Personal Relations to the Thessalonians (1-3)

Grace and Peace from God to them (1:1)

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ

Paul was writing by Divine inspiration. He received more wisdom and revelation because he was obedient to God to give what he had already received.

We see from Acts 17:1-3 that when Paul first visited Thessalonica that he "reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging" that Jesus was the Christ.

Paul pioneered this church through much opposition and persecution and now he could write to them.

Thanksgiving for them (1:2-10)

Paul was thankful because of their Christian virtues

• They had a work of faith (1:3).

Faith is demonstrated by judging, preaching and living the (Gospel) truth itself and by assurance, belief, and fidelity shown in their everyday lives. To have a work of faith we need to Judge righteously with the Scripture, preach that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and live Holy according to the Scripture.

• They had a labor of love (1:3).

Love is manifested from God to them, and then to others.

• They had patience of hope (1:3).

Hope is proved by remaining anchored in God the Father and in Lord Jesus Christ through every storm.

Paul was thankful because of their divine election (1:4-7)

The assurance of their election (1:4,5)

The proof of assurance (1:5)

The proof of assurance is the power of the Holy Ghost.

The reason of assurance (1:6)

This was because they received the Word (1:6; 2:13) and they received the Holy Ghost (1:6).

The results of the assurance 1:7-9

Because of this assurance, they became examples (1:7) and they turned from idols to serve the living and the true God (1:9).

The revelation of Jesus (1:10)

We must wait for Him to reveal Himself. We must have a revelation that Jesus is the Father's Son from Heaven, we must have a revelation of His resurrection, and we must have a revelation that He is our Deliverer from the wrath to come.

Paul's ministry among them (2:1-20)

The circumstances of the ministry (2:1, 2)

The manner of the ministry (2:3-12)

Here we have a detailed description of Paul's ministry among the Thessalonians. It was "not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile" (2:3). He spoke the Gospel, believing that God would try their hearts (2:4). God is a witness that he neither used flattering words nor wore a cloak of covetousness (2:5). He was not boastful and did not seek glory (2:6). As an apostle, he could have used his authority to burden them, but he did not (2:6-12).

The memory of the ministry (2:13-17)

The workers conduct (2:13)

The converts received the word of God (2:13-17)

The workers' relationship to the converts

As a nurse (2:7)

As a father (2:11)

As the Apostle of Christ (2:6)

The converts following and fellowship in suffering (2:14)

The persecutors (2:14-16)

The relation since the separation (2:17-20)

Timothy sent to minister to them (3:1-13)

Paul was planning to send Timothy to them to establish and comfort them concerning their faith (3:2). They would need to be established because there would be many afflictions (3:3), tribulations (3:4), and temptations (3:5) that would come upon them.

Paul's motive (3:5)

To win souls for Christ for eternity, not just for a while Lest his labor be in vain

Timothy's report (3:6)

Paul's reaction to the report (3:7-10)

• It brought comfort (3:7)
• It evoked thanksgiving (3:9)
• It increased prayer (3:10)

The contents of his prayer (3:9-13)

• Thanks (3:9)
• That God would make a way to see them (3:10, 11)
• erfect that which is lacking in their faith (3:10)
• That they may grow in love (3:12)
• Their hearts would be established (3:13)
• Unblameable in holiness (3:13)