As we begin the
second letter written by Paul the apostle to the Thessalonian church,
we once again consider that Paul was only in Thessalonica for three
weeks with this new church, and yet it was thriving, full of life,
and learning the principles of the kingdom of God. Their reputation
spread throughout the region, and they became an example of what a
church should be. In chapter one and verse one of this letter, Paul
introduces he and his companions and shares to whom this letter is
written. We read:
Paul, and
Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians
in God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
The
verse begins, “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the
church of the Thessalonians...” Paul
began with the word, “Paul”
which in Greek is “Paulos” and means “small or little”. “Paul
was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the New
Testament which was fourteen Pauline epistles”. Paul added, “and
Silvanus” or “Silas” whose
name means “woody” and was “a Roman citizen and the
companion of the apostle Paul on several of his missionary journeys”
“and Timothy” whose name means “honoring God” and was
“a resident of Lystra, apparently, whose father was a Greek and
mother a Jewess; he was Paul's travelling companion and fellow
laborer” “unto the church” or “a gathering of citizens
called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly”
“of the Thessalonians” or the church members in the city
of Thessalonica which was “a large and populous city on the
Thermaic bay. It was the capital of one of the four Roman districts
of Macedonia, and was ruled by a praetor. It was named after
Thessalonica, the wife of Cassander, who built the city”. Paul and
his traveling companions collectively gave attention with the words
in this letter to this wonderful church and it's people.
The
verse continues, “...in
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:” Paul
went on to say, “in God”
which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised
of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “our
Father” which means
“generator, originator and transmitter of anything and holds a
title of honor” “and the Lord”
or “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has
power of deciding; master and the title give to God the Messiah”
“Jesus” whose name
means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior
of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ”
which means “anointed” and is a reference to “the Messiah and
Son of God”. This was not just a gathering of people who met for
social reasons alone. They were “in God” whom
Paul called “our Father”
which demonstrated he and his companions own sense of belonging to
God and “the Lord Jesus Christ”
who is the Messiah and Savior of all who rely upon, trust in and
cling to Him.
As
we consider these words of Paul, we may note that he often began his
letters in the same manner. Though it was the proper procedure for
the day, Paul never thought it grievous to “write the same
things” unto the Thessalonians. He desired for them to know
from whom this letter was written, and that it was directed to them.
Fortunately for us, he wrote the letter for our benefit as well. “God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” know us, and they knew in
advance not only would the Thessalonian church members need
instruction through this letter, but so would we. Let us open our
hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit of God as we prepare to be taught
by Him through Paul's words, and may we realize we too are “the
church” whom He loves.
Next
time Paul wishes the Thessalonians “grace and peace” in
his opening greeting, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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