Understanding The Bible |
BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1971
EXPOSITORY ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION 1:1-4
The writer:
"Paul" 1a
Peter calls Paul's writings "Scripture" (2 Peter 3:16; the Holy Spirit is
author)
Those written
to: The Thessalonians 1b
Church "in Thessalonia" is the local church; Church "in God the Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ" is the Church spiritually viewed--the universal Church.
Four things concerning the word "church"; we have been:
"called out" FROM our former manner of life
"called out" BY the Holy Spirit. Not by a human being. although a human being is usually used by God as an instrument.
"called out" TO not merely a different mode of living, not to an organization, but called out to a Person, the Lord Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:9.
"called out"
FOR not merely to gain heaven, or receive
blessing, but FOR the purpose of bringing glory TO the person TO whom we have
been called out BY the Holy Spirit FROM our former manner of life.
The phrase "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" shows that:
The Church is not pagan, because the pagans knew nothing of God the Father.
The Church is not Jewish, because the Jews believed nothing of Jesus as Lord and
Christ.
Thus the Church is an absolutely new thing, neither Gentilic nor Jewish, itself
forming a third classification of humanity in this age (1 Corinthians 10:32).
Christ is "the firstborn among many brethren."
Before the resurrection it was "the God of our fathers"; now it is "God our
Father."
Salutation 1c
Grace and peace -- the minute one rests in grace he has peace. The order is
never reversed in the N.T. The practical use of grace leads to the peace of God.
Thanksgiving and prayer 2-4
Continual thanksgiving 2a
Continual prayer 2b
Cause of thanksgiving and prayer 3-4a.
What he remembered of them 3
(1) Their work, produced by faith. Their part was receiving it, retaining it, and revealing it; but it was a work of faith throughout. It grew up out of the seed plot of faith.
(2) Their labor, produced by love, therefore akin to God's own love (John 3:16). Love toward God, not man, is the cause of my labor. If I truly love God, I will truly love man (1 Timothy 3:16).
(3) Their
patience, produced by hope.
Patience = endurance, being able to stick it through (Romans 12:12). Endurance
in trial, yet rejoicing in hope. Hope is necessary that labor might be. If there
is no hope, labor becomes mechanical and then ceases. The reason for this is
because there is no need for it when hope is gone. Compare the death of a loved
one; we labor incessantly till hope ceases with their death. The hope of
Christianity is the coming of the Lord. It was this that gave endurance to the
Thessalonians.
What he knew
of them 4
Their "election" (cp. Luke 10:22; Acts 1:2,24; 13:17; 1 Corinthians 1:27; Eph.
1:4). Election means "to choose, " not so much to salvation as to service. Paul
did not know this by intuition or revelation but by observation (cp. v.5b).
Verse 3 showed them to be genuine believers.
THE DOCTRINE
AND PRACTICE OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY 1:5-5:22
Paul is always giving thanks for this church. In verse 7 it is called a "model"
church. They had a Christianity that was a pattern of what true Christianity
really is. We should therefore observe what made them a model church.
The CHARACTER of Early Christianity 1:5-10
Its
foundation 5
"Our Gospel": not that the gospel originated with Paul (2:2), but God gave it to
Paul (Gal. 1:11-12). "We preach this message that was given us by God."
The gospel message contains three basic things with double emphases:
Our Lord's Person (God and Man)\
His Work (Death and Resurrection)
His Second
Coming (Rapture and Return) The appeal of the gospel
Not merely a fact, an appeal to the mind; or eloquence, an appeal to the soul;
but an appeal to the heart and will and spirit of man which, in the power of the
Spirit, regenerates him. It comes "in much assurance."
Its manifestation is seen in their: 6-8
Following the Lord's Person 6a
Trusting the Lord's Spirit 6b
Publishing
the Lord's Word 7-8
Real missionaries! "Sounded out" (8) means not whispered but "thundered forth."
Its scope 9-10
Commencement
or origination (Salvation)
"Turned to God from idols. " Modern preaching is: "Turn from idols to God." It
is not our business to get people to turn from anything, but to get them to turn
to Someone who can turn them inside out. It was not the repelling power of the
idols but the impelling power of God that caused the Thessalonians to turn. In
turning to God they necessarily turned from idols. A person might turn from
idols and still not turn to God, but never the reverse.
Continuation
(Service)
"To serve the living and true God." The "living God" as contrasted with dead
idols; the "true God" as opposed to false gods. In serving God, we truly serve
men.
Consummation
(Second Coming)
"And wait for His Son from heaven." The hope of Christianity is the Son's
coming. Two things are coming: the Son is coming and wrath is coming. Wrath for
those who have not turned to God from idols, and the Son for those who have
turned to God from idols.
The MINISTRY of Early Christianity 2:1-4:12
The character
of that ministry 2:1-16
Paul in his ministry covered the whole range of Christian service:
As an
evangelist, he imparted spiritual life 2:1-6 Power of the evangelist: "bold in
our God 2 Preaching of the evangelist: "the gospel of God" cp. 1:5 Practice of
the evangelist: "so we speak." No flattery, no softening of the truth; we are to
look upon the gospel as something which is "in trust." We of PCB are in danger,
not of denying truth, but of omitting things that should be said.
