1 Thessalonians 1 - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland

<< Previous | Index | Next >>
                "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To understand how the virtues of faith, hope, and love should 
   express themselves

2) To notice the potential a new congregation has for spreading the 
   good news of the gospel of Christ, and being a positive example to 
   all believers

SUMMARY

Joined by Silvanus and Timothy who had been with him when the gospel
was first preached in Thessalonica, Paul offers his salutation along
with a petition for grace and peace.  He follows with an expression of
thanksgiving for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of
hope, knowing their election by God (1-4).

His assurance of their election is bolstered by the manner in which
they received the gospel.  It had come to them not only in word, but in
power, in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance.  Having imitated Paul
and the Lord by receiving the word in much affliction and joy, they in
turn had become examples to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
From them the word had sounded forth in every place, and the news of
their own faith toward God had so spread that Paul did not need to tell
others about them.  Indeed, others were telling Paul of the
Thessalonians' conversion from idols to serve the true God, and how
they were waiting for the resurrected Jesus to return from heaven who
would deliver them from the wrath to come (5-10).

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-4)

   A. SALUTATION (1)
      1. From Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy (1a)
      2. To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the
         Lord Jesus Christ (1b)
      3. Grace and peace from God and Jesus (1c)

   B. THANKSGIVING (2-4)
      1. Offered to God in their behalf, making mention of them in his
         prayers (2)
      2. Mindful always of their:
         a. Work of faith 
         b. Labor of love 
         c. Patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ
         ...in the sight of our God and Father (3)
      4. Knowing their election by God (4)

II. REFLECTIONS REGARDING THEIR CONDITION (1:5-10)
   
   A. THEIR RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL (5-7)
      1. The gospel came to them not only in word, but...
         a. In power
         b. In the Holy Spirit
         c. In much assurance
         ...for they knew what kind of men Paul and his companions had
            been for their sakes while with them (5)
      2. They had become followers of Paul and of the Lord, having 
         received the word...
         a. In much affliction (6a)
         b. With joy of the Holy Spirit (6b)
      3. They had became examples to the believers in Macedonia and 
         Achaia (7)

   B. THEIR REPUTATION IN EVERY PLACE (8-10)
      1. From them the word of the Lord had sounded forth in Macedonia,
         Achaia, and beyond (8a)
      2. Their faith toward God had gone out, so Paul did not need to
         say anything (8b)
      3. Others were telling Paul...
         a. What manner of entry Paul had to them (9a)
         b. How they had turned from idols to serve the living and true
            God (9b)
         c. How they were waiting for the resurrected Jesus to return
            from heaven, who delivers from the wrath to come (10)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-4)
   - Reflections regarding their condition (5-10)

2) Who joined Paul in the salutation of this epistle? (1)
   - Silvanus and Timothy

3) How did Paul address the church? (1)
   - The church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord 
     Jesus Christ

4) What three things was Paul especially thankful for regarding the 
   Thessalonians? (3)
   - Their work of faith
   - Their labor of love
   - The patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

5) What did Paul know concerning the Thessalonians? (4)
   - Their election by God

6) How had the gospel come to the Thessalonians? (5)
   - In Word, in power, in the Holy Spirit, in much assurance

7) How had they become followers of Paul and the Lord? (6)
   - By receiving the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy
     Spirit

8) For whom had they became examples? (7)
   - All the believers in Macedonia and Achaia

9) What two things had sounded forth, or gone out, from the
   Thessalonians? (8)
   - The word of the Lord
   - Their faith toward God

10) What two things describe the manner in which they received Paul?
    (9-10)
   - Their turning from idols to serve the living and true God
   - Their waiting for Jesus from heaven
<< Previous | Index | Next >>
Home Page
Have A Bible Question? | Want A Free Bible Study Course? | Looking For A Church Near You?
Want To Talk With Someone By Phone? | Want To Discuss The Bible By Email?
Search The Outlines