The Holy Kiss

Ken Berding has a good word here on understanding the "holy kiss" (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thess 5:26; cf. 1 Pet 5:18).

Free eBook: 1-2 Thessalonians

Wipf & Stock is offering a free eBook copy of Nijay Gupta's commentary on 1-2 Thessalonians until 2/10/2020. So you have to act quickly. Here are the instructions to get your copy.

1. Use this link
2. Click "ADD TO CART" on the eBook option, the code "ebookfree" should be automatically applied within the shopping cart.

1 Thessalonians 4:4: "Possessing One's Vessel"

Gary Shogren has a good discussion on the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 4:4 here. I tend to think he is right having been persuaded by Jay Smith's Bulletin of Biblical Research article, "1 Thessalonians 4:4: Breaking the Impasse" (BBR 11 [200], 65-105). You can access Smith's article here.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 and Iterative Prayer

I think that Ken Berding has got it right in his view of the much misunderstood statement in 1 Thessaloninas 5:17 to "pray without ceasing." You can read his thoughts here.

Free Logos Book for November: New Covenant Commentary: 2 Timothy and Titus

The free Logos Book for the Month for November is Aida Spencer's 2 Timothy and Titus commentary in the New Covenant Commentary series. Two other volumes in the same series are also on sale, Nijay Gupta's 1–2 Thessalonians for 99¢ and Michael Bird's Colossians and Philemon for $1.99. There is also a contest to win a 31 volume Church Dogmatics by Barth. For all these offers, go to the Logos' Free Book of Month page here.

Twelve Pastoral Commitments

Kevin DeYoung has twelve pastoral commitments drawn from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 that are worth considering here.

Free Audio: Alistair Begg on 1 Thessalonians

You can download three volumes of messages from Alistair Begg on 1 Thessalonians here.

The Dead in 1 Thessalonians 4:13

  
Phillip Long has an interesting post on the identity of the dead in Christ in 1 Thessalonians 4:13. He suggests that the dead are not believers generally but martyrs particularly. I remain a bit skeptical in light of several factors. (1) don't see anything in the immediate context that suggests persecution or martyrdom. (2) The comparison to "the rest of men who have no hope" would suggest to me a broader audience than just martyrs. Furthermore, I wonder how the argument would work in light of the fact that Christians were not the only martyrs in the ancient world. (3) Explicit vindication language  is absent unless you take the going first as vindication language. This is possible, but if so, very subtle. In any case, I would encourage you to check out Phillip's post here.
 

Fee on 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13

  

Recently while teaching through 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, I read this insightful comment from Gordon D. Fee in his commentary The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians (p. 208).

"The earliest notion in the New Testament regarding church leadership is tantalizing for its brevity, and can likewise be frustrating because it assumes so much about which later believers would like more information. But perhaps even that can be a means of instruction. Paul's way of speaking about them by way of participles, rather than nouns, puts all the emphasis on their activities, not positions. Thus we learn a bit about what they do, but almost nothing about who they are or the ‘positions’ they hold. This is especially trying for those who live in a culture that loves titles as a way of distinguishing people who are ‘important’! By turning such verbs into nouns one begins to focus more on position than person or function. Paul's concern is consistently on character and activity, not on ‘role.’ But since we can scarcely turn the clock back in the contemporary church, all of those who are in church leadership might use this passage as a valid ‘checklist’ for personal inventory with regard to how one cares for those one is given the privilege to lead."

   

1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13: A Summary

In 1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13, Paul continues to respond to criticisms leveled against him by some in Thessalonica. Apparently his opponents suggested that he did not really care about them, an attitude confirmed by his failure to make a return visit to the church. Paul addresses this spurious criticism in at least four ways.

First, Paul tells the Thessalonians that despite the criticism he has received he still cares for them deeply, and thus, desires to revisit them, and rejoices in them, especially in light of the expectation of Christ’s return (2:17–20). Paul’s failure to pay a return visit was not spiritual indifference but rather satanic interference (v. 18).

Second, Paul tells the Thessalonians that although he could not come personally, his concern for them was reflected in the fact that Timothy was sent to strengthen and encourage them (3:1–5). Paul’s explanation that “we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone” should be read in light of the difficulties and challenges of ministry in a pagan environment and the uncertainties of travel and communication in the ancient world. Yet Paul was willing to sacrifice the support and companionship of one of his most trusted coworkers for the Thessalonians sake. How many pastors today would be willing to release a key member of their ministry team for the welfare of another church?

Third, Paul gives evidence of his concern for the Thessalonians by noting his rejoicing at Timothy’s return and positive report and by his desire to return to them for further ministry (3:6–10). Paul was comforted: “now we really live” (vv. 7–8), thankful (v. 9, cf. 1:2; 2:13), and prayerful (v. 10–13). Coincidentally, note that Paul prays for three things: (1) that he might come again (v. 11b); (2) that they might continue in love (v. 12); (3) that they might be consecrated in holiness (v. 13).

I conclude with the following observations/questions/ applications.

• One of the undeniable observations that can be made in this passage is Paul’s great love and concern for the church. Do you take your church for granted? Are you concerned for your fellow believers? If not, commit yourself to becoming personally involved in the mission and ministry of the church. Where there is commitment there will be concern.
  
• The Christian dynamic involves having a faith toward God and love for one another (v. 6). So entrust yourselves to God and give yourselves to others in love.
  
• Paul was thankful yet not complacent concerning the spiritual growth of the Thessalonians. Thank God that those you have shepherded are not what they once were, but ask God to make them more like Christ than are now.