I Thessalonians 1
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Commentaries
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Paul, and: Silvanus, and Timotheus - Though St. Paul himself dictated this letter, yet he joins the names of Silas and Timothy, because they had been with him at Thessalonica, and were well known there. See Act 17:4, Act 17:14. And Silvanus - This was certainly the same as Silas, who was St. Paul's companion in all his journeys through Asia Minor and Greece; see Act 15:22; Act 16:19; Act 17:4, Act 17:10. Him and Timothy, the apostle took with him into Macedonia, and they continued at Berea when the apostle went from thence to Athens; from this place St. Paul sent for them to come to him speedily, and, though it is not said that they came while he was at Athens, yet it is most probable that they did; after which, having sent them to Thessalonica, he proceeded to Corinth, where they afterwards rejoined him, and from whence he wrote this epistle. See the preface.
Open source ↗ADDRESS: SALUTATION: HIS PRAYERFUL THANKSGIVING FOR THEIR FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE. THEIR FIRST RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL, AND THEIR GOOD INFLUENCE ON ALL AROUND. (Th1 1:1-10) Paul--He does not add "an apostle," because in their case, as in that of the Philippians (see on Phi 1:1), his apostolic authority needs not any substantiation. He writes familiarly as to faithful friends, not but that his apostleship was recognized among them (Th1 2:6). On the other hand, in writing to the Galatians, among whom some had called in question his apostleship, he strongly asserts it in the superscription. An undesigned propriety in the Epistles, evincing genuineness. Silvanus--a "chief man among the brethren" (Act 15:22), and a "prophet" (Act 15:32), and one of the deputies who carried the decree of the Jerusalem council to Antioch. His age and position cause him to be placed before "Timothy," then a youth (Act 16:1; Ti1 4:12). Silvanus (the Gentile expanded form of "Silas") is called in Pe1 5:12, "a faithful brother" (compare Co2 1:19). They both aided in planting the Thessalonian Church, and are therefore included in the address. This, the first of Paul's Epistles, as being written before various evils crept into the churches, is without the censures found in other Epistles. So realizing was their Christian faith, that they were able hourly to look for the Lord Jesus. unto the church--not merely as in the Epistles to Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, "to the saints," or "the faithful at Thessalonica." Though as yet they do not seem to have had the final Church organization under permanent "bishops" and deacons, which appears in the later Epistles (See on Phi 1:1; 1 and 2 Timothy). Yet he designates them by the honorable term "Church," implying their status as not merely isolate…
Open source ↗Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus,.... These are the persons concerned in this epistle, and who send their greetings and salutations to this church; Paul was the inspired writer of it, and who is called by his bare name, without any additional epithet to it, as elsewhere in his other epistles; where he is either styled the servant, or apostle, or prisoner of Christ, but here only Paul: the reason for it is variously conjectured; either because he was well known by this church, having been lately with them; or lest these young converts should be offended and stumble at any pompous title, which they might imagine carried an appearance of arrogance and pride; or because there were as yet no false apostles among them, who had insinuated anything to the disadvantage of Paul, as in other places, which obliged him to assert his character and magnify his office; or rather because this was the first epistle he wrote, and he being conscious to himself of his own meanness, and that he was the least of the apostles, and unworthy to be called one, chose not to use the title. Silvanus is the same with Silas, who was with the apostle at Thessalonica and at Corinth, when he wrote this epistle; he was originally a member of the church at Jerusalem, and was one of the chief of the brethren there, and a prophet; see Act 17:4, Timothy was also with the apostle at the same place, and was sent back by him from Athens to know their state, and returned to Corinth to him with Silas; he stands last, as being the younger, and perhaps was the apostle's amanuensis, and therefore in modesty writes his name last: the reason of their being mentioned was because, having been with the apostle at this place, they were well known by the church, who would be glad to hear of their welfare; as also to show t…
