The Purpose of the Epistle
The establishment of the assembly in Thessalonica resulted from Paul's missionary labours in that region (Acts 17:1-91Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 5But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. (Acts 17:1‑9)). (Thessalonica is about one hundred miles from Philippi.) Paul’s practice was to stay in the area where he preached to establish the new believers who had been converted through his labours, but on this occasion he was forced to break off his work there and take flight on account of the persecutions that arose in that city against the gospel (Acts 17:1010And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. (Acts 17:10); 1 Thess. 2:1717But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. (1 Thessalonians 2:17)). It appears that Paul and his co-workers were only there with them "three Sabbath days"—about three weeks. This left these new converts in need of spiritual help and instruction.
Paul had tried to come back to them more than once, but “Satan hindered” him (chap. 2:18). When Paul got to Athens, he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to minister to them (chap. 3:1-2). When Timothy returned, Paul had moved on to Corinth and they met up there (1 Thess. 3:66But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: (1 Thessalonians 3:6); Acts 18:55And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 18:5)). Upon reconnecting with Paul, Timothy apprised him of the spiritual state and needs of the Thessalonians—indicating that they were still “lacking” (chap. 3:10) in the Christian faith, whereupon Paul wrote this letter. At the time of his writing it (circa 52 A. D.), they had been believers for only a few months. This is Paul’s first inspired epistle.
Hence, the assembly had a mixture in it of Jews and Gentiles who had believed. Acts 17:44And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. (Acts 17:4) states that "some of them" believed. Since this was a scene in "a synagogue," it is clear that these were Jews. But then it adds, "and of the devout Greeks a great multitude." These Gentiles were proselytes to the Jewish faith, but when they heard God’s glad tidings preached by Paul, they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gentile believers formed the majority of the saints at Thessalonica. "Jason" (Acts 17:66And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6)) and "Aristarchus and Secundus" (Acts 20:44And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. (Acts 20:4)) were some of these converts. Whereas, on the other hand, only "some" of the Jews believed.
A Guide for the Care of New Converts
Being faced with the situation of having to care for new converts, we might wonder what sort of things should be brought before new-born souls to help them on in the path of faith. We believe that the answer is found in this epistle. Paul's comments to the Thessalonians are directed toward meeting this need, and as a result, the epistle acts as a guide for all who care for new believers. W. Scott said, “The epistle is principally occupied with the development of the early and fresh affections in the newly converted saints at Thessalonica” (Bible Handbook, New Testament, p. 259).
The burden of the Apostle Paul in this letter is that these new converts in Thessalonica would go on for the Lord in their newfound Christian faith. Even though Timothy had been sent back to Thessalonica by Paul for the purpose of helping them in the faith (chap. 3:2), it was evident that that work was not complete (chap. 3:10). Paul, therefore, takes nothing for granted, as he writes this letter to them. The epistle deals with the very first elements that are needed in Christian life, and affords us with valuable instruction on how we are to instruct and care for new converts to the faith. Paul's theme throughout the epistle was to encourage the Thessalonian believers to follow the Lord in view of His coming again. The things that he brings before them are the very things we need to bring before newly saved persons. The epistle, therefore, acts as a guidebook for all who have the care of new converts.
As long as the Church is on earth and the gospel of the grace and glory of God is preached, people will get saved, and there will be a need for caring for new believers. This epistle, therefore, fills a very useful place in the New Testament canon of Scripture.
In looking over the contents of the epistle, we do not find the Apostle giving these new converts truth concerning the believer's standing "in Christ" and the great blessings that we have in Him, as he does in some of his other epistles. Nor do we find him unfolding the truth of the "mystery," as he does in his epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians (Eph. 1:8-10; 3:2-9; 5:328Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:8‑10)
2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:2‑9)
32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:32); Col. 1:25-2825Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (Colossians 1:25‑28)). Instead, we see Paul addressing things that are more elementary—things that new converts need before any real doctrinal instruction can be given. He addresses things that pertain to their practical walk with the Lord. The great tenets of the faith are surely needed to "establish" souls (Rom. 16:2525Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, (Romans 16:25)), but the new convert needs to have his life in some moral order first, so that he can walk in communion with the Lord, and thus, be in a state to grow spiritually. Once this is in place in a person's life, those precious truths can be added with profit. This shows us that it does little good to engage the intellect of believers with doctrinal truth when their lives are not in order.
