Christ, in 1 Thessalonians
In the book of 1 Thessalonians, the portrayal of Christ is multifaceted, focusing on His role as the foundation of the believers' faith, the source of their hope, and the exemplar of their conduct. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the centrality of Christ in the lives of the Thessalonian Christians, highlighting His past actions, present influence, and future return.
Firstly, Christ is presented as the cornerstone of the Thessalonians' faith. Paul begins the letter by commending the believers for their steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, which has become renowned throughout Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:3, 8). The Thessalonians' faith in Christ is described as producing work, labor, and endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus (1:3). This triad of faith, love, and hope is foundational to the Christian life and is rooted in their relationship with Christ. Paul also recalls how the Thessalonians turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues them from the coming wrath (1:9-10). This reflects Christ's redemptive work and His role in delivering believers from judgment.
Christ’s influence in the present life of the believers is also a significant theme. Paul stresses the importance of imitating Christ, as he himself has done. He reminds the Thessalonians of how they received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and became imitators of Paul and of the Lord (1:6). This imitation extends to their ethical and moral behavior. In chapters 4 and 5, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to live lives that are pleasing to God, emphasizing sanctification and moral purity. He urges them to avoid sexual immorality and to love one another, as they have been taught by God (4:3-9). The call to holiness and brotherly love is rooted in their relationship with Christ and His teachings.
The future return of Christ is a predominant theme in 1 Thessalonians, offering hope and encouragement to the believers. Paul provides comfort regarding those who have died, assuring the Thessalonians that they will not be disadvantaged at the Lord’s return. He describes how the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, those who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so they will always be with the Lord (4:16-17). This eschatological hope is meant to encourage and comfort the believers (4:18).
Furthermore, Paul addresses the Day of the Lord, urging the Thessalonians to remain vigilant and sober, living as children of light and of the day, rather than of darkness and night (5:4-8). He reassures them that God did not appoint them to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him (5:9-10).
In summary, Christ is depicted in 1 Thessalonians as the foundation of faith, the model for righteous living, and the source of future hope. Paul's portrayal of Christ is designed to encourage the Thessalonians to remain steadfast in their faith, live in holiness, and look forward with hope to the return of their Savior.