Footprints #104

Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonians with seventeen admonitions (5:12-22) followed by a closing prayer (5:23-27). The first three admonitions concern the attitude of local church members toward their leaders (vs12-13). These admonitions are followed by six imperatives regarding how local church leaders should behave toward their people. 

Eight brief admonitions follow in the next seven verses (16-22). These can be organized into two groups; three counsels on maintaining a positive Christian attitude (16-18), and five on how to relate to new light in the form of prophecies (19-22). 

In the concluding prayer, Paul summarizes a main theme of this letter: that believers in Thessalonica and beyond would continue to grow in holiness until the Second Coming itself. In other words, they are to live every day in preparation for the Lord’s return. In one sense, what could be more of a “present truth” message than that? This is the tension of living between the now and the not yet that we still face. 

In 1Thess.5:12-27 Paul addresses a variety of issues, but he is particularly focused on the spiritual quality of local church life. Believers at the local level are to mentor each other and be joyful and thankful. They are also to be open to new truth, particularly prophetic truth, yet careful and thoughtful (put it to the test) in their evaluation of new ideas. Above all else, Paul calls for complete submission to God in every area of personal life with an eye toward the return of Jesus.  

Because correspondence was slow, it could take months for the exchange of letters, once they tracked Paul down, he would dictate a response and deliver it back. In Thessalonica, new problems arose over the misapplication of what Paul wrote in his first letter. Second Thessalonians was written to correct the situation that arose. Second Thessalonians was Paul’s attempt to further correct the situation. This book provides further information about the nature of Jesus’ return.