Snoopy's Thoughts on 1 Thessalonians

[paradox3]

1 Thessalonians 1

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Thessalonians 1 - New English Translation

Salutation - From Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you! Thanksgiving for Response to the Gospel - We thank God always for all of you as we mention you constantly in our prayers, because we recall in...

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Paul opens his letter with greetings from himself, Silvanus and Timothy.

He thanks God for the Thessalonians and keeps them in his prayers. He praises their work of faith, labor of love and endurance of hope in Christ.

The gospel came to them not merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit. The Thessalonians have become an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia and the message has spread even further.

People everywhere have turned from idols to serve the living and true God. The people await Jesus, the deliverer from the coming wrath.

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Thessalonians 1

Paul is much happier with the Thessalonians than he was with the Galatians. (Our last bible study)

Yours, Snoopy

 

[paradox3]

1 Thessalonians 2

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Thessalonians 2 - New English Translation

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica - For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you—it has not proven to be purposeless. But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite...

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Paul reflects on his successful ministry to the Thessalonians. He and his companions suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi.

The Thessalonians have become imitators of the churches in Judea. And they have experienced prosecution from their countrymen.

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: 1 Thessalonians 2

This guy Paul is certainly firm in his convictions. But possibly a tad arrogant about his ministry?
Yours, Snoopy

 

[Jaebius]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Thessalonians 1

Paul is much happier with the Thessalonians than he was with the Galatians. (Our last bible study)

Yours, Snoopy

Yes, Paul had a lot of positive things to say about the Thessalonians, praising their faith, love, and hope in Christ

 

[Jaebius]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: 1 Thessalonians 2

This guy Paul is certainly firm in his convictions. But possibly a tad arrogant about his ministry?
Yours, Snoopy

Paul had strong convictions and was really passionate about his ministry. While his confidence might come across as arrogance, it's important to remember the context of his time and the challenges he faced. His dedication and unwavering faith were so important to the spreading of the Good News and the support of early Christian churches

 

[paradox3]

Hey Brother @Jae
Good to see you. I was wondering if anyone was going to show up to discuss Thessalonians.

Yes Paul faced challenges. Interesting to contemplate he was once the one doing the persecuting. The shoe is on the other foot now, so to speak.

 

[Jaebius]

Hey Brother @Jae
Good to see you. I was wondering if anyone was going to show up to discuss Thessalonians.

It's strange to see no one else participating - yet. I know many people took part in your Galatians discussion.

Yes Paul faced challenges. Interesting to contemplate he was once the one doing the persecuting. The shoe is on the other foot now, so to speak.

Yes, that's true. I do believe that a real encounter with Jesus Christ, even today, can bring about such radical change. His transformation speaks to us of the power of grace. Something that's needed more in our world today. His experiences remind us that even in the face of adversity, we can find strength and purpose in faith

 

[unsafe]

Didn't know you were back ---so grateful to see you up and running and doing Thessalonians

The Gospel Caused Changes in Thessalonian Christians ----​

So here in verse 5 ----AMP

1 Thessalonians 1:5
​

5 for our good news [regarding salvation] came to you not only in word, but also in [its inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction [on our part].

So we see that God's word has Power to Change us ----it is not just mere words that these Christians are being fed ----there is Power behind the Words -----it has the power to change hearts --minds and lives once we are receptive to God's drawing us ----God's Faith is being inbirthed in them ----

And we see that the Holy Spirit is mentioned here who is a person who works within the heart of a person to convict ---and to instruct ----and who gives us the meaning behind the written words which speaks to us ----the Rhema word ---the spoken word -----

So if a Minister does not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them ---then they speak mear words but with the Holy Spirit working through the Word it can accomplish the right spiritual work which goes beyond the basic of just reading words in the Scripture ----

Their Faith in God became well known ----

8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.

