1 Thessalonians 1:2-5

Paul’s Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 (ESV)

          ² We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, ³ remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,  ⁵ because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Commentary:

          After the initial greeting, Paul moves on to a prayer of thanksgiving. Beginning a letter with a thanksgiving is a common feature of letter writing of the time. In fact, Paul included a thanksgiving in all his letters except Galatians (see Galatians 1:6-10) which shows that Paul was sincere in his thanksgiving not just doing it because it was standard practice in the Roman Empire.

          In verse 3, Paul continues with his thanksgiving. ^” Careful readers will note the Pauline triad of faith (pistis), hope (elpis), and love (agapē), so well-known from 1 Corinthians 13:13. But another triad is woven in here: work (ergon), labor (kopos), and endurance (hypomonē). As we will see, these terms are important to our understanding of the situation at Thessalonica and the way Paul attempts to address the problem.” Some readers will object the way Paul links faith and works; however, faith and works are linked in New Testament theology. A story will help illustrate that linkage: two friends were going out fishing in boat powered by only oars. On one oar was the word “faith” on the other written was “works” The friend who was not rowing asked him why those words were on each oar. The rower demonstrated. First, he used only the oar labeled faith and the boat began to go in a circle, then he switched to the oar labeled works and the boat began circling in the opposite direction. “See” the man who was rowing said, in order to get anywhere I must use both oars.”

          Verse 4, Paul speaks of the Thessalonians conversion. How it marked them out as beloved of God. “These early Christians understood that they had not been chosen and saved by God as the final goal. It was just the beginning, and part of their job was to witness to the world what God had done and was doing in Jesus Christ.”² Unfortunately, the church in our time seems to think that once you cross that threshold of believing one is set for (eternal)  life. Church attendance becomes optional and their way of life does not seem to change. Their spiritual life goes in a circle and the folks wonder why they never make any progress.

          In verse 5, Paul continues his praise of the church. Indicating that the Holy Spirit had been at work in their conversion and that they were living out the Gospel in their everyday lives. Reminding them of the example the Apostle lived out before their eyes.

          Paul’s thanksgiving is a heart felt prayer. Paul will explore “how the gospel comes with power, how the Thessalonians responded by becoming imitators of the apostles and the Lord, and how they became a model for other believers”.³

¹Byron, John. 1 and 2 Thessalonians (The Story of God Bible Commentary) (p. 34). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.

² Byron, John. 1 and 2 Thessalonians (The Story of God Bible Commentary) (p. 41). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.

³ Byron, John. 1 and 2 Thessalonians (The Story of God Bible Commentary) (p. 44). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.