{"notes_id":"eng_tyndale","book":"1th","verses":{"1":{"1":"Ancient letters began with the name of the author, the name of the recipients, and a salutation. • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Paul, Silas, and Timothy</span> were the founders of this church (<span data-ref=\"act,17,1,17,9\">Acts 17:1-9</span>). • The greeting <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">grace and peace</span> summarizes the believer’s experience of the Good News.","2":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">We always thank God for all of you</span> is the first of three thanksgivings for the church (see <span data-ref=\"1th,2,13\">2:13</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,3,9\">3:9</span>).","3":"The reason for Paul’s gratitude was the Thessalonians’ <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">faithful work</span><em>,</em> <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">loving deeds</span><em>,</em> and <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">enduring hope</span> (or <em>confidence;</em> see <span data-ref=\"1th,3,6\">3:6</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,5,8\">5:8</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,1,3,1,4\">2 Thes 1:3-4</span>).","4":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">dear brothers and sisters:</span> Greek <span class=\"fbn-greek\">adelphoi,</span> a generic term that refers to members of the same family, both male and female.","5":"God called the Thessalonians through the proclamation of the <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Good News</span> (<span data-ref=\"2th,2,13,2,14\">2 Thes 2:13-14</span>). The <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Holy Spirit</span> convinced the hearers that the message was true (<span data-ref=\"1co,2,4,2,5\">1 Cor 2:4-5</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,1,12\">1 Pet 1:12</span>).","6":"Because they accepted the Good News, the Thessalonians experienced <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">severe suffering</span> from their contemporaries (<span data-ref=\"1th,2,14\">2:14</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,3,3,3,4\">3:3-4</span>). Yet as they followed the model of the apostles and of the Lord himself (<span data-ref=\"mat,5,11,5,12\">Matt 5:11-12</span>; <span data-ref=\"rom,8,17\">Rom 8:17</span>; <span data-ref=\"rom,12,12\">12:12</span>; <span data-ref=\"php,2,17\">Phil 2:17</span>), they received <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">joy from the Holy Spirit</span> (<span data-ref=\"1pe,4,13,4,14\">1 Pet 4:13-14</span>).","9":"Among the Gentiles, the message of the apostles was an exhortation to turn from false idols <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">to serve the living and true God</span><em>,</em> who created all things (<span data-ref=\"act,14,11,14,18\">Acts 14:11-18</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,17,22,17,31\">17:22-31</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,19,23,19,41\">19:23-41</span>). In a pluralistic religious environment, the call to forsake ancestral gods was unusual (cp. <span data-ref=\"jer,10,8,10,10\">Jer 10:8-10</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,8,4,8,6\">1 Cor 8:4-6</span>).","10":"The resurrection of Jesus <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">from the dead</span> was the core of the apostles’ preaching (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,14\">4:14</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,2,32\">Acts 2:32</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,3,15\">3:15</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,10,40\">10:40</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,13,29,13,30\">13:29-30</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,15,3,15,8\">1 Cor 15:3-8</span>) and the foundation for confidence in Jesus’ return (see <span data-ref=\"1th,5,9\">1 Thes 5:9</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,1,6,1,10\">2 Thes 1:6-10</span>)."},"2":{"1":"The Greek word translated <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">visit</span> often refers to entry into a city. Ancient orators were known for their grand entrances into a town. Paul’s entrance to Thessalonica should be judged by its credible results rather than its lack of pomp or ceremony.","2":"Despite the dishonor and pain Paul and Silas had suffered in Philippi (<span data-ref=\"act,16,19,16,40\">Acts 16:19-40</span>), they showed <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">courage</span> by preaching confidently in Thessalonica.","4":"In the ancient world, those <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">entrusted</span> with a public office had to be tested and <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">approved</span>. The Thessalonians (<span data-ref=\"1th,2,3\">2:3</span>) and <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">God</span> served as two witnesses to the purity of Paul’s <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">motives</span>.","5":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Flattery</span> was a common means of getting financial gain from others. Paul denies that he flattered the Thessalonians in order to be given <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">money</span>. He again calls both the Thessalonians and <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">God</span> as witnesses (cp. <span data-ref=\"1th,2,10\">2:10</span>; <span data-ref=\"deu,19,15\">Deut 19:15</span>; <span data-ref=\"2co,13,1\">2 Cor 13:1</span>; <span data-ref=\"1ti,5,19\">1 Tim 5:19</span>).","7":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">we were like children:</span> Some manuscripts read <em>we were gentle.