The Thessalonians

[kwikphilly]

3 minutes ago, kwikphilly said:

Your didn't miss anything unless you didn't read the OP?The OP should explain what the Study was about- it was not about Paul's letters,we just ended up chatting as it wound down....

❤️My response above was just thinking out loud in reference to the last couple of posts from MrM👍

After you " de- clutter" perhaps you might want to share your " Harmony" in a New Topic,I'm sure we'd all enjoy it🤗

Also- you'd really like these discussions ,everyone brings so much to the table expounding on each other's input- very uplifting, Edifying & the Fellowship will warm your inners,lol.    Like we used to do ,remember how many great Discussions we've had over the years- 👍❤️

[kwikphilly]

3 minutes ago, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

Yes, I did read the OP but I'm asking questions and making comments as I go which might be answered already. I'm trying to play catch-up.

Lol---- no worries,I do the same quite often- I'm always delighted to see you Brother 😀

[Guest]

Source: ESV.org

New Testament Timeline

The following chart provides a detailed New Testament timeline. Most of the dates can be determined precisely by correlating biblical events with extensive historical documents and archaeological evidence. Dates with an asterisk denote approximate or alternative dates. The extensive external confirmation of New Testament dates and events encourages great confidence in the truth and historicity of both the Old and New Testaments.

5 b.c.*	Jesus is born in Bethlehem.
4 b.c.	Jesus’ family flees to Egypt to escape from Herod’s plan to kill Jesus (Matt. 2:13–18); Herod dies; Judas (of Sepphoris) and others rebel, requiring the Syrian Governor Varus to intervene throughout Palestine; Sepphoris, a city four miles from Nazareth, is destroyed by Roman soldiers; Judea, Samaria, and Idumea are given to Herod’s son, Archelaus; Galilee and Perea are given to his son Antipas; Jesus’ family, after returning from Egypt, resides in Nazareth (Matt. 2:19–23), a small village in southern Galilee.
a.d. 6	Archelaus is exiled for incompetence; Judea becomes a Roman province; Judas the Galilean (of Gamla) leads a revolt against the tax census; the governor of Syria, Quirinius (a.d. 6–7), appoints Annas high priest (6–15).
8*	Jesus (age 12) interacts with the teachers in the temple (Luke 2:41–50).
8*–28/30	Jesus works as a carpenter in Nazareth (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3) and probably in neighboring villages and Sepphoris, which was being rebuilt.
28–29*	John the Baptist begins his ministry around the Jordan River (John 1:19).
28–30*	Jesus begins his ministry in Judea, but soon focuses his efforts in Galilee. In Jerusalem, Pharisees (like Gamaliel) train disciples (like Paul) in their tradition. They send a delegation to Galilee, but the delegation rejects Jesus’ teaching. In Alexandria, Philo (20 b.c.–a.d. 50) attempts to unify Greek philosophy with Hebrew Scripture.
33 (or 30)	Jesus returns to Judea, is crucified, and resurrected. James the brother of Jesus becomes a believer after witnessing the resurrected Jesus (1 Cor. 15:7; Acts 12:17). Jesus ascends to the Father’s right hand (Acts 1). Jesus’ first followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and begin to proclaim the gospel (Acts 2).
33/34*	Paul witnesses the resurrected Lord on the way to Damascus and is commissioned as an apostle to the nations (Acts 9; Gal. 1:15–16).
34–37	Paul ministers in Damascus and Arabia (Acts 9:19–22; 26:20; Gal. 1:16–18).
36	Pilate loses his position for incompetence.
36/37*	Paul meets with Peter in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18).
37–45	Paul ministers in Syria, Tarsus, and Cilicia (Acts 9:30; Gal. 1:21).
38*	Peter witnesses to Cornelius (Acts 10).
39	Antipas is exiled.
40–45*	James writes his letter to believers outside Palestine (see James 1:1).
41–44	Agrippa, Herod the Great’s grandson, rules Palestine; he kills James the brother of John (Acts 12:2) and imprisons Peter (Acts 12:3).
42–44	Paul receives his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7).
44	Peter leaves Jerusalem; Agrippa is killed by an “angel of the Lord” (Acts 12:23).
44–46	Theudas persuades many Jews to sell their possessions and follow him into the wilderness where he claimed he would miraculously divide the Jordan River; Roman procurator Fadus dispatches his cavalry and beheads the would-be messiah.
44–47*	Paul’s Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10).
46–47	Paul’s First Missionary Journey (with Barnabas) from Antioch to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, and Lystra (Acts 13:4–14:26).
46–48	Roman procurator Tiberius Alexander crucifies two sons (Jacob and Simon) of Judas the Galilean.
48*	Paul writes Galatians, perhaps from Antioch (see Acts 14:26–28).
48–49*	Paul and Peter return to Jerusalem for the Apostolic Council, which, with the assistance of James, frees Gentile believers from the requirement of circumcision in opposition to Pharisaic believers (Acts 15:1–29); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30) but split over a dispute about John Mark (Acts 15:36–40).
48/49–51*	Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (with Silas) from Antioch to Syria, Cilicia, southern Galatia, Macedonia, notably Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea; and then on to Achaia, notably Athens and Corinth (Acts 15:36–18:22).
49	Claudius expels Jews from Rome because of conflicts about Jesus (Acts 18:2); Paul befriends two refugees, Priscilla and Aquila, in Corinth (Acts 18:2–3).
49–51*	Paul writes 1–2 Thessalonians from Corinth (Acts 18:1, 11; also compare Acts 18:5 with 1 Thess. 1:8).
51	Paul appears before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12–17).
50–54*	Peter comes to Rome.
52–57*	Paul’s Third Missionary Journey from Antioch to Galatia, Phrygia, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece (Acts 18:23–21:17).
52–55	Paul ministers in Ephesus (Acts 19:1–20).
53–55*	Mark writes his Gospel, containing Peter’s memories of Jesus; perhaps within a decade, Matthew publishes his Gospel, which relies on Mark and other sources. Paul writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus (Acts 19:10).

