1 Thess 1:5-7 (our gospel)

Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 1

1 Thess 1:5
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

Paul refers to “our gospel” three times, once here, once in 

2 Cor 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
And then lastly in 

2 Thess 2:14 

Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Note also: Paul uses “my gospel” three times in Rom 2:16; 16:25; and 2 Tim 2:8]

The gospel comes in “word” in “power” and “in the Holy Ghost” and in “much assurance”...
God said in Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
We don’t know how it works, but we know it does work, how God wants it to work – some when hearing grab those words and it transforms them – others, let the words pass on by.
The word goes out of the mouth or read off the page, and into the mind and into he heart -belief is formed, faith in the word of truth; the power of the Paul’s gospel transforms them; the Holy Ghost indwells them, seals them; the power and the sealing provide the assurance (:full confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certain expectation; the utmost certainty)
[reference Eph 1:13-14 

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.]

1 Thess 1:6-7
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

Paul encourages the believers in Thessalonica about the trials, persecution, tribulations, afflictions that they have and will endure because of their decision: the believed the gospel that was delivered them from Paul and company – they follow Paul who follows Christ.
In verse 6, note “joy” is not in physical circumstances or things, it is not “happy”, “joy” is a position or state of which you can have in Christ with the Holy Ghost independent of physical circumstances.

Verse 7, Paul commends them for being ensamples (examples) to those in the surrounding areas. It is good to have an awesome walk for people to see, that may spark the interest – but no one will be convicted or get saved without the word of God. The Thessalonians were doing things right and Paul is edifying them.

Grace and Peace
Follow Paul as Paul follows Christ

1 Thess 1:4 “election”

Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 1

1Thess 1:4
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

Verse 4: a loaded verse. Some shoot themselves with it. Here we have the word “election”, which the Calvinist mindset will take hold to the idea that God “chose” some people to salvation and “chose” others to damnation. I reject that claim – I believe in volition (that people have a choice); I believe that God calls, and people in time react on that call – I reject that some are predestined to burn in hell just because God chose them to – I believe some will be damned because they chose to.

God has a plan, a plan that was made from before the world began – but he gives people a choice and that choice comes after the world began, in time.

Looking at the word “election” in the Bible, it is more than often linked with 'service', and never salvation (never choosing someone to be saved) - God choosing someone or people to “service” to be a “servant” and to “serve” God.

And remember what Paul was referring to in the previous verse -their “work of faith” and “labour of love” and “patience of hope” – they were doing service to God – God called, they acted on that call, and now are God’s servants.

On the flip side: Even in this same verse – Did God only choose the Thessalonians, or did not the Thessalonians as well choose God? You can read it both ways. 

(see 1Thess 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; …. They turned from their false gods and idols and false religion and “chose” the living and true God, there is an “election”).

Grace and Peace James
Enjoy your service.

1Thess 1:3 (work, and labour, and patience)

Gleanings in First Thessalonians

Chapter 1

Our second installment of our gleanings in First Thessalonians
If thou will bear me some of your patience

1Thess 1:3
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Paul, again, always seems to be believer/saint consumed in his thoughts, many times in his epistles, he takes the time to remind the saints that he is thinking of them.

Here three things are reminded that was noted of the apostle: work, labour, and patience. Three actions not for salvation or to remain saved, but for service.

A work of faith – faith is: (Heb 11:1)”… is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Faith is believing what God has said.

A labour of love (charity) – love: (1 Cor 13:4-8) “… suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:…”. 

Patience of hope – hope: (Rom 8:24-25) “ …that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.". Hope is the confidence in what we know will happen, and helps us to keep moving forward.

Paul mentions these three things and prioritizes for the long run:

1Cor 13:12-13
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Paul refers to not “ceasing” several times in his writing – for remembrance, prayers, thankfulness (Rom 1:9; 1 Thess 1:3, 2:13; 5:17; 2 Tim 1:3)

I have wearied thee, I shall “cease” for this morn’

Grace and Peace James

1 Thess 1:1-2

Gleanings in First Thessalonians

Chapter 1

A new week... Another day in a long line of days
Starting off with First Thessalonians...

1 Thess 1:1-2
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;


A couple of things to glean:
The believers in Thessalonica (as well as us) were in Christ as well as God the Father.  A believer gets saved, baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ (1Cor12:13), and then are in the Father as well (Col 3:3; 2Thess 1:1; ref. John 14:10-11).

Paul always begins his epistles/letters with an appeal to Grace and Peace. Which is always from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving or thankfulness was always present with Paul, and continually tells us to be thankful - which, I would guess, is most efficient path to peace, and in the end be pleasing to God.

And finally, he (Paul) was always praying for the brethren. Might be a good ensample, eh?

Grace and Peace James
May your week be sweet!

Introduction (the why)