</em> Paul and his associates did not wield their apostolic authority to make <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">demands</span> (cp. <span data-ref=\"mat,20,25,20,28\">Matt 20:25-28</span>).","9":"Paul and his associates engaged in manual labor to support themselves while in the city (cp. <span data-ref=\"act,18,1,18,4\">Acts 18:1-4</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,9,12,9,18\">1 Cor 9:12-18</span>) as an example to the Thessalonians (<span data-ref=\"2th,3,8,3,9\">2 Thes 3:8-9</span>) and to avoid becoming an economic <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">burden</span> to them.","10":"Both God and the Thessalonians were <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">witnesses</span> (see <span data-ref=\"1th,2,5\">2:5</span>) that Paul’s conduct was <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">devout and honest</span><em>,</em> terms used in ancient literature to describe obedience to both divine and human laws.","11":"In the ancient world, the moral instruction of children was a fundamental obligation of fathers. Roman fathers could be harsh, but Plutarch advised Greek fathers to use praise, reason, exhortations, and good counsel when teaching children to avoid vice and embrace virtue. Paul describes himself as this kind of <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">father</span> to the Thessalonians.","12":"What <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">God would consider worthy</span> is a life lived in harmony with the high standards he expects of those called (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,7\">4:7</span>) to share <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">his Kingdom and glory</span> (<span data-ref=\"rom,8,17,8,18\">Rom 8:17-18</span>; <span data-ref=\"col,1,27\">Col 1:27</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,2,14\">2 Thes 2:14</span>).","13":"Paul gives thanks a second time (see <span data-ref=\"1th,1,2\">1:2</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,3,9\">3:9</span>) because the Thessalonians accepted the message of the apostles—not just as a human philosophy, but as <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">the very word of God</span> (<span data-ref=\"1th,1,5\">1:5</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,2,14\">2 Thes 2:14</span>; <span data-ref=\"2co,5,20\">2 Cor 5:20</span>).","14":"The evidence that the Thessalonian believers accepted the word of God was that they <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">suffered persecution</span> (<span data-ref=\"1th,1,6\">1:6</span>). This followed the pattern of the apostles, the <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">churches in Judea</span> (<span data-ref=\"act,8,1\">Acts 8:1</span>), and Christ himself.","15":"Paul was not anti-Jewish; out of love for his own people, he prayed for their salvation (<span data-ref=\"rom,9,1,9,5\">Rom 9:1-5</span>; <span data-ref=\"rom,10,1\">10:1</span>). But he was aware of the role <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">some of the Jews</span> had in the deaths of God’s messengers, including Jesus (<span data-ref=\"1ki,19,10\">1 Kgs 19:10</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,7,52\">Acts 7:52</span>). Now they had <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">persecuted</span> the apostolic messengers in Thessalonica (<span data-ref=\"act,17,10\">Acts 17:10</span>; <span data-ref=\"2co,11,26\">2 Cor 11:26</span>).","16":"The mission to the <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Gentiles</span> was one of the most important issues in the early church (<span data-ref=\"act,11,18\">Acts 11:18</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,13,46,13,49\">13:46-49</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,28,28\">28:28</span>; <span data-ref=\"rom,1,16\">Rom 1:16</span>). • Judgment comes when sins <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">pile up</span> to their complete measure (<span data-ref=\"gen,15,16\">Gen 15:16</span>; <span data-ref=\"dan,8,23\">Dan 8:23</span>; cp. <span data-ref=\"mat,23,31,23,36\">Matt 23:31-36</span>).","17":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">separated:</span> Paul describes his unplanned departure from Thessalonica (see <span data-ref=\"act,17,10\">Acts 17:10</span>) as depriving these new believers of their spiritual parents. However, this absence was not neglect. As evidenced by Paul’s attempts to return to the church, the separation was unintentional (cp. <span data-ref=\"php,1,7\">Phil 1:7</span>; <span data-ref=\"col,2,5\">Col 2:5</span>).","18":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">again and again:</span> Paul made repeated attempts to return to the Thessalonian church. Despite the opposition of <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Satan</span> (see <span data-ref=\"rom,16,20\">Rom 16:20</span>; <span data-ref=\"2co,2,11\">2 Cor 2:11</span>; <span data-ref=\"eph,6,10,6,12\">Eph 6:10-12</span>), both Timothy (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,2\">1 Thes 3:2</span>, <span data-ref=\"1th,3,5\">5</span>) and Paul (<span data-ref=\"act,20,1,20,3\">Acts 20:1-3</span>) were eventually able to visit the church again.","19":"In the Greek and Roman world, a <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">crown</span> was given to those who received great civic honor or who were victorious in athletic games.","20":"Paul views the Thessalonian believers—not his own accomplishments—as the source of his <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">pride</span><em>,</em> or renown, and his <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">joy</span> (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,9\">3:9</span>)."