1 Thessalonians 3

Paul’s Personal Concern for the Thessalonians

Thessalonians Persecuted (1-5)

Paul then went to Athens alone and sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to teach the new church about suffering (1-2). Clearly, one of Paul’s main apostolic themes was the need to remind followers that they were destined to suffer. He reminded them again in this letter what he had warned them of before: they were, as followers of Christ, going to suffer affliction (3-4). Being new to following Jesus, they may not have comprehended the full blessing of affliction, so while Paul was going it alone in Athens, he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to make sure they fully comprehended the blessing experience through affliction (5).

Thessalonians Persevere (6-10)

Paul then went into another chorus of thanksgiving and joy for the Thessalonians and their perseverance by faith through suffering, as well as their longing to see Paul as he longed to see them (6-10).

Thessalonians Prayed For (11-13)

Paul concluded with a prayer. In his prayer, he made a petition to God to direct his journey back to the Thessalonians, to cause them to overflow with love and to remain firmly dedicated to Jesus, unashamed until the coming of Christ (11-13).

1 Thessalonians 4

Paul’s Teaching on How to Live Expecting Jesus’ Immediate Return

It would seem the imminent sense of the Lord’s return was causing some to relax sexually and others to relax their work habits. Through the rest of this book, Paul continued to teach the Thessalonians how to live honorably and yet with an imminent sense of Jesus’ return.

Paul’s Concern for the Thessalonians’ Holiness (4:1-18)

Regarding the Thessalonians’ Sexual Purity (1-8) 

The first 12 verses of chapter four deal with a concern Paul had regarding sexual purity. Timothy must have given him a report concerning some sexual mischief infecting the church, so Paul confronted it head-on, insisting that sexual chastity was not only pleasing to the Lord, but it was also the will of God and one of the main pieces of evidence of their devotion to Christ (1-3).

The pagan habit of sex and Christ’s standard for purity were in opposition; apart from self-control, a result of devotion to Christ (4), the new believers would easily be pulled back into the sexual habits of the pagan world (5). Paul warned them of the Lord's commitment to discipline those who dabbled in promiscuity (6a). This warning of judgment for sexual sin was a common thread in Paul's message (6b). Those who follow Jesus are called to be holy, and being holy is synonymous with being sexually pure (7). To not know and understand this as a follower means one would need to completely disregard the Holy Spirit within them (8).

Regarding the Thessalonians’ Godly Character (9-12)

Next, Paul addressed another concern of Timothy’s for the Thessalonian church; it would seem a few had become lazy and were putting their noses into others’ business, creating drama, and sponging off of others’ generosity. Paul’s advice was clear: make your motive love, your hands diligent, and don’t depend on the hard work of others for your living (9-12). 

Paul Addresses the Questions Concerning the Lord’s Coming (4:13-5:3)

The First Question (13-18)

Paul addressed the first of two of the Thessalonians’ concerns regarding the Lord’s return. First, in the time between Paul’s departure from the Thessalonians and this letter, some had died. The Thessalonians were concerned that those who had died had missed out on the Lord’s return. Paul made it clear that they needed not grieve without hope (13). He reminded them that Jesus actually died and rose, and those who had fallen asleep would be just like Jesus and raised from the dead (14). Paul then explained the timing: first, Christ would descend at the cry of the archangel and the sound of God’s trumpet (15-16). At that moment, the dead would rise first (17) and then those who were alive (18). Everyone would be caught up together in the clouds and meet the Lord there as He returned to the earth, just like a city coming out to greet a triumphant King.