The background to
this letter is found in Acts 17:1-10. There we read that Paul and Silas had an
all-too brief but fruitful time in Thessalonica. As they preached in the
synagogue over three Sabbath days (over 2 weeks), many had professed faith in
Christ, and no doubt Paul would have wanted to stay on for a while to help
these young believers grow and mature in their faith. However, their stay was cut short as they
were hounded out by "jealous Jews" (Acts 17 v 5,10).
Paul clearly felt
that these fledgling Christians were spiritually vulnerable and needed further
grounding in the faith. They had aroused
hostility and opposition for their commitment to Jesus right from the start (1
Thess 1:6). But their fellow citizens had continued to make life extremely
difficult for them (2:14), so much so that Paul writes to them acknowledging
the "unsettling trials" (3:3) they have experienced, as reported back
to him by Timothy (3:6). Perhaps, they began to think, perhaps all the hassle
they were exposed to for believing this "good news" wasn't worth
it? All they seemed to gain from it, was
bother and trouble.
If such pressure
upon young Christians wasn't enough to deal with, there was also the matter of
Paul's premature departure itself. He was only with them a very short time, and
then had left hurriedly to escape being lynched by a mob (Acts 17:5); the locals
had nowhere to flee to but were left to face up to the opposition that Paul had
evaded. Could it be, some of the cynics were suggesting, that Paul was just
like every other itinerant peddler of the latest, faddish ideas, conning the
unwary out of their hard-earned money by his persuasive speech, but who leaves
as soon as things become difficult? Only concerned about saving his own skin
than really caring for the spiritual wellbeing of the Thessalonian believers?
And if this 'apostle' couldn't be trusted, what about his message? Was it to be
trusted? Was it too good to be true? And
if it was true, why were they experiencing all these difficulties?
So Paul writes this
letter. He writes first, to assure them
of the truthfulness of the Gospel message they believed, by reminding them of
the impact it had upon their lives when they received it in faith and with joy
(1:2-6): they recognised something of
the work and presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives as the message came
powerfully to them (v5). Even as very
young Christians, their lives had been noticeably transformed: their testimony
was clear and unambiguous (v9-10); the evidence of real Gospel fruit - faith,
love and hope - was tangible (v2); their perseverance facing opposition was
striking (v6); their maturity in difficult circumstances established a pattern
that Paul commended to other churches in the area (v7); their evangelistic zeal
and confidence was effective (v8). They really had become a model church.
Second, Paul writes
to reassure them that they had received the genuine Gospel message from a
genuine Christian Apostle (2:1-12). Their lives had been observed (1:5); their
boldness and courage was real (2:2); their motives were sincere (2:3) and along
with their methods, assessed and approved by God (2:3-6). Despite the brevity of their time together,
Paul assures his readers that his attitude among the Thessalonians was that of
both a loving and caring mother (v 7-9) and an encouraging, comforting and
motivating father (v 10-12), each image showing the qualities of self-sacrifice and
unselfishness. Even dispatching Timothy back to them (3:1-12) should be seen as
genuine pastoral and loving concern, particularly in the face of their ongoing
difficulties (v7-10). And so, third, they need to know that their experience of
suffering as Christians is not unusual, but normal and to be expected
(2:13-16).
Fourth,
nevertheless, despite their remarkable testimony and their persevering faith,
they still needed further instruction in the things of God, both practically
and doctrinally - although you can't have one without the other! It is worth noting that in contrast to many
professing believers today - who seem to think that a young person's Sunday
School guide to Christian living is all that is needed - these Christians were
enthusiastic to know more in order "to live lives worthy of God"
(2:12). While they may have faithfully withstood hostile pressure from outside,
their faith in Christ needs to be demonstrated by godly living that is
distinctively different from their neighbours roundabout (4:1-8) and by a
growing love for all within the fellowship family (v9-12).
Finally, a careful
reading of the letter reveals how much of Paul's instruction and exhortations
to the Thessalonians are based upon a repeated citing of eternity and Christ's
return - both in judgement for the unbelievers and with welcome for the faithful
saints (1:10; 2:12,19-20; 3:13; 4:6,13-17; 5:1-11). It's possible that they thought they had
somehow missed or missed out on Christ's promised Return; or even that
believers who died before He came back were lost to eternal oblivion. Paul
writes to reassure them that neither they who are still alive nor those who are
now 'asleep in Jesus' have missed anything (4:15). When Christ does return, there will be no
mistaking (v16-17). Every eye will see Him, every knee shall bow, and every
tongue will confess Him as Lord. These are truths given to encourage believers
(v18), knowing that Christ will come back in the unimaginable splendour of
Kingdom, whenever that may be (5:1-3) and being so strengthened, they will be
enabled to face up - and live up (5:4-11) to the certainty of death and the
uncertainties of life.
Even so, come Lord
Jesus.
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