The Abridged

First Letter to the Thessalonians


Authentically by Paul
Written betwen 49CE-51CE
Set in 51CE
Text Fully Preserved


Paul's letter to the persecuted church in Thesselonica that goes into the apocalypse.

1 Thessalonians

History

Sent to churches in Thessaloniki, in Macedonia.
One of the seven letters that nearly all scholars agree is legitmate.

Summary

Paul writes to the people in Thessalonica, and starts off by flattering them and going into a bit of their history. He says he spent Timothy to check on them, and they did well for the most part, but encourages them to do better. He starts talking about the apocalypse, and gives some final advice.

Table of Contents


Part 1 : main
Chapter 1. Introduction & Flattery
Chapter 2. History
Chapter 3. The Little Test
Chapter 4a. Areas of Improvement
Chapters 4b-5a. Apocalypse
Chapter 5b. Last Words & Advice

Part 1: main

1 Thessalonians, Ch 1

Chapter 1

summary

1:1. To the Church of the Thessalonians
From Paul, Silas, and Timothy
We wish you grace and peace.

1:1. 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.

1:2. We keep you in our prayers.

1:2. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

1:3. We remember all the hard work you did, all the hope you inspired, powered by love.

1:3. 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;

1:4-5. It is clear you are chosen because you have learned our teachings with power and conviction of the Holy Spirit.

1:4. Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
1:5. 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.

1:6. You learned through trial, by watching us and God, even though you were in a really tough place.

1:6. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

1:7. You became a role model to everyone in the region- you are talked about and respected all around.

1:7. So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

1:8. So you do not need to defend yourself- the stories speak for themselves.

1:8. 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.

1:9-10. We've heard how you turned towards the Lord in Heaven.

1:9. 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;
1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians, Ch 2

Chapter 2

summary

2:1. There were many good things that came from our trip to see you.

2:1. For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

2:2. Other places had treated us very badly, so it was difficult to take a risk with you, but we did.

2:2. 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.

2:3-6. We are being sincere and aiming to please God, and not trying to enforce any bad will or rules on you.

2:3. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
2:4. 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.
2:5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
2:6. Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

2:7-12. We shared our message with innocence and love, and were careful not to offend anyone. We were holy and gentle, encouraging and comforting, like a parent should be.

2:7. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
2:8. 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.
2:9. 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.
2:10. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
2:11. As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
2:12. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

2:13-16. Not only did you listen to us, you were also able to recognize we were speaking God's word, and now, you pass it along faithfully despite suffering. God will protect.

2:13. 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.
2:14. 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:
2:15. 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:
2:16. 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.

2:17-20. I've meant to come see you a few times, but something always came up. But you are wonderful.

2:17. 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.
2:18. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
2:19. 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?
2:20. For ye are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians, Ch 3

Chapter 3

summary

3:1-5. That's why I sent Timothy to check on you. I was worried about you.

3:1. Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
3:2. 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:
3:3. That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
3:4. 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.
3:5. 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.

3:6-8. But Timothy had only good things to say.

3:6. 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:
3:7. Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
3:8. For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

3:9-11. Can't wait to see you again!

3:9. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
3:10. Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
3:11. Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

3:12-13. May God increase your love, and strengthen your hearts, so that we may be holy in the presence of God when Jesus comes.

3:12. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
3:13. 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.
1 Thessalonians, Ch 4a

Chapter 4a

summary

4:1-2. Anyways… there's some spots you can improve.

4:1. 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.
4:2. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

4:3-5. Avoid sexual immorality, control yourself and be good.

4:3. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4:4. That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
4:5. Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

4:6. Do not take advantage of your neighbors. There will be consequences.

4:6. 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.

4:7-8. This comes from God- God wants us to be holy and good.

4:7. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
4:8. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

4:9-10. You guys treat each other well, and love all of God's family through the land, but keep working at it.

4:9. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
4:10. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

4:11-12. Lead a quiet and productive life to earn the respect of outsiders.

4:11. And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
4:12. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
1 Thessalonians, Ch 4b-5a

Chapters 4b-5a

summary

4:13-14. Do not grieve over the dead like the rest of humanity- Jesus died and rose again so that all the rest will be brought back to life.

4:13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
4:14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

4:15. Those of us who are still alive when Jesus comes back are not better than those have already died.

4:15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

4:16. Jesus himself will come down from heaven with archangels, and the dead will be brought back to life.

4:16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

4:17. After that, all the people living will go up into the sky and be with God forever.

4:17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

4:18. Have faith and encourage each other!

4:18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

5:1-4. We all know we don't know when this is going to happen. It will surprise many people, but we are expecting it.

5:1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
5:2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
5:3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
5:4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1 Thessalonians, Ch 5b

Chapter 5b

summary

5:5. We are children of light, not of darkness.

5:5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

5:6-8. Let us be awake and clear, and use faith and love and hope as armor.

5:6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
5:7. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
5:8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

5:9. God did not choose us to suffer, but to be saved.

5:9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

5:10. Jesus died so that we may live with him, whether awake or asleep.

5:10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

5:11. Keep supporting and inspiring each other.

5:11. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

5:12-13. We ask you to respect those who work hard and demand better of you. Live in peace with each other.

5:12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
5:13. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

5:14. Warn those who are lazy and rude, but help the weak and be patient with everyone.

5:14. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

5:15. Do not pay back wrong for wrong, but always do the best thing for each other.

5:15. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

5:16-18. Be happy, pray, be appreciative.

5:16. Rejoice evermore.
5:17. Pray without ceasing.
5:18. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

5:19-22. Do not put out the Spirit or dismiss prophecies. Test them all. Hold onto what is good. Reject all evil.

5:19. Quench not the Spirit.
5:20. Despise not prophesyings.
5:21. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
5:22. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

5:23-24. May God bless you through and through, may your spirit, soul and body be kept good. God will help.

5:23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5:24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

5:25-27. Pray for us, greet others with a friendly kiss, and share this with everyone.

5:25. Brethren, pray for us.
5:26. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
5:27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

5:28. The grace of Jesus Christ be with you.

5:28. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.