123 lines
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123 lines
14 KiB
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<div class="head">Executable Outlines</div>
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<div class="subhead">The First Epistle to the Thessalonians</div>
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<div class="main-just"><div class="pad30">
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;font-weight:bold;">Introduction</div>
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<p><b>AUTHOR:</b> The apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by Silvanus and Timothy (<a id="si-1Th 1:1" onClick="return mV('1Th',1,1);">1Th 1:1</a>), and with specific mention of his name again later in the epistle (<a id="si-1Th 2:18" onClick="return mV('1Th',2,18);">1Th 2:18</a>). Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to Paul include: Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.), Tertullian (200 A.D.), and Irenaeus (200 A.D.).</p>
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<p><b>THE CITY OF THESSALONICA:</b> It was the capital and largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia. Located on the Egnatian Way, a major road from Rome to the eastern provinces, the city served as center of trade and commerce. Today, it is known as Thessaloniki, or Salonica.</p>
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<p><b>THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA:</b> The establishment of the church is recorded in <a id="si-Act 17:1-9" onClick="return mV('Act',17,'1-9');">Act 17:1-9</a>. On his second missionary journey, Paul and his companions (Silas and Timothy) had just left Philippi and passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia to arrive at Thessalonica. As was his custom, Paul immediately located the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews for three Sabbaths concerning Jesus Christ. While some of them were persuaded, including a great number of devout Greeks and leading women, the unbelieving Jews became jealous and created an uproar in the city. Therefore it became necessary to send Paul and Silas away secretly by night to Berea.</p>
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<p>Despite such ominous beginnings, a strong church was established in Thessalonica (cf. <a id="si-1Th 1:2-10" onClick="return mV('1Th',1,'2-10');">1Th 1:2-10</a>). Mostly Gentile (cf. <a id="si-1Th 1:9" onClick="return mV('1Th',1,9);">1Th 1:9</a>), its members included Jason (<a id="si-Act 17:9" onClick="return mV('Act',17,9);">Act 17:9</a>), Aristarchus, and Secundus (<a id="si-Act 20:4" onClick="return mV('Act',20,4);">Act 20:4</a>).</p>
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<p><b>TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING:</b> First Thessalonians is considered one of Paul's earliest epistles, if not the first. From the letter itself (<a id="si-1Th 3:1-6" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,'1-6');">1Th 3:1-6</a>), and the record of Paul's travels in Acts (<a id="si-Act 17:10-34" onClick="return mV('Act',17,'10-34');">Act 17:10-34</a>; <a id="si-Act 18:1-11" onClick="return mV('Act',18,'1-11');">Act 18:1-11</a>), it appears that Paul wrote this letter soon after arriving in Corinth on his second journey. This would put it somewhere around <b>52 A.D.</b></p>
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<p><b>PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE:</b> The abrupt departure from Thessalonica so soon after the beginning of the church naturally left Paul anxious about the condition of the brethren. When Timothy joined Paul at Athens (cf. <a id="si-Act 17:14-16" onClick="return mV('Act',17,'14-16');">Act 17:14-16</a>), his concern prompted Paul to send Timothy at once back to Thessalonica to encourage and ground the new disciples in the faith, and to learn how they were enduring persecution (cf. <a id="si-1Th 3:1-5" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,'1-5');">1Th 3:1-5</a>).</p>
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<p>When Timothy returned to Paul in Corinth (cf. <a id="si-Act 18:5" onClick="return mV('Act',18,5);">Act 18:5</a>), the news was mostly encouraging (cf. <a id="si-1Th 3:6-7" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,6,7);">1Th 3:6-7</a>). Despite persecution they had remained strong (<a id="si-1Th 2:13-16" onClick="return mV('1Th',2,'13-16');">1Th 2:13-16</a>), and even proved themselves to be an example to others (<a id="si-1Th 1:6-8" onClick="return mV('1Th',1,'6-8');">1Th 1:6-8</a>). Yet, as with any young church, they needed further instruction concerning holy living (cf. <a id="si-1Th 4:1-12" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,'1-12');">1Th 4:1-12</a>). They also needed to be reassured that their loved ones who died in Christ would not miss out on the blessings involving the coming of our Lord (cf. <a id="si-1Th 4:13-18" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,'13-18');">1Th 4:13-18</a>). Therefore we can summarize by saying that Paul's purpose in writing was:</p>
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<div class="levA"><b>* To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>* To instruct them concerning holy living</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>* To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second coming of Christ</b></div>
