Recent commentaries

What Kind of Future Does The Unbeliever Face?

II Thessalonians 1:6–1:12
The apparent prosperity of the wicked and the difficulty of the godly has caused many to question “Why,” through the centuries. Certainly the wicked who persecute the godly have not always received visible judgment in this life. As Christians we must live “with ... Read more

The Keys to Surviving Persecution

II Thessalonians 1:1–1:5
II Thessalonians is primarily a letter of correction. It contains correction concerning persecution in chapter one, concerning prophecy chapter two and concerning practice chapter three. Along with persecutions on the outside, the church was facing problems on the inside ... Read more

The Elements of Worship

I Thessalonians 5:23–5:28
Notice how many times prayer is mentioned. Paul prayed that the God of peace will keep them from profane things, make them pure and consecrated to God and completely blameless at the coming of Christ (vv 23-24). He also requested that the Christians pray for him (v. 25). After the worship services are over, the Christians ... Read more

Exhortations For Holy Living

I Thessalonians 5:16–5:22
In this portion of Scripture Paul deals with attitudes. He exhorts us to: 1. Be joyful (v. 16). Joy takes the burden out of service. It does not depend on circumstances, for in the world ... Read more

Responsibilities as Believers

I Thessalonians 5:12–5:15
It seems that there was a problem in the Thessalonian church that was caused by those who had stopped working, because of their belief in the nearness of the second coming. With this in mind Paul urges the Christians to listen to those who had positions of spiritual leadership in the church and were hard workers ... Read more

The Day of The Lord

I Thessalonians 5:1–5:11
Not only were these Thessalonian believers concerned about what would happen to their loved ones who died before the Lord’s return, but they wanted to know something about when this event which Paul had been speaking of would occur. He tries to show them that there are more impor … Read more

The Rapture of The Church

I Thessalonians 4:13–4:18
Evidently some of the believers had misunderstood Paul’s teaching concerning the Lord’s return and because of the terrible persecution they were going through, had concluded that they were already in the tribulation. Perhaps they had sent an inquiry to Paul concerning this matter and he is answering their question. He says he ... Read more

How Are You Showing Love to Others?

I Thessalonians 4:9–4:12
Though sexual impurity is a danger to be avoided (verses 3-8), loving other Christians is a practice to be cultivated (verses 9-12). Christians quickly learn that they have a special kinship with other believers that they do not have with those outside of God’s family. You will especially notice this if you live in a family where they ... Read more

A Plea For Purity

I Thessalonians 4:1–4:8
In this chapter Paul deals with morals and conduct toward each other. Sexual standards were very low in the Roman Empire and in many parts of our society today they are not any higher. These Thessalonians lived in a pagan environment where sexual looseness was not only practiced openly but was encouraged. Prostitution and ... Read more

Remember Where You Came From

I Thessalonians 3:6–3:13
Timothy met Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5) and gave him the good news that things were going well at Thessaloniki and that the Christians were standing firm in spite of persecution. He also reported that the Thessalonians had good memories of them and desired greatly to see them (v. 6). This brought great joy to ... Read more

Paul’s Concern For The Believers

I Thessalonians 3:1–3:5
The ‘wherefore” (v. 1) that opens this chapter refers back to where Paul expressed his great love and concern for the believers (I Thess. 2:17-20). These new believers had to be taught and established in the faith. A key word in this chapter is “establish” (v. 2). Paul was not only an evangelist but he also had a pastor’s heart and so ... Read more

Persecution is Bound to Come

I Thessalonians 2:13–2:20
We must never treat the Bible as we would some other book (v. 13). This verse communicates the idea that the Word of God is to be taken by us. It means to welcome eagerly. When we receive the Bible, we’re saying that we acknowledge its authority. When we accept it, we are allowing it into our hearts so that we can be changed ... Read more

The Concerned Father

I Thessalonians 2:9–2:12
This passage gives us a beautiful example of New Testament follow-up. Paul shows us how to raise baby Christians. He considered himself a “spiritual father” to the believers at Thessaloniki. Paul, Silas and Timothy not only told the Christians at Thessaloniki how to live, they showed them how to live. Paul points out three of ... Read more

Paul’s Conduct

I Thessalonians 2:1–2:8
In today’s passage, Paul lays out what his conduct in Thessaloniki was by contrasting it against what it was not: Not in Vain (v. 1): Acts 17 records how Paul and Silas were able to plant a church in Thessaloniki despite ... Read more