The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV

by John MacArthur

  4:9 Onesimus. The runaway slave whose return to his master was the basis for Paul’s letter to Philemon (see Introduction to Philemon: Background and Setting).

  4:10 Aristarchus. The Gr. name of a Jewish (cf. v. 11) native of Thessalonica (Acts 20:4; 27:2). He was one of Paul’s companions who was seized by a rioting mob in Ephesus (Acts 19:29) and also accompanied Paul on his trip to Jerusalem and his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:2). Mark. See notes on Acts 13:5, 13; see Introduction to Mark: Author and Date. After having fallen out of favor with Paul for some time, Mark is seen here as one of Paul’s key helpers (cf. 2 Tim. 4:11).

  4:11 Jesus who is called Justus. Possibly one of the Roman Jews who believed Paul’s message (Acts 28:24). kingdom of God. See note on 1:13.

  4:12 Epaphras. See Introduction: Background and Setting. perfect and complete. His goal for the Colossian believers was the same as Paul’s (cf. 1:28—2:2).

  4:13 Laodicea. See note on 2:1. Hierapolis. A city in Phrygia 20 mi. W of Colosse and 6 mi. N of Laodicea (see Introduction: Background and Setting).

  4:14 Luke. Paul’s personal physician and close friend who traveled frequently with him on his missionary journeys and wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts (see Introductions to the Gospel of Luke and Acts: Author and Date). Demas. A man who demonstrated substantial commitment to the Lord’s work before the attraction of the world led him to abandon Paul and the ministry (2 Tim. 4:9, 10; Philem. 24).

  4:15 Nymphas and the church…in his house. Other manuscripts make the name feminine (Nympha) and indicate the church met in her house, probably in Laodicea.

  4:16 when this epistle is read among you. This letter was to be publicly read in the churches in Colosse and in Laodicea. epistle from Laodicea. A separate letter from Paul, usually identified as the epistle to the Ephesians. The oldest manuscripts of Ephesians do not contain the words “in Ephesus,” indicating that in all likelihood it was a circular letter intended for several churches in the region. Tychicus may have delivered Ephesians to the church at Laodicea first.

  4:17 Archippus. Most likely the son of Philemon (Philem. 2). Paul’s message to him to fulfill his ministry is similar to the exhortation to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:5).

  4:18 by my own hand. Paul usually dictated his letters to an amanuensis (recording secretary), but would often add his own greeting in his own writing at the end of his letters (cf. 1 Cor. 16:21; Gal. 6:11; 2 Thess. 3:17; Philem. 19). Remember my chains. See note on Phil. 1:16; see Introduction to Ephesians: Background and Setting. Cf. Heb. 13:3.

  Colossians 1

  1:1 a Eph. 1:1

  1:2 b 1 Cor. 4:17

  1:2 c Gal. 1:3

  1:2 1 NU omits and the Lord Jesus Christ

  1:3 d 1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:3

  1:4 e Eph. 1:15

  1:4 f (Heb. 6:10)

  1:5 g (1 Pet. 1:4)

  1:6 h Matt. 24:14

  1:6 i John 15:16

  1:6 j Eph. 3:2

  1:6 2 NU, M add and growing

  1:7 k Col. 4:12; Philem. 23

  1:7 l 1 Cor. 4:1, 2; 2 Cor. 11:23

  1:8 m Rom. 15:30

  1:9 n Eph. 1:15–17

  1:9 o 1 Cor. 1:5

  1:9 p (Rom. 12:2); Eph. 5:17

  1:9 q Eph. 1:8

  1:10 r Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:27; 1 Thess. 2:12

  1:10 s 1 Thess. 4:1

  1:10 t Heb. 13:21

  1:10 u 2 Pet. 3:18

  1:11 v (Eph. 3:16; 6:10)

  1:11 w Eph. 4:2

  1:11 x (Acts 5:41); 2 Cor. 8:2; (Heb. 10:34)

  1:12 y (Eph. 5:20)

  1:12 z Eph. 1:11

  1:13 a Eph. 6:12

  1:13 b 2 Pet. 1:11

  1:13 3 transferred

  1:14 c Eph. 1:7

  1:14 4 NU, M omit through His blood

  1:15 d 2 Cor. 4:4; Heb. 1:3

  1:15 e Ps. 89:27; Rev. 3:14

  1:16 f John 1:3; Heb. 1:2, 3

  1:16 g (Eph. 1:20, 21; Col. 2:15)

  1:16 h John 1:3; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 8:6; Heb. 2:10

  1:16 5 rulers

  1:16 6 authorities

  1:17 i (John 17:5)

  1:17 j Heb. 1:3

  1:18 k 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:22

  1:18 l Rev. 1:5

  1:19 m John 1:16

  1:20 n Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14

  1:20 o 2 Cor. 5:18

  1:20 p Eph. 1:10

  1:21 q (Eph. 2:1)