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<p><b>THEME OF THE EPISTLE:</b> This book is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ (<a id="si-1Th 1:10" onClick="return mV('1Th',1,10);">1Th 1:10</a>; <a id="si-1Th 2:19" onClick="return mV('1Th',2,19);">1Th 2:19</a>; <a id="si-1Th 3:13" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,13);">1Th 3:13</a>; <a id="si-1Th 4:13-18" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,'13-18');">1Th 4:13-18</a>; <a id="si-1Th 5:23" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,23);">1Th 5:23</a>). With his emphasis on steadfastness and holy living, an appropriate theme might be:</p>
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<p align="center"><b>"HOLINESS IN VIEW OF THE COMING OF CHRIST"</b></p>
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<p><b>KEY VERSES: <a id="si-1Th 3:12-13" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,12,13);">1Th 3:12-13</a></p>
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<div class="block"><b>"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."</b></div>
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;"><b>OUTLINE:</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>INTRODUCTION (1:1-4)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">1. Salutation (<a id="si-1Th 1:1" onClick="return mV('1Th',1,1);">1Th 1:1</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">2. Thanksgiving for their faith, hope, and love (<a id="si-1Th 1:2-4" onClick="return mV('1Th',1,'2-4');">1Th 1:2-4</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>I. <u>PERSONAL REFLECTIONS</u> (1Th 1:5-1Th 3:13)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>A. REGARDING THEIR CONDITION (1Th 1:5-10)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. Their reception of the gospel (<a id="si-1Th 1:5-7" onClick="return mV('1Th',1,'5-7');">1Th 1:5-7</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. Their reputation in every place (<a id="si-1Th 1:8-10" onClick="return mV('1Th',1,'8-10');">1Th 1:8-10</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>B. REGARDING HIS CONDUCT (1Th 2:1-12)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. The manner of his preaching (<a id="si-1Th 2:1-8" onClick="return mV('1Th',2,'1-8');">1Th 2:1-8</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. The manner of his life (<a id="si-1Th 2:9-12" onClick="return mV('1Th',2,'9-12');">1Th 2:9-12</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>C. REGARDING HIS CONCERN (1Th 2:13; 1Th 3:1-13</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. For their faithfulness (<a id="si-1Th 2:13-20" onClick="return mV('1Th',2,'13-20');">1Th 2:13-20</a>; <a id="si-1Th 3:1-10" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,'1-10');">1Th 3:1-10</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">2. For their continued growth (<a id="si-1Th 3:11-13" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,'11-13');">1Th 3:11-13</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>II. <u>APOSTOLIC INSTRUCTIONS</u> (1Th 4:1-1Th 5:28)</b></div>
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<div class="levA"><b>A. WALK IN HOLINESS (1Th 4:1-8)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. To please God (<a id="si-1Th 4:1-2" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,1,2);">1Th 4:1-2</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. To abstain from sexual immorality (<a id="si-1Th 4:3-8" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,'3-8');">1Th 4:3-8</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>B. WALK IN LOVE (1Th 4:9-10)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. As they are taught by God to love one another (<a id="si-1Th 4:9" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,9);">1Th 4:9</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. To increase more and more (<a id="si-1Th 4:10" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,10);">1Th 4:10</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>C. WALK IN DILIGENCE (1Th 4:11-12)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. To work with their hands (<a id="si-1Th 4:11" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,11);">1Th 4:11</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. To walk properly toward those who are outside (<a id="si-1Th 4:12" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,12);">1Th 4:12</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>D. WALK IN HOPE (1Th 4:13-18)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. With no sorrow concerning those who have died (<a id="si-1Th 4:13-14" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,13,14);">1Th 4:13-14</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. For we will be rejoined with them when Christ returns (<a id="si-1Th 4:15-18" onClick="return mV('1Th',4,'15-18');">1Th 4:15-18</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>E. WALK IN LIGHT (1Th 5:1-11)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. For the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (<a id="si-1Th 5:1-4" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,'1-4');">1Th 5:1-4)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. For we are sons of light and sons of the day (<a id="si-1Th 5:5-8" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,'5-8');">1Th 5:5-8</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. For God has appointed us to salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (<a id="si-1Th 5:9-11" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,'9-11');">1Th 5:9-11</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA"><b>F. WALK IN OBEDIENCE (1Th 5:12-22)</b></div>
