Commentary on 1 Thessalonians

1.1 :

Opening. A typical greeting, although written in an extremely simple form (see Phil 1.1–2 ).

1 :

Silvanus, Latin form of Silas, one of Paul's companions (Acts 15.22, 40; 17.4 ). Timothy, one of Paul's emissaries and a traveling companion (Rom 16.21; 1 Cor 4.17; 16.10; Phil 2.19 ). Grace and peace, likely a variation of the Jewish “mercy and peace” (see 2 Baruch 78.2 , a late Jewish apocryphal writing, probably from the first century CE).

1.2–10 .

2–5 :

Thanksgiving. Paul highlights his consistent prayers, signs of the congregation's ongoing life, and God's initiative in the effectiveness of the gospel and Paul's mission team.

3 :

Faith…love…hope, see 5.8; Rom 5.1–5; 1 Cor 13.13; Gal 5.5–6 .

4 :

On the kinship expression brothers and sisters, see Deut 15.3 . Beloved by God, see Deut 33.12 . Chosen, see Deut 4.37; 7.6–8; 10.14–15; 14.2 .

1.6–2.16 :

The suffering and endurance of the congregation. Three sections depict how the Thessalonians suffered with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit ( 1.6–10 ), the endurance of the mission team ( 2.1–12 ), and what the Thessalonians suffered ( 2.13–16 ).

1.6–10 :

How the Thessalonians suffered.

6 :

Persecution ( 3.3–4, 7 ), suffering or affliction, the woes that precede the consummation of the new age.

8 :

Sounded forth, the Greek implies continuous spreading of the word.

9–10 :

This may be a formal statement of belief. Turned to God from idols suggests, contrary to Acts 17.4 , that the converts were gentiles. ^* See 2.14 .