1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
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Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- Chapter I, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
- IV.12, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- Chapter XXIV, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, Tertullian (c. 211)
- XIV.1, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
- Commentary by St John Chrysostom:
- Homily I
  - "...what labor is it to love? Merely to love is no labor at all. But to love genuinely is great labor."
- Homily II
  - "As a sweet-smelling ointment keeps not its fragrance shut up in itself, but diffuses it afar, and scenting the air with its perfume, so conveys it also to the senses of the neighbors; so too illustrious and admirable men do not Shut up their virtue within themselves, but by their good report benefit many, and render them better."
- From the Geneva Notes.
  - "Paul shows by two things that there followed very great fruit from his preaching, that is, by these gifts of the Holy Spirit, and that certain assurance which was thoroughly settled in their minds, as appeared by their willingly bearing the cross."
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  - "Unless the Spirit of God comes with the word of God, it will be to us a dead letter."
- From Wesley's Notes.
  - "Faith works, love labours, hope patiently suffers all things."
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  - "...the living and true God--as opposed to the dead and false gods from which they had 'turned.'"
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
  - "Until after Jerusalem was destroyed the churches waited, as though the Lord would soon be revealed. We should still wait, "watch and pray." We know not the hour when he may either come, or we be called to him."
Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
- Commentary, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Amy L.B. Peeler, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
  - "“I really can’t say enough good about you!” So echoes Paul’s sentiment at the beginning of Thessalonians.."
- "Steadfastness of Hope," Connections, 2017.
  - "Hope means much more to me than wishful thinking or unmet desires. It is a lifeline keeping me afloat in a world that is often disappointing and frightening."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
  - "Scholars differ on most everything, of course, but it is possible that 1 Thessalonians was the first of Paulâ€™s epistles."
- Commentary, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Michael Joseph Brown, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
  - "If anything, this letter is about relationship and imitation. Paul makes this clear from the beginning."
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
- Commentary, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Holly Hearon, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
  - "It can be tempting, when we receive the 'word', to think that we have received a special revelation, understood only by God and ourselves, and we allow this to become a justification for all we do and think. But the Holy Spirit moves in others as well as ourselves."
- Commentary, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Richard Ascough, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
  - "The content of the Gospel is grounded in faith and action?faith insofar as one must accept the message of the return of Jesus, and action insofar as one must turn away from the practices of idolatry. The presentation of the Gospel is found in words and action."
- "First Thoughts on Year A Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 19, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  - "...these verses do give a reduced version of the gospel. It is so reduced as to distort the focus of the good news and should probably not be treated as an adequate summary. It is after all just an aspect of what Paul is saying and emphasizes a change of direction."
- Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Proper 24. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
- October 17 - 21st Sunday after Pentecost, David S. Jacobsen, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, in Preaching Apocalyptic Texts: Year A, Resources for Pastors Who Want to 'Preach in the New Creation'.
  - "Please notice: the text does not say: Jesus will deliver us from the coming wrath, but delivers us in the present tense. In other words, the "coming wrath" is not some purely future event, it is coming already, even now."
- "Faith, Hope and Love," "Christian Life and Faith," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- "The Power of Christian Example," "The Struggle of Faith," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel.
  - "When have you been open to others lately? How has your hospitality and generosity helped you share the message of Jesus with others?"
- The Salutation, and The Commendation and Thanksgiving, from An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary on 1 Thessalonians, by J. Hampton Keathley III at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
  - "...the changed lives of these Thessalonian believers is also a witness to the ministry of dedicated people who, believing in and resting in the power of His Word, were willing to give their lives as living sacrifices to the Lord and to others in preaching and teaching this Word.
- Jesus Now, Proper (Ordinary) 31A, lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
- "Apocalyptic Discourse in I Thessalonians," by James D. Hester. Pre-print article at Corpus Paulinum. (Not to be cited without permission of the author.)
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
- Easley, Kendell H., "The Pauline Usage of PNEUMATI as a Reference to the Spirit of God," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1984.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- England, Frank, "An Excuse or an Opportunity?" Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1995.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Malherbe, Abraham J., "Paul: Hellenistic Philosopher or Christian Pastor?" American Theological Library Association Summary of Proceedings, 1985.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Wallace, Daniel B., "A Textual Problem in 1 Thessalonians 1:10: EK TNS ORGNS VS APO TNS ORGNS," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1990.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Sermons:
- The power of God, Janice Scott, The Village Shepherd
- "1 Thessalonians 1:1-10," Harry Knox, Chicago Theological Seminary, Human Rights Campaign.
With Children:
- "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," October 19, 2014, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Exodus 33:12-33 and Images of God For Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 and Corduroy Writes a Letter by Alison Inches, Matthew 22:15-22 and Church Harvest Mess-tival by MikeThaler. 2011.
- Worshiping with Children, Proper 24, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2011.
Drama:
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
Hymns and Music:
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: 1 Thessalonians . The Cyber Hymnal.
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
Study Links and Resources for the Book of 1 Thessalonians