},"3":{"3":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">we are destined for such troubles:</span> Suffering for the faith is often part of a Christian’s life (<span data-ref=\"1th,1,6\">1:6</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,2,14\">2:14</span>; <span data-ref=\"php,1,29\">Phil 1:29</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,1,6\">1 Pet 1:6</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,2,21\">2:21</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,3,17\">3:17</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,4,19\">4:19</span>).","5":"Paul was concerned that Satan, <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">the tempter</span> (<span data-ref=\"mrk,1,13\">Mark 1:13</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,7,5\">1 Cor 7:5</span>), had undermined the Thessalonians’ <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">faith</span> (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,2\">1 Thes 3:2</span>, <span data-ref=\"1th,3,6\">6</span>, <span data-ref=\"1th,3,8\">8</span>) and rendered his <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">work</span> among them futile (<span data-ref=\"gal,2,2\">Gal 2:2</span>; <span data-ref=\"php,2,16\">Phil 2:16</span>).","6":"Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth just after Timothy <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">returned</span> from Thessalonica (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,2\">3:2</span>, <span data-ref=\"1th,3,5\">5</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,18,5\">Acts 18:5</span>). Timothy’s report provided <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">good news</span> about the Thessalonians’ <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">faith and love</span><em>,</em> steadfastness (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,8\">1 Thes 3:8</span>), and hope (see also <span data-ref=\"1th,5,8\">5:8</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,1,3,1,4\">2 Thes 1:3-4</span>).","8":"Paul was distressed by his present circumstances (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,7\">3:7</span>) and deeply concerned for the church (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,1\">3:1</span>, <span data-ref=\"1th,3,5\">5</span>). He was relieved to learn that the Thessalonians remained strong and were <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">standing firm in the Lord</span> even though they were also suffering (<span data-ref=\"1th,2,14\">2:14</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,3,3,3,4\">3:3-4</span>).","11":"Paul’s prayer to return to Thessalonica <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">very soon</span> (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,10\">3:10</span>) is directed both to the <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Father</span> and the <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Lord Jesus</span><em>,</em> implying Jesus’ divinity.","12":"A characteristic of this church was their <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">love for one another</span> as members of God’s family (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,9\">4:9</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,1,3,1,4\">2 Thes 1:3-4</span>). Paul prays that their love will <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">grow and overflow</span> toward those outside the Christian community (cp. <span data-ref=\"1th,5,15\">1 Thes 5:15</span>; <span data-ref=\"gal,6,10\">Gal 6:10</span>; <span data-ref=\"2ti,2,24\">2 Tim 2:24</span>; <span data-ref=\"tit,3,2\">Titus 3:2</span>) even in the face of persecution.","13":"In the final part of this prayer (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,11,3,13\">3:11-13</span>), Paul prays that their <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">hearts</span>—their conduct and moral resolve (<span data-ref=\"mat,5,8\">Matt 5:8</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,15,9\">Acts 15:9</span>; <span data-ref=\"heb,10,22\">Heb 10:22</span>)—might be <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">strong, blameless, and holy</span>. • When Jesus <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">comes</span><em>,</em> he will be accompanied by <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">all his holy people</span><em>,</em> possibly a reference to angels (<span data-ref=\"deu,33,2\">Deut 33:2</span>; <span data-ref=\"psa,89,5\">Ps 89:5</span>, <span data-ref=\"psa,89,7\">7</span>; <span data-ref=\"dan,4,13\">Dan 4:13</span>; <span data-ref=\"dan,8,13\">8:13</span>; <span data-ref=\"mat,13,41\">Matt 13:41</span>; <span data-ref=\"mrk,8,38\">Mark 8:38</span>; <span data-ref=\"mrk,13,26,13,27\">13:26-27</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,1,7\">2 Thes 1:7</span>)."