The First Epistle to the Thessalonians

© 2005 William R. Finck Jr.

For a full audio and written commentary on this epistle see The Epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians - Audio and Written Bible Commentary or for a simple index: Paul's Epistles to the Thessalonians - Podcast Index

I1 Paul and Silovanos and Timotheos, to the assembly of the Thessalonikeans among the number of Yahweh the Father and Prince Yahshua Christ. Favor to you and peace from Yahweh our Father and Prince Yahshua Christ. 2 We are thankful to Yahweh always concerning all of you, making mention at our prayers, incessantly 3 recalling your work of the faith, and labor of the love, and endurance of the hope of our Prince Yahshua Christ, before Yahweh, even our Father, 4 knowing, brethren beloved, your election by Yahweh. 5 Because our good message has come to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit, and with much certainty, just as you know how we had been among you for your sake. 6 And you have become imitators of us and of the Prince, accepting the Word in much tribulation with joy of the Holy Spirit. 7 Consequently you became a model to all those believing in Makedonia and in Achaia, 8 since from you the Word of the Prince has rung out not only in Makedonia and in Achaia, but in every place which your faith towards Yahweh has gone forth, so there is no need for us to have anything to say. 9 For they themselves around us have reported what sort of reception we have had with you, and how you have turned to Yahweh from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10 and to await His Son from the heavens, whom He has raised from the dead: Yahshua, who is protecting us from the coming wrath.

II1 For you yourselves know, brethren, of our reception by you, that it had not been empty, 2 but having been mistreated before, even assaulted, just as you know, at Philippos, we in respect of our God were emboldened to talk with you of the good message of Yahweh among much danger. 3 For our summons was not out of error, nor of uncleanness, nor with guile, 4 but just as we have been approved by Yahweh to be entrusted with the good message, in this manner we speak; not as if pleasing men, but Yahweh, who is examining our hearts. 5 Neither were we ever with a word of flattery, even as you know, nor with a pretense of covetousness: Yahweh is witness; 6 nor seeking honor from men, neither from you nor from others. 7 Ourselves having ability to be domineering, as ambassadors of Christ, rather we were infants in your midst, as a nurse would cherish her own children. 8 Thus yearning for you, we were pleased to share with you not only the good message of Yahweh, but even our own lives, because you have become beloved to us. 9 You remember, brethren, our labor and hardship, working night and day, so as not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the good message of Yahweh. 10 You and Yahweh are witnesses, how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we have been with you who believe - 11 exactly as you know - since each one of you, as a father to his own children 12 were we exhorting you and encouraging and testifying, for you to walk worthily of Yahweh, who is calling you into His own kingdom and honor. 13 And for this reason we also give thanks to Yahweh incessantly, because receiving from us the Word of report of Yahweh, you accept not a word of men, but just as it truly is, Yahweh’s Word, which also operates within you who believe. 14 You have become imitators, brethren, of the assemblies of Yahweh in Judaea which are among the number of Christ Yahshua, because these same things even you have suffered by your own tribesmen, likewise they also by the Judaeans: 15 those who killed both Prince Yahshua and the prophets, and banished us, and are not pleasing to Yahweh, and contrary to all men. 16 Preventing us from speaking to the Nations that they would be preserved, for which to fill their errors at all times, but the wrath has come upon them at last. 17 But we, brethren, having been bereaved of you for a measure of time in person, not in heart, more abundantly with much longing have been eager to see your presence. 18 Because we have wished to come to you, indeed I Paul, both once and again has the Adversary hindered us. 19 Therefore what is our expectation, or joy or crown of boasting? Or are not you also before our Prince Yahshua at His presence? 20 Indeed you are our honor and joy.

