Words for the Wise, The Faith that Endures, 1 Thessalonians 1 NIV

1 Thessalonians 1 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

1 Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ faith

2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 For we know, brothers and sisters[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia – your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Be thankful ... from Elim Missions

1 Thessalonians 1:2

We always thank God for all of you ...

Have you ever had one of those moments where you are just a little annoyed at someone?

Though this may not be good for my reputation I had such a moment last night! I had what could be described as an attack of grumpiness. I know I'm sure you can hardly believe it of me!

Then I read this verse ahead of this morning. Hmm!

So I did what Paul said he did. I decided to thank God for everyone I could think of. I thanked God even for the people who are reading this today, for you. After I had got through the thanking I had forgotten I was grumpy! It had worked!

As Paul thanked God for these Christians he remembered their faith, love and hope and what these traits had accomplished.

As Paul thanked God he remembered the past and his involvement with their lives.

As Paul thanked God he remembered what God did for and through the people.

Now I am hoping no one will be like I was. I hope you're not grumpy today. But instead of whining about someone, thank God for them. In fact always thank God for them. See what happens ...!

Matthew Henry's Commentary

Verses 2-5

I. The apostle begins with thanksgiving to God. Being about to mention the things that were matter of joy to him, and highly praiseworthy in them, and greatly for their advantage, he chooses to do this by way of thanksgiving to God, who is the author of all that good that comes to us, or is done by us, at any time. God is the object of all religious worship, of prayer and praise. And thanksgiving to God is a great duty, to be performed always or constantly; even when we do not actually give thanks to God by our words, we should have a grateful sense of God’s goodness upon our minds. Thanksgiving should be often repeated; and not only should we be thankful for the favours we ourselves receive, but for the benefits bestowed on others also, upon our fellow-creatures and fellow-christians. The apostle gave thanks not only for those who were his most intimate friends, or most eminently favoured of God, but for them all.

II. He joined prayer with his praise or thanksgiving. When we in every thing by prayer and supplication make our requests known to God, we should join thanksgiving therewith, Phil. 4:6. So when we give thanks for any benefit we receive we should join prayer. We should pray always and without ceasing, and should pray not only for ourselves, but for others also, for our friends, and should make mention of them in our prayers. We may sometimes mention their names, and should make mention of their case and condition; at least, we should have their persons and circumstances in our minds, remembering them without ceasing. Note, As there is much that we ought to be thankful for on the behalf of ourselves and our friends, so there is much occasion of constant prayer for further supplies of good.

III. He mentions the particulars for which he was so thankful to God; namely,

1. The saving benefits bestowed on them. These were the grounds and reasons of his thanksgiving. (1.) Their faith and their work of faith. Their faith he tells them (1 Thess. 1:8) was very famous, and spread abroad. This is the radical grace; and their faith was a true and living faith, because a working faith. Note, Wherever there is a true faith, it will work: it will have an influence upon heart and life; it will put us upon working for God and for our own salvation. We have comfort in our own faith and the faith of others when we perceive the work of faith. Show me thy faith by thy works, Jas. 2:18. (2.) Their love and labour of love. Love is one of the cardinal graces; it is of great use to us in this life and will remain and be perfected in the life to come. Faith works by love; it shows itself in the exercise of love to God and love to our neighbour; as love will show itself by labour, it will put us upon taking pains in religion. (3.) Their hope and the patience of hope. We are saved by hope. This grace is compared to the soldier’s helmet and sailor’s anchor, and is of great use in times of danger. Wherever there is a well-grounded hope of eternal life, it will appear by the exercise of patience; in a patient bearing of the calamities of the present time and a patient waiting for the glory to be revealed. For, if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it, Rom. 8:25.

2. The apostle not only mentions these three cardinal graces, faith, hope and love, but also takes notice, (1.) Of the object and efficient cause of these graces, namely, our Lord Jesus Christ. (2.) Of the sincerity of them: being in the sight of God even our Father. The great motive to sincerity is the apprehension of God’s eye as always upon us; and it is a sign of sincerity when in all we do we endeavour to approve ourselves to God, and that is right which is so in the sight of God. Then is the work of faith, or labour of love, or patience of hope, sincere, when it is done under the eye of God. (3.) He mentions the fountain whence these graces flow, namely, God’s electing love: Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God, 1 Thess. 1:4. Thus he runs up these streams to the fountain, and that was God’s eternal election. Some by their election of God would understand only the temporary separation of the Thessalonians from the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles in their conversion; but this was according to the eternal purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will, Eph. 1:11. Speaking of their election, he calls them, brethren beloved; for the original of the brotherhood that is between Christians and the relation wherein they stand one to another is election. And it is a good reason why we should love one another, because we are all beloved of God, and were beloved of him in his counsels when there was not any thing in us to merit his love. The election of these Thessalonians was known to the apostles, and therefore might be known to themselves, and that by the fruits and effects thereof—their sincere faith, and hope, and love, by the successful preaching of the gospel among them. Observe, [1.] All those who in the fulness of time are effectually called and sanctified were from eternity elected and chosen to salvation. [2.] The election of God is of his own good pleasure and mere grace, not for the sake of any merit in those who are chosen. [3.] The election of God may be known by the fruits thereof. [4.] Whenever we are giving thanks to God for his grace either to ourselves or others, we should run up the streams to the fountain, and give thanks to God for his electing love, by which we are made to differ.