},"4":{"3":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">God’s will is for you to be holy:</span> The foundation of Christian ethics is not philosophical speculation about virtue but doing God’s will (<span data-ref=\"rom,12,1,12,2\">Rom 12:1-2</span>; <span data-ref=\"eph,6,6\">Eph 6:6</span>; <span data-ref=\"heb,10,36\">Heb 10:36</span>; <span data-ref=\"heb,13,20,13,21\">13:20-21</span>). Holiness (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,4\">1 Thes 4:4</span>, <span data-ref=\"1th,4,7\">7</span>) embraces all of a person’s life (<span data-ref=\"1th,5,23\">5:23</span>); here it involves staying away from <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">sexual sin</span> (Greek <span class=\"fbn-greek\">porneia</span><em>,</em> any sexual union outside marriage).","4":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">will control his own body:</span> Self-control brings <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">honor</span> from others (<span data-ref=\"rom,12,10\">Rom 12:10</span>) and from God (<span data-ref=\"rom,2,7\">Rom 2:7</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,5,4\">1 Pet 5:4</span>, <span data-ref=\"1pe,5,6\">6</span>).","5":"Willful ignorance of <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">God and his ways</span> is the root of moral corruption (<span data-ref=\"rom,1,18,1,32\">Rom 1:18-32</span>; <span data-ref=\"eph,4,17,4,18\">Eph 4:17-18</span>). • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">lustful passion:</span> Sexual immorality was often tolerated in the Mediterranean world. Prostitution was allowed, but sexual relations with another man’s wife were prohibited. Roman marriage customs barred women, but not men, from extramarital affairs. By contrast, Jewish and Christian authors alike prohibited all sexual involvement outside of marriage (<span data-ref=\"act,15,20\">Acts 15:20</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,6,12,6,20\">1 Cor 6:12-20</span>; <span data-ref=\"col,3,5,3,6\">Col 3:5-6</span>).","7":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">holy . . . not impure:</span> Cp. <span data-ref=\"1th,1,4\">1:4</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,2,12\">2:12</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,5,23,5,24\">5:23-24</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,2,13,2,14\">2 Thes 2:13-14</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,1,15,1,16\">1 Pet 1:15-16</span>.","8":"Rejecting Paul’s teaching on these matters was the same as <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">rejecting God</span>. • The <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Holy Spirit</span> empowers Christians to live in accord with God’s will (<span data-ref=\"ezk,36,27\">Ezek 36:27</span>; <span data-ref=\"rom,8,1,8,4\">Rom 8:1-4</span>; <span data-ref=\"gal,5,16\">Gal 5:16</span>; <span data-ref=\"1jn,3,24\">1 Jn 3:24</span>).","9":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">God himself has taught you to love one another</span> (cp. <span data-ref=\"isa,54,13\">Isa 54:13</span>) through the teaching of Jesus (<span data-ref=\"jhn,13,34,13,35\">John 13:34-35</span>), the cross (<span data-ref=\"rom,5,8\">Rom 5:8</span>; <span data-ref=\"eph,5,1,5,2\">Eph 5:1-2</span>), and the Holy Spirit (<span data-ref=\"rom,5,5\">Rom 5:5</span>; <span data-ref=\"gal,5,22\">Gal 5:22</span>).","10":"The Thessalonian believers demonstrated <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">love</span> toward <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">all the believers</span> in the province of <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Macedonia</span> (Philippi and Berea; see also <span data-ref=\"1th,1,7,1,8\">1:7-8</span>) through economic aid (cp. <span data-ref=\"2co,8,1,8,5\">2 Cor 8:1-5</span>).","11":"To <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">live a quiet life</span> is to be respectable and not cause problems in the community. • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">working with your hands:</span> Paul had previously <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">instructed</span> through his teaching (see <span data-ref=\"2th,3,10\">2 Thes 3:10</span>) and personal example (<span data-ref=\"2th,3,7,3,9\">2 Thes 3:7-9</span>) that they should earn their own living.","12":"Self-sufficiency and decorum would win the recognition and <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">respect</span> of <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">people who are not believers</span> (see <span data-ref=\"rom,13,13\">Rom 13:13</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,5,12,5,13\">1 Cor 5:12-13</span>; <span data-ref=\"col,4,5\">Col 4:5</span>).","13":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">the believers who have died</span> (literally <em>those who have fallen asleep;</em> also in <span data-ref=\"1th,4,14\">4:14</span>): Sleep was a common euphemism for death in Greek, Jewish, and Christian literature (<span data-ref=\"dan,12,2\">Dan 12:2</span>; <span data-ref=\"mat,27,52\">Matt 27:52</span>). Personal existence continues after death (<span data-ref=\"luk,23,40,23,43\">Luke 23:40-43</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,7,55,7,60\">Acts 7:55-60</span>; <span data-ref=\"2co,5,6,5,10\">2 Cor 5:6-10</span>; <span data-ref=\"php,1,20,1,24\">Phil 1:20-24</span>; <span data-ref=\"rev,6,9,6,11\">Rev 6:9-11</span>); those who have died await the resurrection (<span