Brief Summary:
The first three chapters are about Paul longing to visit the church in Thessalonica but not being able to because Satan stopped them (1 Thessalonians 2:18), and how Paul cared for them and was encouraged to hear how they had been. Paul then prays for them (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13). In chapter 4, Paul is instructing the believers in Thessalonica on how to live, in Christ Jesus, a holy life (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12). Paul goes on to instruct them of a misconception they had. He tells them that the people who have died in Christ Jesus will also go to heaven when He comes back (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-11). The book ends with final instructions of living the Christian life.
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The Book of 1 Thessalonians Summary
Summary of the Book of 1 Thessalonians – Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org
Context Summary
First Thessalonians 1:4–10 expresses Paul’s confidence in the fact that God had saved his readers. He presents convincing evidence that they belong to God. He recalls how they had responded when they first heard the gospel, what kind of individuals they had become as a result of believing the gospel, and how effectively they had spread the gospel. He sums up their experience as having left paganism behind to serve God and to look forward to Jesus’ return.
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“1 Thessalonians 1:6” Bibleref.com.
What does 1 Thessalonians 1:6 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 1:6
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.
Context Summary
First Thessalonians 2:17–20 recalls how Paul had been chased out of Thessalonica, but he strongly wanted to return and see the Thessalonian Christians again. Repeatedly, he desired to return to Thessalonica, but was unable to do so. The Christians at Thessalonica meant so much to Paul that he anticipated greeting Christ at His coming with the blessing of knowing he had won these believers to Christ. They were his glory and joy.
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“1 Thessalonians 2:19” Bibleref.com
What does 1 Thessalonians 2:19 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesusa]”>[a] at his coming? 20 For you are our glory and our joy.
Context Summary
First Thessalonians 3:11–13 concludes this chapter with Paul’s prayer for himself and for his readers. He asks God and the Lord Jesus to guide him and his coworkers to the Thessalonians. He also prays that the Lord would cause the Thessalonians’ love to overflow to one another and to others. He assures his readers that his love overflowed to them. He strongly desires that God will strengthen his readers’ faith so they will be fully separated unto him without any valid accusation when Jesus returns. Paul adds, ”with all his saints.” When Jesus comes in the air to catch away his church, the souls of departed Christians will accompany Him to receive their resurrected, glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
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“1 Thessalonians 3:12” Bibleref.com
What does 1 Thessalonians 3:12 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 3:12
12 May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,
Context Summary
First Thessalonians 4:1–8 urges the believers at Thessalonica to recall what Paul said when he was with them. He had taught them how to behave in such a way that they would please God. They were following these instructions well, but Paul challenges them to increasingly become more holy, for this was God’s will for them. Each believer was obligated to avoid sexual immorality by controlling his own body, knowing the Lord avenges those who practice sin. Paul insists that to ignore this teaching about sexual immorality is tantamount to rejecting God.
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“1 Thessalonians 4:4” Bibleref.com
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:4 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 4:4
4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor
Context Summary
First Thessalonians 4:1–8 urges the believers at Thessalonica to recall what Paul said when he was with them. He had taught them how to behave in such a way that they would please God. They were following these instructions well, but Paul challenges them to increasingly become more holy, for this was God’s will for them. Each believer was obligated to avoid sexual immorality by controlling his own body, knowing the Lord avenges those who practice sin. Paul insists that to ignore this teaching about sexual immorality is tantamount to rejecting God.
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“1 Thessalonians 4:7” Bibleref.com
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:7 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 4:7
7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.
Context Summary
First Thessalonians 4:1–8 urges the believers at Thessalonica to recall what Paul said when he was with them. He had taught them how to behave in such a way that they would please God. They were following these instructions well, but Paul challenges them to increasingly become more holy, for this was God’s will for them. Each believer was obligated to avoid sexual immorality by controlling his own body, knowing the Lord avenges those who practice sin. Paul insists that to ignore this teaching about sexual immorality is tantamount to rejecting God.
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“1 Thessalonians 4:8” Bibleref.com
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:8 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 4:8
8 Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.
Context Summary
First Thessalonians 4:9–12 applauds the Thessalonian believers for their love for one another. After this, Paul gives them several exhortations. He exhorts them to increase their love, to lead a peaceful life, to mind their own business, and to be industrious. By heeding these exhortations the believers would establish a good testimony before their non-Christian neighbors, and they would be self-reliant.
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“1 Thessalonians 4:11” Bibleref.com
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:11 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 4:11
11 and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you;
Context Summary
First Thessalonians 4:13–18 represents an important shift in the subject matter of Paul’s letter. Realizing the Thessalonian believers needed further teaching about Jesus’ return (the rapture) and specifically about what happens to Christians who die before Jesus returns, Paul turns to address these vital matters. He wants his readers to know that death should not cause them to grieve like unbelievers. There is a bright prospect of seeing departed believers again. When Jesus returns from heaven, He will bring deceased Christians with Him. At that time there will be a loud command, the archangel’s voice will be heard, and God’s trumpet will sound. Christians who have died will receive their resurrected bodies, and living Christians will be caught up to join them, to be with the Lord forever. Paul urged the Thessalonian believers to use what he wrote about the rapture to encourage one another.
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“1 Thessalonians 4:13” Bibleref.com
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:13 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 4:13
13 But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
Context Summary
First Thessalonians 4:13–18 represents an important shift in the subject matter of Paul’s letter. Realizing the Thessalonian believers needed further teaching about Jesus’ return (the rapture) and specifically about what happens to Christians who die before Jesus returns, Paul turns to address these vital matters. He wants his readers to know that death should not cause them to grieve like unbelievers. There is a bright prospect of seeing departed believers again. When Jesus returns from heaven, He will bring deceased Christians with Him. At that time there will be a loud command, the archangel’s voice will be heard, and God’s trumpet will sound. Christians who have died will receive their resurrected bodies, and living Christians will be caught up to join them, to be with the Lord forever. Paul urged the Thessalonian believers to use what he wrote about the rapture to encourage one another.
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“1 Thessalonians 4:16” Bibleref.com
What does 1 Thessalonians 4:16 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 4:16
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first…
Context Summary
First Thessalonians 5:12–22 gives the Thessalonian believers a series of exhortations. As children of the day, who were anticipating the Lord’s return, they needed to live righteously. As a church, they needed to relate well to their leadership. Paul calls upon them to treat all their fellow believers kindly and patiently and to do good to one another. Paul admonishes the believers to be joyful at all times and to keep on praying. Constant thanksgiving was to mark their lives. Further, Paul tells his readers not to quench the Holy Spirit or to have a negative attitude toward prophetic ministries. However, they were supposed to keep a firm grasp on teachings that they tested and found to be true. Lastly, Paul directs his readers to avoid every kind of evil.
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“1 Thessalonians 5:16-18” Bibleref.com
What does 1 Thessalonians 5:16 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Always rejoice. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you;
Context Summary
First Timothy 5:17–25 provides guidelines on how a church should honor elders. It also refers to the proper way to discipline them, if this becomes necessary. Those who devote themselves to serving the church should be supported, meaning paid, so they can fully focus on the needs of the congregation. Accusations should only be taken seriously when there is sufficient evidence. And elders who are found in sin should be publicly rebuked. Paul also warns Timothy not to be too hasty in assigning elders, since some men’s sins are hidden and hard to detect.
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“1 Thessalonians 5:23” Bibleref.com
What does 1 Timothy 5:23 mean? | BibleRef.com
1 Thessalonians 5:23
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