We see this order in Acts 11. The brethren in Jerusalem had heard that there were some new converts at Antioch and in seeking to help them they sent forth Barnabas—who was known to have a line of practical and devotional ministry—who, upon arriving there, "exhorted" them to "cleave to the Lord" with "purpose of heart" (Acts 11:22-2422Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. (Acts 11:22‑24)). Then, after he had spent some time working with them along those lines, Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul (Paul) and brought him to Antioch where they "taught" the saints the truth (Acts 11:2525Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: (Acts 11:25)).
Hence, in this epistle, Paul focuses on the simplest things having to do with the believer’s devotion to Christ and the moral standards of Christian living. He is seen in this epistle as a "nurse" and as a "father" in the faith in a pastoral role (1 Thess. 2:7, 117But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: (1 Thessalonians 2:7)
11As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, (1 Thessalonians 2:11)), rather than as a teacher and an instructor. It is also significant that in seeking to be a help to these new converts, we do not read of Paul giving them any self-help programs, but rather, basic encouragement, counsel, and exhortation.
Paul's Three-fold Concern For the Thessalonians
Paul's concern for the Thessalonians was three-fold:
• Firstly, that their personal lives would be in accord with the holiness of God, as demonstrated by himself and the others who worked with him.
• Secondly, that they would be able to stand against the fierce persecution hurled at them by the enemies of the gospel.
• Thirdly, that the coming of the Lord, in relation to the saints who had departed, would be better understood and that their lives would be lived in view of its imminence.
The Lord's Coming—Two Phases
It is significant that the Lord's coming is mentioned at the close of each chapter in the first epistle, and thus, it emphasizes the major theme of the epistle. Paul called the Lord's coming for His saints (the Rapture) "the blessed hope" (Titus 2:1313Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)). This hope has been given to the Church, not just as a matter of doctrine and fact, but because of its practical effect. There is nothing so sanctifying to the soul than living in a conscious sense of the imminence of His coming. When the nearness of it takes hold of a person's soul, it will alter the course of his life. By mentioning the Lord's coming in every chapter, the Apostle Paul desired to keep the reality of it before their souls because he knew that it would produce positive, practical effects in their lives.
However, the enemy sought to take away this very truth away from them—or at least to cloud their minds with wrong ideas about it. Satan surely doesn't want to see those positive, practical effects in believers, and he works overtime to take the imminence of the Lord's coming away from us and to get us occupied with things around us on earth. The Thessalonians had begun with this expectancy of the Lord's coming. Paul mentions this in chapter 1:3, stating the "patience of hope," along with "work of faith," and "labour of love," as that which should mark normal Christianity. But somehow something had dimmed that bright hope before their souls. Paul alludes to this in chapter 3:6, where he mentions the two other things ("faith and love"), but not hope. This indicates that they had lost something in connection with the hope, and it was no longer before them as it had been when they were first saved. Hence, Paul sought to "perfect that which was lacking in their faith" by instructing them more perfectly as to the hope (1 Thess. 3:1010Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:10)).
Two Parts of the Epistle
The epistle has two main parts:
• Chapters 1-3—Paul's personal observations and desires for the Thessalonian believers.
• Chapters 4-5—Paul's practical exhortations to the Thessalonian believers.
The Progression of Spiritual Growth in the Epistle
There is a progression of growth that Paul follows in his comments to the Thessalonians:
• Chapter 1—Born of God and saved.
• Chapter 2—Nursed and fathered.
• Chapter 3—Standing established on their feet.
• Chapter 4—Walking, working, and waiting.
• Chapter 5—Serving one another.