TURNING FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT (1 THESSALONIANS 1:1–3:13)

These first three chapters of the book reveal Paul’s pastoral heart, setting forth his style of ministry and emphasizing diligence to the Christian calling not only as believers but also as ministers. As such, it’s especially appropriate for new converts who are trying to come to grips with their budding faith, as they look back on the lives they left and look at the new life they’re supposed to be living while they await the Lord’s return. It also provides crucial insights for young pastors and anybody involved in church ministry, as Paul reveals ministry strategies worthy of imitating.

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KEY TERMS IN 1 THESSALONIANS 1:1–3:13

mimētēs (μιμητής) [3402] “imitator,” “follower”

Before Christ ascended, He commissioned His disciples to “go . . . and make disciples of all the nations” (Matt. 28:19). In Paul’s teaching, discipleship involved imitation —following in the footsteps of a worthy example (1 Thes. 1:6; 2:14). In his teaching, believers are to be imitators of Paul (1 Cor. 4:16), as he was an imitator of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1), and thus they would be imitators of God (Eph. 5:1). Through this process of imitation or following the example of others, we become examples of Christ for others (1 Thes. 1:7).

kopos (κόπος) [2873] “labor,” “toil,” “weariness”

Paul is sometimes misread as pitting faith and works —or grace and labor —against each other, when, in fact, Paul saw a close relationship between faith and hard work in the Christian life. In 1 Thessalonians Paul commends the believers for their “work of faith and labor [kopos] of love” (1:3) and reminds them of his own “labor [kopos] and hardship” (2:9). Paul uses a Greek term that means “to engage in activity that is burdensome.”[4] Yes, salvation is by grace through faith alone, apart from works (Eph. 2:8-9), but true believers are exhorted to labor —even toil —faithfully and lovingly for the sake of the Savior who saved them at His own great expense.

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