Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 1 Thessalonians
First Thessalonians encourages a young church founded amid persecution, commending its genuine faith and preparing it for the coming of the Lord. Among the earliest of Paul's letters, it models living faith and holds up the blessed hope of Christ's return. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The First Epistle to the Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul, together with Silvanus and Timothy, around AD 51, making it one of his earliest letters. He wrote to a young church he had recently founded on his second missionary journey but had been forced to leave quickly because of persecution. Despite its youth and opposition, the church flourished and became an example to believers throughout the region. Paul writes to encourage them, commend their faith, and instruct them about holy living and the coming of the Lord.
This commentary covers 1 Thessalonians verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. The letter models genuine conversion, faith that works, love that labors, and hope that endures, and it holds up the blessed hope of Christ's return, including the great passage on the resurrection of the dead and the coming of the Lord. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
This commentary on 1 Thessalonians is now complete, covering all five chapters verse by verse.
Author
The apostle Paul, with Silvanus and Timothy.
Setting
Written to the young church at Thessalonica, around AD 51.
Key Themes
Living faith, holy living, and the coming of the Lord.
Famous Passage
The coming of the Lord and the resurrection (4:13-18).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
1 Thessalonians Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Turned to God from Idols
Paul commends a model young church for its work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope, recalling a gospel that came in power and the Spirit, and a conversion that turned from idols to serve God and wait for His Son.
Read Chapter 1 →1 Thessalonians 2:1-20
The Word of God, Not of Men
Paul opens his heart on true ministry: bold in God after suffering, pure in motive, 'not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.' He was 'gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children,' giving 'not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls.' He thanks God they 'received it not as the word of men, but... the word of God, which effectually worketh... in you that believe,' and calls them his 'crown of rejoicing... at his coming.'
Read Chapter 2 →1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Stablished in the Faith
Unable to 'forbear,' Paul sends Timothy 'to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith,' fearing 'the tempter.' Timothy's report of their steadfast faith revives him: 'now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.' He overflows in thanks and prays that 'God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ' would 'stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God... at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.'
Read Chapter 3 →1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
The Coming of the Lord
'This is the will of God, even your sanctification,' for 'God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.' Then the blessed hope: 'if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.' 'For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven... and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we... shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.'
Read Chapter 4 →1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
Children of Light
'The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night,' but 'ye are all the children of light': 'let us watch and be sober,' for 'God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.' Paul closes with rapid charges, 'Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks... quench not the Spirit,' and prays 'the very God of peace sanctify you wholly,' for 'faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.'
Read Chapter 5 →