THE SALUTATION

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

The Authors

Verse 1a: Paul, Silas and Timothy ...

1a In the ancient world, it was customary to begin a letter by first mentioning the name of the author, followed by the name of the recipient of the letter, a greeting, and lastly a wish for the recipient's welfare. Paul Christianizes this custom. He identifies himself along with Silas and Timothy as the authors of this letter. Silas is named before Timothy because Silas was older and more experienced.

The name Paul is a Roman name which means "little." He was formerly known as Saul, a Hebrew name which means "asked for." He is the head of the missionary team. He was the most influential apostle and evangelist in the early church. Since we regard 1 and 2 Thessalonians as Paul's earliest letters, he may not yet have developed the practice of stressing his status and identifying himself as an apostle.

The name Silas is a variant of the longer name Silvanus, which is a Roman name that means "wood" or "woodland." He was a prophet, held in high esteem by the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:32). He first accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey. Paul and Silas were responsible for bringing the Gospel to the Thessalonians during their second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9).

The name Timothy means "honoring God." He was a resident of Lystra. He had a Greek father and a Jewish mother (Acts 16:1). He was a faithful fellow worker with Paul in the Gospel. Paul regards him as a beloved son in the faith. Paul sent Timothy on several critical missions because of the trust and confidence in him. Paul wrote two epistles to Timothy.

Thus three men jointly sent a letter to the believers at Thessalonica. Although Paul associates Silas and Timothy with himself, there is no doubt that the body of the letter is from Paul.

The Recipients

Verse 1b: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1b This letter was written to the church in Thessalonica, which Paul and Silas had earlier evangelized. Paul began his evangelistic outreach in Thessalonica in a synagogue. He preached there for three Sabbaths As a result of his evangelistic activity, some Jews and Gentiles were converted (Acts 17:1-9).

Thessalonica was located in a strategic location. It was originally called Therma due to the many hot springs adjacent to it. It was renamed in 315 by Cassander, a general in the army of Alexander the Great. He called it after his wife, the half sister of Alexander. It was a busy town with a mixed population of Greeks, Romans, and Jews.

The word "church" means "an assembly" or "a called out company." Although there were many assemblies in Thessalonica, the Church is distinctive in that it belongs to the Father and the Son. God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ together constitute the source of the Church's life.

Greeting

Verse 1c: Grace and peace to you.

1c In saluting the faithful brothers and sisters in Thessalonica, Paul combines the Greek (grace) and the Hebrew (peace) form of greetings. God's grace is His free, undeserved favor through Jesus Christ. It means we have moved from God's wrath to a position of favor with Him. The greeting of peace (Shalom, Hebrew) was, and still is, common among Jews. It signifies well-being in the widest sense of the term. God's peace is being in harmony through reconciliation with Him and with others. As Edmond Hiebert said, "The order in the New Testament is always `grace and peace,' never the reverse. No one can experience this peace without first receiving the grace."

Elsewhere, Paul adds to the greeting the phrase "from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (e.g. Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2) or "from God our Father" (Colossians 1:2). Grace and peace come from a heavenly source.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

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

2 The plural pronoun "we" indicates the association of Silas and Timothy with Paul in thanking God for the Thessalonians. It also reflects that Silas and Timothy may play some role in the writing of the letter.

There are three things Paul and his team do on behalf of the Thessalonian brethren. First, they always thank God for them. They are engaged in habitual thanksgiving according to the will of God. They do this because their faith is productive. Second, they continually mention them in their prayers. They care so deeply about them that they mention them in prayers.

3 Third, they remember them before God. We all need good memories to remember people (their names and needs). The apostolic team remembers three things about the Thessalonians: (1) their work produced by faith, (2) their labor prompted by love, and (3) their endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Faith involves trusting in the Gospel message and obeying Jesus as master. Here the word faith is related a lifestyle. Faith and works are not at odds. Faith can encourage people and lead them to work. Love is the affection which expresses itself in unselfish care for others and a selfless life of service. It operates in the best interest of others. Hope speaks of the patient endurance the church maintains under persecution. "Faith looks back to a Crucified Saviour. Love looks up to a Crowned Saviour. Hope looks on to a Coming Saviour."

Remembering their faith, love, and hope causes Paul to thank God. The Church of God is a community which is distinguished by faith, love, and hope. This trio of Christian virtues was Paul's favorite. They are best used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:13. As John Stott rightly said, "Every Christian without exception is a believer, a lover, and a hoper."

THE IMPACT OF THE GOSPEL

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

Paul's Knowledge of the Thessalonians

Verses 4-6: For we know, brothers and sisters 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...