2 Thessalonians 1:1-4

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

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

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

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

đź’ˇHow to do your quiet time


Paul likely wrote this letter shortly (within a year) after his first letter to the church at Thessalonica which would date it around A.D. 50-51. It is believed that Paul wrote this letter from Corinth because that is the last time the Bible notes that Paul, Silas, and Timothy were together (Acts 18:5) though it is possible they were together again after that. Paul took the opportunity to praise God for the church’s ongoing faithfulness and increased love for one another, but his main purpose was to correct a doctrinal error that had begun to creep into the church. A misunderstanding about the day of the Lord seems to have led some believers to quit working in expectation of Jesus’ return.

Paul begins his letter in a typical Greek style beginning with the author and his companions, stating the intended recipients, and including a salutation. Paul was the author. He included Silvanus and Timothy but referred to himself in the singular through most of the letter. The recipients were the believers in the church at Thessalonica who are stated to be in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. A church is the assembly of those who are in Jesus Christ by faith and therefore children of God. Paul wished that they experience grace and peace. Grace is God’s unmerited favour which is given to those who accept Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross by faith. Peace is something we can experience even in the face of persecution because through Jesus, we have been reconciled with God. We also have the peace of God when we abide in Christ and experience His work in our lives.

Paul felt compelled to give thanks continually for the believers in Thessalonica because their faith was growing and their love for one another continued to increase. Faith for salvation is a once-off event but as we live the Christian life and trust God to work in our lives, our faith should increase as we experience His goodness and steadfast love. The outflow of deepening love for God should result in a growing love for those around us. Because of their testimony, Paul and his missionary team used the church as an example to other believers and boasted of their steadfastness and faith in the face of the persecution and the difficulties they were facing.

The Thessalonians clearly had their focus on God and not on their situation. Because of this perspective, they were growing in faith and able to remain steadfast in the face of difficulty. Where is your focus? Take a moment to reflect on how God has shown His faithfulness in your life. How does that change your perspective of your current situation?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Abraham and Lot: Genesis 13-14