Holiness and Hope in a Pagan World

In writing to the Thessalonians, Paul initially assumes being the principal writer, but

throughout the letter, Silvanus and Timothy are always involved. A collective “Paul” makes this

question of authorship simpler. Paul identifies the Church he is writing to as being not only in

Christ, but also in God the Father, thus showing in the letter the Trinitarian character of the God

whom the Thessalonians experienced and believed in.

In the first part of the letter, Paul is happy and grateful for the conversion of the

Thessalonians, and especially the steadfastness in spite of the difficulty of persecution. Paul

acknowledges God’s gracious election of the Thessalonians, and the Thessalonians’ response to

this election. Paul summarizes the Gospel that was preached in Thessalonians as thus: turn away

from idols, serve the one God, and wait for God’s Son. In this way, Paul links the God he

preached to the God of Israel, and of the Messiah who delivers those who turn to God from

future wrath. For this Gospel, Paul says that the Thessalonians were joyful in their response in

turning away from idols and turning towards God. The Thessalonians’ conversion can be

summarized in three dimensions: Faith, Hope, and Love; and further, as an experience of the

Trinitarian God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thessalonians relate to the Father as the one who

chose and loves them, the Son who saves them, and the Spirit who empowers them. Perhaps this

relationship with God gave them the steadfastness to stand against persecution.

Paul’s ministry was not easy in Thessalonica. His motives have also been questioned.

Paul resorts to his previous sufferings and their steadfastness towards their message in spite of

difficulty to establish his motives, and his sincerity in his ministry to Thessalonians. Paul here

speaks of apostleship as not “lording it over them,” but of selfless service out of love for the
gospel. Paul also establishes a common bond of suffering for those who are faithful to God as the

prophets, the other Churches, his own team, and Jesus himself suffered out of faithfulness. This

is to console the suffering and to assure them of companionship.

Having established a bond with them, and having cleared his motives of selfless service

to them, he also assured them of continued solicitude and care, even in his absence. To check up

on the Thessalonians, Paul sent Timothy. This is also out of fear that the Thessalonians are losing

heart in the face of persecution. Timothy brought back the good news of unfailing faithfulness

and love, and their esteem for Paul and his team. Paul affirms the Thessalonians, and tells them

that their steadfastness encourages Paul and his team.

The rest of the letter is devoted instructions on the fostering of this growth in the faith of

the Thessalonians. This instruction is to serve God while waiting for the Son.

The Thessalonians were living as Christians in a pagan culture. Compared to this pagan

culture, they are instructed to live holy lives. Comparable to those of pagans, Christians must live

in a different way, especially aware of their identity as children of everlasting life. The

Thessalonians are instructed to life lives of sexual purity and love for others. This distinguishes

them from the present pagan culture.

Sexual purity is to abstain from any sexual immorality – to be pure rather than lustful, so

as to live a life different from those “who do not know God.” This view of sexuality also

safeguards genuine love for one’s brothers and sisters – against exploitation and objectification.

Paul also extends mutual love and respect between brothers and sisters in Christ within

the community of believers – especially for the needy. They are to work for the good of all, and

not just be idly waiting for the coming of the messiah.

 Paul’s preaching of the coming of the Son of God to save them provides them hope in the

midst of difficulty. This also gives them the directives of living a moral life – mindful of their

waiting for the coming messiah. Paul’s preaching offered hope in the light of the resurrection of

Jesus and of his future coming. In the light of those among them who have died while still

waiting for the coming of the Lord, he tells them that they will rise again and will be the first to

see the Lord. Finally, all believers are destined to be with the Lord forever.

Towards the end of his letter, Paul leaves with the Thessalonians a list of admonitions

about life in communion: behavior toward various groups of people and manners of actions in

the liturgical assembly. These are characterized by joy, prayer and thanksgiving, which are God’s

will and to be done without ceasing.

You did a good job summarizing the key ideas of the reading assignment. 92