As a pastor,
he nourished spiritual life 2:7-8
Pastor here is pictured as a trained nurse who is the mother of the child,
caring for her own children. (Baby might want, and mama as mama might want to
give it, but mama as the trained nurse won't give it.) Love and skillful
knowledge combined.
As a minister, he strengthened spiritual life 2:9-12
By example 9-10 (the figure is changed to a "father.")
By exhortation 11
That they
might walk worthy 12
As a witness, he bears testimony to that life 2:13-16
They had received their word as the Word of God 13
They became followers of the churches of God (in Judea) which are in Christ Jesus 14a
They had
suffered for His name 14b-16
Opposition to
that ministry 2:17-18
Opposition to the gospel does not arise from the various cults or evils, but
from Satan. He is the opposer of the Christian minister. Satan often oversteps
himself. So here, in hindering Paul. Satan hindered Paul from going but that is
why Paul wrote this book. He kept Paul from going to a handful of Christians but
millions of Christians since then have had this book that Paul wrote. Satan must
kick himself around the block every time he sees anyone reading it. There is
comfort in this thought, because if we do the thing next hi line when hindered
by Satan in our primary object, we may under God accomplish more than the
primary object would have accomplished.
The crown of
that ministry 2:19-20
Souls saved! (Joy and crown today is in statistics; "annual report")
The spirit
(heart-attitude) of that ministry 3:1-5
Always thinking of them; keeping them on his heart. What a minister Paul was! He
puts us to shame.
The comfort
of that ministry 3:6-9
Joy in their growth is comfort indeed. Note the words "faith and love" (v.6).
Absence of "hope" is significant in view of 4:13-18.
The desire of
that ministry 3:10-13
That he might continue to help them, but only as God directs him!
The instruction of that ministry 4:1-12
Concerning
their walk before God: "Holiness" 1-8
They had come out of paganism and were surrounded by things in the very worship
of pagan religions which were not acceptable to a holy God. They had a
terrifically immoral background --"glorified lust." How different is
Christianity!
Concerning
their walk before one another: "Love" 9-10
We should be satisfied with Christ, but not with our Christian life; always
abound more and more!
Concerning
their walk before outsiders: '' Un-blamable" 11-12
"Learn to be quiet"; well-poised; not easily knocked off our balance and upset.
The HOPE of
Early Christianity 4:13-5:11
The coming of the Lord to the air FOR His saints. Paul is here teaching a new
thing. He had taught them from the O.T. concerning the return of the Lord to the
earth. (The charge brought against him was that he preached "a king" --
evidently Christ's coming to earth. Acts 17:7). But either for lack of time or
misunderstanding of what he did teach or more likely because the Lord had not
yet revealed to him the details of His coming as related to the Church, he now
finds it necessary to give instruction to the Church concerning His coming to
the air, the Rapture. Verse 15 indicates that he had a definite revelation
concerning these things.
In relation
to "sleeping ones" 4:13-16
vv.13-14 "if we believe... " A. T. Robertson calls this "the IF of certainty";
"if. . .as the case most assuredly is. . ." We would say, "whereas we
believe..."; because this is true, the rest follows certainly. It is just these
important things that Paul so stressed that the Church is most ignorant
concerning today. He is not saying that we shouldn't sorrow, but but we
shouldn't sorrow as others. Ours is not a hopeless sorrow. Our Our sorrow is
tempered and lightened by this sure hope. Just as Jesus died and rose again,
just so surely will our loved ones be raised and share in that glorious earthly
kingdom.
vv. 15-16 But how can He bring them back to earth with Him (14)?
Their bodies are still in the grave. Verses 15 and 16 tell us the process by
which Christ will take them to be with Him, so that He may bring them back when
He returns to earth. He will (according to this new revelation to meet their
special need) come first to the air to catch up His Church to heaven (both those
who have died in Christ and those who are alive); then later bring them back to
earth when He comes to set up His kingdom. ("Sleep" = "made to sleep"
involuntary. This is God's euphemism for a believer's "death.")
In relation
to living ones 4:17-18
Living believers will not ascend before those who "sleep. " Nor will "sleeping"
(dead) believers ascend first. They simply "rise" from the grave. Both the
resurrected (rise "first" from grave) and living believers (we who are "alive
and remain") will be changed instantly and will go up together to meet the Lord
in the air. Isn't it just like the Lord to arrange that we will go hand in hand
with our loved ones into His presence!! What comfort!
NOTE: The NATURE of His Coming 16
It is a personal coming--"the Lord Himself shall descend. If He does not come again in person, there is no reason to believe that He came in person the first time; and if He came in person the first time, there is no reason to doubt that He will come again in person the second time. The second coming is not death, nor the coming of the Holy Spirit, nor the conversion of the individual soul, nor the destruction of Jerusalem, but a literal, bodily Person who comes.
It is
imminent.