3. Another ground or reason of the apostle’s thanksgiving is the success of his ministry among them. He was thankful on his own account as well as theirs, that he had not laboured in vain. He had the seal and evidence of his apostleship hereby, and great encouragement in his labours and sufferings. Their ready acceptance and entertainment of the gospel he preached to them were an evidence of their being elected and beloved of God. It was in this way that he knew their election. It is true he had been in the third heavens; but he had not searched the records of eternity, and found their election there, but knew this by the success of the gospel among them (1 Thess. 1:5), and he takes notice with thankfulness, (1.) That the gospel came to them also not in word only, but in power; they not only heard the sound of it, but submitted to the power of it. It did not merely tickle the ear and please the fancy, not merely fill their heads with notions and amuse their minds for awhile, but it affected their hearts: a divine power went along with it for convincing their consciences and amending their lives. Note, By this we may know our election, if we not only speak of the things of God by rote as parrots, but feel the influence of these things in our hearts, mortifying our lusts, weaning us from the world, and raising us up to heavenly things. (2.) It came in the Holy Ghost, that is, with the powerful energy of the divine Spirit. Note, Wherever the gospel comes in power, it is to be attributed to the operation of the Holy Ghost; and unless the Spirit of God accompany the word of God, to render it effectual by his power, it will be to us but as a dead letter; and the letter killeth, it is the Spirit that giveth life. (3.) The gospel came to them in much assurance. Thus did they entertain it by the power of the Holy Ghost. They were fully convinced of the truth of it, so as not to be easily shaken in mind by objections and doubts; they were willing to leave all for Christ, and to venture their souls and everlasting condition upon the verity of the gospel revelation. The word was not to them, like the sentiments of some philosophers about matters of opinion and doubtful speculation, but the object of their faith and assurance. Their faith was the evidence of things not seen; and the Thessalonians thus knew what manner of men the apostle and his fellow-labourers were among them, and what they did for their sake, and with what good success.

The Bible Panorama

1 Thessalonians 1

V 1: GRACE Paul, along with Silvanus and Timothy, greets the Thessalonian church. Again, he wishes them God’s grace and peace.

 V 2–3: GRATITUDE Paul always gives thanks to God for them and prays for them. It is the outworking of the gospel through their faith, and through their love and patience, which causes him to thank God. Not only do they have faith, but they have a certain hope for the future in Christ.

 V 4–6: GOSPEL The fact that they are elect is shown by the way the gospel came in power to them through the Holy Spirit. Contributing, under God’s grace, to the conversion of the Thessalonians was the clear testimony of Paul and his companions. Now they follow their example, having received God’s word in difficult circumstances though with joy given by the Holy Spirit.

V 7–10: GODLINESS The evidence of their conversion is that they have heralded the gospel by godly lives and by sharing the message. Their idols have gone. They have turned from them to God. This is widely known, as is their confidence in Christ’s second coming, the resurrection, and deliverance from eternal wrath. Here are people whose repentance is shown through their rejection of idolatry, evangelistic zeal and their understanding of good doctrine.

Dictionary of Bible Themes

7760 preachers, responsibilities of

Those entrusted with the responsibility of preaching are to discharge it faithfully, boldly and persistently in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Christian community should honour faithful preachers and challenge those who fail to honour their responsibility.

The responsibilities of preachers

They must be diligent in their preaching 2Ti 2:15 See also 1Ti 4:13-16; 2Ti 4:1-5

They must be faithful in their preaching Ac 20:20 See also Jer 26:1-2; Jer 42:4; Ac 20:25-27

They must be persistent in their preaching 2Ti 4:1-5 See also Ac 18:4-6; Ac 20:31; 1Th 2:1-2

They must be bold in their preaching Ac 28:31 See also Jer 26:7-15; Am 7:10-17; Ac 4:18-20; Ac 5:27-29; Ac 14:1-3

They must be encouraging in their preaching Ac 14:21-22 See also Ac 15:32; 1Co 14:3-5; 1Th 2:11-12; 2Ti 4:2

They must be filled with the Holy Spirit Ac 1:8; 1Co 2:4 See also Ac 4:31-33; 1Th 1:5; 1Pe 1:12

They must be compassionate in their preaching Mk 6:34 See also Mt 9:35-38

The responsibilities of the church towards preachers

Faithful preachers should be honoured 1Ti 5:17 See also Mt 13:53-57 pp Mk 6:2-4; Lk 10:3-8; Heb 13:7

Unfaithful preachers are to be exposed and will be judged Gal 1:6-9 See also Jer 14:14-16; Eze 13:1-23; 1Ti 1:3-4; 1Ti 4:1-7; Tit 1:10-11; 2Pe 2:1-3; Rev 2:14-16,20-23

The responsibilities of preachers

1.      They must be diligent in their preaching

1 Timothy 4:13-16New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2.    They must be faithful in their preaching 

Acts 20:20-28New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.22 ‘And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

25 ‘Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,[a] which he bought with his own blood.[b]

3.     They must be persistent in their preaching

Acts 20:32New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

32 ‘Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

4.    They must be bold in their preaching 

Acts 28:28-31New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

28 ‘Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!’ [a] 30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ – with all boldness and without hindrance!

5.     They must be encouraging in their preaching

Acts 14:21-24New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

The return to Antioch in Syria

21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a] for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,

Part 2 Words for the Wise, The Faithful Messenger, 1 Thessalonians 2 NIV