was in prison. While being there with Paul, we’re not told how long Onesimus become a believer in Christ. Let’s jump … Continue reading Paul’s plea for a fellow slave
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 Paul starts this last section with some great imagery. He and the others were “torn away” from the church in Thessalonica! Can you see him fighting and pulling to stay, but he’s being pulled away? What a great use of words. He wanted to see the Thessalonians again because they were his … Continue reading 1 Thess 2:17-20
