Thessalonians 1-2: Verse by Verse With Bible Study FellowshipSample

Greeting – 1:1-2

After Paul’s first letter arrived, the Thessalonian Christians continued to face persecution and trials. They must have wondered why God did not immediately rescue them out of their suffering. Paul uses the same greeting in both letters to address their fears. His first words offer “grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” These words remind every listener: 

• God’s children receive their Father’s grace and peace, not punishment or wrath.1 
• God’s children are co-heirs with Christ, their brother, not under judgment.2

Paul’s Prayer of Thanks – 1:3-4

Paul reassures them that God’s will is at work in every life. Paul thanks God for their right responses to trials. God was proving His power through them. Paul points out the Spirit was at work in them. Their faith and love were increasing. 

Paul also shows how the Christian community upheld them. Others among God’s churches know of them, pray for them and learn from them. Their faithfulness encourages their brothers and sisters in faith. The Thessalonians’ love for God and lives of faith are examples, encouragement and sources of thanksgiving for believers almost 2,000 years later as we read about them and discuss them today. 

The Thessalonians’ Suffering – 1:5-10

Paul encourages them to see their suffering from God’s perspective. God shows us how worthy we are to give out and live out His gospel message in the midst of trials. Paul gives several vantage points from which we can view our suffering.

 

• Present suffering (1:5): Trials allow displays of true faith and the power of the living Christ. 
• Coming judgment (1:6-9): Trials are momentary opportunities for believers to show God’s love to their enemies. Relief is promised. Believers in Christ enter into His kingdom. Everlasting exile from God in ongoing punishment is reserved for unrepentant sinners. 
• Future glory (1:10): Believers’ trials leave marks and scars that God transforms into glory. Trials equip believers to produce abundant fruitfulness in this life.3 When Christ returns, believers will receive their resurrection bodies that reflect Christ’s glory.4

Paul’s Prayer – 1:11-12

Consider the value Paul placed on the Thessalonians’ reality and destiny. Paul committed these vital aspects of their lives to communal prayer. “We” always thank God (verse 3) and “we” constantly pray for you (verse 11). Paul later asks them to gather and pray together for his mission team. Believers’ prayers for others create avenues through which God delights to deliver His love and accomplish His will. Paul’s prayers are gifts to adopt and make your own. Paul specifically prayed God would:

 

• cause the Thessalonians to persevere in faith despite overwhelming opposition. 
• multiply their fruitful desires and deeds through the power of the Spirit. 
• magnify the glory of the Lord Jesus through those who overcome evil with good.

Enemies of the gospel hounded Paul from place to place. Paul prayed and asked for prayer support along the way. We can only imagine the extent to which God worked out His will for Paul through believers’ prayers. What might God accomplish through your prayers?

Who receives God’s blessing through your prayers? Will you pray for God to save many people through those who preach and teach His Word? Will you pray for persecuted Christians to know God’s presence and peace? What if you prayed for Christians to stand firm and offer God’s love when you see or hear news reports of devastation and evil? Or, how might you encourage loved ones by telling them what you specifically pray for them today?

Questions

Q1. In what ways do troubles affect the Thessalonians’ growth in faith, and how do they help or hinder faith in your life?

INSIGHTS: Troubles caused their leader Paul to flee and remain distant. Yet, persecution also caused the new believers to cling tightly to God, His Word and one another. They became afraid and confused, but they grew by asking for help from Paul and his co-workers. Their “persecutions and trials” caused sorrow. But they remained committed to spreading God’s love and His Word. Personal responses to troubles will vary.

Q2. What happens at Christ’s return to earth, and how do these truths impact you? 

INSIGHTS: Answers include: God will justly judge those who trouble believers (1:6); the Lord Jesus will punish those who refuse to repent (1:6-8); He will be revealed from heaven in blazing fire with powerful angels (1:7); He will punish those who have rejected God and did not obey the gospel (1:8); the rebellious will be punished with everlasting condemnation and shut out from the presence of the Lord (1:9); the Lord Jesus Christ shall be glorified and marveled at among His saints (1:10). How these truths impact each person will vary.

Q3. How do Paul’s prayers compare with things you pray God will do for you or others? 

Related Verses 

1 Saved from wrath: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

2 Co-heirs with Christ our brother: Romans 8:16-17; Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 2:11-12

3 Comfort others: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

4 Become like Christ in glory: 1 Corinthians 15; Philippians 3:21; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:1-3