This Church resonates what a true Church should be like in my view -----
---------------------------------------------------------------

1 Thessalonians 2

So Paul says his coming to them has not been infective or fruitless ---it certainly appeared to be a success -----

Paul says he spoke Boldly to them about the Gospel --he didn't just preach about it when it was convenient or easy -----

Verse 4 here is Important ----

4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ],

so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], but to please God who examines our hearts [expecting our best]

I say ----this is done so much today ---the leaders of the Church trying to Please the People instead of God ------so sad ---

Pal says he didn't seek glory from any men -----he didn't need any praise ---his satisfaction came from his relationship with Jesus -----

Paul freely appeals to his own life as an example as the power of Jesus was real in his life ---

Don't know if this is why you say this ?????

But possibly a tad arrogant about his ministry?

But here is the thing ------there is a difference in being Arrogant and being Confident ---

I think Paul is showing his confidence in his Ministry and behaviour when we focus on Jesus and not on our own abilities ----

AI Overview

While both terms might seem similar, the key difference between arrogance and confidence is that confidence stems from a genuine belief in one's abilities and is often accompanied by humility,

while arrogance is an inflated sense of self-importance, often leading to dismissive behavior and a lack of respect for others;

a confident person is open to feedback and collaboration,

whereas an arrogant person believes they know everything and may disregard others' opinions

I say ----The Thessalonians suffered persecution for accepting the Gospel

And this is still relevant today for many who say they Follow Jesus Christ ------

 

[paradox3]

Thanks @unsafe for joining the discussion. Now we are three on this thread.

It's interesting to compare arrogance and self-confidence.

Ironically enough, arrogant people are sometimes low in self-esteem. They may appear to have inflated egos but they actually lack confidence in themselves.

 

[Jaebius]

Thanks @unsafe for joining the discussion. Now we are three on this thread.

It's interesting to compare arrogance and self-confidence.

Ironically enough, arrogant people are sometimes low in self-esteem. They may appear to have inflated egos but they actually lack confidence in themselves.

Yes, their arrogance can be just a mask that they're hiding behind. They're actually weak. Everybody hurts

 

[BetteTheRed]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Thessalonians 1

Paul is much happier with the Thessalonians than he was with the Galatians. (Our last bible study)

Yours, Snoopy

I wonder why if the disciples were "seeding" congregations with the Holy Spirit, why she seemed to have been more effective in one geographical area than another?

 

[BetteTheRed]

But possibly a tad arrogant about his ministry?

Yes, I have just seen a rather dreaded phrase, "14 For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets". I find references to "the Jews" anti-semitic, thought they were largely restricted to John.

 

[Jaebius]

Didn't know you were back ---so grateful to see you up and running and doing Thessalonians

The Gospel Caused Changes in Thessalonian Christians ----​

So here in verse 5 ----AMP

1 Thessalonians 1:5​

​

5 for our good news [regarding salvation] came to you not only in word, but also in [its inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction [on our part].

So we see that God's word has Power to Change us ----it is not just mere words that these Christians are being fed ----there is Power behind the Words -----it has the power to change hearts --minds and lives once we are receptive to God's drawing us ----God's Faith is being inbirthed in them ----

And we see that the Holy Spirit is mentioned here who is a person who works within the heart of a person to convict ---and to instruct ----and who gives us the meaning behind the written words which speaks to us ----the Rhema word ---the spoken word -----

So if a Minister does not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them ---then they speak mear words but with the Holy Spirit working through the Word it can accomplish the right spiritual work which goes beyond the basic of just reading words in the Scripture ----

Their Faith in God became well known ----

8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.

This Church resonates what a true Church should be like in my view -----
---------------------------------------------------------------

1 Thessalonians 2

So Paul says his coming to them has not been infective or fruitless ---it certainly appeared to be a success -----

Paul says he spoke Boldly to them about the Gospel --he didn't just preach about it when it was convenient or easy -----

Verse 4 here is Important ----

4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ],

so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], but to please God who examines our hearts [expecting our best]

I say ----this is done so much today ---the leaders of the Church trying to Please the People instead of God ------so sad ---

Pal says he didn't seek glory from any men -----he didn't need any praise ---his satisfaction came from his relationship with Jesus -----

Paul freely appeals to his own life as an example as the power of Jesus was real in his life ---

Don't know if this is why you say this ?????



