1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 | Verse-by-Verse & Rightly Divided

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The transcript is of a Bible study or sermon given by a pastor to his congregation. The pastor begins by welcoming everyone, expressing gratitude for the pianist, and leading the congregation in singing a hymn. He then makes some announcements about upcoming events, including a potluck lunch and a lesson on music and morality.

The main focus of the study is on 1 Thessalonians, with the pastor providing context and interpretation of the text. Key points discussed include:

1. The Thessalonians were part of the elect of God, as they were Jewish believers or devout Greeks who had become followers of Judaism.

2. The pastor cautions against misinterpreting scripture and applying promises meant for specific groups (like Israel) to all believers.

3. The gospel came to the Thessalonians not only in word but also in power, the Holy Spirit, and with miracles, signs, and wonders - something not typically seen in modern times.

4. The Thessalonians became followers of both Paul and the Lord Jesus Christ, accepting Paul's mystery revelation and Jesus as the Messiah.

5. The Thessalonians received the word amidst much affliction, which is not the experience of most modern believers who often come to faith without significant suffering.

6. News of the Thessalonians' faith spread throughout Macedonia and Achaia, making them an example to other believers in the region.

The pastor also touches on the dispensation of grace revealed to Paul, the overlap of the kingdom message and Pauline message during Paul's time, and the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth. He concludes by mentioning two points he will cover next week: the Thessalonians turning from idols to serve the living God and waiting for Jesus' return to deliver them from the wrath to come.

Throughout the study, the pastor emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of the scripture and not misapplying promises or experiences meant for specific groups to all believers. He also highlights the unique role of Paul in revealing the mystery of the dispensation of grace.

Summary generated automatically from this transcript. This AI generated summary may contain errors reflecting the actual content of the video

1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 | Session 2

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1 Thessalonians 1:1-4

1 Thessalonians 1:1 – Black

A. The Authors Identified

Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timotheus (Timothy) are named as the authors.
All three were known to the Thessalonian assembly and are familiar figures in the New Testament.

B. A Unique Greeting Formula

Paul uniquely uses the phrase “in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ”—a formula found only in 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
This likely reflects:
- The Jewish composition of the audience.
- Their belief that Jesus is the Messiah.
The phrase affirms their identity as Jewish believers in Jesus.

C. Standard Pauline Greeting: Grace and Peace

“Grace be unto you, and peace” appears in all of Paul’s letters to churches.
In contrast, his letters to individuals (e.g., Timothy, Titus) add “mercy.”

D. Divine Source of the Greeting

The phrase “from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” is standard in Paul’s letters.
It emphasizes that grace and peace originate from both Father and Son.

1 Thessalonians 1:2–4 – Black

A. Ongoing Thanksgiving (v. 2)

Paul and his companions continually thank God for the Thessalonian believers.
Their prayers are specific and heartfelt, reflecting deep spiritual investment.

B. Three Characteristics of the Believers (v. 3)

1. Work of Faith

Defined as labor conducted in the sphere of faith—not as faith producing works, but activity performed by believing men and women.

2. Labor of Love

Service motivated by genuine affection, not obligation.

3. Patience of Hope

Steadfast endurance fueled by confident expectation in God's promises.

4. Spiritual Anchoring

These three qualities are rooted in our Lord Jesus Christ and done in the sight of God and our Father.
Note: Paul reverses the earlier order of names (Jesus before God), a shift possibly rhetorical rather than doctrinal.

C. Statement on Election (v. 4)

1. Common Misinterpretation

Often wrongly used as a proof text for individual election unto salvation.
Example: Got Questions Ministries interprets it as God's personal selection of Thessalonian Christians to belong to Him—an example of eisegesis.

2. Proper Context: Jewish Identity

The Thessalonian believers were Jews and Jewish proselytes, already part of the elect nation of Israel.
Their “election” is rooted in national covenantal election, not individual predestination.
Their belief in Jesus as Messiah confirms faith within their elect status—it does not create it.

3. Scriptural Support

Paul affirms national election in Romans 9:4–5, citing the covenants, adoption, promises, and service of God—all given to Israel.

4. Summary

Paul’s reference to their “election of God” is:
- An affirmation of their standing as Israelites.
- A recognition that their belief in Jesus as the Christ confirms, rather than initiates, their elect status.