54	Claudius dies (edict exiling Jews repealed); Priscilla and Aquila return to Rome and host a church in their home (see Rom. 16:3–5).
54–68	Nero reigns.
55–56*	Paul writes 2 Corinthians from Macedonia (Acts 20:1, 3; 2 Cor. 1:16; 2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2, 4; see 1 Cor. 16:5).
57*	Paul winters in Corinth and writes Romans (Acts 20:3; see Rom. 16:1–2; also see Rom. 16:23 with 1 Cor. 1:14); travels to Je­­ru­salem (Acts 21:1–16), visits with James the brother of Jesus (Acts 21:17–26), and is arrested (Acts 21:27–36; 22:22–29).
57–59	Paul is imprisoned and transferred to Caesarea (Acts 23:23–24, 33–34).
60	Paul begins voyage to Rome (Acts 27:1–2); he is shipwrecked for three months on the island of Malta (Acts 27:39–28:10).
60–70*	Letter to the Hebrews is written.
62	James the brother of the Lord is executed by the Sadducean high priest Ananus.
62–63*	Peter writes his first letter (1 Peter) from Rome (1 Pet. 5:13).
62*	Paul arrives in Rome and remains under house arrest (Acts 28:16–31); he writes Ephesians (see verses for Colossians), Philippians (Phil. 1:7, 13, 17; 4:22), Colossians (Col. 4:3, 10, 18; see Acts 27:2 with Col. 4:10), Philemon (see Philem. 23 with Col. 1:7; Philem. 2 with Col. 4:17; Philem. 24 with Col. 4:10; also see Col. 4:9). Luke, Paul’s physician and companion (see Col. 4:14), writes Luke and Acts.
62–64	Paul is released, extends his mission (probably reaching Spain), writes 1 Timothy from Macedonia (see 1 Tim. 1:3) and Titus from Nicopolis (Titus 3:12); he is rearrested in Rome (2 Tim. 1:16–17).
63–64	Work on the temple complex is completed.
64 (July 19)	Fire in Rome; Nero blames and kills many Christians.
64–67*	Peter writes his second letter ( 2 Peter). Jude writes his letter. Paul writes 2 Timothy (see 2 Tim. 4:6–8). Paul and Peter are martyred in Rome.
66	First Jewish-Roman War begins with a riot between Greeks and Jews at Caesarea; Roman procurator Gesius Florus (a.d. 64–66) is murdered and a Roman garrison wiped out; Menahem, son or grandson of Judas the Galilean, murders the high priest Ananias and seizes control of the temple; Nero dispatches Vespasian with three legions.
67*	Romans destroy the Qumran community, who beforehand hid the so-called Dead Sea Scrolls in nearby caves; the church in Jerusalem flees to Pella (Matt. 24:15–16; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20–22); John migrates to Ephesus with Mary, Jesus’ mother.
68	Nero commits suicide; year of the three emperors.
69	Rebellion quelled in Galilee and Samaria; Vespasian summoned back to Rome to become emperor.
70 (Aug. 30)	Titus, Vespasian’s son, after a five-month siege of Jerusalem, destroys the temple after desecrating it; the temple’s menorah, Torah, and veil are removed and later put on display in a victory parade in Rome; the influence of the Sadducees ends; the Pharisee Johanan ben Zakkai escapes and convinces the Romans to allow him and others to settle in Jamnia, where they found a school.
73 (May 2)*	Before Roman general Silva breaches the fortress atop Masada following a two-year siege, 936 Jewish rebels commit suicide.
75	Titus has an affair with the Jewish princess Berenice, sister of Agrippa II (Acts 25:13, 23), whom he later abandons because of the scandal.
77	Pliny the Elder writes Natural History.
77–78	Josephus publishes Jewish War in Rome.
79	Pompeii and Herculaneum are destroyed by eruption of Vesuvius; Pliny the Elder dies attempting to investigate.
81	The Arch of Titus, celebrating his destruction of the temple, is erected in Rome.
81–96	Domitian, Titus’s brother, persecutes Christians among the Roman nobility, including his own relatives Clemens and Domitilla.
85–95*	John writes his letters (1–3 John), probably in Ephesus.
89–95*	John writes his Gospel, probably in Ephesus.
93–94	Josephus publishes Jewish Antiquities in Rome.
94	Domitian exiles philosophers from Rome.
95*	Amidst persecution, Clement, a leader in the Roman church, writes his Letter to the Corinthians (1 Clement) appealing for peace between the young men and elders.
95–96*	Exiled by Domitian to Patmos, John writes Revelation (Rev. 1:9).
96–98	Nerva, the first of five “good” emperors, ends official persecution.

