1Thessalonians 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Emmanuel the Christ.(and physically in Greece:.map). Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Emmanuel the Christ.

Paul was encouraged by the faith of the saints back then when he came (map) to the city of Thessalonica, Greece.

1Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, praise and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Emmanuel the Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.

1Thessalonians 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 

1Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also with power and with the Holy Ghost and with much assurance, as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.(we were of the kind of people who care for others).

1Thessalonians 1:6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction.(like today, many trials were on believers back then), with joy of the Holy Ghost.

1Thessalonians 1:7 So that you were ensamples.(examples).to all that believe in Macedonia.(map).and Achaia.

1Thessalonians 1:8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God ward is spread abroad, so that we need not to speak any thing.

They had heartfelt effort in reaching out to others.

1Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you.(those who visited the saints in the city of Thessalonica, Greece {map} were impressed with their faith and their joy in spite of their troubles {verse 6} listened to Paul when he was there telling them about the Creator).and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

We serve God by allowing God, Christ and the Holy Spirit to work through us; how? Prayer, etc., study and actions. What actions?

1Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven whom he raised from the dead and by whom we are delivered.(original Greek here is in the present tense, meaning Emmanuel is delivering us daily, but how?.Ephesians 2:10).from the wrath to come.(Romans 9:22).

1Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

1Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile.

1Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trys our hearts.

Original for 'trys' is 'accepts, 'approves', 'views our works as being acceptable' (1John 3:22) and yet does things with circumstances to take us on further spiritually:.John 15:2.

1Thessalonians 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness.

1Thessalonians 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet]of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

1Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children.

1Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us.

1Thessalonians 2:9 For you remember brethren, our labour and travail. For labouring night and day because we would not be chargeable unto any of you.(1Corinthians 9:18), we preached.(means to make known).unto you the gospel of God.

1Thessalonians 2:10,11 You are witnesses and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe...As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father does care for his children.

1Thessalonians 2:12 That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his kingdom and glory.

1Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men.(we usually don't believe all we hear from others), but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.(and if you really believe, praise God for it all being done).

Belief makes the word, the consciousness of God, effective in you.
Robertson Word Pictures: the word of God is set in operation in you that believe:.Mark 9:24.

1Thessalonians 2:14 For you, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Emmanuel. For you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews.(the corrupt ones as were the Pharisees, et al).

1Thessalonians 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Emmanuel.(who really killed Emmanuel?).and their own prophets and have persecuted us and they please not God and are contrary to all men.(that is, contrary to the good of all).

1Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway.(what's this mean?); for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

1Thessalonians 2:17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

1Thesalonians 3:10.

1Thessalonians 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again, but Satan hindered us.

The devil is always trying to stop any and all good:.Daniel 10:12,13; Revelation 12:10.

1Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Emmanuel the Christ at his coming?.(original has it."in his presence".{?})

The kingdom of God now is.

1Thessalonians 2:20 For you are our glory and joy.

1Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother and minister of God and our fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish.(original is 'to strenghten' you in your heart toward the true God).you and to comfort.(means 'encourage').you concerning your faith.(Romans 12:6).

1Thessalonians 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions. For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

Some of the people in the church in Thessalonica thought it would be always smooth sailing especially for leaders like Paul and became disconcerted over hardships Paul and those with him endured during their travels.

1Thessalonians 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation.(*); even as it came to pass and you know.

1Thessalonians 3:6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you.

1Thessalonians 3:8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

Ephesians 6:13,14; Philippians 4:1; Galatians 5:1; Deuteronomy 7:17-26.
1Corinthians 16:13 "Watch yourself. Stand fast in the faith. Quit you like men, be strong."
2Corinthians 1:24 "...for by faith you stand."

1Thessalonians 3:9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God.

1Thessalonians 3:10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

1Thesalonians 2:17.

1Thessalonians 3:11 Now God our Father and Emmanuel Christ, direct what we say unto you,

1Thessalonians 3:12 You'll have super abundance.(John 10:10; 3John 1:2).as you increase in God's love toward others as we do to you.

