Paul began his letters with a greeting and thanksgiving for the reader (except for Galatians, because he was not pleased with them. But that is a topic for another day). As was also often his custom, he included his companions in the ministry in his letter. In this case, he sends the regards of Silas and Timothy. By doing so, he is essential adding their agreement and knowledge of the events that he is about to address. In like fashion, he is commiting, and they to him, their participation in the work that needs to be done regarding the church of Thessalonica.
Using examples from the book of Acts, we can come to some conclusion about the timing of the letter. Paul wrote it during his second missionary journey. Acts 17:1-9 gives some insight into the time frame, based upon the ruler that was in Corinth, the place Paul is writing from, at the time. Also, we can note that Paul has chosen Silas over Mark in Acts 15 and in Acts 16 Timothy joins them in the work.
In one voice Paul gives thanks for the church and offers encouragement that he and the others are “constantly praying for them” (1:2). Likewise, Paul clearly brings to light the fact that God had chosen them(Gentiles). This point alone is important because Paul’s mission was to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. To support him in that mission, God saw fit to send the Holy Spirit to dwell with them as affirmation, confirmation, and conviction to those who came to believe in Christ (1:4-5).
In verse 6, we read the main point of the opening chapter. Paul is beginning a discussion that he will pick up again in chapter 3. He is doing several things in this verse, which reads;
And you became (1)imitators of us and of (2) the Lord, for you received the word in much (3) affliction, with (4) joy of the Holy Spirit,(ESV)
1) Imitators of us– Paul is saying that not only did he and his companions do a good job, but that the Thessalonians were doing the same in regards to living out their faith in Christ;
2) Imitators of the Lord– Christ had given a great example of how believers should live their life. This message was clearly communicated to the hurch and they were again living as Christ had commanded and demonstrated
3) in much affliction– Paul knew persecution better than most. He was one of the best at persecuting Christians at one time. Now he was on the receiving end of persecution because of his faith in Jesus. As imitators of Paul and of Christ, the Thessalonians also knew persecution. This is one of the promises that all believers must know and accept. In Christ, all of us will suffer affliction. This is a mark of believing in Jesus.
4) joy of the Holy Spirit– Paul, in some of his other writings describes a joy that can only come from the Holy Spirit. The one thing to take note of here is the Spirit is with the Gentiles. Because the evidence of this was manifested through joy it confirms the promise of the Spirit that Jesus spoke of and the prophesy of the Spirit from Amos for the Gentiles. Paul quoted Amos 9 in his defense for the Gentiles at the Jerusalem Council as described in Acts 15.
More than anything else in this chapter, I think that Paul is acknowledging the work that the Gentile believers have been doing. He especially notes that in verse 7. Paul describes the work that was done in Macedonia and Achaia. If we know nothing else about these places, we could conclude that these new believers were active in sharing the faith they have in Jesus. Paul was pleased with this and wanted to encourage them to keep doing the good work.
Finally, Paul closes his letter with a hint of the matter that he wishes to discuss- Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come (v.10). Paul knows that there are some issues that are causing trouble in Thessalonica. Because he loves the church, he is eager to address these and other issues that they are facing in the chapters to come.
Go Beyond Jon 