[Mr. M]

1 hour ago, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

Where is the epistle to Laodicea? Did I miss something?

I think we all have...

[blessings from above]

I like thessalonians 4 because it relates to protecting your vessel against the outside force. Sometimes content written online or through online videos portrays immoral lust to online viewers. Also the verse relates to lust is conceived brings forth death.

[Mr. M]

13 hours ago, blessings from above said:

Also the verse relates to lust is conceived brings forth death.

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

[Mr. M]

On 3/27/2023 at 10:08 AM, blessings from above said:

I like thessalonians 4 because it relates to protecting your vessel against the outside force. Sometimes content written online or through online videos portrays immoral lust to online viewers. Also the verse relates to lust is conceived brings forth death.

There is a play on words found in 1 Thessalonians 4,

if you get past the translation.

1 Thessalonians 4:8 whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. 

Some translations use much harsher wording than

“disregards”, such as despises.

This is unnecessary, since the word simply means

“to set aside”.

You need not despise God or reject his Word

to neglect His Spirit.

Herein lies the wordplay:

1 Thessalonians 4:4 Each of you should know how

to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor... 

1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us unto

uncleanness, but unto holiness.

The word sanctification means “to be set aside”

for God’s use.

So Paul is saying if you set aside his instruction you

set aside God, not his instructions.

Then he adds, “Who has given us His Holy Spirit” to

emphasize that this is the work of God’s Spirit in you.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks

always to God for you brethren beloved of the Lord

because God has from the beginning chosen you

to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit

and belief of the Truth.

[G114] atheteo= set aside, neglect, reject

Hebrews 10:

28 Anyone who has neglected (set aside) Moses’ law

died without mercy on the testimony  of two

or three witnesses. 

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose,

will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son

of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant

by which he was sanctified as common, 

and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Edited March 29, 2023 by Mr. M
amend text

[MichaelSnow]

 Very nice layout of history from Acts.