1 Thessalonians 1:5–10 – The Gospel’s Power and the Thessalonians’ Exemplary Response

1 Thessalonians 1:5 – Black

The Gospel’s Delivery in Power (v. 5)
- The gospel was delivered not merely in word, but with supernatural manifestations of power—appropriate to Paul’s transitional, apostolic ministry.
- This is not normative for gospel proclamation in the current dispensation.
Apostolic Evidence
- Romans 15:19 – Preaching was accompanied by signs and wonders.
- Hebrews 2:3–4 – God bore witness with miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost.
- 2 Corinthians 12:12 – Apostolic credentials were demonstrated by signs and wonders.
The Shift to Present Norms
- 2 Timothy 3:16–17 – Scripture is sufficient to equip fully.
- Romans 10:17 – Faith comes by hearing God’s Word.
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 – God saves through preaching, not signs.
Assurance for Today
- The rightly divided gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
- The certainty of God’s promises (Titus 1:2).
- The preserved Word (Psalm 119:160).
Timeless Application
- Paul’s example (“what manner of men we were among you”) is always applicable—character validates message.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 – Black

Following Paul and Christ Amid Affliction (v. 6)
- The Thessalonians followed both Paul and the Lord, showing the necessity of Pauline followship in the dispensation of grace.
Legitimacy of Pauline Followship
- 1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Philippians 3:17 – Paul explicitly calls believers to follow him.
- Following Paul is not pride—it’s doctrinal obedience to the revealed mystery.
The Thessalonian Context
- They already believed Jesus as Messiah and followed Him under kingdom principles.
- Romans 15:8 – Christ came as a minister to the circumcision to confirm the promises.
Dispensational Overlap
- Before Paul: Only the kingdom gospel.
- During Paul’s early ministry: Both kingdom and mystery programs active.
- After full revelation: Only the mystery program remains.
Affliction and Its Limits
- Their suffering is real but contextual—not a universal model for all believers.
- Suffering is not a required sign of sanctification or legitimacy.
Joy from the Spirit
- Joy amid trial was given by the Holy Ghost (Acts 13:52; Galatians 5:22; Romans 14:17).

1 Thessalonians 1:7–8 – Black

The Thessalonians’ Exemplary Testimony (vv. 7–8)
- Their sincere faith became a model for others throughout Macedonia and Achaia.
Enduring Faith Observed
- They became examples due to their faith under pressure.
- Encouragement spreads naturally when believers hold fast in trial.
Proclamation and Reputation
- Their testimony “sounded out”—the word of the Lord spread from them.
- Their reputation for genuine, God-directed faith preceded Paul’s further testimony.

1 Thessalonians 1:9 – Black

Turning from Idols to the Living God (v. 9)
- Believers throughout the region reported how the Thessalonians had turned to God from idols.
Historical Challenge
- Acts 17 only records Jews and devout Gentiles responding—no mention of pagan idolaters.
- Likely refers to previous conversion from paganism to Judaism prior to Paul’s arrival.
Jewish Proselyte Language
- “To serve the living and true God” echoes:
  - Jeremiah 10:10
  - Daniel 6:20
  - Acts 14:15
- This is not typical Pauline gospel language (cf. Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 1:13; Romans 3:24).
Problems with a Pagan-Conversion Reading
- Paul's brief three-week stay makes a large-scale pagan response unlikely.
- Suggesting a separate group risks:
  - Divorcing this group from the Acts 17 audience (forcing a disconnect).
  - Assuming a dominant, undocumented group—an argument from silence.
Theological Implication
- Paul is describing their religious history in Jewish categories, not introducing mystery truth.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 – Black

Waiting for the Son and Deliverance from Wrath (v. 10)
- The Thessalonians also waited for God's Son from heaven, reflecting Jewish Messianic expectation.
Prophetic Expectation
- Jewish hope included a coming Son (Psalm 2; Proverbs 30:4; Daniel 7:13; Hosea 11:1 / Matthew 2:15).
Parenthetical Identification
- “Whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus” is likely parenthetical.
- Paul identifies the Son as Jesus without requiring that full understanding at the time of their initial turning.
Wrath to Come
- Likely refers to the Day of the LORD (Zephaniah 1:14–15), not hell or general suffering.
- Deliverance is prophetic (Joel 2:32)—survival through wrath, not rapture out of it.
Distinct from Mystery Deliverance
- The mystery program (1 Thessalonians 4:17) promises rapture before wrath—not survival during it.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:9 speaks of deliverance in the prophetic context, reinforcing the Jewish framework.
Grammar of “Delivered Us”
- ῥυόμενον – present-middle participle: “delivering us”
- KJV renders it “delivered us” to reflect certainty and completed assurance, not necessarily timing.
- Present participles in Greek often express timeless, settled truths:
  - Ephesians 2:8–9 – “by grace ye are saved”
  - 1 Peter 1:5 – “who are kept by the power of God”

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 | Verse-by-Verse & Rightly Divided

1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 | Session 2

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