Themes in 1 & 2 Thessalonians Overview
Adult Sunday School - 09/20/09
Speaker: Shaan Sloan
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians
Series: 1st and 2nd Thessalonians
these things. 9 And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them. NASB
And so Paul and Silas fled the city and went on their way to the next God ordained destination to
preach the Gospel. After being forced to leave Thessalonica, they traveled to Berea where in just
a short time the angry Jews from Thessalonica pursued them all the way to Berea to seek them
out and cause them trouble.
Acts 17:10-15 - 10 And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when
they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those
in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see
whether these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, along with a number of prominent
Greek women and men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had
been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there likewise, agitating and stirring up the
crowds. 14 And then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy
remained there. 15 Now those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command
for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. NASB
And so Paul was forced again to move on to yet another destination and wound up in Athens. It
was there of course where he preached his famous sermon on Mars Hill.
Now as a result of this Jewish opposition to Paul, Silas and the new Christians at Thessalonica,
the fledgling church found themselves as the object of much persecution in Thessalonica.
Nevertheless, God’s elect people were called out of the dark idolatry of this pagan city, and the
very young and holy church was left to prosper in the face of no small opposition, upheld by
keeping power of God and shepherded by the Lord Jesus Christ. It was because of Paul’s
separation from the young church that he left with such great concern for them. Such is the
occasion of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians.
Purpose and Themes present in 1 Thessalonians: The content of things covered in 1
& 2 Thessalonians is really quite remarkable. Because Paul had spent such little time with them,
he writes to give both instruction and encouragement to them. Therefore his writing is uniquely
suited for their difficult situation being such a young church and facing the difficult task of
growing and learning with few mature leaders and persecution from other hostile religious
peoples. Therefore Paul’s general purpose was one of encouragement and instruction, but he
writes with several themes and topics in view in order to address important matters needed in
their theological development. His topics include;
· Joy, Thanksgiving and Encouragement for a healthy new church
· Responsibilities of a Healthy Church
· Instructions for Godly Living
· Eschatological Topics of grave importance
Joy, Thanksgiving and Encouragement for a healthy new church
Paul spends the entire first chapter of the letter thanking God and commending the
Thessalonians for their great faith.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 - 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our
prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in
our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, NASB
He was sure they were God’s very elect and chosen people because of the fruits of their lives.
Paul was greatly endeared and encouraged by the Thessalonians, especially the way in which
they enthusiastically received the Gospel and the Word of God.
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 - 4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; 5 for our gospel did not
come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you
know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. NASB
1 Thessalonians 2:13 - 13 And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from
us the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the
word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. NASB
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 - 13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the
Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit
and faith in the truth. 14 And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the
glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. NASB
He even goes so far as to say that they are his very glory and joy, the fruits of his own labor in
the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 - 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the
presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy. NASB
This was indeed a model church of faith, hope, love and holy lives who were both evangelical
and steadfast even in the face of persecution.
Responsibilities of a Healthy Church
MacArthur writes, “The Thessalonian epistles catalog the marks of a healthy growing church.
They give the responsibilities of the leaders to the congregation (1 Thess 5:12, 14-15); the
congregation to the leaders (1 Thess 5:13, 25-28, 2 Thess 3”1-2); of believers to grow spiritually
(1 Thess 5:16-22); stand firm in the midst of persecution (1 Thess 2:14-16); an live orderly lives
(2 Thess 3:6-13); and the church’s responsibility to discipline sinning members(2 Thess 3:6-13).
They also emphasize the church’s responsibility to reach the lost world with the saving truth of
the Gospel (1 Thess 1:8-10).” This letter gives such clear and concise instructions on church life
its message can hardly be mistaken.
Instructions for Godly Living
In 1 Thessalonians chapters 4 and 5, Paul gives very practical instructions about godly living,
even as he is commending the Thessalonians as already doing so.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-5 - Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you
received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do
walk), that you may excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of
the Lord Jesus.
He commands them to avoid sexual immorality, which was so prevalent in their culture.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 - For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from
sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5
not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; NASB
He also commends and exhorts them to love and to be growing in love and also to work hard,
lead quiet lives and not to be in any need.
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 - 9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to
you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all
the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, 11 and to make it
your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as
we commanded you; 12 so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. NASB
In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5:12-21 is some of the most concise instructions on godly living in all
of Paul’s letters. And then again in 2 Thessalonians chapter 3:6-14, Paul writes explaining the
process of church discipline and commanding them to carry it out.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 - 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you
received from us. NASB
Eschatological Topics of grave importance
Of all of the Pauline writings, 1 & 2 Thessalonians deal most profoundly with Eschatology. By
Eschatology we mean the study of “last things” or, of the “end times” if you will. In fact, the
issues that Paul deals with here have absolutely massive implications for the whole world of
mankind, whereas Paul actually speaks in great detail about the end of the world as we know it,
the eagerly expected Second Coming of Christ Himself, to deliver His people and to bring
judgment on a world full of rebellious sinners. The things which are here spoken of are some of
the most profoundly important writings in all of the Word of God. Truly these warnings from
God prove the very divine character of the Bible. What book in all of human history has spoken
with such majesty and authoritative imperative as the Bible when it speaks to us about the end of
the world at the powerful hand of God, and of the coming judgment of mankind. Here in
Thessalonians we get a sneak peak at these most important and crucial issues of the Bible
Prophecy. And it comes to us in the form of instruction and practical explanation for us to
understand very clearly and concisely.
