Thoughts and notes on I Thessalonians chapter one
-v1. The book of I Thessalonians was written by Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus to the church of the Thessalonians.
To whom does the church belong and how does it subsist? The church is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. The authors of this book wished the church grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
-v2. They prayed for the church and gave thanks for the church. Here we see mention of prayer and thanksgiving together. It is mentioned together in other parts of Scripture as well.
-v3. These are the things in the church that were pleasing in the sight of the Lord, in the sight of God the Father:
-their work of faith
-their labor of love
-their patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ
-v4. The people of the church are elect of God.
-v5. The gospel was preached to them
-by the word
-in power
-in the Holy Ghost
-in much assurance
Those who brought them the gospel maintained a good testimony before them.
-v.6 The Thessalonians received the word in much affliction but with the joy of the Holy Ghost. They followed those who taught them as they followed God.
-v7. Their lives became testimonies to other believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
-v8. They spread the gospel to other places and many people heard of their faith and their faithfulness.
-v9. Their converts reflected the testimonies of those who originally brought them the gospel. This means they learned well, remained faithful, and taught others well.
-v.10 Because of their salvation, they were anticipating the return of Christ. God raised up Jesus from the dead, and Jesus delivered those who believe on Jesus from the wrath to come.