Introduction
This very personal epistle of Paul to the Thessalonian ecclesia is unique in that it is addressed to a congregation, who suffered the same persecution as Paul himself, at the hands of both Judaizers denying Yeshua as the Messiah, and also idol-worshipping Thessalonian Gentiles, who were averse to any disruption or intrusion on the status quo. The ecclesia had only been under Paul’s wing for a few weeks at most, and was still relatively immature in their understanding of the gospel. However, the Holy Spirit had managed to convict their open hearts and minds which had readily welcomed the gospel and believed in Yeshua as the Messiah.
Not only was their love for Yehovah evident, but also that for their own brethren, whom they did not desert in their time of need, but instead endured every trial and tribulation together. This agape love of theirs became legendary amongst all Christian circles throughout the then known world.
Paul, having been hindered by Satan’s machinations leading to his flight to Athens, expresses how he longed to meet them again in order to impart greater knowledge and wisdom to the immature congregation, which was in desperate need of spiritual nourishment as a child would of its mother. He knew of their faithfulness and reception of the gospel as that from Elohim and not from men.
They were an exemplary congregation in that, despite their brief brush with truth, they far exceeded established congregations in zeal and passion, despite the heavy resistance and persecution from the host of hell. Timothy, Paul’s protege, had managed to commune again with the ecclesia, and when he reunited with Paul, he managed to allay his fears regarding the state of the infantile Thessalonian ecclesia, devoid of adequate leadership, and increasingly vulnerable to returning to idolatry in the wake of unbearable persecution from the enemy. To Paul’s relief, a good report was given of their steadfastness in faith, love and hope of seeing Paul again.
With this in mind Paul preached in this missive resistance to fornication, which evidently was rife in Thessalonica in general amongst the heathen. He encouraged them to grow even more in brotherly love, and to live holy lives. Having preached the resurrection of Yeshua and hope for the future resurrection of the saints, before his flight to Athens, the ecclesia had a few questions which needed answering in respect to this doctrine. Paul elucidates the process by which this resurrection shall occur, and beseeches the congregation to comfort one another in this hope, upon which our faith is based. With this in mind he closes by exhorting the body of Messiah to be ever alert and watchful for Yeshua’s second advent, and gives a detailed prescription for living a blameless life, in order to be found worthy and acceptable of Elohim at the second coming.