I just wrote this post recently. It gives a pattern on how we ought to begin the study of any epistle. It is on 1 Thess.

https://textsincontext.wordpress.com/2023/03/15/on-i-thessalonians-not-leaving-context-behind/

[Charles R. Sabo]

I have written a Bible Commentary on both epistles to the Thessalonians and would like to point out something very important to ponder upon. Please do not be offended, but investigate my findings to confirm what I have concluded. The Bible Commentary includes both epistles, and my introduction is as follows:

Introduction

 

Thessalonica was the largest city in Macedonia, thus became the capital city of that province in the Roman Empire. Situated between the Adriatic Sea and the classical Hellespont, Thessalonica was found at the head of the Thermaic Gulf; its fine harbor made it a major outlet for trade in Macedonia, which brought many roads leading to and from.[1] It was originally named Therma, because of its hot springs. General Cassander had named a place next to Therma after his wife, Thessalonica (1/2 sister of Alexander the Great) in 315 B.C.;[2] eventually, the city of Thessalonica became very prosperous, swallowed up Therma, and they became one city.[3] After the Romans took control of the Greek cities, they recognized the importance of Thessalonica and named it the capital of one of the four sections that they had divided Macedonia into; then later, the Romans transformed the four provinces into just the one and Thessalonica became the capital of all of Macedonia.[4] Even while Romans were there in Thessalonica, it remained Greek in its traditions and culture.[5] Because Greek Hellenism was the dominant religion of Asia Minor and the Mediterranean coastal cities, Rome and its surrounding ports were influenced as well.

The Apostle Paul had faced some of his biggest challenges in attempting to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who were already entrenched in the religion that the cultures of Asia and Europe had trusted in for many generations. With adversarial Jews following Paul just to ruin his endeavors in teaching the Gentiles of the Triune Godhead, he faced responses induced by these Jews, who attempted to make sure the gospel of Christ would be rejected. 

As you read Acts 16:10, you will notice that Luke included himself (we) for the first time in his writings in Acts. In Acts 16:7, Luke wrote them as the pronoun “they,” followed by verses 16:8-10, when he then included himself as “we.” It is believed that Luke met Paul for the first time in Troas and went on the journey with Paul from Troas to Philippi. Acts 16:10 also acknowledges that they immediately followed the call from the Lord to proceed to Macedonia. It is believed that Luke remained behind in Philippi, then when Paul returned back on his next missionary journey, Luke rejoined with Paul in Philippi.

The Apostle Paul wrote two known letters to the church in Thessalonica, and must be read together in a story line concerning events transpiring during Paul’s missionary journeys through Asia Minor in the first century. One must understand that just because church authorities have named the letters as 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians, it does necessarily mean that this was the chronological order in which they were written (typically, the longer epistle is named as first).[6] In support of the belief that 2 Thessalonians was indeed the first of the two letters, a reader should recognize that the recipients are addressed to be enduring persecution (2 Thess. 1:4, 5, 7), while 1 Thessalonians implies that the persecution was in the past (1 Thess. 1:6; 2:14).[7]

Because Paul was preaching Christ as King, the Jewish adversaries cleverly proclaimed to the Thessalonians that this was contrary to the decrees of Caesar (Acts 17:7). It seems that Paul was not in Thessalonica just briefly, because he had rejoiced in his epistle to the Philippians for their generosity in sending him gifts to him while he was in Thessalonica (Phil. 4:15-16). When persecution had begun in Thessalonica, the Christian brethren rushed Paul and Silas out of Thessalonica to Be-re’a. After the Jews followed, they stirred up the Be-re’ans, thus he was sent off to Athens (Acts 17:13-15). After Paul spoke to Athenians (Acts 17:18-34), while waiting for Timothy and Silas to join him, he left Athens and came to Corinth (Acts 18:1). During his eighteen-month stay in Corinth, Timothy and Silas came from Macedonia and joined him (Acts. 18:5-11). It is not documented anywhere concerning the delivery of the first letter (2 Thessalonians) to the Thessalonians, but it is possible that the correspondence that occurred in Acts 17:15 may have been for Timothy and Silas to join Paul in Athens; then Paul sent them back to Thessalonica accompanied with the first letter to be delivered (2 Thessalonians); this had to be before Timothy and Silas departed for Corinth, from Macedonia (Acts 18:5).