  1:21 r Titus 1:15

  1:21 s 2 Cor. 5:18, 19

  1:22 t 2 Cor. 5:18; (Eph. 2:14–16)

  1:22 u (Eph. 5:27); Col. 1:28

  1:23 v Eph. 3:17; Col. 2:7

  1:23 w (John 15:6); 1 Cor. 15:58

  1:23 x Mark 16:15; Acts 2:5; Rom. 10:18; Col. 1:6

  1:23 y Acts 1:17; Eph. 3:7; Col. 1:25

  1:24 z 2 Cor. 7:4

  1:24 a Eph. 3:1, 13

  1:24 b (Rom. 8:17; 2 Cor. 1:5; 12:15); Phil. 2:17

  1:24 c Eph. 1:23

  1:25 d Gal. 2:7

  1:25 7 dispensation or administration

  1:26 e (1 Cor. 2:7)

  1:26 f (2 Tim. 1:10)

  1:26 8 secret or hidden truth

  1:27 g 2 Cor. 2:14

  1:27 h Rom. 9:23

  1:27 i (Rom. 8:10, 11)

  1:27 j 1 Tim. 1:1

  1:27 9 M who

  1:28 k Acts 20:20

  1:28 l Eph. 5:27

  1:29 m Eph. 3:7

  Colossians 2

  2:1 a Phil. 1:30; Col. 1:29; 4:12; 1 Thess. 2:2

  2:1 1 struggle

  2:2 2 NU omits both of the Father and

  2:3 b 1 Cor. 1:24, 30

  2:4 c Rom. 16:18; 2 Cor. 11:13; Eph. 4:14; 5:6

  2:5 d 1 Thess. 2:17

  2:5 e 1 Cor. 14:40

  2:5 f 1 Pet. 5:9

  2:5 3 Lit. and seeing

  2:6 g 1 Thess. 4:1

  2:7 h Eph. 2:21

  2:7 4 NU omits in it

  2:8 i Gal. 1:14

  2:8 j Gal. 4:3, 9, 10; Col. 2:20

  2:8 5 Lit. plunder you or take you captive

  2:9 k (John 1:14); Col. 1:19

  2:9 6 in bodily form

  2:10 l (Eph. 1:20, 21; 1 Pet. 3:22)

  2:10 7 rule and authority

  2:11 m Deut. 10:16

  2:11 n Rom. 6:6; 7:24; Gal. 5:24; Col. 3:5

  2:11 8 NU omits of the sins

  2:12 o Rom. 6:4

  2:12 p Eph. 1:19, 20

  2:12 q Acts 2:24

  2:14 r (Eph. 2:15, 16); Col. 2:20

  2:14 9 certificate of debt with its

  2:15 s (Is. 53:12; Heb. 2:14)

  2:15 t Eph. 6:12

  2:16 u Rom. 14:3

  2:16 10 feast day

  2:17 v Heb. 8:5; 10:1

  2:17 11 Lit. body

  2:18 12 NU omits not

  2:19 w Eph. 4:15

  2:19 x Eph. 1:23; 4:16

  2:20 y Rom. 6:2–5

  2:20 z Gal. 4:3, 9

  2:20 13 NU, M omit Therefore

  2:21 a 1 Tim. 4:3

  2:22 b Is. 29:13; Matt. 15:9; Titus 1:14

  2:23 c Rom. 13:14; 1 Tim. 4:8

  2:23 14 severe treatment, asceticism

  Colossians 3

  3:1 a Rom. 6:5; Eph. 2:6; Col. 2:12

  3:1 b Ps. 68:18; 110:1; (Rom. 8:34); Eph. 1:20

  3:2 c (Matt. 6:19–21)

  3:3 d (Rom. 6:2; 2 Cor. 5:14; Gal. 2:20); Col. 2:20

  3:3 e (2 Cor. 5:7)

  3:4 f (1 John 3:2)

  3:4 g John 14:6

  3:4 h 1 Cor. 15:43

  3:5 i (Rom. 8:13)

  3:5 j (Rom. 6:13)

  3:5 k Eph. 5:3

  3:5 l Mark 7:21; 1 Cor. 6:9, 18; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 5:3, 5

  3:6 m Rom. 1:18; Eph. 5:6; Rev. 22:15

  3:6 n (Eph. 2:2)

  3:7 o 1 Cor. 6:11; (Eph. 2:2); Titus 3:3

  3:8 p Eph. 4:22; 1 Pet. 2:1

  3:10 q Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 4:16

  3:10 r (Rom. 8:29)

  3:10 s (Eph. 2:10)

  3:11 t Rom. 10:12; (1 Cor. 12:13); Gal. 3:27, 28

>   3:11 u Eph. 1:23

  3:12 v (1 Pet. 1:2)