Open source ↗In this introduction we have, I. The inscription, where we have, 1. The persons from whom this epistle came, or by whom it was written. Paul was the inspired apostle and writer of this epistle, though he makes no mention of his apostleship, which was not doubted of by the Thessalonians, nor opposed by any false apostle among them. He joins Silvanus (or Silas) and Timotheus with himself (who had now come to him with an account of the prosperity of the churches in Macedonia), which shows this great apostle's humility, and how desirous he was to put honour upon the ministers of Christ who were of an inferior rank and standing. A good example this is to such ministers as are of greater abilities and reputation in the church than some others. 2. The persons to whom this epistle is written, namely, the church of the Thessalonians, the converted Jews and Gentiles in Thessalonica; and it is observable that this church is said to be in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ; they had fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, Jo1 1:3. They were a Christian church, because they believed in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. They believed the principles both of natural and revealed religion. The Gentiles among them were turned to God from idols, and the Jews among them believed Jesus to be the promised Messias. All of them were devoted and dedicated to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: to God as their chief good and highest end, to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Mediator between God and man. God the Father is the original centre of all natural religion; and Jesus Christ is the author and centre of all revealed religion. You believe in God, says our Saviour, believe also in me. Joh 14:1. II. The salutation or apostolical benediction: Grace be with…
Open source ↗1:1 Ancient letters began with the name of the author, the name of the recipients, and a salutation. • Paul, Silas, and Timothy were the founders of this church (Acts 17:1-9). • The greeting grace and peace summarizes the believer’s experience of the Good News.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Σιλουανός (Silouanós, G4610) — "silvan"; Silvanus, a Christian Τιμόθεος (Timótheos, G5095) — dear to God; Timotheus, a Christian ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… Θεσσαλονικεύς (Thessalonikeús, G2331) — a Thessalonican, i.e. inhabitant of Thessalonice ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you
Open source ↗εὐχαριστέω (eucharistéō, G2168) — to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very πάντοτε (pántote, G3842) — every when, i.e. at all times περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) μνεία (mneía, G3417) — recollection; by implication, recital ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us προσευχή (proseuchḗ, G4335) — prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)
Open source ↗μνημονεύω (mnēmoneúō, G3421) — to exercise memory, i.e. recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse ἀδιαλείπτως (adialeíptōs, G89) — uninterruptedly, i.e. without omission (on an appropriate occasion) ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κόπος (kópos, G2873) — a cut, i.e. (by analogy) toil (as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by… ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast ὑπομονή (hypomonḗ, G5281) — cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy ἐλπίς (elpís, G1680) — expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you ἐκλογή (eklogḗ, G1589) — (divine) selection (abstractly or concretely) ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, G2098) — a good message, i.e. the gospel γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… μόνον (mónon, G3440) — merely ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… μιμητής (mimētḗs, G3402) — an imitator ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… δέχομαι (déchomai, G1209) — to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… θλῖψις (thlîpsis, G2347) — pressure (literally or figuratively) μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… χαρά (chará, G5479) — cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
Open source ↗ὥστε (hṓste, G5620) — so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow) ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… τύπος (týpos, G5179) — a die (as struck), i.e. (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e. a… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Μακεδονία (Makedonía, G3109) — Macedonia, a region of Greece καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Ἀχαΐα (Achaḯa, G882) — Achaia (i.e. Greece), a country of Europe
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you ἐξηχέομαι (exēchéomai, G1837) — to "echo" forth, i.e. resound (be generally reported) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not μόνον (mónon, G3440) — merely ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Μακεδονία (Makedonía, G3109) — Macedonia, a region of Greece καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Ἀχαΐα (Achaḯa, G882) — Achaia (i.e. Greece), a country of Europe ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἀπαγγέλλω (apangéllō, G518) — to announce αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us ὁποῖος (hopoîos, G3697) — of what kind that, i.e. how (as) great (excellent) (specially, as an indefinite… εἴσοδος (eísodos, G1529) — an entrance (literally or figuratively) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πῶς (pōs, G4459) — an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect,… ἐπιστρέφω (epistréphō, G1994) — to revert (literally, figuratively or morally) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀναμένω (anaménō, G362) — to await αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from… νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ῥύομαι (rhýomai, G4506) — compare G4511 (ῥύσις)); to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e. rescue ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed for a time in the province of Asia.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ:
Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.