1 THESSALONIANS ~ Chapter 3/Thursday Bible Study

In Thessalonica, the *Apostle Paul supported himself financially by tent-making while evangelizing and establishing the Church (gathering of Christian Believers) there.

After **Silas and ***Timothy met Paul in Athens (vv. 3:1 & 2), he sent Timothy to Thessalonica - and Silas, back to Macedonia; and his assistants later rejoined him in Corinth. It was there that he wrote this epistle in A.D. 51, as his response to Timothy's good report.

Throughout this letter is an unmistakable emphasis upon steadfastness (firm in belief, determination, or adherence : loyal) in the ****Lord (v. 3:8),and a continuing growth in Faith and love in view of ****Mashiach's return (3:10 thru 13; also 1:3 thru 10 & 2:12 thru 20). The theme is not only the returning of Yeshua, but also the life of the *****Christian Believer in every practical relationship, each aspect of which can be transformed (transformed convert mean to change one thing into another. Transform suggests changing from one form, appearance, structure, or type to another) and illuminated (the action of supplying or brightening with light or the resulting state; to have something brightened with light and made clear to the eyes. Simply put, illumination in the spiritual sense is “turning on the light") by the glorious prospect of His eventual (taking place at an unspecified later time : ultimately resulting) return.

Paul closes his historical letter with a prayer that the Believers in Thessalonica would continue to deepen their faith (vv. 3:11 thru 13).

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1 THESSALONIANS 3

Apostle Paul Sends Timothy (vv. 1 thru 5)

Athens; Paul preaching to the people.

"Therefore, when we could no longer endure (bear up under thought or action) it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone - and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of #Elohim, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of ****Mashiach, to establish (to start something that will last for a long time, or to create or set something in a particular way) you and encourage you concerning your Faith (Romans 16:21), that no one should be shaken (profoundly upset and disturbed; shocked, upset or frightened by something) by these afflictions (the state of being in pain or trouble; adversity, misfortune, trial refer to an event or circumstance that is hard to bear - such as crooked justice); for you yourselves know that we are appointed (to be given a task; to be put in a specific situation or position, in order to function fully and accomplish a task) to this (Acts 9:16 & 14:22; Ephesians 3:13).

For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation - just as it happened, and you know.

For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest (with the intention of preventing; the possibility of something undesirable happening) the tempter ##Lucifer had tempted (to entice or allure to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong, or immoral; to attract, appeal strongly to, or invite) you, and our labor (work) had been in vain (unsuccessful; useless) (Galatians 2:2).

Timothy's Encouraging Report (vv. 6 thru 10)

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance (the act of remembering or state of being remembered = deeper meaning is to bring someone to mind - and then act on that person's behalf) of us, greatly desiring (to long or hope for) to see us, as we also to see you (Acts 18:5 & Philippians 1:8) - therefore brethren, in all our affliction and distress, we were comforted concerning you in your faith (Corinthians 1:4).

For now we live (to very eagerly wait or hope for (ex: I live for the day when we'll be together!): to think of something as the most important or enjoyable part of one's life), if you stand fast in the Lord (Philippians 4:1).

For what thanks can we render (to transmit to another; deliver; give up, yield; to hand over for consideration, approval; information) to Elohim for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice in your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly (Hebrew, respectively, gabhar, "be strong"; very greatly or very much) that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking (do not have enough of) in your faith? (2 Corinthians 13:9).

Paul's Desire to Visit Them (vv. 11 thru 13)

Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, direct (tell them where to go or what to do; order the steps of-) our way ('method or style', 'route, direction, road' and 'distance') to you (Mark 1:3).

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love toward one another and to all, just as we do to you (Philippians 1:9), so that He may establish your hearts blameless (those who cannot be accused of moral wrongdoing before people or God (Psalm 15:2 & 18:23 )) before our God and Father at the coming (impending =  an event, occurring or likely to occur soon; next; approaching = coming nearer in distance or time) of our ****Lord Yeshua Ha'Mashiach with His ###saints."

*Apostle Paul = known as Saul before he converted to Christianity (Acts 9), was the chief killer of Christians following Yeshua’s death, resurrection, and ascension – being the foremost witness to the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7).

The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the early Christian Church. He played a crucial role in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) during the first century, and his missionary journeys took him all throughout the Roman empire.

**Silas = Silas or Silvanus (/ˈsaɪləs/; Greek: Σίλας/Σιλουανός; fl. 1st century AD) was a leading member of the Early Christian community, who according to the New Testament accompanied Paul the Apostle on his second missionary journey.

Silas is chiefly remembered as the companion of the Apostle Paul who was arrested with him at Philippi (Acts 16:19-40). They were beaten severely and confined in the inner prison, with their feet in stocks. There they sang hymns in the night, and an earthquake shook the prison, and released them - which led to the jail keeper's immediate conversion.

Silas was a Hellenistic Jew who, it seems, was also a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37); a fellow missionary with Paul, and a “faithful brother” (1 Peter 5:12).

***Timothy = son of the devout Jewish woman, Eunice, and a Greek father, Timothy became a follower of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach when Apostle Paul preached the Gospel in Lystra, Timothy’s hometown. Paul invited the young convert to accompany him on his second missionary journey; and was sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the fellowship there. After another journey with Paul, Timothy was sent to Corinth to straighten out some problems upsetting the fellowship there.

Timothy later looked after Paul during Paul’s imprisonment. Timothy subsequently was asked to go to Ephesus to represent Paul, and received the two letters from Paul that bear Timothy’s Name. Timothy – these letters reveal, was like a son to Paul. The last word in the New Covenant

 About this sensitive, sickly, but faithful young helper was that he was imprisoned but finally released. Acts 16:1, 17:14-15, 18:5, 19:22 & 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4;17 & 16:10; 2 Corinthians1:1 & 19; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3:2, & 6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 & 2 Timothy; Philemon 1; and Hebrews 13:23.

****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.

*****Christianity is faith in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach) as Lord & Savior; Redeemer, and Deliverer, through Whom eternal salvation is given. In context, faith refers both to the believers' act of trust and to the content of their faith. Christianity is more than a system of religious belief - it is a Lifestyle wholly contingent (dependent on, or conditioned by) the personhood (the quality, or condition of being an individual) of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach.

#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.

##Lucifer: The Septuagint renders הֵילֵל in Greek as Ἑωσφόρος (heōsphoros), "bringer of dawn" – the ancient Greek name for the morning star; The Septuagint, as the translation of the Hebrew Bible, was a landmark of antiquity. It is the first translation in the history of the Bible. It became the central literary work of Hellenistic Judaism (Greek speaking/living Jews) and Early Christianity.

Similarly, the Vulgate renders הֵילֵל in Latin as Lucifer, the name in that language for the morning star.

Lucifer was created a beautiful angel (Ezekiel 28:12-19); who defied God, fell from grace, and was cast out of Heaven to become enemy of mankind and arch deceiver. Isaiah declared, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” (Isaiah 14.12).

###Saint = In its most basic sense, a saint is a “holy one,” someone who is set apart for Elohim’s special purposes. As a result, every follower of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach is a Saint. In most of his letters, the Apostle Paul refers to the recipients as saints, including the church at Corinth, where there were significant moral and theological problems! The New Covenant writers draw their use of the word saints (“holy ones”) from the Old Covenant (e.g., Exod 31:13; Lev 11:45, 19:2; Dan 7:18, 27). Particularly important is Exodus 19:5-6, where Elohim refers to Israel as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” 1 Peter 2:9 applies this same language to believers: “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

**1 Thessalonians 2: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2023/12/1-thessalonians-chapter-2thursday-bible.html