The epistle of I Thessalonians is thought to be the first letter Paul ever wrote to a Christian church. It followed his visit to them, as recorded in Acts 17:1-9. It was not an easy time, but Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy gave their all to help these new believers to the faith. The hope of Christ’s return and our gathering together unto him fills this epistle.
This letter is also full of love and thankfulness for their meek hearts and diligent care for Paul and his companions. He addresses them as “brothers” 14 times in this letter, showing that we all have the same heavenly Father, and there is no special “rank” in the body of Christ. We are all individual members with something vital to contribute [Ephesians 4:16].
Let’s look at each of these uses, and learn more about being brothers and sisters in Christ and how to finish strong each day. It is helpful in our study to note that God uses numbers with a specific purpose. At times, the numerical order of how a word is used in the Bible can fit with those purposes.
Bible teachers [like E. W. Bullinger in England] looked at how numbers occur in the scriptures. Here are some patterns they observed. The number one shows a beginning or unity; two establishes things; three is completeness; four refers to the world; five is God’s grace; six refers to human things; seven is spiritual perfection; eight is a new beginning [one more that perfection]; nine has to do with judgment; ten is perfect order; eleven shows imperfection [one less than twelve]; twelve is used of perfect leadership and service; thirteen shows rebellion [one more than twelve]; and fourteen is established [two] spiritual perfection [seven].
I Thessalonians 1:4
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
1) That is the foundation, the beginning, of our brotherhood and something we should know. We have all been called by God. When we answered that call by believing on Jesus Christ [Romans 10:9,10], we became sons of God and brothers and sisters in the Lord. We are spiritually unified in the body of Christ [Ephesians 4:3-6].
I Thessalonians 2:1:
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain.
2) What else should we know? The service done by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy was not without effect. They established the Thessalonians by setting an excellent example of Christian love and service. We can do the same to inspire and encourage other believers.
I Thessalonians 2:9:
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
3) And what should we remember? Paul and his companions worked night and day to have their physical needs met, so they could meet the spiritual needs of the Thessalonians. They gave themselves in complete service to preach God’s good news about Jesus Christ as Lord.
I Thessalonians 2:14:
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews.
4) These new believers in Thessalonica were facing stiff opposition, just as Judean believers did in Jerusalem and its surrounding area. There will be worldly challenges and tribulation, be we find comfort in knowing we are all fighting the fight against the adversary together as the church.
I Thessalonians 2:17:
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
5) God’s grace to us is amazing and astounding. Even though we may not always be physically together as Christians, we can hold each other in our hearts. And we look forward to being together again in this life whenever we have opportunity.
I Thessalonians 3:7:
Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith.
6) When Timothy came to Paul and told him how the Thessalonians loved him and wanted to be with him, Paul was greatly comforted. Even though we, born like all other men, face affliction and distress—we can find comfort in each other’s love and care.
I Thessalonians 4:1:
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
7) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy took the time to show these believers how to live. It wasn’t just talk, but set an example on how to please our Father in daily living. Paul’s prayer was that they would spiritually abound more and more in their walk with God’s perfect help.
I Thessalonians 4:10:
And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more.
8) Paul is talking about their love here. They showed God’s love to all those in their geographic region. They got out and loved others. Paul wrote to the church at Colosse about seven ways to live for God—and the eighth was God’s love, the bond that ties them together perfectly [Colossians 3:12-14]. Paul wanted the Thessalonians to make a new beginning of each moment they lived, and to increase more and more in this love.
I Thessalonians 4:13:
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
9) One of the greatest things we can know and remember is that Christ will come back for us, and we will have new spiritual bodies like his glorious body [Philippians 3:21]. That is when all true judgment will take place, and we will be rewarded for the good we do in this life.
I Thessalonians 5:1:
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
10) Paul knew these believers had eternal life and would be gathered together with Christ. He did not need to remind them about the future events that will befall others. God’s perfectly-ordered justice will occur in the future, and we have been saved from the wrath to come [I Thessalonians 1:10].
I Thessalonians 5:4:
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
11) Paul told them that they were children of the light and the day. They would not be overtaken with evil in the future. Despite our imperfection as people, we are saved through Christ’s perfect work for us.
I Thessalonians 5:12:
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.
12) We should get to know other believers who act as “big brothers and sisters” to help us grow in the Lord. They put in the time to help us grow as they warn us of the adversary’s devices and help us walk by the spirit according to the scriptures. That is God’s order for leadership in the church.
I Thessalonians 5:14:
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
13) Those who rebel from God’s order, the unruly, need to be warned. Those who have been abused by the world’s evil, the “feebleminded,” need our comfort. Those who are immature, the weak, need our loving support. We can be patient to all in a world of confusion and distrust.
I Thessalonians 5:25:
Brethren, pray for us.
14) What will establish our spiritual wholeness and help us as brothers and sisters in Christ? The effectual, fervent prayer of believers will prevail [James 5:16]. We are to pray always in the spirit and watch for God’s solutions and deliverance [Ephesians 6:18]. We all need each other’s prayers. Jesus stayed up all night in prayer before choosing his apostles [Luke 6:12]. We should take the time to go to the Father in prayer for ourselves and others throughout our lives.
These are such great truths to remember as brothers and sisters in the Lord:
We are called by God; we learn by the good example of other believers; we can give our all in service; we comfort each other in life’s challenges; we long to be with each other; our love gives comfort; we can please our Father more each day; our love can grow bigger and bigger; we look with hope to Christ’s return; we are saved from future wrath; we are saved by Christ’s perfect work for us; we should get know and appreciate those big brothers and sisters who help us grow up spiritually; we warn the unruly and comfort the hurt and support the immature; and we constantly pray for each other.