Interpretation of 1 Thessalonians

Contents

Reading pages: 0–3.13 · 4.6–5.19

1. 0Theodoret sets out the occasion of 1 Thessalonians: Timothy's report on the Thessalonians' firm faith and their questions about the resurrection and the Lord's coming.
2. 1.1Theodoret identifies Silvanus with Silas and explains Paul's thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope, and the power of the gospel among them.
3. 1.6Theodoret praises the Thessalonians for imitating the apostles and the sufferings of the Lord.
4. 1.7Theodoret explains how the Thessalonians' faith became famous, why the living and true God is contrasted with idols rather than with the Son, and how Paul's sufferings confirm his preaching.
5. 2.3Theodoret explains that Paul's teaching, unlike the poets' myths, contains no falsehood, impurity, or deceit.
6. 2.4Theodoret explains that Paul preached as one entrusted by God, without flattery, greed, or desire for glory, caring for the Thessalonians like a nurse and a father, and that they received his word as God's word.
7. 2.11Theodoret notes the spiritual gifts of the Thessalonians and the persecution they suffered, like the churches of Judea.
8. 2.16Theodoret explains that the Thessalonians suffered as the churches of Judea did, that wrath has come upon the Jews who hindered the preaching, and that Paul longed to see the Thessalonians but was hindered by Satan.
9. 2.17Theodoret explains Paul's joy in the Thessalonians, his sending of Timothy, his relief at Timothy's report, and his prayer to the Father and the Son, which shows their equality.
10. 3.2Theodoret argues from Paul's use of "through the Lord Jesus" that the preposition "through" does not make the Son a subordinate, against Arius and Eunomius.
11. 3.3Theodoret notes that Paul calls for abstaining from every form of sexual immorality.
12. 3.4Theodoret takes "his own vessel" as each person's body rather than one's wife, since the command is for all.
13. 3.5Theodoret urges those who know the true God not to imitate the passions of the ignorant Gentiles.
14. 3.6Theodoret explains that wronging a brother here means adultery, which the Lord will avenge.
15. 3.7Theodoret contrasts the licentious doctrines of the false gods with the true God's call to holiness.
16. 3.8Theodoret explains that rejecting Paul's teaching on chastity wrongs God, that brotherly love means generosity which must not breed idleness, and that grief for the dead is tempered by the hope of resurrection.
17. 3.13Theodoret explains the resurrection of those who sleep in Jesus, the descent of the Lord with the archangel's voice and the trumpet, and that the dead in Christ include the righteous before the gospel.
18. 4.6Theodoret explains the catching up of believers to meet the Lord in the air as a mark of honor, like citizens going out to meet a king, and the coming of the day of the Lord like a thief.
19. 5.4Theodoret explains that the Lord's coming will be sudden, like labor pains or the flood, and that those enlightened by the knowledge of God must flee the works of darkness.
20. 5.6Theodoret urges watchfulness armed with faith, love, and hope, explains that God destined us for salvation through Christ, and sets out duties toward teachers, the idle, the fainthearted, and the weak.
21. 5.16Theodoret urges constant joy even in poverty, sickness, and torture.
22. 5.17Theodoret explains that unceasing prayer is possible amid daily activities.
23. 5.18Theodoret urges thanksgiving in adversity, since God works salvation through trials.
24. 5.19Theodoret explains the warnings not to quench the Spirit or despise prophecy, the prayer for the sanctification of spirit, soul, and body, and the closing charge to read the letter to all.