  3:12 w Luke 1:78; Phil. 2:1; 1 John 3:17

  3:13 x (Mark 11:25)

  3:14 y 1 Pet. 4:8

  3:14 z (1 Cor. 13)

  3:14 a Eph. 4:3

  3:15 b (John 14:27; Phil. 4:7)

  3:15 c 1 Cor. 7:15

  3:15 d Eph. 4:4

  3:15 e (1 Thess. 5:18)

  3:16 f Eph. 5:19

  3:17 g 1 Cor. 10:31

  3:18 h 1 Pet. 3:1

  3:18 i (Col. 3:18—4:1; Eph. 5:22—6:9)

  3:19 j (Eph. 5:25; 1 Pet. 3:7)

  3:19 k Eph. 4:31

  3:20 l Eph. 6:1

  3:20 m Eph. 5:24

  3:21 n Eph. 6:4

  3:22 o Eph. 6:5; (1 Tim. 6:1); Titus 2:9; 1 Pet. 2:18

  3:23 p (Eccl. 9:10)

  3:24 q Eph. 6:8

  3:24 r 1 Cor. 7:22

  3:24 1 NU omits for

  3:25 s Rom. 2:11

  Colossians 4

  4:1 a Eph. 6:9

  4:2 b Luke 18:1

  4:2 c Col. 2:7

  4:3 d Eph. 6:19

  4:3 e 1 Cor. 16:9

  4:3 f Eph. 3:3, 4; 6:19

  4:3 g Eph. 6:20

  4:3 1 hidden truth

  4:5 h Eph. 5:15

  4:5 i (Matt. 10:16)

  4:5 j Eph. 5:16

  4:6 k Eccl. 10:12

  4:6 l Mark 9:50

  4:6 m 1 Pet. 3:15

  4:7 n Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12

  4:8 o Eph. 6:22

  4:8 2 NU you may know our circumstances and he may comfort

  4:9 p Philem. 10

  4:10 q Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Philem. 24

  4:10 r Acts 15:37; 2 Tim. 4:11

  4:12 s Col. 1:7; Philem. 23

  4:12 t Rom. 15:30

  4:12 u Matt. 5:48; 1 Cor. 2:6

  4:12 3 NU fully assured

  4:13 4 NU concern

  4:14 v 2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24

  4:14 w 2 Tim. 4:10

  4:15 x Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19

  4:15 5 NU Nympha

  4:15 6 NU her

  4:16 y 1 Thess. 5:27; 2 Thess. 3:14

  4:17 z Philem. 2

  4:17 a 1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:5

  4:18 b 1 Cor. 16:21; 2 Thess. 3:17

  4:18 c Heb. 13:3

  Introduction to First Thessalonians

  Title

  In the Greek NT, 1 Thessalonians is listed literally as “To the Thessalonians.” This represents the Apostle Paul’s first canonical correspondence to the church in the city of Thessalonica (cf. 1:1).

  Author and Date

  The Apostle Paul identified himself twice as the author of this letter (1:1; 2:18). Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy (3:2, 6), Paul’s traveling companions on the second missionary journey when the church was founded (Acts 17:1–9), were also mentioned in Paul’s greeting (1:1). Though Paul was the single inspired author, most of the first person plural pronouns (we, us, our) refer to all 3. However, during Timothy’s visit back to Thessalonica, they refer only to Paul and Silvanus (3:1, 2, 6). Paul commonly used such editorial plurals because the letters came with the full support of his companions.

  Paul’s authorship has not been questioned until recently by radical critics. Their attempts to undermine Pauline authorship have failed in light of the combined weight of evidence favoring Paul such as: 1) the direct assertions of Paul’s authorship (1:1; 2:18); 2) the letter’s perfect correlation with Paul’s travels in Acts 16–18; 3) the multitude of intimate details regarding Paul; and 4) the confirmation by multiple, early historical verifications starting with Marcion’s canon in A.D. 140.

  The first of Paul’s two letters written from Corinth to the church at Thessalonica is dated ca. A.D. 51. This date has been archeologically verified by an inscription in the temple of Apollos at Delphi (near Corinth) which dates Gallio’s service as proconsul in Achaia to A.D. 51–52 (Acts 18:12–17). Since Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia was probably written ca. A.D. 49–50, this was his second piece of canonical correspondence.

  Background and Setting

  Thessalonica (modern Salonica) lies near the ancient site of Therma on the Thermaic Gulf at the northern reaches of the Aegean Sea. This city became the capital of Macedonia (ca. 168 B.C.) and enjoyed the status of a “free city” which was ruled by its own citizenry (Acts 17:6) under the Roman Empire. Because it was located on the main east-west highway, Via Egnatia, Thessalonica served as the hub of political and commercial activity in Macedonia, and became known as “the mother of all Macedonia.” The population in Paul’s day reached 200,000 people.

