This is another very loving letter written by Paul to a group of Christians that he is familiar with and cares deeply about. Among other things we should note is his use of the word Lord. I'm sure that he uses it in its fullest meaning, and the Thessalonians live up to it. It also appears that he has taught them a great deal of prophecy , particularly concerning the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ. Some teachers have brought confusion to the church by teaching that the rapture had already occurred. Apparently this question had been brought to Paul by Timothy for an answer. The word rapture is not used in scriptures. therefore we suggest you look at the small door labeled the rapture and second coming.

This chapter opens with Paul's loving greeting commendation to the people of the church.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 001)  Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 002)  We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 003)  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 004)  Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 005)  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 006)  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 007)  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 008)  For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 

Verses 9 and 10 should be studied carefully for what they begin to reveal to us. In verse 9 Paul notes that the Thessalonians had turned from the worship of idols to worship of God. In verse 10 we find that they are waiting for the return of Jesus from heaven. Notice the final phrase "which delivered us from the wrath to come," is past tense, which would indicate it's an accomplished fact. In our study of the book of Revelation which is to come soon we suggest you keep this in the back of your mind.

(chpt:  1 Vs: 009)  For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 

(chpt:  1 Vs: 010)  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 

Paul emphasizes his attitude towards the Thessalonians and their response when he was with them. It almost appears that he's doing a little unnecessary bragging, but that's not the case and is not typical of Paul. While it doesn't say so it would appear that the false teachers which came with a new doctrine, came with a lot of showmanship and display that was not necessary.

(chpt:  2 Vs: 001)  For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 002)  But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 003)  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 004)  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 005)  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 006)  Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 007)  But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 008)  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 009)  For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 010)  Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 011)  As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 012)  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 013)  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 014)  For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 015)  Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 016)  Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 017)  But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 018)  Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 

In verse 19 Paul closes this chapter with another reference to the second coming of Christ.

(chpt:  2 Vs: 019)  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 

(chpt:  2 Vs: 020)  For ye are our glory and joy. 

This chapter begins with more commendation and encouragement for the Thessalonians.

(chpt:  3 Vs: 001)  Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 002)  And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 003)  That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 004)  For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 005)  For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 006)  But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 007)  Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 008)  For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 009)  For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 010)  Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? 

Verses 11 through 13 are Paul's prayer for this congregation, and again at the close of chapter he mentions the second coming of Jesus Christ.

(chpt:  3 Vs: 011)  Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 012)  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 

(chpt:  3 Vs: 013)  To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 

In this chapter he continues his instruction to the people and encourages them to set high standards for themselves.

(chpt:  4 Vs: 001)  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 

(chpt:  4 Vs: 002)  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 

(chpt:  4 Vs: 003)  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 

(chpt:  4 Vs: 004)  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 

(chpt:  4 Vs: 005)  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 

(chpt:  4 Vs: 006)  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 

(chpt:  4 Vs: 007)  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 

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