A. Genre?
B. Author’s Intended Meaning ?
C. Where is Christ Jesus?
A. The genre: An epistle (letter) written specifically to the Church in Thessalonica
B. What is the original author’s intended meaning?
1. Determining an author’s meaning:
a. Examine the literary context: what happens before and after?
i. the Gospels and Acts had not yet been written
ii. probably the 3rd earliest writing in the entire NT
iii. likely Paul’s second-published apostolic letters
b. Examine the historical context:
- Written between 50-51 AD
- Founded by Paul after fleeing Philippi
- Paul then fled Berea afterwards and went to Athens, with likely little success
- Written from Corinth - a city full of debauchery & probably was discouraged
- Jewish opponents of the church were likely slandering Paul
- Written after receiving a good report of the church from Timothy
- Total of 59 times that some form of God or Jesus is mentioned
- The deity of Jesus is highlighted: it refers to him as Lord alongside God 11 times
- Some other key words/concepts in the letter:
- Return of Christ
- Living holy and blameless
- Affliction and suffering
- How to live as Christians
- Living in the light
- Peace
Some Key themes emerge:
- The wrath of God against unbelievers & the salvation of believers
- Loving & Encouraging each other in the Christian walk
- Christian hope based on the death and resurrection of Christ
- God’s election and calling of believers
- Living as children of the light - holy and blameless before Christ
- Authentic pastoral care and preaching
The necessary evidence of faith, hope and love in a believer’s life
C. Where is Christ?
1. Scripture tells a 4 part story: Creation, Fall, Redemption, New Creation
2. Scripture centers on the person and work of Christ
The overall storyline of the Bible is: God sent His Son into the world to redeem sinners
3. Finding Christ
- How does this passage connect to the overall storyline of the Bible?
- How does this passage reveal man’s need for a Savior?
- How does this passage reveal God's disposition to provide a Savior?
- How does this passage predict, point to, or reflect on Jesus Christ?
Intended Meaning of Thessalonians?
True believers look for Christ’s return and live for His reward, trusting in Him
One of the most prominent themes is the return of Christ
(1:10; 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-11; 5:23-24)
1. Looking for His return (1:10, 4:15-17)
2. Longing for our inheritance (1:10; 5:2-4; 5:9-10)
3. Living for God (1:6-7; 1:9-10; 2:2; 2:2-6; 2:7-8)
a. Living for Jesus means a life of self-sacrifice (2:2, 2:4-6; 2:7-8)
b. Living for God means love for the saints (2:11-12; 3:12-13; 4:9-12; )
c. Living for Jesus means living to please the Lord (4:1-2; 4:3-8;)
d. Living for God looks like being respectable (4:11-12)
e. Living for God looks like being discerning (5:4-10; 5:19-22)
f. Living for God looks like being God-centered (1:1; 1:4; 1:9; 2:4; 2:12; 4:1; 5:16-18)
4. Leaning on His promises (5:23-24)
His return is meant to motivate how we live – loving one another out of gratitude for how He has loved us and aware that everything we do has consequences and yet also filled with hope looking for His return and the sure inheritance of our salvation.
Caregroup Application Questions:
- So how are you living? What areas are you living for your own satisfaction? (possibly money, reputation, the praise of people)? What are the idols you need to turn from to serve God wholeheartedly?
- Where are some areas where you might be living for temporal gratification and temporary rewards? How would God have you live for His rewards?
- What areas are you resting in your own ability for your sanctification? What are some ways you can respond and place your faith in God to complete His work in you?
