Sadly, though many Gentiles and Jews believed and obeyed, there were also many Jews in that city who did not believe and immediately set about to destroy both the message and the messengers (Acts 17:5ff). That persecution did not end when Paul and Silas left, but stayed and continued to stir up trouble among the brethren. Apparently, Timothy remained in Thessalonica for a short time before meeting up with Paul and Silas in Berea. Fortunately the Christians in Thessalonica were not easily provoked, but the trouble continued among them causing Paul a great deal of concern for them. It was thus when Timothy finally caught up with them that he brought news of joy—the church still was faithful. After receiving this report of the Thessalonians continued faith, Paul went about to write this epistle both to express his joy and also to give further warning and encouragement.
The prevalent theme of this great letter is comfort. The word “comfort” is itself used four times in this very short book, revealing Paul’s concern for their emotional and spiritual well-being. Beyond the persecution by the Jewish detractors, the Thessalonians were also in distress about the resurrection, believing that those already dead in Christ would somehow “miss out” on the joys of Christ’s return. In the five provided chapters, Paul goes about the ease their minds about both and encouraged them to be comforted in the Lord for all was well.
First, in I Thessalonians 1, Paul recalls their quick acceptance and steady obedience of the truth with which they had been presented. Particularly inspiring to Paul was their “work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father…” (vs. 3). Despite abundant affliction (vs. 6) they received the Word with joy. Not only, though, was their faith an inspiration to Paul, but their faith made them also “ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia” (vs. 7). They had forsaken the pagan traditions of their culture and turned to serve the living and true God (vs. 9). Thus, Paul’s recollection of these great people reminded him of what true Christianity was all about, and they could take comfort in that.
Second, in I Thessalonians 2, Paul encouraged them further in their faith in and service to God. The Thessalonians great obedience was contingent on something that much of the world still struggles with—they believed unequivocally that the gospel they had heard preached was not merely the words of men, but were in their entirety the words of God (vs. 13). Their recognition and acceptance of these truths as being original with God stirred devotion deep within their souls and instilled dedication to His great cause. This dedication made them suffer greatly for Christ’s sake (vs. 14), but Paul encouraged them to not give up, fight the fight, finish the course, and
keep the faith. Thus, Paul graciously commended the brethren for their great stand for right, and they could take comfort in that.
Third, in I Thessalonians 3, Paul expresses his joy in their faith and reminds them of the hope to which they earnestly looked as children of God and benefactors of Christ’s death. Paul was overjoyed, to put it lightly, upon hearing of Timothy’s favorable report of the brethren’s faith. He then went on to remind them that life is found in Christ (vs. 8), and thus encouraged them to stand fast in Him. The rewarding conclusion of which would be that “he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints” (vs. 13). Thus, Paul reminded the brethren of the abundant blessings promised to those who did the will of the Father, and they could take comfort in that.
Fourth, in I Thessalonians 4, Paul eased the worries of bereaved Christians and explained to them somewhat the details of the final day. There was a concern that the faithful who had already died would be forgotten in the resurrection, but Paul, in desiring that they not be ignorant about this matter (vs. 13) explains to them that just as Jesus died and arose that those dead in Jesus will rise again as well (vs. 14). In fact, the dead in Christ will rise first to meet the Lord in the air, after which those alive will be caught up in the air (vs. 16-17). Thus, Paul eased their minds by saying the dead in Christ would not be prevented from that great reunion in the sky, and they could take comfort in that.
Then, fifth, in I Thessalonians 5, Paul went about to rouse the brethren to greater service and faith in Christ with some concluding exhortations. Highlighted in verses 1-11 is the need to be watchful of one’s soul because the previously mentioned return of Christ will not be predicted by times and seasons (vs. 1), but will be as a thief in the night. Thus in view of that coming day Paul encouraged them to heed the practical advice of the final seventeen verses, and by doing so, they could take comfort in it.
I Thessalonians is a great book that reminds us of the comfort that we too can and do have in Christ. So to the soul wallowing in pain and grief, study the great will of Christ, and comfort yourself with these words.