1 & 2 Thessalonians Intro and 1 Thessalonians 1:1–5 “A Miraculous Faith”

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• All Sons & Daughters – Great Are You Lord
• Hillsong Worship – Cornerstone
• Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Kids Minute: Faithful in Hard Times – Lesson for Kids
• I Have Decided | Cave Quest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Your Power Will Pull Us Through | Rocky Railway VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Let’s Trust In Jesus | True North VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

About 1 & 2 Thessalonians:

Thessalonica was a city founded by Alexander the Great, located along the Via Ignatia, a major Roman road built for expansion into the eastern regions of the empire. It was also a port city at the end of a bay connected to the Mediterranean Sea. During Paul’s time, Thessalonica was a Roman colony. Its location gave it great potential to flourish both commercially and culturally. The city was particularly known for the worship of the god Cabirus, who was revered as the patron deity of craftsmen and believed to grant safety in maritime travel.

According to the Book of Acts, during his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul received a vision in a dream that led him to cross the Aegean Sea and enter Macedonia. The first city he visited after arriving by ship was Philippi (Acts 16:11–40), and the next city was Thessalonica (Acts 17:1–9). There was a Jewish synagogue there, and Paul preached there for three weeks. Through this brief period of evangelism, some Jews accepted the gospel. In addition, “a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women” (Acts 17:4) believed through Paul’s ministry. However, this early success was abruptly interrupted by Jewish plots and agitation, forcing Paul and Silas to leave quickly.

After passing through Berea and arriving in Athens, Paul and Silas grew concerned for the Thessalonian believers and sent Timothy to check on their situation. Sometime later, Timothy returned with the encouraging news that the Thessalonian Christians were continuing their faith well on their own. In response, Paul wrote them a letter, which is the one we now read and meditate on as 1 Thessalonians. This letter is the earliest of the 27 books in the New Testament, written around A.D. 49. The Apostle Paul poured both his concern and his deep gratitude for the Thessalonian believers into this letter.

Explanation:

The Apostle follows the Greco-Roman style of letter writing by first introducing the sender. In his other letters, he sometimes described himself as an “apostle” (1 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1) or a “servant” (Philippians 1:1). However, here he simply writes his name (v.1). This likely indicates that there was no need to emphasize his apostleship since the Thessalonian believers already loved and respected him deeply. “Silvanus” is the Latin form of “Silas.” Timothy was a faithful young disciple whom Paul had met in Lystra (Acts 16:1–3). He then identifies the recipients of the letter, noting that they are “in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” This emphasizes that their spiritual position—being rooted in God—is more important than their geographical location in Thessalonica.

Following this, Paul offers a greeting of blessing. “Grace” was a common Greek greeting, while “peace” was a typical Jewish greeting. Since the church in Thessalonica was made up of both Jews and Greco-Romans, Paul combines the two to form the greeting “grace and peace.” Later, he would expand this into a distinctly Christian blessing: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” acknowledging that these blessings ultimately come from God.

He then continues by expressing his gratitude to the Thessalonian believers. By using the first-person plural pronoun “we” (v.2), Paul shows that Silas and Timothy share the same heart and are united with him in writing this letter. They continually remember the Thessalonians and give thanks to God for them. This is because of their “work produced by faith,” their “labor prompted by love,” and their “endurance inspired by hope” (v.3). Although they had not been believers for long, they endured many hardships and stood firm in their faith. Based on this, Paul is assured that they are loved by God and chosen by Him (v.4).

Paul then explains how they were able to stand in such strong faith. When he and his companions preached the gospel, the Holy Spirit demonstrated His “power,” and through that, the Thessalonians received deep conviction (v.5). The phrase, “You know how we lived among you for your sake,” is best understood as flowing into verse 6, connecting their conduct with the Thessalonians’ response to the message.

Meditation:

The Apostle Paul spent only about three weeks in Thessalonica with Silas and Timothy, preaching the gospel. During that short time, a significant number of people accepted the message of Christ. Yet, before they could become firmly rooted in their new faith, Paul and his companions had to leave Thessalonica abruptly.

Even after leaving, Paul could not shake off his deep concern for them. Every time he prayed, he must have pleaded with God to protect and strengthen their faith. While staying in Athens, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to learn how the believers were doing. Some time later, Timothy returned with the encouraging news that, despite facing persecution and various temptations, the Thessalonian Christians were holding firmly to their faith and bearing fruit in their spiritual lives.

After hearing the good news from Timothy, the Apostle Paul reflects on three things: First, he recognizes that when they preached the gospel, the Holy Spirit worked in power among them. There is no other explanation for their deep and unwavering faith. Such transformation could not have come from human eloquence but only from the power of the Holy Spirit. Second, Paul confirms God’s love for the Thessalonian believers by witnessing their growth as people of faith despite persecution and temptations. God loves all people, yet not everyone accepts His love and allows it to transform their lives. The Thessalonians were living proof of that love at work. Third, Paul becomes assured that God had “chosen” them (v.4). Their extraordinary faith could not be explained unless God Himself had worked in their lives to draw them to Him.

However, this should not lead to a hasty conclusion such as, “See, predestination must be the only explanation!” If their faith came solely from God’s choice, Paul would have had no reason to commend them. Their remarkable faith was a result of both God’s choosing and the Spirit’s power, but also their own willingness to receive the Word and strive to live by it. And yet, there are moments when one cannot help but think, “If this is not the work of God, how could such a thing ever happen?” Such was the case with the faith of the Thessalonian believers.

Prayer:

Lord, if we have faith today, it is entirely Your gift. If there are faults in us, they are because of our own shortcomings. Compared to the grace You pour out on us, our efforts are far too small. Yet, You have set us on the path of saving faith, and for that we give You thanks. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Faith in Jesus is a gift from God, given through the power of the Holy Spirit, and it grows when we choose to accept His Word and live by it—even in hard times.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Who gives us faith to believe in Jesus—do we make it ourselves or does it come from God?
  • How do you think the Thessalonian believers stayed strong even when life was hard?
  • What is one thing you can do this week to show that you trust Jesus?
• Youth
  • Paul said faith, love, and hope were seen in the Thessalonian believers. Which one do you think is hardest to live out today, and why?
  • Why do you think Paul believed their faith was proof of God’s love and choice?
  • How can you tell if your faith is real and growing—not just words but a life that shows Jesus?