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).
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.
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
).
1.1 :
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 .