S T E P S T O W A R D T H E G O A L The Letters to the People at Thessalonika THE FIRST LETTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 Greeting Paul, Silas, and Timothy send their greetings to the church in Thessalonika. Even though Paul is the dominant personality of this group, the letters to the Thessalonians are from the committee, and this affects both the style and the content. 2-10 Thessalonians as model Christians 2-3 The Thessalonians are good Christians in faith, love, and hope. This affirmation is not merely pious wishfulness; it is supported by observation of their action, hard work, and firmness. 4-7 This excellent state grew from the Thessalonians reception of the original mission to them. Because they imitated the lives of the missionaries, who were imitating Christ, they in turn were imitated by others. The Thessalonians became not merely good examples, but the model, the standard by which others judged their own faith. 8-10 Subsequently, reports of their faith was spread from believer to believer, quite apart from the preaching of the missionaries. 2 STEPS TAKEN IN THE PAST 1-2 After their experience in Philippi, it seems that the missionary team had doubts about continuing to Thessalonika, but God prompted them to continue and events proved the value of this effort. 3-12 The missionary team gave their example The authors make quite a point of being pure both in motivation and in action. They did not come coveting either money or praise; indeed, they went out of their way to avoid accepting even what was their due. They urged the Thessalonians to give their lives to God, and certainly did not ask them to give anything to the missionaries. 13-16 The Thessalonians give their example The people took the example to heart and began to live in the same way. The inevitable result was that they began to suffer, in their own country, the same kind of persecutions previously suffered by the Christians in Judea and by the apostles and missionaries. (In its own way, this suffering is a kind of validation of the faith and action of the Thessalonians.) The note about how the punishment is catching up with the persecutors is no longer entirely clear to us but it does remind us that the current situation is not the end of the story - a theme which will be taken up shortly. 17-20 The missionaries might have had their doubts about going to Thessalonika, but afterwards Paul - and here the letter becomes Paul's own for a moment - wished that he did not have to go elsewhere. This is a common feeling among religious workers who have experienced God's success where it was not expected. 3 A QUERY ON THE CURRENT STATE OF FAITH IN THESSALONIKA 1-5 Paul already compared himslf and his colleagues to a loving father concerned for his children; separated from his children, Paul became a worried father, fretting over their welfare. Perhaps it is more troubling for one who well understands the dangers facing those he left behind. 6-9 Timothy has now returned with the good news that the church is still faithful and that the personal ties are also still strong. In this way the children have given courage to the father, the students have encouraged the teacher. 10-13 Naturally, this news does not diminish Paul's desire to come himself. Paul knows, and gently points out, that there are more steps for the Thessalonians to take. Their faith and their love is strong, but not perfected. 4 FURTHER STEPS ON THE WAY TO GOD 1-12 How to advance today 1-2 The Thessalonians already are living to please God. Now God asks them to continue moving forward, to do even more in holiness and in love. 3-8 God calls us to live in holiness. Sexual morality is one aspect of an ethic that prohibits any of us from taking advantage of another. The specific advice about marriage seems to be fitted to the environment of the Greek city, but the underlying morality of respect is for everyone. 9-12 God calls us to live a life of love. Loving the other members of the church is the obvious starting point, but there is more. The good Christian should also take care not to disrupt the lives of their non-Christian neighbors. The Christian is a good citizen and a good neighbor to those who do not believe as well as those who do. 13-18 Information about the final steps Death is not the end for the believer, just as it was not the end for Jesus. A Christian who dies before the rest of us will also take the final step into God's presence before us. All will equally partake in the gift of eternal life with God. 5 LIVING IN READINESS 1-11 Living in expectation 1-3 The time of the end is not predictable. It comes like a thief or the pains of childbirth. It should not surprise us; isn't it common experience that whenever we believe that we have our lives ordered and under control we are surprised by a sudden turn of events? This is how life will always be, to the end. 4-8 Not knowing when or how is no excuse to be taken by surprise. We do know what is coming; we can be ready. Faith, love, and hope make us ready for God's action, whenever it comes. 9-11 God has planned good for us. Jesus died for us. As Christians, we look toward the future in confidence. 12-22 Living in community 12-15 In community with each other Peace in the community is built on mutual respect. The teachers and guides of the community deserve respect because of their work. Those Christians who don't quite measure up deserve help and patience. In every case, the Christian should endeavor to be good and helpful. 16-22 In community with God Being united with God in Jesus lets us see life as God has made it - and life as God has made it gives us joy and makes us thankful all the time, and we share this with God. We must also listen to God. We should not set up preconceived notions of what God might say, nor should we be gullible. We should test every idea to find out whether it is good and from God. 23-28 Parting prayers We are called by God. God will protect us and bring to himself, as he promised, and so this request is already a certainty. We should be as faithful in our prayers and our mutual greetings and good wishes, and also in sharing with each other the hope expressed in this letter.