It has been a while since I last posted a Thursday Bible Study: I remarried January 7th of 2022, and started touring America. Currently, I am in Yuma-AZ, where I will be for several weeks - so I thought I'd take this time to post another chapter in my Bible Study series :-)
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During the shifting of two households into one, and our journeying, I have lost the Bible and study materials I had used in previous Thursday Bible Studies … so, this Bible Study will read a little differently: the wording won't be quite as relaxed - and the background information won't be as in depth; but wording it will still be more up-to-date than the King James Version (which I really like, but is hard for some to understand), and I will include as much background information as I can (when I can get it).
I am a Messianic Believing Christian since 1979, and use messianic terms in reference to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; I will explain them as I use them.
I will do my level best to post every Thursday so the studies flow easily, but internet connection on the road can be tricky at best - and impossible to find in remote places. Please be patient, and thank you for consistently checking back on this Blog site. The Lord bless you mightily ;-)
INTRO TO today's Bible Study:
In Paul's time, Thessalonica was the prominent seaport and the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia.
This prosperous city was located on the Via Egnatia, the main road from Rome to the East, within sight of Mount Olympia - legendary home of the Greek pantheon (https://www.thecollector.com/differences-between-parthenon-vs-pantheon/).
Cassander (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cassander) expanded and strengthened this site around 315 B.C. and renamed it after his wife, the half-sister of Alexander the Great (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great).
The Romans (https://www.britannica.com/place/Roman-Empire) conquered Macedonia in 168 B.C., and organized it into a single province 22 years later, with Thessalonica as the capital city.
It became a "free city" under Augustus (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Augustus-Roman-emperor) with it's own authority to appoint a governing board of magistrates who were called "politarchs" (pŏl' ə tärk (πολιτάρχος, ruler of city; the Greek word politarchos means literally “city-ruler”). The strategic location assured Thessalonica of commercial success, and it boasted a population of perhaps 200,00 in the 1 Century.
Thessalonica survives under the shortened name of Salonika (the city of Salonika is located in northern Greece).
Thessalonica had a sizable Jewish population, and the ethical monotheism of Judaism attracted many *Gentiles who had become disenchanted with Greek paganism. These God-fearers quickly responded to Paul's reasoning in the synagogue when he ministered there on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:10). Most of the Thessalonica converts were Gentiles who came out of idolatry; Paul stayed in Thessalonica longer than planned to continue an extensive ministry directed to the Gentiles after his work with the Jews and God-fearers.
The Apostle Paul had many pleasant memories of the days he spent with the infant Thessalonian Church. Their faith, hope, love, and perseverance in the face of persecution are exemplary. Paul's labors as a spiritual parent to the fledgling Church have been richly rewarded, and his affection is visible in every line of his letter to them.
Paul encourages them to excel in their new-found Faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to rejoice, pray, and give thanks always. He closes his letter with instruction regarding the return of Yeshua, Whose advent signifies hope and comfort for Believers both living - and those who have been laid to rest.
Throughout this letter, is an unmistakable emphasis upon the steadfastness in the Lord, and a continuing growth in faith and love in view of the return of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach … but also the life of the Believer in every practical relationship, each aspect of which can be transformed and illuminated by the glorious prospect of His eventual return.
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1 THESSALONIANS ~ Chapter 1
Paul's Commendation for Their Growth (vv.1 thru 10)
"Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy (1 Peter 5:12) - to the Church of the Thessalonians in **Elohim and the ***Yeshua Ha'Mashiach: Grace to you and peace from Elohim and Yeshua Ha'Mashiach. We give thanks to Elohim always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in the sight of Elohim (John 6:29 & Romans 16:6), knowing beloved brethren, your election by Elohim (Colossians3:12).
For our ****gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the *****Ruach HaKo'desh and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake (Mark 16:20, 2 Corinthians 6:6, & Hebrews 2:3).
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy in the Ruach HaKo'desh, so that you could become examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
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 Elohim has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything (Romans 1:8, 10:18 & 16:19).
For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to Elohim from idols, to serve the living and true God (1 Corinthians2:2), and to wait for His Son from ******Heaven, Whom He raised from the dead - Yeshua, Who delivers us from the wrath to come."
*Gentile: a person who is not Jewish. The word stems from the Hebrew term ha-goyim, which means “the nations” … meaning nations of the world that were not Hebrew.
**Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾּlōhīm: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.
***Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.
Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.
Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.
The word “Lord” has a wide range of uses; it can be a simple respectful “Sir” or a more formal, “Master.” But the New Testament also uses “Lord” of God. The word “Christ” is the anglicized form of the Greek word meaning “anointed one” or “Messiah.” “Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us that Jesus is both the promised Messiah and our God.
****Gospel = teaching or revelation of Christ.
*****Ruach HaKo'desh: In Hebrew, the Holy Spirit (רוח הקודש, Roo-ahk hah-Koh-desh) refers to the divine force, quality, and influence (aka, power) of God.
The Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16 & 11:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Titus 3:5; and Jude 1:20), is referred to more than 90 times in the B'rit Chadashah.
The New Testament is called the B'rit Chadashah in Hebrew, meaning "New Covenant" (the word B'rit means "covenant" and Chadashah means "new")
******Heaven: The Hebrews acknowledge three heavens – the atmosphere surrounding Earth; the firmament of outer space, in which the stars are placed; and the heaven of Heavens, or third heaven, which is he residence of Jehovah.
Among Christians, Heaven is the place where the omnipresent God of Gods dwells and manifests His supreme glory; this habitation of God is represented by the residence of angels and the blessed spirits of those who are rewarded eternal salvation.
**COLOSSIANS 3 & 4: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/01/colossians-chapters-3-bible-study.html
I enjoy your Bible studies. I like how in depth you are and you make it easy to understand.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate you sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my dear friend.
Thank you, Paula :-)
DeleteHave a funtastic week!