Ways to increase in love 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

1Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God.(Hebrews 12:27 "...that those things which cannot be shaken may remain."), even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Emmanuel the Christ with all his saints.

1Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you brethren and exhort.(call on you to be alert about).you by the Lord Emmanuel, that as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God.(*), so you would abound more and more.

Original for word 'please' is to 'lift up God', that is, we are happy to progress in the things of God. What things may they be and why would we be happy about doing those things?

The verse is showing that there are things to learn and do for spiritual growth:.1Corinthians 15:58;.(?).(*).

1Thessalonians 4:2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Emmanuel.

What commandments (instructions) were these?.1Timothy 1:5.

1Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.(what's santification?), that you should abstain.(keep from, hold off doing).from fornication.

What's fornication?

1Thessalonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour..(?)

1Thessalonians 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence.(strong sexual desire which obviates common sense.*), even as the Gentiles which know not God.

1Thessalonians 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud.(word 'defraud' here means in the original Greek 'eager to have more than', 'to have a greater share than', 'to surpass', 'to excel', 'to gain over', 'to possess the advantage over').his brother in any matter, because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

1Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

1Thessalonians 4:8 He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who has also given unto us his Holy Spirit.

1Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love you need not that I write unto you. For you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

So if someone is not of loving nature, hoe or she is out of touch with God.
Matthew 22:36-40.

1Thessalonians 4:10 And indeed you do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia. But we beseech you, brethren, that you increase more and more.

Why?

1Thessalonians 4:11 And that you study to be quiet and to do your own business and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

1Thessalonians 4:11 And that you study.(original for word 'study to be quiet' is 'to make it a point of honor that your ambition is to be quiet'; said because some people in this church were busybodies: ).to be quiet.(humble and peaceable; it's one way to...Philippians 2:3).and to do your own business and to work with your own hands.(Barnes New Testament Notes:."...many of those residing in Thessalonica were disposed to spend their time in indolence and hence Paul insists strongly on the necessity of being engaged in something useful of importance":.Acts 17:21; 2Thessalonians 3:10-13; Ephesians 4:28), as we commanded you;

1Thessalonians 4:12 That you may walk honestly toward them that are without and that you may have lack of nothing.

1Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

About."concerning them which are asleep":.2Corinthians 3:16.

1Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Emmanuel died and rose again, even so them also which sleep.(passed on:.Hebrews 11:13).in Emmanuel will God bring with him.

If we believe Emmanuel rose again, we have joined the ranks of those who passed on who will come with Him when He returns to Earth.

Jude 1:14.

Emmanuel and Father God of all love are both one.

1Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord.(Barnes Notes:."Paul means that the Lord Emmanuel had made a communication to him on the subject."), that we which are alive and remain.(the books of Thessalonians were written about 52 A.D. 18 years before the prophesied massive destruction of Jerusalem, so many hearing this back then would still be alive when the event happened).unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent.(word 'prevent' is Old English for 'precede').them which are asleep.

1Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel of God and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

What will He shout? Would it be the words, RISE UP!

1Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend.(Acts 1:11).from heaven with a shout.(no doubt the shout is also from the joy of people watching, who were expecting this).and with the voice of the archangel.and with the trump.(a trump or trumpet provides a signal of information of some kind:.Matthew 24:31; Judges 3:27; 1Corinthians 15:52; the trumpet angels:.Revelation 8:2-13).of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first.

1Thessalonians 4:17 Then we.(original for word 'we' traces down to a root meaning of 'all those being acceptable', meaning in alignment with God and these are those who are of love; so come to know the things of love).which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds.(how?), to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord..(?)

1Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

As opposed to the timeline of fear:.John 14:1; 1Thessalonians 5:11. Choose which is good and comforting for you.

But for the Sadducees, the hope of resurrection was not comforting, as it was a bone of contention for them. Did Paul later say this (Hebrews 6:1,2) because of such things arousing negatives in minds of others?.1Corinthians 10:32; James 3:2.

....continues to Chapter 5