data-ref=\"1co,15,23\">1 Cor 15:23</span>). • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">grieve like people who have no hope:</span> Ancient letters of comfort exhorted mourners not to be overcome with grief because they could do nothing to avert death. Paul does not prohibit grief (cp. <span data-ref=\"jhn,16,6\">John 16:6</span>, <span data-ref=\"jhn,16,20\">20</span>; <span data-ref=\"php,2,27\">Phil 2:27</span>) but calls Christian mourners to abandon the kind of grief typical of those who have no hope in God.","14":"The central Christian creed, <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">that Jesus died and was raised to life again</span><em>,</em> is the foundation for hope in the face of death, guaranteed by the resurrection of Christ (<span data-ref=\"1co,15,1,15,58\">1 Cor 15</span>). • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">God will bring back</span> refers to the resurrection of believers (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,16\">1 Thes 4:16</span>).","15":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">directly from the Lord:</span> Jesus’ own teaching provided the source of Paul’s assurance for the Thessalonians (see <span data-ref=\"mat,24,29,24,31\">Matt 24:29-31</span>, <span data-ref=\"mat,24,40,24,41\">40-41</span>) • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">not . . . ahead:</span> Paul wants the Thessalonians to know that, <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">when the Lord returns,</span> the dead will not be at a disadvantage but will participate equally in the resurrection. • In referring to Jesus’ coming, Paul uses a Greek term (<span class=\"fbn-greek\">parousia</span>) commonly used to describe the coming of the emperor to a city with great pomp and celebration (see <span data-ref=\"1th,4,17\">1 Thes 4:17</span>).","16":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">with the trumpet call of God:</span> God’s trumpet will herald the resurrection, just as it previously announced the rescue of Israel (<span data-ref=\"zep,1,16\">Zeph 1:16</span>; <span data-ref=\"zec,9,14\">Zech 9:14</span>). In the future it will announce the gathering of God’s chosen people from the “farthest ends of the earth and heaven” (<span data-ref=\"mat,24,31\">Matt 24:31</span>; cp. <span data-ref=\"1co,15,52\">1 Cor 15:52</span>).","17":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">to meet:</span> This alludes to the custom of sending an official delegation to greet a visiting dignitary and accompany him as he enters the city (<span data-ref=\"mat,25,6\">Matt 25:6</span>, <span data-ref=\"mat,25,10\">10</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,28,15,28,16\">Acts 28:15-16</span>).","18":"The purpose of Paul’s teaching about the end is so believers will <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">encourage each other</span> in the face of death. He is not promoting speculation about the end times."},"5":{"1":"Questions such as <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">how and when all this will happen</span> occupied the thoughts of both Jewish and Christian people (<span data-ref=\"dan,12,6\">Dan 12:6</span>; <span data-ref=\"mat,24,3\">Matt 24:3</span>; <span data-ref=\"luk,17,20\">Luke 17:20</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,1,6\">Acts 1:6</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,1,10,1,11\">1 Pet 1:10-11</span>).","2":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">For you know quite well:</span> Paul reminds them of the teaching they had already received (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,3,3,4\">3:3-4</span>). • The <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">day of the Lord’s return</span> is the time when God will come to judge humanity (<span data-ref=\"isa,13,6\">Isa 13:6</span>, <span data-ref=\"isa,13,9\">9</span>; <span data-ref=\"ezk,30,3\">Ezek 30:3</span>) and save his people (<span data-ref=\"jol,2,21,2,32\">Joel 2:21-32</span>; <span data-ref=\"jol,3,18\">3:18</span>; <span data-ref=\"zec,14,1,14,21\">Zech 14</span>). • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">like a thief in the night:</span> Cp. <span data-ref=\"mat,24,43,24,44\">Matt 24:43-44</span>; <span data-ref=\"luk,12,39,12,40\">Luke 12:39-40</span>; <span data-ref=\"2pe,3,10\">2 Pet 3:10</span>; <span data-ref=\"rev,3,3\">Rev 3:3</span>; <span data-ref=\"rev,16,15\">16:15</span>.","3":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">“Everything is peaceful and secure”:</span> The expression “peace and safety” was common during the era of the <em>pax Romana</em> (Roman peace). Amid such presumed security, God’s ultimate judgment comes without warning and is inescapable.","4":"The <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">day of the Lord</span> will not surprise believers—not because they know the date of his coming, but because they are spiritually prepared.","5":"As <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">children of the light</span><em>,</em> the Thessalonian believers were saved from darkness (<span data-ref=\"jhn,12,36\">John 12:36</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,26,18\">Acts 26:18</span>; <span data-ref=\"eph,5,8\">Eph 5:8</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,2,9\">1 Pet 2:9</span>). • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">of the day:</span> They belong to God’s new order (<span data-ref=\"rom,13,12\">Rom 