· Deliverance of God’s people at the first resurrection – Here in 1 Thessalonians
chapter 4:13-18 is the famous passage on the rapture of the church which even deals
with the death of Christians and their future hope. Here is pictured one very important
event called the First Resurrection. We also learn in 1 Thessalonians that we are not
destined for God’s wrath like the wicked, but more than twice are given promises of
deliverance from God’s wrath.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 - 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead,
that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. NASB
1 Thessalonians 5:9 - 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ, NASB
· The Second Coming of Christ – In the book of 1 Thessalonians there is a reference
to the Second Coming in every chapter (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 2:19, 3:13, 4:16-17,
5:23). In 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:2 this coming is referred to as
“the day of the Lord.” In 2 Thessalonians chapter 1:7-10 we have not only a
reference to the Second Coming but also the destruction of the ungodly and judgment
of those who have rejected the Gospel.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 - 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the
Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing
out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord
Jesus. 9 And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the
Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that
day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed — for our testimony to you was
believed. NASB
Later in chapter 2:8 we have a reference to the Lord Jesus Himself personally
destroying the Anti-Christ at His coming.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 - 8 And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay
with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; NASB
· Explanation of the coming day of wrath and judgment including instructions
about the Antichrist and Great Tribulation – Both 1 & 2 Thessalonians deal with
God’s judgment and destruction of the wicked and rebellious world. Paul explains in
1 Thessalonians that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief” to the unbelieving
world, and when it comes, it will bring “sudden destruction” down upon them who
believe themselves to be safe from harm.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 - 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come
just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction
will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not
escape.
However Paul instructs the Christians that this day will not “overtake them like a
thief” because they walk in the “light of day,” enlightened by the knowledge of the
signs of His coming.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 - 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should
overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. NASB
After the passage in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 (quoted above), where Paul describes the
destruction of the Gospel rejecting sinners, he then goes into a lengthy discourse on
the revelation of the Anti-Christ and the Great Tribulation period in 2 Thessalonians
2:1-12. Although Paul does not expressly call this the Great Tribulation as Jesus
does in Matthew 24:15-21, Mark 13:14-20, we know clearly from other texts in
Scripture that the events of the Anti-Christ’s rise to power and reign of terror are the
very events that make up the Great Tribulation period, which are included in the
Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27, 11:29-12:3). Paul does in fact give
many very clear indications of the nature and character of this dreadful time in human
history. These events are also cataloged in such passages as Revelation 13-14, Daniel
7, 8 and 9-12, as well as the Olivet Discourse of our Lord as described above.
Understand that 1 & 2 Thessalonians are the only letters wherein Paul gives such
extensive instruction about eschatological events surrounding the Second Coming of
Christ, barring a few brief references in various other letters.
I might add that much of this Pauline Eschatology very closely parallels the teaching of our Lord
in His Olivet Discourse which is recorded in Mathew 24-25, Mark 13 and Luke 21. The
similarities are striking, but more than this, follow very distinct patterns and themes. Even
though our Lord’s discourse follows a chronological timeline more than Paul’s, nevertheless
they expose the same topics with much clarity and force, as we will see in the course of our
study.
Now with all of this very wonderful instruction on the faith, hope and love of the commended
Thessalonian Church, let us consider these letters and instruction from God as a very timely
interlude in the life of our Church, Heritage Christian Fellowship. As we peruse these very
practical instructions for church life and existence, let us use these as a plumb line or measuring
stick to examine our own Church and life as Christians.
FIRST THESSALONIANS: A Teaching Outline
I. Paul's Personal Reflections on the Thessalonians 1:1—3:13
A. Paul's Praise of Their Growth 1
B. Paul's Founding of the Church 2:1-16
C. Timothy's Strengthening of the Church 2:17—3:13
1. Satan Hinders Paul 2:17-20
2. Timothy's Visit 3:1-5
3. Timothy's Encouraging Report 3:6-10
4. Paul's Desire to Visit Them 3:11-13
II. Paul's Instructions to the Thessalonians 4:1—5:28
A. Directions for Growth 4:1-12
B. Revelation Concerning the Dead in Christ 4:13-18
C. Description of the Day of the Lord 5:1-11
D. Instruction for Holy Living 5:12-22
E. Conclusion 5:23-28
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
