Exposition on 1 Thessalonians

Contents

1. 0Pelagius's argument: Paul praises the exemplary Thessalonians to spur them on.
2. 1.1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, who preached to them, greet the church that is in the Father through faith in the Son.
3. 1.2Paul's constant prayers show his love for them.
4. 1.3Their faith was proved by labour, love, and patient endurance in hope.
5. 1.4The gospel came to them with power, the Spirit, and the example of the preachers' lives.
6. 1.6The Thessalonians received the word in suffering with the Spirit's joy.
7. 1.7Their example helped believers of other provinces.
8. 1.8Report of their faith has spread everywhere.
9. 1.9All know how they turned from idols to the true God.
10. 1.10Christ freed believers from coming wrath by forgiveness, teaching, and example.
11. 2.1Paul recalls his visit, which was not in vain.
12. 2.2Paul preached boldly at Thessalonica after suffering at Philippi.
13. 2.3Paul's preaching was free of error, such as that the wicked may reign with Christ, and of Jovinian's uncleanness.
14. 2.4Paul speaks to please God, who appointed him and tests the heart.
15. 2.5Paul did not flatter or seek gain.
16. 2.6Paul did not seek glory, which proves he taught for God.
17. 2.7Paul gave up his rights and became gentle like a nurse with children.
18. 2.8Paul gave himself, not only the gospel, to those dear to him.
19. 2.9Paul worked by night and preached by day so as to burden no one.
20. 2.10Paul calls them and God to witness his blameless conduct, as Samuel did.
21. 2.12Paul exhorted them as a father to walk worthily of God's kingdom.
22. 2.13They received Paul's message as God's word, which works in believers.
23. 2.14The Thessalonians suffered from their countrymen as the Judean churches did from the Jews.
24. 2.15Those who killed the Lord will persecute his apostles too.
25. 2.16Those who hinder the gospel to the Gentiles fill up their sins and fall under wrath.
26. 2.17Paul, absent only in body, longed to see them.
27. 2.18Satan, through persecutors, hindered Paul's return.
28. 2.19The Thessalonians are Paul's hope and crown.
29. 2.20Good teachers find their joy in their pupils' progress.
30. 3.1Paul preferred to stay alone at Athens rather than be without news of them.
31. 3.2Timothy was sent earlier to strengthen them.
32. 3.3Believers should not be shaken, since tribulation is their appointed lot.
33. 3.4Paul had foretold their sufferings, as the Lord foretold his.
34. 3.5Paul feared that the tempter had shaken their faith through his sufferings.
35. 3.6Timothy's good news of their faith and love comforts Paul.
36. 3.7Joy over their faith outweighs Paul's distress.
37. 3.8Paul's life is bound up with their steadfastness.
38. 3.9Their conduct gives Paul a threefold joy.
39. 3.10Paul longs to see them and supply any gaps in their teaching.
40. 3.11Paul prays that God remove what hinders his coming.
41. 3.12Believers should love all people, even of other sects, for their nature's sake.
42. 3.13Paul prays that they be blameless before God and begins his exhortation to walk worthily of Christ.
43. 4.2Lemma of 1 Thess 4:2.
44. 4.3Sanctification means abstaining from incontinence, especially before receiving Christ's body.
45. 4.4Each must keep his body chaste and not serve lust like the Gentiles.
46. 4.6A spouse must not break a vow of continence made by mutual consent, for God avenges it.
47. 4.7Even excessive marital incontinence is uncleanness that hinders receiving Christ's body.
48. 4.8Rejecting this teaching is rejecting God, who gave his Spirit.
49. 4.9The Thessalonians, taught by God, already love one another.
50. 4.10Christ's new command is to love even to dying for one another.
51. 4.11Some were idly begging from house to house; Paul wants them to work.
52. 4.12Believers should give outsiders no ground for reproach.
53. 4.13The dead in Christ are asleep, sure to rise, so believers should not grieve as others do.
54. 4.14Belief in Christ's resurrection grounds belief in the resurrection of his members.
55. 4.15The living will not precede the dead, whose resurrection will be as swift as the taking up of the living.
56. 4.16The terror of the Lord's coming calls for a clear conscience.
57. 4.17The risen dead and the living saints will meet Christ together and share his glory.
58. 4.18Laypeople are to teach and comfort one another.
59. 5.1Lemma of 1 Thess 5:1.
60. 5.2The Lord's day will come unexpectedly, as the gospel teaches.
61. 5.3Destruction comes when no one fears it.
62. 5.4Believers know to be always ready.
63. 5.5Sons of light must stay awake and sober, since ignorance breeds sin.
64. 5.6Worldly cares, like drunkenness, dull the mind.
65. 5.7Sloth and drunkenness belong to darkness.
66. 5.8Children of the day must be sober, armed with faith and love.
67. 5.9Believers are destined for salvation; unbelievers are already judged.
68. 5.10Christ died so that believers, living or dead, may live with him.
69. 5.11Laypeople are to build one another up and love their leaders.
70. 5.12Leaders govern by example, not worldly power, and deserve recognition.
71. 5.13Presbyters who labour in the word deserve double honour.
72. 5.14Different faults need different remedies, always with patience.
73. 5.15No one may repay evil, since returning injury is itself doing evil; do good to all.
74. 5.16Christians rejoice always in a pure conscience.
75. 5.17Unceasing prayer is prayer of the heart, or a life that itself pleads with God.
76. 5.18Believers give thanks in everything, as Job did.
77. 5.19Believers must not stifle the Spirit's gifts, such as tongues.
78. 5.20Lemma of 1 Thess 5:20.
79. 5.21Lemma of 1 Thess 5:21.
80. 5.22Prophecy is to be tested against the law and rejected if contrary.
81. 5.23Paul prays God sanctify them by grace or teaching, and keep them whole until judgment.
82. 5.24God, who calls and promises rest, will keep his word.
83. 5.26Lemma of 1 Thess 5:26, bracketed by Souter.
84. 5.27Lemma of 1 Thess 5:27, cut off in the text.