1 + 2 THESSALONIANS

1 THESSALONIANS 1

PAUL IS ENCOURAGED BY THE FAITH OF THE THESSALONIANS

Paul addresses the church in Thessalonica, thanking God for their faithfulness, steadfast hope, and generous acts of love. Remembering the conversion of the Thessalonians, Paul recalls how the Holy Spirit filled them with power and conviction. In response to their faith, the Thessalonians became imitators of Jesus and served as an example to all believers. Paul marvels at the way the Thessalonians received the Gospel and turned away from false idols to serve God and trust in Jesus for their salvation.

1 THESSALONIANS 2

PAUL TEACHES TO LIVE IN A MANNER THAT IMITATES JESUS 

Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his visit to Thessalonica, where he and Silas traveled together to spread the gospel message (Acts 17). Paul did not travel for his own purposes, but to entrust the Thessalonians with the news of Jesus as God had intended. Speaking of his love for the people in Thessalonica, Paul remembers the great extent they worked to share the good news of the gospel with them. After hearing Paul’s message, they knew that he was speaking the word of God.

Knowing the followers of Jesus would face rejection and persecution, Paul encourages them to live in a manner that honors God and imitates Jesus. Paul greatly desires to see the believers in Thessalonica and praises God for providing them with faithfulness.

1 THESSALONIANS 3

TIMOTHY RETURNS WITH A HOPEFUL UPDATE 

Paul is concerned about the newfound faith of the people in Thessalonica and worries that they have been tempted to abandon their belief in Jesus. Paul sends Timothy to visit and see how they are doing. When Timothy returns, Paul receives the encouraging message that the Christians in Thessalonica remain steadfast. Despite facing persecution, the believers remained faithful.

Showing the personal nature of Paul’s ministry, Paul writes that he deeply misses the people and cares for them greatly. Paul prays on behalf of the Thessalonians and asks God to provide them with endurance and increasing love for one another, and to establish their hearts with holiness.

1 THESSALONIANS 4

GOD’S WILL TO SANCTIFY BELIEVERS 

Paul urges the believers to live in a way that honors God and follows the life of Jesus. He tells the Thessalonians that it is God’s will for them to be sanctified or refined into a more Christ-like version of themselves.

Consistent with the teachings of Jesus, Paul challenges the believers to live a life free from sexual immorality and lust. As followers of God, the believers have been called to holiness. Paul motivates the Thessalonians to continue loving one another and living quiet, diligent lives.

Answering a common question of the Thessalonians, Paul comforts the believers who are concerned about the eternal fate of those who have died before the life of Jesus. Because Jesus conquered death, death cannot separate those who had hope in the arrival of Jesus. Paul offers hope for those who were followers of God before the arrival of Jesus on Earth.

Encouraging believers that they do not have to grieve in the same ways as those without faith, Paul advocates that in their mourning, believers should point to the greater hope found in eternity with Jesus.

1 THESSALONIANS 5

REMAIN STEADFAST UNTIL THE ARRIVAL OF CHRIST 

Discussing the return of Jesus, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that no one knows the time or date of His return. Like a thief coming in the night or a woman going into labor, there is no way to predict the exact timing of Jesus’ return. Paul inspires the believers to let the hope of Christ’s return fuel their faithfulness. He urges Christians to live with alertness and to build up other believers.

Paul teaches the believers to work diligently and help those who are less motivated or disheartened. Sharing God’s will, he instructs them to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.

Paul asks God to sanctify the believers and help them remain steadfast and faithful as they await the arrival of Christ. Encouraging the believers to follow Jesus, Paul desires the Thessalonians to respond to the gospel message with love, generosity, and hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

2 THESSALONIANS 1

SUFFERING IS TEMPORARY, GOD’S JUSTICE IS PERMANENT  

Following his first message to the Thessalonians, Paul writes another letter clarifying some of his previous ideas. Paul boasts in God’s goodness to the Thessalonians for preserving their faith and allowing them to remain steadfast. Despite facing many trials and great persecution, the Christians in Thessalonica have remained devout to the message of Jesus.

Paul reassures the Thessalonians that their suffering is not in vain and that it marks them as participants in God’s kingdom. Reminding the believers of God’s just nature, Paul comforts the believers by telling them that God will give relief to the troubled. When Jesus returns, peace will be restored and those who persecuted the Christians will be brought to justice.

With this in mind, Paul prays that God will bring to fruition every good deed that He desires from the people of Thessalonica. Paul knows that God has sustained the Thessalonians for a purpose and will continue to establish His will through believers.

2 THESSALONIANS 2

FOR BELIEVERS, THE END IS ACTUALLY THE BEGINNING

Paul realizes an incorrect message about the return of Jesus has reached the Thessalonians. The believers are frightened that Jesus has already returned, and they were forgotten or left behind. Paul encourages them not to believe everything that they hear and not be shaken or deceived by false information. Paul teaches that the return of Jesus should inspire the believers to feel hope and excitement for eternal life, not fear.

Based on different views of the end times or return of Jesus, this message can be interpreted to have different meanings. Paul speaks of a time of lawlessness and deception, which some believe to be the anti-Christ or Satan personified on Earth. Regardless of these views, Paul clearly speaks of a time before the return of Jesus where there would be clear signs of the end times.

Despite these concerns, Paul tells the Thessalonians to thank God for their salvation. Because of their belief in Jesus, the end times will be the beginning of their eternity with Jesus. Although there may be havoc throughout the world, this persecution would not last forever. Paul emboldens believers to find comfort and hope in Jesus alone.

2 THESSALONIANS 3

DO NOT GROW WEARY IN DOING GOOD

Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for him and the other apostles as they continue to spread the message of Jesus. Not all who hear believe, but the faithfulness of the Thessalonians has fueled the apostles to continue preaching the gospel.

Paul warns against idleness, laziness, and irresponsible living and uplifts the believers, challenging them to not grow weary in doing good deeds. Finally, Paul signs the message, confirming that he is the author, so that the Thessalonians receive it as authentic.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.