  Paul had originally traveled 100 mi. from Philippi via Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica on his second missionary journey (A.D. 50; Acts 16:1—18:22). As his custom was upon arrival, he sought out the synagogue in which to teach the local Jews the gospel (Acts 17:1, 2). On that occasion, he dialogued with them from the OT concerning Christ’s death and resurrection in order to prove that Jesus of Nazareth was truly the promised Messiah (Acts 17:2, 3). Some Jews believed and soon after, Hellenistic proselytes and some wealthy women of the community also were converted (Acts 17:4). Mentioned among these new believers were Jason (Acts 17:5), Gaius (Acts 19:29), Aristarchus (Acts 20:4), and Segundus (Acts 20:4).

  Because of their effective ministry, the Jews had Paul’s team evicted from the city (Acts 17:5–9), so they went south to evangelize Berea (Acts 17:10). There Paul had a similar experience to Thessalonica with conversions followed by hostility, so the believers sent Paul away. He headed for Athens, while Silvanus and Timothy remained in Berea (Acts 17:11–14). They rejoined Paul in Athens (cf. Acts 17:15, 16 with 3:1), from which Timothy was later dispatched back to Thessalonica (3:2). Apparently, Silas afterwards traveled from Athens to Philippi while Paul journeyed on alone to Corinth (Acts 18:1). It was after Timothy and Silvanus rejoined Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5), that he wrote 1 Thessalonians in response to Timothy’s good report of the church.

  Paul undoubtedly had multiple reasons for writing, all coming out of his supreme concern for the flock from which he had been separated. Some of Paul’s purposes clearly included: 1) encouraging the church (1:2–10); 2) answering false allegations (2:1–12); 3) comforting the persecuted flock (2:13–16); 4) expressing his joy in their faith (2:17—3:13); 5) reminding them of the importance of moral purity (4:1–8); 6) condemning the sluggard lifestyle (4:9–12); 7) correcting a wrong understanding of prophetic events (4:13–5:11); 8) defusing tensions within the flock (5:12–15); and 9) exhorting the flock in the basics of Christian living (5:16–22).

  Historical and Theological Themes

  Both letters to Thessalonica have been referred to as “the eschatological epistles.” However, in light of their more extensive focus upon the church, they would better be categorized as the church epistles. Five major themes are woven together in 1 Thessalonians: 1) an apologetic theme with the historical correlation between Acts and 1 Thessalonians; 2) an ecclesiastical theme with the portrayal of a healthy, growing church; 3) a pastoral theme with the example of shepherding activities and attitudes; 4) an eschatological theme with the focus on future events as the church’s hope; and 5) a missionary theme with the emphasis on gospel proclamation and church planting.

  Interpretive Challenges

  Primarily the challenges for understanding this epistle involve the sections that are eschatological in nature: 1) the coming wrath (1:10; 5:9); 2) Christ’s return (2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23); 3) the rapture of the church (4:13–18); and 4) the meaning and time of the Day of the Lord (5:1–11).

  Outline

  I. Paul’s Greeting (1:1)

  II. Paul’s Personal Thoughts (1:2-3:13)

  A. Thanksgiving for the Church (1:2-10)

  B. Reminders for the Church (2:1-16)

  C. Concerns for the Church (2:17-3:13)

  III. Paul’s Practical Instructions (4:1-5:22)

  A. On Moral Purity (4:1-8)

  B. On Disciplined Living (4:9-12)

 
; C. On Death and the Rapture (4:13-18)

  D. On Holy Living and the Day of the Lord (5:1-11)

  E. On Church Relationships (5:12-15)

  F. On the Basics of Christian Living (5:16-22)

  IV. Paul’s Benediction (5:23, 24)

  V. Paul’s Final Remarks (5:25-28)

  The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the

  THESSALONIANS

  1 Thessalonians 1

  Greeting

  1Paul, aSilvanus, and Timothy,

  To the church of the bThessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

  Grace to you and peace 1from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  Their Good Example

  2cWe give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

  3remembering without ceasing dyour work of faith, elabor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

  4knowing, beloved brethren, fyour election by God.

  5For gour gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, hand in the Holy Spirit iand in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

  6And jyou became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, kwith joy of the Holy Spirit,

  7so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

  8For from you the word of the Lord lhas sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also min every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

  9For they themselves declare concerning us nwhat manner of entry we had to you, oand how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

  10and pto wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us qfrom the wrath to come.

  1 Thessalonians 2

  Paul’s Conduct

  (cf. Acts 17:1–9)

  1For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.

  2But 1even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at aPhilippi, as you know, we were bbold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

  3cFor our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

  4But as dwe have been approved by God eto be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, fnot as pleasing men, but God gwho tests our hearts.