There are many things that have to happen before Christ comes to earth, but
there is nothing revealed in Scripture which must happen before He comes to the
air. Hence His coming may be at any moment. Distinguish this from a "soon
coming" belief based upon the growing fulfilment of certain signs that will
accompany the Lord's coming to earth.
It is a
well-marked event--not a process.
There is a trumpet, a shout, and we are gone (1 Corinthians 15:52; Revelation
4:1-2).
All saints are included. There is not the slightest hint of any exception.
Earth left. Everyone belonging to God, in or on the earth--GONE!
TRANSLATION (Rapture to AIR) | INVASION (Return to EARTH) |
Christ comes to the air | Christ comes to the earth |
Christ comes for His saints | Christ comes with His saints |
Church goes up to meet Him | Church returns to earth with Him |
Translation "to air" of living saints | Living saints left on earth for kingdom age |
Before "70th Week" of Daniel 9 | After "70th Week" of Daniel 9 |
Reunion with loved ones | Reign with Christ |
Judgment seat of Christ (Church.) | Judgment of apostate Israel and Gentiles |
"Fullness of Gentiles" Rom. 11:25 | End of "Times of Gentiles" |
As Bridegroom | As Judge |
As Lord | As King |
"Comfort one another!" | "Burn as an oven" |
"Morning star" | "Sun of Righteousness" |
In relation to the earth 5:1-11
They had
already been instructed concerning "times and seasons."
These are in the Father's hands (Acts 1:7). They were to witness and work while
expectantly watching!
The Day of the Lord will be unexpected by the world. 2-3
But
Christians know judgment is in store for the world. 4-5
This age is the period of the world's darkness (night). But we are children of
the day! We are working on the night shift, rescuing as many as possible from
eternal night.
Paul exhorts
them to live soberly and watchfully in view of these facts. 6-11 (Compare 2
Peter 3:11.)
In verse 7, Paul warns against "sleeping" (acting like worldlings in being
careless and not watching) and against "drunkenness" (acting like worldlings in
"drowning our sorrows" with the pleasures of this world). We cannot afford to be
influenced by the world's attitude of "things will always go on as usual." The
Lord is coming. He may come today! We should be awake and watching.
NOTE: The term "Day of the Lord" refers to the period of judgment that begins
with the translation of the Church. "The Day of the Lord Jesus Christ" or "The
Day of Christ" appear to refer to the judgment of believers' works in heaven (1
Corinthians. 1:8; Philippians 2:16) while the judgment of unbelievers (Day of
Lord) is taking place on earth. (See appendix note on this phraseology of
various days.)
The PRACTICE of Early Christianity 5:12-22
In relation
to leaders 5:12-13
These men are gifts to them by the Lord (Ephesians 4:11; Romans 12:3-11; 1
Corinthians 12). "Over you in the Lord"; not to "lord it" over you but to care
for you as a shepherd.
It doesn't say to esteem them very highly for their personality's sake, but "for
their work's sake. " "And be at peace among yourselves" (in relation to these
ministers). This is a much ignored exhortation which explains much of the
trouble that churches have over pastors.
In relation
to fellow believers 5:14-15
"Unruly" = out of rank or out of step. Those that err in doctrine or practice.
"Warn them. " Hard to do, but this is the work of the saints.
"Feebleminded" = faint-hearted or easily discouraged. Make sure you are not
"feebleminded" yourself and then keep near them and support them.
"Longsuffering" = patient. Long-tempered, not short. Take injury rather than
cause trouble
In relation
to the personal life 5:16-18
Unceasing: joy, 16; prayer, 17; praise, 18. "For this is the will of God"
applies not only to the last of these, but to all three.
2:14 shows that they are suffering, and yet 3:3 shows that their sufferings are
appointed of God (Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 2:19-23).
Since this is the will of God, they are to give thanks in everything. Giving
thanks is like priming the pump (Psalm 103). If we praise the Lord for the
blessings we do have, the rest will come.
In relation
to the truth 5:19-22
"Quench not the Spirit"; and in close succession, "despise not prophesying, "
"prove all things." Three sins to avoid are, do not:
Vex the
Spirit - when we do things against Himself
Quench the Spirit - when we do things against His own
Grieve the Spirit - when we do things against ourselves
"Quench not
the Spirit" means "do not despise prophesyings." Listen to your brother and
don't discount what he has to say because you think you have all the truth of
doctrine, or because you do not like him. God may have something to say to you
through him. But listen to these things discerningly and hold fast that which is
good (21).
CONCLUSION 5:23-28
His desire 23
What a prayer!
His assurance
24
Without blame, not without blemish. We should have a clear conscience before
God. Should have our sins confessed "up to date." His assurance was not in them
but in the One who had called them. God's purpose: to make us like His Son.
God's power: He does it. God's promise: He has given His oath.
His request
25
If Paul needed their prayers, how much more do we need prayer!
His
salutation 26
A kiss in the Orient was the sign of equality and unity.
His charge 27
The epistle was for all. No secret code in Christianity!
His
benediction 28
Note "grace" is a characteristic in all Paul's benedictions. (Some think that it
has significance in Hebrews 13:25 as indicating Paul as author.
"Mason's Notes"
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