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Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1 verses 6–10
In these words we have the evidence of the apostle's success among the Thessalonians, which was notorious and famous in several places. For,
I. They were careful in their holy conversation to imitate the good examples of the apostles and ministers of Christ, Th1 1:6. As the apostle took care to demean himself well, not only for his own credit's sake, but for the benefit of others, by a conversation suitable to his doctrine, that he might not pull down with one hand what he built up with the other, so the Thessalonians, who observed what manner of men they were among them, how their preaching and living were all of a piece, showed a conscientious care to be followers of them, or to imitate their good example. Herein they became also followers of the Lord, who is the perfect example we must strive to imitate; and we should be followers of others no further than they are followers of Christ, Co1 11:1. The Thessalonians acted thus, notwithstanding their affliction, that much affliction which the apostles and themselves also were exposed to. They were willing to share in the sufferings that attended the embracing and professing of Christianity. They entertained the gospel, notwithstanding the troubles and hardships which attended the preachers and professors of it too. Perhaps this made the word more precious, being dear - bought; and the examples of the apostles shone very bright under their afflictions; so that the Thessalonians embraced the word cheerfully, and followed the example of the suffering apostles joyfully, with joy in the Holy Ghost - such solid and spiritual and lasting joy as the Holy Ghost is the author of, who, when our afflictions abound, makes our consolations much more to abound.
II. Their zeal prevailed to such a degree that they were themselves examples to all about them, Th1 1:7, Th1 1:8. Observe here,
1.Their example was very effectual to make good impressions upon many others. They were tupoi - stamps, or instruments to make impression with. They had themselves received good impressions from the preaching and conversation of the apostles, and they made good impressions, and their conversation had an influence upon others. Note, Christians should be so good as by their example to influence others.
2.It was very extensive, and reached beyond the confines of Thessalonica, even to the believers of all Macedonia, and further, in Achaia; the Philippians, and others who received the gospel before the Thessalonians, were edified by their example. Note, Some who were last hired into the vineyard may sometimes outstrip those who come in before them, and become examples to them.
3.It was very famous. The word of the Lord, or its wonderful effects upon the Thessalonians, sounded, or was famous and well known, in the regions round about that city, and in every place; not strictly every where, but here and there, up and down in the world: so that, from the good success of the gospel among them, many others were encouraged to entertain it, and to be willing, when called, to suffer for it. Their faith was spread abroad. (1.) The readiness of their faith was famed abroad. These Thessalonians embraced the gospel as soon as it was preached to them; so that every body took notice what manner of entering in among them the apostles had, that there were no such delays as at Philippi, where it was a great while before much good was done. (2.) The effects of their faith were famous. [1.] They quitted their idolatry; they turned from their idols, and abandoned all the false worship they had been educated in. [2.] They gave themselves up to God, to the living and true God, and devoted themselves to his service. [3.] They set themselves to wait for the Son of God from heaven, Th1 1:10. And this is one of the peculiarities of our holy religion, to wait for Christ's second coming, as those who believe he will come and hope he will come to our joy. The believers under the Old Testament waited for the coming of the Messiah, and believers now wait for his second coming; he is yet to come. And there is good reason to believe he will come, because God has raised him from the dead, which is full assurance unto all men that he will come to judgment, Act 17:31. And there is good reason to hope and wait for his coming, because he has delivered us from the wrath to come. He came to purchase salvation, and will, when he comes again, bring salvation with him, full and final deliverance from sin, and death, and hell, from that wrath which is yet to come upon unbelievers, and which, when it has once come, will be yet to come, because it is everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels, Mat 25:41.
"And to wait," he says, "for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivereth us from the wrath to come." "And to wait," he says, "for His Son from heaven"; Him that was crucified, Him that was buried; to wait for Him from heaven. And how "from heaven"? "Whom He raised from the dead." You see all things at the same time; both the Resurrection, and the Ascension, and the second Coming, the Judgment, the retribution of the just, the punishment of the wicked. "Jesus," he says, "which delivereth us from the wrath to come." This is at once comfort, and exhortation, and encouragement. For if He raised Him from the dead, and He is in heaven, and thence will come, (and ye believed in Him; for if ye had not believed in Him, ye would not have suffered so much), this of itself is sufficient comfort. These shall suffer punishment, which he says in his second epistle, and you will have no small consolation.
And to "wait," he says, "for His Son from heaven." The terrible things are in hand, but the good things are in the future, when Christ shall come from heaven. See how much hope is required, in that He who was crucified has been raised, that He has been taken up into heaven, that He will come to judge the quick and the dead.
whom he raised up from the dead
The Divine power is the same thing as the operation of the Father and the Son; accordingly these two things are mutually consequent, that Christ was raised up by the Divine power of the Father, and by His own power.