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<div class="lev1">1. With respect toward those over us (<a id="si-1Th 5:12-13" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,12,13);">1Th 5:12-13</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">2. With concern for one another (<a id="si-1Th 5:14-15" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,14,15);">1Th 5:14-15</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">3. With joy, prayer and thanksgiving (<a id="si-1Th 5:16-18" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,'16-18');">1Th 5:16-18</a>)</div>
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<div class="lev1">4. Don't quench the Spirit or despise prophecies, but don't be gullible either (<a id="si-1Th 5:19-22" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,'19-22');">1Th 5:19-22</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>CONCLUDING REMARKS (1Th 5:23-28)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">1. A prayer for their sanctification and preservation (<a id="si-1Th 5:23-24" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,23,24);">1Th 5:23-24</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">2. A request for prayer in his behalf (<a id="si-1Th 5:25" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,25);">1Th 5:25</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">3. A charge to greet one another with a holy kiss, and to read the epistle to others (<a id="si-1Th 5:26-27" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,26,27);">1Th 5:26-27</a>)</div>
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<div class="levA">4. A benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (<a id="si-1Th 5:28" onClick="return mV('1Th',5,28);">1Th 5:28</a>)</div>
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<div class="levI" align="center" style="color:324395;font-size:150%;"><b>REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION</b></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>1) On which missionary journey was the church at Thessalonica established?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Paul's second missionary journey</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>2) Where can we read about the establishment of the church at Thessalonica?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- <a id="si-Act 17:1-9" onClick="return mV('Act',17,'1-9');">Act 17:1-9</a></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>3) How long did Paul preach in the Jewish synagogue before trouble arose? (<a id="si-Act 17:2" onClick="return mV('Act',17,2);">Act 17:2</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Three Sabbaths</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>4) Where did Paul go after leaving Thessalonica? (<a id="si-Act 17:10" onClick="return mV('Act',17,10);">Act 17:10</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Berea</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>5) Why did Paul have to leave so soon again and go on to Athens? (<a id="si-Act 17:13-15" onClick="return mV('Act',17,'13-15');">Act 17:13-15</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- The Jews from Thessalonica followed him there and stirred up more trouble</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>6) While at Athens, whom did Paul send back to Thessalonica? (<a id="si-1Th 3:1-2" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,'1-2');">1Th 3:1-2</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Timothy</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>7) When Paul left Athens, where did he go? Who arrived later? (<a id="si-Act 18:1, 5" onClick="return mV('Act',18,1,5);">Act 18:1, 5</a>)</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Corinth</div>
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<div class="levA">- Silas and Timothy</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>8) From where and when did Paul write 1st Thessalonians?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- From Corinth, sometime around 52 A.D.</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>9) Why did Paul write this letter (see Purpose Of The Epistle)?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution</div>
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<div class="levA">- To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second coming of Christ</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>10) What has been suggested as the theme of this epistle?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Holiness in view of the coming of Christ</div>
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<div class="levI"><b>11) What are the key verses of this epistle?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- <a id="si-1Th 3:12-13" onClick="return mV('1Th',3,12,13);">1Th 3:12-13</a></div>
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<div class="levI"><b>12) According to the outline above, what are the two main sections of this epistle?</b></div>
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<div class="levA">- Personal reflections</div>
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<div class="levA">- Apostolic instructions</div>
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<p align="center" style="font-size:85%;margin-top:25px;"><b>Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2003</p>
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<a href="#top">Return to Top</a><br>
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<a href="./study/eo/index.html">Return to Executable Outlines</a>
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<p class="bibliobox"><strong>Bibliographic Information:</strong><br>Author: Copeland, Mark A.<br>Title: "The First Epistle to the Thessalonians"<br>Work: <em>Executable Outlines</em><br>Date Added: 28 Aug 2003<br>Source: Executable Outlines</p>
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