13:12</span>). • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">darkness and night:</span> These refer to an immoral life (see <span data-ref=\"1th,5,6,5,8\">1 Thes 5:6-8</span>).","6":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Stay alert and be clearheaded</span> echoes Jesus’ call to be morally prepared because the disciples will not know the day of his return (<span data-ref=\"mat,24,42\">Matt 24:42</span>, <span data-ref=\"mat,24,44\">44</span>; <span data-ref=\"mat,25,13\">25:13</span>; cp. <span data-ref=\"1pe,1,13\">1 Pet 1:13</span>).","7":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Sleep</span> refers to moral indifference (<span data-ref=\"1th,5,6\">5:6</span>), and <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">drunk</span> is a metaphor for those who do not exercise self-control; they will be surprised by the day of the Lord (<span data-ref=\"1th,5,4\">5:4</span>; <span data-ref=\"mat,24,48,24,51\">Matt 24:48-51</span>).","8":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Armor . . . helmet</span> (<span data-ref=\"isa,59,17\">Isa 59:17</span>; <span data-ref=\"eph,6,11,6,17\">Eph 6:11-17</span>): The armament is the moral life (<span data-ref=\"rom,13,12\">Rom 13:12</span>; <span data-ref=\"2co,6,7\">2 Cor 6:7</span>; <span data-ref=\"2co,10,3,10,5\">10:3-5</span>; <span data-ref=\"2ti,2,3,2,4\">2 Tim 2:3-4</span>). The Christian soldier is equipped with the virtues of <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">faith</span><em>,</em> <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">love</span><em>,</em> and <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">confidence</span> (see <span data-ref=\"1th,1,3\">1 Thes 1:3</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,3,6\">3:6</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,13,13\">1 Cor 13:13</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,1,3,1,4\">2 Thes 1:3-4</span>).","9":"God’s <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">anger</span> (<span data-ref=\"1th,1,10\">1:10</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,2,16\">2:16</span>; <span data-ref=\"rom,5,9\">Rom 5:9</span>; cp. <span data-ref=\"2th,1,6,1,10\">2 Thes 1:6-10</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,2,8\">2:8</span>) represents the carrying out of his judgment against evil. However, God destined believers for salvation, not wrath (<span data-ref=\"2th,2,13,2,14\">2 Thes 2:13-14</span>), and they will escape the terrors of the day of the Lord (<span data-ref=\"1th,5,1,5,3\">1 Thes 5:1-3</span>).","10":"The promise that believers will <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">live with him forever</span> is based on Christ’s resurrection (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,14\">4:14</span>). • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">dead or alive:</span> A reference to living and deceased believers (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,13,4,15\">4:13-15</span>) rather than people’s moral condition (as in <span data-ref=\"1th,5,6,5,7\">5:6-7</span>).","11":"Paul wants the Thessalonians to use the instruction about the end to <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">encourage</span> and <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">build each other up</span> (see <span data-ref=\"1th,4,18\">4:18</span>), not to fuel speculation about the timing of the Lord’s return.","12":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">honor</span> (or <em>know</em>): This may be a call either to honor church leaders or to recognize the emerging leaders in the church (<span data-ref=\"1co,16,15,16,16\">1 Cor 16:15-16</span>). True <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">leaders . . . work hard</span> (<span data-ref=\"1ti,4,10\">1 Tim 4:10</span>; <span data-ref=\"1ti,5,17\">5:17</span>) and govern to serve (<span data-ref=\"mat,20,25,20,28\">Matt 20:25-28</span>). They preside over, as well as help and protect, the church (<span data-ref=\"rom,16,1,16,2\">Rom 16:1-2</span>; <span data-ref=\"1ti,3,4,3,5\">1 Tim 3:4-5</span>, <span data-ref=\"1ti,3,12\">12</span>). • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">give you spiritual guidance:</span> Leaders correct both moral and doctrinal errors (<span data-ref=\"act,20,31\">Acts 20:31</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,4,14\">1 Cor 4:14</span>; <span data-ref=\"col,1,28\">Col 1:28</span>).","13":"Leaders were to receive honor and <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">love</span> not because of their high position but <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">because of their work</span>. • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">live peacefully:</span> Teaching about community peace and harmony was a standard topic in ancient moral instruction. Harmony between believers and leaders was especially important because of the persecution the church suffered (<span data-ref=\"1th,2,14\">2:14</span>).","14":"The responsibility for the moral progress of the congregation does not rest solely with the leaders (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,18\">4:18</span>; <span data-ref=\"1th,5,11\">5:11</span>). Paul urged the church to <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">warn those who are lazy</span><em>,</em> that is, those who were “disorderly,” and who did not live by the apostles’ instructions (see <span data-ref=\"2th,3,6,3,15\">2 Thes 3:6-15</span>). • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Take