III1 Wherefore no longer being contained, we were pleased to be left behind in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timotheos our brother and minister of Yahweh in the good message of the Anointed, for which to establish and to encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one is shaken by these tribulations. (For you yourselves know that for this we are set. 4 Even when we were with you, we forewarned you that we are about to be oppressed, just as it also has happened and you have seen.) 5 For this reason even I no longer being contained, sent for which to know of your faith - whether the Tempter has tempted you, and our labor should come to no purpose. 6 But now Timotheos, coming to us from you, and having announced to us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always have a good memory of us, longing to see us, exactly as we also you, 7 because of this we have been encouraged, brethren, concerning you, in all of our oppression and anguish, because of your faith. 8 Because we now live, if perhaps you should stand in the Prince, 9 what gratitude are we able to repay to Yahweh concerning you, for all the joy in which we rejoice on account of you before our God? 10 Night and day begging beyond excess for which to see your person, and to furnish the things deficient in your faith. 11 And Yahweh Himself, even our Father and our Prince Yahshua, may guide our way to you. 12 Now may the Prince make you have an excess and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we also for you, 13 for which to establish your hearts blameless in holiness before Yahweh, even our Father, in the presence of our Prince Yahshua with all of His holy ones. Truly.

IV1 So for what remains, brethren, we ask and we encourage you by Prince Yahshua, that just as you have received from us, to walk in that manner which is necessary for us and to please Yahweh, even just as you do walk, that you should abound still more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave to you by Prince Yahshua. 3 For this is the will of Yahweh: your sanctification; you are to abstain from fornication; 4 each of you are to know to possess one’s own vessel in sanctification and in honor, 5 not in emotions of passion just as even the nations who do not know Yahweh; 6 not to be excessive and to be greedy in business with one’s brother, since the Prince is an avenger concerning all these things, just as also we have forewarned and affirmed to you. 7 For Yahweh has not called us to uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8 So then, he who is rejecting rejects not man, but Yahweh, who is also giving His Holy Spirit to you.

9 Now concerning brotherly love, you have no need to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by Yahweh for which to love one another. 10 You also do this toward all the brethren in the whole of Makedonia, and we encourage you, brethren, to abound more, 11 and endeavor earnestly to be at rest, and to be busy with your own affairs and to work with your own hands, just as we have instructed you, 12 in order that you would walk decently compared with those outside, and would have need of no one.

13 Now we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are falling asleep, in order that you would not be grieved, and just as the rest who have no expectation. 14 For if we believe that Yahshua had died and rose up, in this manner Yahweh also through Yahshua will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we say to you by word of the Prince: that we, the living, those left remaining until the coming of the Prince, no way would come before those who have fallen asleep; 16 because the Prince Himself with a command, by a chief messenger’s voice and with a trumpet of Yahweh shall descend from heaven, and those dead among the number of the Anointed shall rise up first. 17 Then we, the living who are remaining, at once with them shall be carried off in clouds for a meeting with the Prince in air, and in that manner always with the Prince we shall be. 18 So encourage one another with these words.

V1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to be written to you, 2 for you yourselves know thoroughly that the day of the Prince comes as a thief in the night. 3 When they say ‘Peace’ and ‘Security’, then suddenly destruction comes upon them, even as a labor pang to her who is with child. And by no means shall they escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should surprise you as thieves. 5 All of you are sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night or of darkness. 6 So then we should not sleep as the rest; rather we should be alert and we should be sober. 7 For those falling asleep, by night they fall asleep, and those getting drunk, by night they get drunk. 8 But we being of day should be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet: an expectation of deliverance. 9 Because Yahweh has not ordained us for wrath, but for the acquisition of preservation through our Prince Yahshua Christ, 10 who died on behalf of us, that whether we would be alert or we would sleep, together with Him we would live. 11 On which account you encourage one another, and you build up one another, even just as you do.

12 Now we ask you, brethren, to know those who are laboring among you, and being set before you in authority and admonishing you, 13 and to esteem them with love beyond excess on account of their work. Live peaceably among yourselves. 14 But we exhort you, brethren, admonish the undisciplined, encourage those of little spirit, put up with those who are weak, be patient towards all. 15 Watch that one does not render evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue good both towards one another and towards all. 16 Always rejoice. 17 Pray incessantly. 18 In everything, be thankful, for this is the will of Yahweh in Christ Yahshua for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise expounding of scripture, 21 but scrutinize all things. Hold fast that which is right. 22 Abstain from every sort of wickedness. 23 Now may Yahweh of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your perfect spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Prince Yahshua Christ. 24 He calling you is trustworthy, Who will also produce. 25 Brethren, you also pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Prince: the letter is to be read to all the brethren. 28 The favor of our Prince Yahshua Christ is with you.