But here is the thing ------there is a difference in being Arrogant and being Confident ---

I think Paul is showing his confidence in his Ministry and behaviour when we focus on Jesus and not on our own abilities ----

AI Overview

While both terms might seem similar, the key difference between arrogance and confidence is that confidence stems from a genuine belief in one's abilities and is often accompanied by humility,

while arrogance is an inflated sense of self-importance, often leading to dismissive behavior and a lack of respect for others;

a confident person is open to feedback and collaboration,

whereas an arrogant person believes they know everything and may disregard others' opinions

I say ----The Thessalonians suffered persecution for accepting the Gospel

And this is still relevant today for many who say they Follow Jesus Christ ------

Yes, unsafe, well said, the power of God's Word goes beyond mere words. It has the ability to change our lives when we're receptive to his calling. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in convincing, instructing, and revealing the deeper meaning behind the written words, She enables us to experience the transformative power of the Good News.

Paul's confidence in his ministry's a testament to his unwavering faith. It's important, I think, to distinguish between arrogance and confidence. True confidence comes from a genuine belief in one's abilities and is accompanied by humility. Arrogance, on the other hand, is not quite like that.

Arrogance, I think, is a trap that's easy-enough for just about anyone to fall into. I often-enough have to remind myself to be humble. To act as a servant-leader who doesn't just lord leadership over others

 

[BetteTheRed]

Arrogance, I think, is a trap that's easy-enough for just about anyone to fall into. I often-enough have to remind myself to be humble.

The existential problem. When one becomes proud of one's humility.

 

[paradox3]

1 Thessalonians 3

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Thessalonians 3 - New English Translation

So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone. We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we...

www.biblegateway.com

Paul continues to express his gratitude to the Thessalonians. They have not been tempted by the tempter. He prays earnestly to see them again.

He prays that they will abound in love for each other and for all. May their hearts be strengthened in holiness to be blameless before God and the coming of Jesus with the saints!

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: 1 Thessalonians 3

Wow! Paul really loves these Thessalonians and he prays for their salvation at the end of time.

Yours, Snoopy.

 

[Jaebius]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: 1 Thessalonians 3

Wow! Paul really loves these Thessalonians and he prays for their salvation at the end of time.

Yours, Snoopy.

Paul's love and prayers for the Thessalonians are a beautiful testament to his deep care and commitment to their spiritual well-being. His words remind me of the importance of praying for others, and supporting them in their faith journeys

 

[unsafe]

So we see in the first part of this chapter that the Thessalonian Christians suffered tribulation and they were warned by Paul early on that they would suffer tribulation because of their Faith ----

This is true for Christians today who have received Christ ----Christ suffered for us and we take part in that suffering ----of Persecution especially from the opposition -----

We see that the Thessalonian Christians were doing well in their love and faithfulness towards Christ but Paul saw the need for them to grown more in their Agape fruit ----

God's Love --Agape ---has to be cultivated ---so as we mature in our Faith journey our Agape and other fruits of the Spirit grow more stronger and Paul saw this need in this Church -----

Here is the thing ----look at it this way -----Love is your curtain rod ----all the other fruits hang on the Curtains that are on the curtain rod -----

-IF the Curtain Rod Falls --Agape -----then so do all the other Fruits --
l joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,

and he prays for their salvation at the end of time.

paradox3 ---these people are already saved ----they are Saved Christians with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit already in them so they are Saints ===and when they died they went to Heaven to be with the Lord

Just to clarify --- this verse 13 below is not about their Salvation

This passage is about the Second Coming of Christ to defeat Satan and He comes With ALL His Saints ---who He kills with His breath

2 Thessalonians 2:8 describes Jesus killing the lawless one with his breath.

Verse 13 -----so that He may strengthen and establish your hearts without blame in holiness in the sight of our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints (God’s people)

So this includes the Saints who are in Heaven now and the Saints who will be Raptured before the 7 year Tribulation starts ------

 

[paradox3]

Did Paul's theology contain all this detail @unsafe? All he says here is that the Thessalonians will be blameless before God at the coming of Jesus with his saints.

We see here that Paul's theology includes the return of Christ. But that's all we have so far. Do we get more of the details in his other letters, do you know? I am reading most of this material (epistles) for the first time.

Agreeing that I was incorrect with the word "salvation".