A Warm Greeting
Last week we began our study into the book of 1 Thessalonians. Before we could dive into this book, we needed to take a look at what was occurring during the time this book was written. Acts 17 was our section of scripture that we looked at for this. In this passage, we learned that the individuals who were housing Paul and Silas were dragged out of their home by angry Jews who did not like Paul preaching. Jason and those who also assisted Paul had to pay essentially a fee to ensure that Paul and Silas would not cause any further issues in Thessalonica. Which is why Paul wrote this letter, to encourage the believers that he had left behind who now saw the realities of standing up for Christ.
“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
1 Thessalonians 1
Paul begins this letter much like he does with his other letters to various churches, giving thanks to God. Next, Paul moves into the specifics of the church Thessalonica, which is to remember their works of faith, labor of love, and patience of the hope in Jesus Christ. This is highlighting their actions towards Paul and Silas while they were there. Paul is spending the first five verses to encourage the readers and to acknowledge that by the actions of Paul and Silas, those in Thessalonica knew that they were sent by God.
Which leads Paul into his next point, that those in Thessalonica became followers of God and of Paul and Silas. I would actually consider verse 5-6 to be one of the key verses in this passage. In verse 5, we see that the gospel does not come empty handed, it is not something that is merely spoken of. The gospel is power, it is action and through the Holy Spirit it brings others to Christ. Verse 6 points out that when you become a follower of Christ, your actions will point to Him and even in affliction you will have joy in the Holy Spirit.
Verses 7 and 8 show the result of their faith. Through the actions of the believers in Thessalonica, the gospel spread to Macedonia and Achaia. In fact, the believers in Thessalonica had such a strong faith in the Lord that Paul, Silas, and Timothy needn’t say anything more about them. Their reputation of turning from idols and receiving God, as well as their actions towards Paul and Silas, had spread so far that all Paul had to say was that they had spent time in Thessalonica and those around him know of their great faith.
Finally, verse 10 ends with an interesting note and it also serves to further provide evidence as to why we should be studying the Hebrew language. First Thessalonians was written originally in Greek, nevertheless, archaeological evidence has shown that at an early stage. The letter was translated into Hebrew. Now, what does this mean? It means that we have the capability to see a greater intent of the words used, and a deeper understanding of the context. For more information on this check out Biblefacts.org. In most text, verse 10 reads as “whom He raised from the dead”. However, the verbs in Hebrew are the hiphil imperative verb form, which is for future causative actions. Verse 10 should actually read as “who will cause the dead to rise”. Additionally, “who delivers us” should be translated as “and who will cause us to be caught up. Verse 10 is a very powerful verse for the pre-trib Rapture!
Ken Johnson explains it this way, “ The Hebrew word for “caught up” is “Matseel,” which is the hiphil active participle form of “natzal.” “Natzal” means to “snatch away,” so “Matseel” means “to cause us to be caught up.” The Hebrew word “Nathalie” (Strong’s H5337) has exactly the same meaning as the Greek word “harpazo” (Strong’s G726) which is used in the Greek form of 1 Thessalonians 4:17 for the phrase “caught up.” They both mean to be caught away by force.” (Paul’s Ancient Hebrew Thessalonian Epistles Proof of a Pre-Trib Rapture, by Ken Johnson). Based on the ending of verse 10, we can see that for the believers in Thessalonica and us today, Paul is writing to encourage the believers and remind them that the Rapture is what makes the world ready for the wrath to come, the Tribulation period.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex