Background Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians (Thess) during his stay in Corinth. This location can be inferred from his mention of Athens in 3:1 - 2. According to Acts 18:11, Corinth is the city visited, where he resided for a lengthy period of time. In addition, Paul wrote the letter upon Timothy's return from Thessalonica. Paul sent Timothy to... Read More
Background 1 Thess 2:1 – 16 identifies Paul's and his companions' behavior in Thessalonica, prior to their eviction. In chapter 1, Paul primarily encourages the believers in Thessalonica as he placed emphasis on the power of the gospel in their lives. Despite his gratitude for their faith, Paul indicates the hardships they endured, while... Read More
1 Thess 2: 1 – 16 presents Paul's ideological stance about his and his companions' missionary behavior. His ideas emphasize the manner in which missionaries conduct themselves and the impact made upon the Thessalonians. He first describes their mistreatment and opposition for declaring the gospel. He then establishes his argument for why they... Read More
Paul's opening in 1 Thess follows his traditional pattern of addressing the recipients of his letters. His opening includes a greeting, thanksgiving, and prayer report. Paul, remembering the Thessalonians in prayer, attributes the effects of the gospel in the Thessalonians' lives. In verse 4, Paul asserts that God made their election sure or chose... Read More
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians during his stay in Corinth. This location can be inferred from his mention of Athens in 3:1 - 2. According to Acts 18:11, Corinth is the city visited, where he resided for a lengthy period of time. In addition, Paul wrote the letter upon Timothy's return from Thessalonica. Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage... Read More
Acts 17:1-9 describes Paul's and Silas' missionary journey to Thessalonica. This journey occurs in the macro-context of Paul's deliberate Gentile ministry, where he embarked on his second missionary journey. Prior to Paul's and Silas' arrival, Luke describes their hardships in Philippi, where they endured beatings and imprisonment. It is after... Read More
The bible contains numerous stories about the gospel or the good news of Christ being spread throughout the world. In particular, 2 Corinthians 4:7 – 18 identifies Paul's discourse about his apostolic ministry to the Corinthian church. This discourse resides in a larger context of 2 Corinthians 1 – 9. Paul writes 2 Corinthians 1 – 9 in... Read More
- God is Love: Nuts & Bolts Pt II
I wanted to know and allow others to know that there is no fear in God’s love and judgment. His love is perfect and complete. However, in His perfect love, God prompts us to respond to make it complete.
- God is Love: Nuts & Bolts Pt I
Background In 1 John, John calls the believers back to a fundamental understanding that God is love. He reveals that God is love later in the book. The first issue that he addresses deals with a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief. The opposing ideology known as Gnosticism split the believers into two. In 1 John 2:18 – 23, John reveals that antichrist who denied Christ lived among them. These individuals eventually left the church community, but their false teachings continued to infiltrate the church. 1 John 4:1 – 3 …
- God is Love Pt III
When I started this study, I aimed to prove that God’ love remains complete and that His believers reside in His love. I wanted to demonstrate that when believers are imperfect, God perfectly loves them. This understanding is true. God loved us first, so much so that He sent His Son as our sacrifice. In this sacrificial love, God tells us that we do not need to fear the Day of Judgement. Fearing Judgment Day means that we have not embraced the salvation that He has provided. At this point, I wanted the study to be complete. I wanted to …
