Greetings

“Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2).

Introduction

Theme: [1] To confirm the truths that he had already taught them. [2] To exhort them to be holy. [3] To instruct them on the topic of the Second Coming of Christ.

The letter was written from Corinth around A.D. 54 after Paul's Visit to Thessalonica, therefore one of the earliest of his letters. Paul had only been in the City for about one month, but in that time he had taught this new church all the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Modern evangelists and missionaries need to take a leaf out of Paul's book.

In the majority of his letters Paul introduces himself as an apostle, servant or prisoner, but here he simply states his name. This reveals that he had a special intimacy with the Thessalonian Church.

The Three Friends

The three people mentioned here are equals in the work of God amongst the believers. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find Paul exalting himself, but instead he highly values the ministry of others. Even when he says he is boasting, he is not really, “As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting” (2 Corinthians 11:10-17). The moment we think and act as though we are better than others, true fellowship cannot be maintained. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). Paul does not make mention of his apostleship since the legalists had not yet spread doubts and lies about him.

Paul used to be a deeply religious Jew. “Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I” (2 Corinthians 11:22) … “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Philippians 3:4-7). Silvanus, known as Silas, “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren” … “And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them” (Acts 15:22, 32), was Paul's companion on some of his missionary journeys. Silvanus is the Gentile version of Silas “By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you” (1 Peter 5:12) … “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea” (2 Corinthians 1:19). Timothy was Paul's "son in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2). The three friends had one important thing in common, they were committed to taking the message of salvation to the lost.

The Church

Paul was not writing to a denomination, but the local body of believers in the city of Thessalonica. The word 'Church' simply means a gathering of people. The words 'Congregation' and 'assembly' offer us a better understanding of the term and is what is behind the Greek word 'ekklēsia'. The true Church is made up of those who are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither Jew or Gentile, but one in Christ. ''God the Father" indicates that they were no longer heathen; "Lord Jesus Christ', means that they had not become Jewish. They were Christians. Paul very deliberately uses the word Lord in his letter to this church in a Roman controlled city. The Greek word 'Kurios' was used by the Roman Emperors. Christ Jesus is the true Lord of His church. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28-29).

Grace and Peace

This greeting was a very common one in the early Church. It is nothing like the cheap 'hello' and 'hi' of today, but instead was a heartfelt blessing. Paul uses the word 'grace' (charis) which means 'joy, delight, and loveliness'. Grace is the sum total of every blessing that comes to us from God. The word 'peace' [Greek, eirēnē] corresponds to the Hebrew word 'shalom', and means 'safety, blessing and wellbeing'. It was a greeting that expressed love and care. This is the peace that only God can give. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7) … “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

Prayer

The words of Ephesians 1:15-16 can equally be applied to this church, “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” Paul assures the Thessalonian Christians that Silas, Timothy and himself regularly pray, for them, Apart from anything else, this verse ought to convince us of the need to pray for other believers. The Church at Thessalonica knew that Paul truly cared for them, for he not only prayed but also thanked God for them, Notice the "we", for it confirms that this was a joint work of the three evangelists.

Conclusion

Paul, Silas and Timothy loved their fellow believers in Christ. The modern Church has become self-centred that there is barely any foundation for true fellowship. We should want others to receive all of God's rich blessings. We should rejoice when a brother or sister in Christ is blessed. We should constantly pray for members of our own church, and even believers in distant lands. How can we possibly be Christ's church otherwise?