1. Paul recounts his mission at Thessalonica
a. The model church - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
b. The model servant - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20
2. Paul stresses the need to establish a sound faith
a. The model brother - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
b. The model work - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
c. The Lord's return and other exhortations - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
I marked out this verse: But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us. (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)
I don't handle it very well when people are harsh with me. Which is, in a sense, ironic, as I can be harsh at times, sometimes crushingly so. Thus this passage is a great exhortation to me, to NOT be harsh, but to remember that while rebuking and admonishing one another, it should be done with the same attitude that Jesus and the apostles showed forth.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have not hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
This passage reminded me of a comment I recently made to a fellow saint - about someone being dead - and she corrected me (rightly so) that they were not dead. They were with the Lord. God is not the God of the dead, but the living.
...even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14b)
asleep or sleep - G2837 - From G2749; to put to sleep, that is, (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively to decease.
...and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:16b)
dead - G3498 - From an apparently primary word νέκυς nekus (a corpse); dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun).
Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
comfort - G3870 - From G3844 and G2564; to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation).
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
sleep - G2518 - From G2596 and εὕδω heudō (to sleep); to lie down to rest, that is, (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively).
watch - G1127 - From G1453; to keep awake, that is, watch (literally or figuratively).
sober - G3525 - Of uncertain affinity; to abstain from wine (keep sober), that is, (figuratively) be discreet.
But let us, who are of the day, be sober (G3525), putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
pray - G4336 - From G4314 and G2172; to pray to God, that is, supplicate, worship.
without ceasing - G89 - Adverb from G88; uninterruptedly, that is, without omission (on an appropriate occasion). G88 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of a compound of G1223 and G3007; unintermitted, that is, permanent.
Partially quoting Gill's commentary: Not that saints should be always on their knees, or ever lifting up their hands, and vocally calling upon God; this is not required of them, and would clash with, and break in upon other parts of religious worship, and the duties of civil life, which are to be attended to, as well as this, and besides would be impracticable; for however willing a spiritual man might be to be engaged in this work always, yet the flesh is weak, and would not be able to bear it; and it requires food and drink, sleep and rest, for its refreshment and support; for all which there must be time allowed, as well as for other actions of animal life, and the business of a man's calling. But the meaning is, that believers should be daily, and often found in the performance of this duty; for as their wants daily return upon them, and they are called to fresh service, and further trials and exercises, they have need of more grace, strength, and assistance, and therefore should daily pray for it; and besides certain times both in the closet, and in the family, in which they should attend the throne of grace, there is such a thing as mental prayer, praying in the heart, private ejaculations of the soul, which may be sent up to heaven, while a man is engaged in the affairs of life.
Would that the saints of God be diligent to offer up prayer to the Lord for an increase of laborers into the harvest, blind eyes and deaf ears to be opened, for the Bride of Christ to be cleansed. Be fervent saints - the day of our beloved's return draws nearer and nearer.
b. The model servant - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20
2. Paul stresses the need to establish a sound faith
a. The model brother - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
b. The model work - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
c. The Lord's return and other exhortations - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
I marked out this verse: But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us. (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)
I don't handle it very well when people are harsh with me. Which is, in a sense, ironic, as I can be harsh at times, sometimes crushingly so. Thus this passage is a great exhortation to me, to NOT be harsh, but to remember that while rebuking and admonishing one another, it should be done with the same attitude that Jesus and the apostles showed forth.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have not hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
This passage reminded me of a comment I recently made to a fellow saint - about someone being dead - and she corrected me (rightly so) that they were not dead. They were with the Lord. God is not the God of the dead, but the living.
...even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14b)
asleep or sleep - G2837 - From G2749; to put to sleep, that is, (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively to decease.
...and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:16b)
dead - G3498 - From an apparently primary word νέκυς nekus (a corpse); dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun).
Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
comfort - G3870 - From G3844 and G2564; to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation).
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
sleep - G2518 - From G2596 and εὕδω heudō (to sleep); to lie down to rest, that is, (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively).
watch - G1127 - From G1453; to keep awake, that is, watch (literally or figuratively).
sober - G3525 - Of uncertain affinity; to abstain from wine (keep sober), that is, (figuratively) be discreet.
But let us, who are of the day, be sober (G3525), putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
pray - G4336 - From G4314 and G2172; to pray to God, that is, supplicate, worship.
without ceasing - G89 - Adverb from G88; uninterruptedly, that is, without omission (on an appropriate occasion). G88 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of a compound of G1223 and G3007; unintermitted, that is, permanent.
Partially quoting Gill's commentary: Not that saints should be always on their knees, or ever lifting up their hands, and vocally calling upon God; this is not required of them, and would clash with, and break in upon other parts of religious worship, and the duties of civil life, which are to be attended to, as well as this, and besides would be impracticable; for however willing a spiritual man might be to be engaged in this work always, yet the flesh is weak, and would not be able to bear it; and it requires food and drink, sleep and rest, for its refreshment and support; for all which there must be time allowed, as well as for other actions of animal life, and the business of a man's calling. But the meaning is, that believers should be daily, and often found in the performance of this duty; for as their wants daily return upon them, and they are called to fresh service, and further trials and exercises, they have need of more grace, strength, and assistance, and therefore should daily pray for it; and besides certain times both in the closet, and in the family, in which they should attend the throne of grace, there is such a thing as mental prayer, praying in the heart, private ejaculations of the soul, which may be sent up to heaven, while a man is engaged in the affairs of life.
Would that the saints of God be diligent to offer up prayer to the Lord for an increase of laborers into the harvest, blind eyes and deaf ears to be opened, for the Bride of Christ to be cleansed. Be fervent saints - the day of our beloved's return draws nearer and nearer.
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