Background
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians (Thess) during his stay in Corinth. This location can be inferred from his mention of Athens in 3:1 – 2. According to Acts 18:11, Corinth is the city visited, where he resided for a lengthy period of time. In addition, Paul wrote the letter upon Timothy’s return from Thessalonica. Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage the church as their missionary work was abruptly disrupted when the Jewish officials evicted them from the city. Timothy’s report brought good news to Paul and this letter details Paul’s heartfelt response to the church. Paul begins the letter with a standard Greco-Roman period structure. This structure includes a threefold salutation: writer, addressee, greetings, and includes a wish or prayer for health or well-being of the addressee. In verses 1 – 10, Paul writes an opening greeting and opening thanksgiving, which includes a prayer report.
Context
I enjoy connecting with people. I, especially like being inspired to do greater things and seeing my potential. I am an affirmations person and I love hearing great things. In fact, I noticed that most people enjoy these types of interactions. For instance, I was speaking to a friend. I told her how she impacted me and others around her. I thanked her for her friendship and expressed all that she meant to me. She smiled the whole time as I spoke with her. At the end of the conversation, she hugged me and thanked me for sharing kind words with her. Later that day, she called me to tell me that she met a woman with her children. They were evicted, so she purchased food for them and paid for one’s night hotel. She also provided contacted information for a nearby shelter and other resources. I was blown away by her acts of kindness and service. I thought perhaps my kind words to her inspired her.
Throughout the Gospels, Paul constantly encourages the body of believers. He always had a way of seeing their value and spurring them on. More importantly, he wanted the gospel to demonstrate power in their lives. In verse 5, Paul defines the gospel as the word of God that possesses power, the Holy Spirit, and full conviction. The characteristics used to identify the gospel represent nouns that equate to God and Christ. In the gospel, the power of God consists in the fact that it mediates salvation. In the message of Christ, the power of God resides as the power of salvation. For the second characteristic, the Holy Spirit depicts the third person of the triune God and coequal, coeternal with the Father and Son. Paul refers to the Spirit in relation to the gospel as the miraculous power of God, which gives man the ability to live by this power that is not his own. Paul understands the Spirit as the power which summons to faith. It summons the believer to live. The last characteristic of the gospel is conviction. Conviction means the understanding of God, hope in remaining faithful to the gospel of Christ, and faith in the atoning work of Christ. In relation to this passage, the term means “fullness of divine working”. The fullness of divine working also encapsulates the understanding of God, faithfulness to the gospel, and the atoning work of Christ. Therefore the gospel not only represents the power of God and Christ, the Spirit as the power of God in man, but also the fullness of God’s and Christ’s divine working.
Purpose
Paul’s opening in 1 Thess follows his traditional pattern of addressing the recipients of his letters. His opening includes a greeting, thanksgiving, and prayer report. Paul, remembering the Thessalonians in prayer, attributes the effects of the gospel in the Thessalonians’ lives. In verse 4, Paul asserts that God made their election sure or chose them. In verse 10, Paul climaxes by noting that Christ rescued them all from the coming wrath. In both cases, these actions represent the power of God and Christ through the divine workings of the gospel. The Thessalonians responded accordingly to the gospel. In verse 6, Paul contends that the Thessalonians received the gospel in much tribulation with joy in the Holy Spirit. They, in turn, possess a faith that labors in love and hopes in Christ. This faith prompts them to be an example that should be imitated as they proclaim the gospel and their faith to those in Macedonia and Achaia. Not only do the Thessalonians respond in faith to the gospel, but they turn to God and away from idols. In turning to God, they also serve him or subject themselves to him as a slave. In this state, the Thessalonians no longer live by the power of themselves, but the power that comes from the gospel.
Application
I love feeling believed in and encouraged to reach my full potential. When I told my friend all the valuable things she did for others, especially me, she became motivated to continue her acts of service. In addressing the Thessalonians, Paul does the same as he identifies the power of the gospel in their lives. The message of the Jesus Christ and the cross possess the power to those who hear it. The gospel summons people to faith. It summons believers to live. Therefore, those who hear the message have the calling to possess faith and to live a life in Christ. This life is exemplified by turning to God and demonstrating one’s faith by serving God and proclaiming the message. These actions demonstrate Christians’ response to the gospel. The gospel also attributes benefits to believers. These benefits include being chosen by God and rescued from the coming wrath. Paul correctly identifies the power of the gospel. In this power, today’s Christians receive the fullness of the divine workings in their lives.