tender care of those who are weak</span><em>,</em> or those who have no economic or social power. Greek society denigrated the weak. • Instead of being irritable, believers should <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">be patient</span> in their relationships (<span data-ref=\"gal,5,23\">Gal 5:23</span>; <span data-ref=\"eph,4,2\">Eph 4:2</span>).","15":"Jesus and the apostles warned against retaliation (<span data-ref=\"mat,5,38,5,48\">Matt 5:38-48</span>; <span data-ref=\"luk,6,27,6,36\">Luke 6:27-36</span>; <span data-ref=\"rom,12,17,12,21\">Rom 12:17-21</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,3,9\">1 Pet 3:9</span>). The Roman author Seneca, by contrast, considered revenge legitimate and necessary as a way of restoring social honor lost because of ill treatment from others. Paul calls Christians <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">to do good</span>—both to members of the church (<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">each other</span>) and to those outside the Christian community (<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">to all people</span>), including their persecutors (<span data-ref=\"1th,2,14\">1 Thes 2:14</span>; see <span data-ref=\"1th,3,12\">3:12</span>; <span data-ref=\"gal,6,10\">Gal 6:10</span>).","17":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Never stop praying</span> means not giving up (<span data-ref=\"1th,1,2\">1:2</span>; <span data-ref=\"luk,18,1\">Luke 18:1</span>; <span data-ref=\"rom,12,12\">Rom 12:12</span>; <span data-ref=\"eph,6,18\">Eph 6:18</span>); it does not mean praying at every moment.","18":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Be thankful:</span> God is sovereign and can redeem any situation (<span data-ref=\"rom,8,28\">Rom 8:28</span>).","19":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Do not stifle the Holy Spirit:</span> Paul exhorts the Thessalonian believers not to put out the Spirit’s fire (<span data-ref=\"mat,3,11\">Matt 3:11</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,2,3\">Acts 2:3</span>; <span data-ref=\"2ti,1,6\">2 Tim 1:6</span>) by prohibiting prophecy in the church (<span data-ref=\"jer,20,9\">Jer 20:9</span>; <span data-ref=\"1jn,4,1,4,2\">1 Jn 4:1-2</span>).","22":"They should reject <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">every kind of evil</span><em>,</em> especially false prophecies (<span data-ref=\"1th,5,19,5,21\">5:19-21</span>).","23":"God enables Christians to live a <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">holy</span> life (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,11,3,13\">3:11-13</span>). His sanctifying work extends to the <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">spirit and soul and body</span><em>,</em> the totality of human life (cp. <span data-ref=\"mat,10,28\">Matt 10:28</span>; <span data-ref=\"mrk,12,30\">Mark 12:30</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,7,34\">1 Cor 7:34</span>).","24":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">God will make this happen:</span> Paul bases his confidence on the <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">faithful</span> character of God (<span data-ref=\"1co,1,9\">1 Cor 1:9</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,3,3\">2 Thes 3:3</span>; <span data-ref=\"2ti,2,13\">2 Tim 2:13</span>; <span data-ref=\"1jn,1,9\">1 Jn 1:9</span>).","26":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">a sacred kiss</span> (see also <span data-ref=\"rom,16,16\">Rom 16:16</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,16,20\">1 Cor 16:20</span>; <span data-ref=\"2co,13,12\">2 Cor 13:12</span>; <span data-ref=\"1pe,5,14\">1 Pet 5:14</span>): Kissing on the cheek or forehead was a common form of greeting that reflected such sentiments as honor, friendship, and love among family members (<span data-ref=\"mrk,14,44,14,45\">Mark 14:44-45</span>; <span data-ref=\"luk,7,36,7,47\">Luke 7:36-47</span>; <span data-ref=\"luk,15,20\">15:20</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,20,37\">Acts 20:37</span>).","27":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">read this letter:</span> Public reading of Scripture was practiced in both the synagogue (<span data-ref=\"luk,4,16\">Luke 4:16</span>; <span data-ref=\"act,13,15\">Acts 13:15</span>) and the church (<span data-ref=\"1ti,4,13\">1 Tim 4:13</span>). Similarly, Paul’s letters were to be read aloud to the whole congregation (<span data-ref=\"col,4,16\">Col 4:16</span>).","28":"Paul improves the customary greeting by adding a blessing of <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">grace</span> at the end of his correspondence (<span data-ref=\"rom,16,20\">Rom 16:20</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,16,23\">1 Cor 16:23</span>; <span data-ref=\"gal,6,18\">Gal 6:18</span>; <span data-ref=\"eph,6,24\">Eph 6:24</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,3,18\">2 Thes 3:18</span>)."}},"ranges":[{"start_chapter":1,"start_verse":2,"end_chapter":1,"end_verse":10,"contents":"After thanking God for the faith, love, and hope of the Thessalonian believers (<span data-ref=\"1th,1,2,1,3\">1:2-3</span>), Paul recalls how the Good News was proclaimed to them (<span data-ref=\"1th,1,4,1,5\">1:4-5</span>) and how they accepted its message (<span data-ref=\"1th,1,6,1,10\">1:6-10</span>). Paul returns to these themes in <span data-ref=\"1th,2,1,2,12\">2:1-12</span> and <span data-ref=\"1th,2,13,2,16\">2:13-16</span>."