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1 Thessalonians 5

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Review

  • Paul travels to Thessalonica, preaches in synagogue for 3 weeks, and then run out of town by Thessalonian Jews (Acts 17:1-9)
  • Thessalonian Jews follow Paul to Berea to stir up trouble (Acts 17:13)
  • Paul travels to Athens, then Corinth (Acts 17-18) and likely writes 1 Thessalonians (51-52 AD)
  • Reminds Thessalonians of God’s work in the

church (1 Thessalonians 1)

  • Exhorts them about suffering for the Gospel

(1 Thessalonians 2)

  • Counsels cares within the church (1 Thessalonians 3)
  • Encourages them to live a godly life and instructs

on proper Christian grief (1 Thessalonians 4)

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Reading

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

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  1. In the first three verses, what two analogies does Paul use to describe the “day of the Lord?” What do these analogies tell us about how we should think about Christ’s second advent?
    1. Note: The “day of the Lord” is a distinct biblical concept. We see echoes of it first appear in Genesis 3:8 (the “cool of the day” more aptly translates as “God came in sound and fury for judgment”). In Isaiah 13, the prophet talks about the “day of the Lord” as the day when God would judge Babylon for her misdeeds. Same when Jeremiah speaks judgment against Egypt (Jeremiah 46:10). And Ezekiel against both Egypt and Cush (Ezekiel 20:2-4). Though Zephaniah has similar themes of darkness and judgment, he previews some of what we see in Paul: “clouds” and a “trumpet blast.” (Zephaniah 1:14-16). Same with Joel, though he ties in a call for Israel to repent, but with more hope. (Joel 2:1-14).

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  • In verses 6-10, what does Paul tell Christians to do in anticipation of the “day of the Lord?” Have you seen any of this elsewhere? (Hint: Read Ephesians 6:10-18)

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

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Reading

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:11-28

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  • In verses 12-13, Paul primarily talks about the role that church leaders play among the brothers and sisters. What three responsibilities does Paul list here that church leaders have? What attitudes should Christians have for their pastors?

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  • In verses 14-15, Paul shifts to talking about the relations between Christians at large. What six responsibilities does he list here?
  • Note: “Idle” here does not translate “lazy” so much as “unruly” or “disruptive.” “Fainthearted” means “discouraged.” And “weak” indicates physical condition, not spiritual.

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  • How do people treat “the will of God?” What, in verses 16-19, does Paul say about this? How do the Christian responsibilities outlined in verses 14-15 connect?

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  • What does it mean to “quench” the Holy Spirit?

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1 Thessalonians 5:11-28