Thessalonians 1-2: Verse by Verse With Bible Study FellowshipSample

Abundant Life and Eternal Questions – 4:1-5:11

The Thessalonians understood faith in Christ produces new life. In the rest of this letter, Paul reminds the Thessalonians what he already taught them about pleasing God. These instructions apply to every generation of believers. When we choose to faithfully obey God in practical daily details, we experience increasingly abundant life in Christ. We gain Jesus’ perspectives and priorities. We discover how every aspect of this new life revolves around Jesus Christ. 

Authority – 4:1-2

Paul consistently commands believers to cling to the Spirit by faith.1 Paul’s instruction is not legalism, but righteousness. The Lord Jesus Christ gives Christians His standards for life in this world. Although Paul could not return to Thessalonica at the time, God through him could continue to build up their faith. Paul spoke with the same authority Christ invested into His apostles.2 The New Testament contains God’s inspired words given through Paul in several letters to the earliest churches.

Sexual Activity – 4:3-8

Gentile cultures did not identify or condemn sexual wrongs as sin. As in our day, to expect people to deprive themselves of any sexual pleasure was considered unreasonable, even perverted or harmful. Fornication (sexual activity of unmarried people) and adultery were common. Some Gentile religions called sin “holy” by devising temple rituals to encourage lust and sexual wrongdoing. 

God declares sexual sin is an offense to Him and particularly destructive to everyone involved.3 In all of Paul’s letters, sexual sins are the first sins called out. These must be recognized, repented of and replaced by fidelity to God’s Word. This transformation is only possible among those indwelt by the Spirit with a new identity in Christ. This personal choice to reorient our desires to please God above all by living in His way produces true freedom to love.

Godly Love – 4:9-10

Temptation to sin is overcome when believers love God and one another more than their own fallen desires. Therefore, Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to love one another more and more. Jesus Christ graciously gives us His love to know and share abundant life with one another.4 The Thessalonians already displayed this outstanding feature of Christianity. Their love proved they dwelt with God.5

Godly Work – 4:11-12

Some Thessalonians, excited about their new lives and Christ’s imminent return, seemingly chose to stop providing for the material welfare of their families. Some refused to work. They depended on the hard work of other believers to support them. However, God commands able-bodied believers to work diligently in order to avoid placing undue burdens on others. One of believers’ greatest opportunities to impact the world with faith is through the work we do and how we do it.

Believers’ Deaths and Future Judgment – 4:13-5:11

Timothy must have returned with two specific questions for Paul from the Thessalonians.

Question #1: What happens to Christians who die before Christ returns? (4:13-18)

Paul’s answer provides an astounding revelation of God’s plan for humanity and His creation: 

• such Christians remain fully alive and conscious in Him.  
• they wait to be clothed with their promised resurrection bodies.  
• their physical bodies are pictured as asleep.6

In ancient cultures, to “sleep” in death was usually thought of as the eternal end of physical activity. Such a view is hopeless indeed. Paul says to keep such a view is to remain “uninformed.” Instead, Paul confirms that humans are destined for physical resurrection and eternal future bodily activity. 

Paul’s answer includes prophecy, referred to from verse 17 as the “catching up” or “rapture” of the saints. The Lord’s words reveal His descent from heaven will be announced audibly. Far from missing out on Christ’s return, those who die in Christ will be first to receive their resurrected bodies. Then, living believers will be transformed. The two groups will meet with the Lord in the air (not on the earth). Faithful Christians disagree about some of these verses’ context, details or timing. Yet, in verse 18, Paul tells us to use these words to comfort and encourage those who have lost loved ones in death.

Question #2: How should they view the promised “day of the Lord”? (5:1-11)

God’s prophets often used the phrase, the “day of the Lord” in reference to God’s future intervention in final judgment upon the whole world.7 God’s perfect judgment upholds truth and worth. This dreadful event is revealed in Scripture to warn sinners. God pleads with all people to flee to Jesus Christ. Unbelievers are resurrected to endure judgment in a conscious condition forever.8

Paul tells the church not to fear. Believers are resurrected to receive reward for living by faith. They enter into everlasting commendation. They will forever enjoy God’s renovated creation. The coming judgment of unbelievers should provoke urgent and courageous gospel living. Believers are to keep alert, thoughtful and prepared for His coming. Finally, believers are to continue to encourage and build up one another.

The world gets to preview the coming kingdom through Christians who live counter-cultural lives after the example of Christ. Worldly philosophies, religious rituals, society’s moralities and scholarly opinions strive to win hearts and minds for a kingdom destined for final judgment. Who needs you to love, pray for and lead them in God’s way?

We cannot begin too early. How are you mentoring people younger than you in their walks of faith to flourish? What do they learn from your life about the goodness and safety of God's love? With whom has God given you the authority and relationship to train to stand firm? Who confides in you and seeks biblical wisdom for hard choices?

Questions

Q1. Reflect on 4:1-2 with 4:8. How is the goal of life (pleasing God) connected to trusting God by obeying His commands, and what does missing this connection look like?                                                                  

INSIGHTS: Abundant and free life is ours in Christ and experienced as we joyfully obey the Father’s will by depending on the Spirit to do so. In this way, we identify with Christ in suffering and glory, without growing weary in doing good. If we miss this connection, we try to ‘do’ religion, to earn being good; we interpret God’s commands in ‘new’ ways that suit us better; we ‘dismiss’ parts of Scripture that seem unkind, outdated, or hard to follow; we lean on forgiveness without a true motive to change (abusing grace).

Q2. From 4:3-12, what characteristics mark the pleasing life God wills us to live, and in what current circumstance is God challenging you to live His way?

INSIGHTS: Those committed to following the example of Christ practice sexual purity (4:3-7); sanctification/holiness (4:3-4, 7-8); love for other Christians (4:9-10); minding their own business and working to win respect (4:11). Personal answers will vary.

Q3. What information about Christ’s return, believers’ deaths and judgment encourages you? (4:13-5:11)

INSIGHTS: Insights include believers who died will be raised (4:14); those alive at Christ’s return will be changed without death (4:15-17); Christ’s return has not yet happened, but we are to be encouraged by the promise (4:18); the day of judgment is not a surprise for believers, the children of the light and day (5:4-5). 

Related Verses

1 Live by the Spirit: Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 3:19-20; 4:1; Philippians 3:16-17; Colossians 2:6

2 Paul speaks with authority: Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8

3 Sexual sins: 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; 2 Timothy 2:20-22

4 Love’s power: John 10:10; 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:14; 1 Peter 4:8

5 God’s love as guide: Ephesians 5:1-2; Colossians 3:14 

6 Death for believers: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Philippians 1:21-23

7 Day of the Lord: Isaiah 24:18-23; Daniel 12:1-2; Joel 3:2-16; Zechariah 14; Malachi 4:5; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 7:13-14; 14:14-20; 17:14-18

8 Eternal punishment: Luke 16:19-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:15