},{"start_chapter":1,"start_verse":7,"end_chapter":1,"end_verse":8,"contents":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">ringing out:</span> The example of the Thessalonians’ faith and their proclamation of the Good News was heard throughout the provinces of <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Macedonia</span> and <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">Achaia</span>."},{"start_chapter":2,"start_verse":1,"end_chapter":3,"end_verse":13,"contents":"The body of this letter begins by discussing Paul’s and his associates’ character (<span data-ref=\"1th,2,1,2,12\">2:1-12</span>) and the way the Thessalonians received the Good News (<span data-ref=\"1th,2,13,2,16\">2:13-16</span>). It then emphasizes Paul’s sincere care for the church, telling of his attempts to return to visit them (<span data-ref=\"1th,2,17,2,20\">2:17-20</span>) and his decision to send Timothy to them when he himself could not come (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,1,3,5\">3:1-5</span>). Finally, it tells of Paul’s joy over Timothy’s good report (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,6,3,9\">3:6-9</span>) and his prayers to get back to the church himself (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,10,3,13\">3:10-13</span>). This lengthy defense is Paul’s response to criticisms of his abrupt departure and prolonged absence."},{"start_chapter":3,"start_verse":1,"end_chapter":3,"end_verse":5,"contents":"After preaching in Berea, Paul had departed from Macedonia and sailed to Athens, instructing Silas and Timothy to join him soon (<span data-ref=\"act,17,13,17,15\">Acts 17:13-15</span>). Timothy returned to Thessalonica (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,2\">1 Thes 3:2</span>), as Paul’s anxiety for the Thessalonian church had intensified (<span data-ref=\"1th,3,1\">3:1</span>, <span data-ref=\"1th,3,5\">5</span>)."},{"start_chapter":4,"start_verse":1,"end_chapter":5,"end_verse":22,"contents":"The second part of the body of the letter concerns Timothy’s news about the church and the questions the believers had for Paul. Paul addresses the problem of sexual immorality (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,3,4,8\">4:3-8</span>) before responding to the Thessalonians’ questions about love for other Christians (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,9,4,12\">4:9-12</span>), the destiny of believers who have died (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,13,4,18\">4:13-18</span>), and the timing of the day of the Lord (<span data-ref=\"1th,5,1,5,11\">5:1-11</span>). Paul takes up a variety of exhortations on topics such as leadership and community relations (<span data-ref=\"1th,5,12,5,15\">5:12-15</span>), relationship with the Lord (<span data-ref=\"1th,5,16,5,18\">5:16-18</span>), and prophecy (<span data-ref=\"1th,5,19,5,22\">5:19-22</span>)."},{"start_chapter":4,"start_verse":1,"end_chapter":4,"end_verse":2,"contents":"<span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">we urge you:</span> Paul’s exhortation <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">in the name of the Lord Jesus</span> emphasizes the authority of his teaching. • <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">you remember what we taught:</span> Ancient letters frequently included reminders of what the recipients already knew. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of matters that required their obedience (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,11\">4:11</span>; <span data-ref=\"2th,3,4\">2 Thes 3:4</span>, <span data-ref=\"2th,3,6\">6</span>, <span data-ref=\"2th,3,10\">10</span>, <span data-ref=\"2th,3,12\">12</span>)."},{"start_chapter":4,"start_verse":9,"end_chapter":5,"end_verse":11,"contents":"Paul responds to a series of questions from the Thessalonians (cp. <span data-ref=\"1co,7,1\">1 Cor 7:1</span>) concerning love for one another (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,9,4,12\">1 Thes 4:9-12</span>), the destiny of deceased believers (<span data-ref=\"1th,4,13,4,18\">4:13-18</span>), and when the day of the Lord would come (<span data-ref=\"1th,5,1,5,11\">5:1-11</span>)."},{"start_chapter":5,"start_verse":20,"end_chapter":5,"end_verse":21,"contents":"Prophecy, meant to build up the church (<span data-ref=\"1co,14,1,14,4\">1 Cor 14:1-4</span>), should not be rejected. Instead, the Thessalonians should <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">test</span> the <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">prophecies</span> (<span data-ref=\"1co,12,10\">1 Cor 12:10</span>; <span data-ref=\"1co,14,29\">14:29</span>) to discern their origin, to check their agreement with the teaching of the apostles (<span data-ref=\"2th,2,2\">2 Thes 2:2</span>; <span data-ref=\"1jn,4,1,4,3\">1 Jn 4:1-3</span>), and to gauge the character of those who utter them (<span data-ref=\"mat,7,15,7,20\">Matt 7:15-20</span>). Early Christian teaching said, “Not everyone who speaks about spiritual things is a prophet, but only if the person’s conduct is like the Lord” (<em>Didache</em> 11:8). They should <span class=\"fbn-excerpt\">hold on to what is good</span>—namely, prophecies that have been tested and found to be genuine."},{"start_chapter":5,"start_verse":23,"end_chapter":5,"end_verse":28,"contents":"Greek and Roman letters ended with a wish for the good health of the recipient. Jewish letters concluded with a peace blessing. Paul closes with a Christian variation on these practices."}]}