 

1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

² And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: (1 Thess. 3:1-2)

 

Since Paul indicated in 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 that he sent Timothy to them from Athens, it makes the most sense that the persecution of the saints was still being endured in Thessalonica and Be-re’a. Paul wrote the first letter to the Thessalonians for Timothy to hand deliver, which is now known as 2 Thessalonians.[8] Because there were questions that the Thessalonians had after reading the letter (2 Thessalonians), Timothy delivered the concerns when he met Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5).[9] As Paul became relieved that the Thessalonians had begun to spread the gospel, he wrote them back from Corinth, which is now known as 1 Thessalonians.[10]

 

 ⁶ And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

⁷ So that you were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thess. 1:6-7)

 

Timothy’s report back from Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:6), after the first letter that he had delivered, brought the many questions and concerns to Paul; he then felt compelled to respond back with his second letter (1 Thessalonians) setting them straight concerning the rapture (harpazo) of the church. What is now known as 2 Thessalonians, Paul had given the timing of the rapture of the church (2 Thess. 2:1-8), which had brought the concern for their deceased friends and family. Because 2 Thessalonians was written first and provided the timing of the “day of the Lord” concerning the removal of the church, it stimulated the Thessalonians questions and concerns towards their already dead brethren (1 Thess. 4:13-15). They were concerned about their loved ones, who had already died (slept), having thought that they would miss out on being “caught up together” (harpazo in Greek; rapturo in Latin) with the church.[11] ^“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” (1 Thess. 4:13) The second letter (1 Thessalonians) answered their concerns, as Paul had explained that the dead in Christ shall rise first (1 Thess. 4:16).

In addition to the concerns for the church in Thessalonica, Timothy had brought reports that the pagan sexual values had to be corrected, which Paul addressed concerning Christian purity in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7. This was something that converts from Greek paganism were having difficulty in obeying.[12] The excitement concerning the eminence of the rapture (harpazo) of the church, had caused some to decline in their responsibilities to continue in their daily work (1 Thess. 4:11-12). Paul had warned them in the first letter (2 Thess. 3:10-12) to stay away from those who were “busybodies,” who walked disorderly, and did not work. In the follow-up letter (1 Thessalonians), Paul urged them to continue to work (as we commanded you) (1 Thess. 4:13-15). Thus, Paul’s focus was different between the two letters, because the first letter commanded them to stay away from the lazy “busybodies,” while the follow-up letter commanded them to continue to work.

The church of Christianity has faced challenges in the last two millenniums in understanding the interpretation of Bible prophecy from both the Old Testament and the New. The attempt in understanding biblical doctrines has been faced with adversarial attacks, which confuses the church in correct dogma. Even letters written directly to the church body have been twisted and misunderstood in their explicit details. Spiritual gifts enable one person to be capable of correct interpretation, while others without will incorrectly decipher the explanation of what God had intended.

The rapture (harpazo) of the church has been debated by believers and non-believers for many centuries. The doctrine of the rapture itself has been debated, as non-believers in the rapture deny its concepts. The timing of the rapture, concerning the seven-year Seventieth Week of Daniel 9:27, has also been debated. The Pre-Tribulation Rapture, Mid-Tribulation Rapture, and Post-Tribulation Rapture have adamant followers, who argue the interpretation of certain key verses in the Scriptures. Within the letter known as 2 Thessalonians, are verses that are key in the timing of the rapture (harpazo). Many have only believed what others have preached to them, while not thoroughly investigating as I have; the Holy Spirit will lead them to the truth of the doctrine known as the rapture, if they were to investigate the Old and New Testament together, in order to see the Resurrection of Life (Jn. 5:28-29) in its intended interpretation. In writing of this commentary, I have thoroughly investigated and properly interpreted the verses, in order to reveal what the Holy Spirit has provided to me.

 

---

[1] L. Morris, The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, (Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1991), 2.

[2] Ibid. 

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Bard, Mitchell. Jewish Virtual Library. webpage accessed 1/6/2015: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/myths3/MF1948.html, 2015.

[7] F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdsmann Publishing Company, 1977), 228-229.

[8] Ibid., 229.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid., 229-230.

[12] Ibid., 229.

[MichaelSnow]

RE: Above "Introduction" which puts 2 Thess. as written before 1 Thess.

For a good presentation of the different views, see Morris, New International Commentary on the NT, Thessalonians. Kummel holds that 1 Thess. 2:17-3:10 "could stand only in the first letter to the congregation.:"

https://textsincontext.wordpress.com/2023/04/20/god-did-not-appoint-us-to-wrath/