Jesus, who has rescued us from the approaching wrath
that is the punishment of Gehenna.
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SUMMARY
First Thessalonians 1:10 powerfully encapsulates the core tenets of the early Christian faith, highlighting the Thessalonians' transformative conversion and their profound, forward-looking hope. It presents Jesus Christ as the eagerly awaited Son from heaven, divinely raised from the dead, and the ultimate deliverer of believers from the certainty of God's coming wrath. This verse serves as a concise theological statement, summarizing the past work of Christ, the present orientation of the believer, and the future expectation of His return and ultimate salvation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Conciseness is evident, as Paul packs profound theological truths into a single, compact sentence. The use of Antithesis is subtle but powerful, contrasting the Thessalonians' former life of serving idols with their new life of waiting for God's Son. The phrase "wrath to come" functions as a Metonymy, where "wrath" stands in for the entire concept of divine judgment and its consequences. Furthermore, the verse is structured as a Creedal Statement, summarizing essential Christian beliefs about Christ's identity, His resurrection, and His salvific work, making it easily memorable and teachable. The Anaphora of "from" (from heaven, from the dead, from the wrath) subtly emphasizes origins and deliverance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Thessalonians 1:10 stands as a foundational statement of Christian eschatology and soteriology, deeply connecting the past work of Christ with the future hope of believers. It articulates that genuine conversion (turning from idols to God) intrinsically involves an active, hopeful anticipation of Christ's return, which is predicated on the historical reality of His resurrection. This future expectation is not one of fear, but of assurance, as believers have already been definitively delivered from the impending divine judgment through Jesus' completed work on the cross. The "wrath to come" is a certain future reality for the ungodly, but for those in Christ, it has been definitively averted by His atoning sacrifice. This verse thus provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the Christian's position in time: saved from past sin, living in present hope, and secured for a future glory.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Thessalonians 1:10 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, serving as a powerful anchor for our faith and a catalyst for our daily living. Our conversion, like that of the Thessalonians, means a radical reorientation of life—from serving anything other than God to actively serving the living and true God. This service is not merely about past repentance but is deeply intertwined with a future-oriented hope: the eager expectation of Jesus' return. This hope should not lead to passive waiting but to active, purposeful living, knowing that our Savior, who conquered death, has already secured our deliverance from ultimate judgment. The assurance of Christ's resurrection validates every promise of God and empowers us to live with courage and conviction, knowing that our future is secure in Him. This verse calls us to live with a dual focus: faithfully serving God in the present while eagerly anticipating the glorious appearing of our Lord, allowing this hope to purify our lives and fuel our witness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the "wrath to come" that believers are delivered from?
Answer: The "wrath to come" (Greek: tēs orgēs tēs erchomenēs) refers to God's righteous, settled indignation and judgment against sin and ungodliness, which will be fully manifested in the future. It is not a capricious outburst of temper but a just and holy response to human rebellion and rejection of His authority. For those who do not believe in Jesus, this wrath culminates in eternal separation from God. However, 1 Thessalonians 1:10 assures believers that through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, they have been definitively rescued from this impending divine judgment. This deliverance is a core aspect of Christian salvation, as also articulated in Romans 5:9.
Why is Jesus' resurrection so central to this verse's message?
Answer: Jesus' resurrection is absolutely central because it is the divine validation of His identity, His claims, and His power to save. The phrase "whom he raised from the dead" (1 Thessalonians 1:10) underscores that God the Father Himself affirmed Jesus' messianic status and His victory over sin and death. Without the resurrection, the hope of Christ's return would be baseless, and the deliverance from wrath would be impossible. The resurrection serves as the guarantee of future resurrection for believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-22) and the foundation for our faith and hope in His ultimate return and our eternal salvation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Thessalonians 1:10 beautifully encapsulates the Christ-centered nature of salvation and eschatological hope. The "Son from heaven" is none other than Jesus Christ, the eternal Word who became flesh (John 1:14), whose very identity is intrinsically linked to His divine origin and unique relationship with the Father. His resurrection, explicitly stated as God's act of raising Him "from the dead," is the pivotal event that validates His messianic claims and secures the believer's hope. This act of God foreshadows and guarantees the future resurrection of all who are in Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Most profoundly, Jesus is the one "which delivered us from the wrath to come." This deliverance points directly to His atoning work on the cross, where He bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin, becoming a propitiation for our transgressions (Romans 3:25). Therefore, our eager waiting for His glorious return (Titus 2:13) is rooted in the certainty of His past victory and the present reality of our deliverance, ensuring that when He appears, it will be for our complete salvation, not our condemnation (Hebrews 9:28).