Photo by Yogesh Rahamatkar
At the age of 6 he could divide two eight-digit numbers in his head, and he conversed in Ancient Greek. For fun at parties, he could memorize the Budapest phone directory and answer questions about the names, numbers, and addresses or just recite whole pages from top to bottom…as an adolescent. John von Neumann was a child prodigy, and later regarded as the preeminent mathematician of his era with major contributions to physics, economics, and computer science. We marvel at them, we often wonder, “how could they achieve such levels at such a tender young age?”
In a manner of speaking, the Bible tells us of a body of believers in ancient Macedonia who similarly reached such a high level.
“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)
During his second missionary journey, Paul received the vision of the “Macedonian man” at Troas and was compelled to cross into Europe to share the Gospel. It would change the course of Western civilization. The first European convert was a woman named Lydia in Philippi. Then beaten and jailed there, after their miraculous jailbreak they traveled west along the Via Egnatia road to Thessalonica, all recorded in Acts 16-17. Paul preached there for only three weeks before the Jews rioted over his teachings and they evaded “off road” to Berea by night before these same Thessalonian Jews learned of his whereabouts and traveled to riot there as well. Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea, but they shipped Paul down the coast to Athens, Luke had earlier remained in Philippi. While he is in Athens, Paul asks Timothy to go back and check on the young church at Thessalonica. (1st Thessalonians 3:1-2)
From Athens, Paul travels to Corinth and is where Timothy catches up with them to deliver the report. It is his report that elicits the warm letter from Paul to this young church, known to us as First Thessalonians. It is short, only five chapters long, but of all the books of the Bible it is the most focused on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, mentioned in every chapter.
The vast majority were Greeks (Acts 17:3-4). And the Thessalonian church was only about one year old, Paul had only been there for three weeks! And yet within these five chapters Paul covers doctrines that he assumes the Thessalonians are “up to speed” including:
- Salvation
- Sanctification
- Assurance
- Trinity
- Nature of Man
- Resurrection
- Day of the Lord
He doesn’t reintroduce these concepts to them, he reminds them of what he had taught them.
Imagine that just one year into your faith someone would ask you to write a brief essay on any of these basic doctrines. And all without the benefit of the New Testament. They were on the ball!
“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. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.” (1st Thessalonians 1:1-2)
First, take note that this letter is written to the “church” and not the “brethren” or “the believers” but the entire church at Thessalonica. Where is their church? It is “in the Father” and “in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul, Silas and Timothy are together in Corinth saying collectively “we give thanks…” Why? The following verses attest the basis of their praise is 1) their Christian virtues (vs. 3), 2) Divine election (vs. 4-7), and the nature and results of their witness (v.8-10). The “we” is collective, and not just a polite phrase. The troika is seen here together as “associates”, and soon not seen together again for they will minister in differing locations.
“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.” (verse 3)
Based on Timothy’s report, Paul knows of their fruit, it is clearly and abundantly evident. This triad is not just concepts or abstracts that we use politely, Paul cites these attributes in terms of what these Thessalonians produced.
Take note from verse 6 that they are producing a “work of faith” in the face of “affliction” far greater than what we can appreciate today, and it was by God’s grace. The phrase “labor of love” is used today so glibly but here “labor” is the Greek word “kopos” (Strongs G#2873) which means “to the point of exhaustion, pain or weariness.” In other words, it wasn’t trivial, their labor of love was a heavy lift. The third attribute is “patience of hope” which depicts an enduring steadfastness of hope. It was their active constancy in the face of difficulty.
These attributes should be our attributes today: faith, love and hope. Some cite these connotations:
- Faith—rests on the past…and looks to a crucified Savior
- Love—works in the present…and looks up to a crowned Savior
- Hope—looks to the future…and looks on to a coming Savior
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” (James 2:17-18)
Now consider the next verse:
“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” (verse 4)
How can Paul make this statement?? Do you understand he is speaking of the ENTIRE church??? How do I know of your election, or how would you know of mine? It is a difficult question. But individually, you can know of your election personally based on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
So, how does Paul know? Because of their works and the lives they live! That Paul, literally a Pharisee among Pharisees, would now welcome so affectionately the once despised Gentiles is such a huge statement. For he is now the “Apostle to the Gentiles.”
The question becomes, would he be able to say that about us? About your church?
Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:16-20)
So, what is the basis of Paul’s assessment?
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” (verse 5)
Paul not only witnessed their response to the Gospel but now hears of their great testimony through Timothy.
“And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place.” (verses 6-8a)
The word for “examples/ensamples” is “tupos” (Strongs G#5179) and it means “to leave a mark by being struck.” Just…..think on that for a moment.
Macedonia and Achaia were two different regional divisions within present day Greece, divided by the Romans at that time. “In every place” their faith was on full display. Not only were the Thessalonians an example to unbelievers, but they were examples of a group to other Christians. In other words, every church looked to the Thessalonian church as the example.
In fact, it was said of them, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts 17:6b)
WOW! WHAT A SCORECARD!
The question becomes, how do we compare today? In our personal faith walk? Our churches?
In praise, Paul concludes simply, “Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.” (verse 8b)
It is very interesting that the Thessalonian church compares or relates favorably to the church at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13). In that regard, one cannot help but be reminded that the 7 parables found in Matthew 13 represent conditions of the Church Age and which remarkably and perfectly correlate to the 7 Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation 2-3. Without going further, there is an enormous and incredible heptadic structure (relating to seven or sevenfold) that is found in Scripture.
Continuing, when you consider that Paul wrote 13 letters, we know that three were dual (Corinthians, Thessalonians, Timothy), so a total written to 10 groups. And three of those were to pastors (Timothy, Titus, Philemon)….leaving as a result 7 letters to 7 different churches. Coincidence? Or Divine structure?
Consider the themes of Paul’s epistles related to Jesus’ Letters to Seven Churches:
| Epistle | Attributes | Revelation Letter |
| Ephesians | Doctrinal purity; but led to losing “their first love.” | Ephesians |
| Philippians | Joy through suffering, both great examples | Smyrna |
| Corinthians | Spiritual compromise, married to the world | Pergamos |
| Galatians | Avoidance of paganism, rituals, religious externalism | Thyatira |
| Romans | Definitive orthodoxy, The Reformation | Sardis |
| Thessalonians | Missionary church, raptured, saved from tribulation | Philadelphia |
| Colossians | False teaching, apostasy. They exchanged letters. | Laodicea |
As we look back on the year 2020 one cannot help but note the “great shaking” that has occurred throughout the world. For those who study their Bibles, it has been a year of great prophetic development on multiple fronts unlike any year except 1948 or 1967, both which centered on Israel. Some would suggest a “great shaking” is taking place within churches also, as if Jesus is sifting the Church with clear separation appearing between those with Philadelphian and Laodicean traits.
Being led by the Holy Spirit, if there were two churches that we might desire to emulate their attributes, no doubt, it would be the Thessalonian and Philadelphia churches. Let them be your examples.
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” (Revelation 3:10-11)