The Gospel in 1 Thessalonians: Key Bible Verses & Commentary

A short resource on the Gospel in 1 Thessalonians to showcase how the Scriptures reveal salvation by grace through faith.

Authored by the Apostle Paul, the Epistle of 1 Thessalonians is a letter filled with instruction for the young church in Thessalonica. Written to a community facing persecution, this letter emphasizes the hope and assurance found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul commends the Thessalonians for their faith and love, urging them to continue living in a manner worthy of their calling.

The letter underscores the central Gospel message that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ's redemptive work and provides guidance on how to live in anticipation of Christ's return.

Paul begins the letter by thanking God for the Thessalonians. See 1 Thessalonians 1:3: "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;" This triad—faith, love, and hope—reflects the impact of the Gospel on the lives of believers, manifesting in their actions and attitudes.

In this guide to the Gospel in 1 Thessalonians, we showcase Scriptures (using the King James Version) that best help the Christian zoom in on the Good News using this specific book as a lens. Each verse is accompanied by concise commentary to provide the takeaway in layman's terms. Our goal in this and all the other Gospel in the New Testament Series articles is to show how 1 Thessalonians presents the doctrine that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel in 1 Thessalonians Showcased in Scripture

• 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10: "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye 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, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

This passage highlights their genuine conversion, as they abandoned false worship to follow God, and it underscores their hope in Christ’s return and the salvation He brings from future judgment.

• 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13: "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

1 Thessalonians 2:12-13 approves the Thessalonians for living a life worthy of God, who calls them into His kingdom and glory. Paul expresses gratitude for their reception of the message, acknowledging that they accepted it not as a human word but as it truly is, the word of God, which is at work in those who believe.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:14: "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

1 Thessalonians 4:14 offers comfort and assurance about the fate of deceased believers. It states that if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10: "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."

This passage emphasizes God's plan for salvation, made possible through Christ’s death, assuring believers of eternal life with Him, regardless of their present state.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."

This passage emphasizes God's work in making believers holy and keeping them secure until Christ’s return, with a focus on God's faithfulness in completing what He has started.

Paul comforts the Thessalonians with the promise of the resurrection and the second coming of Christ. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

He instructs them to live a holy and honorable life, abstaining from immorality and striving to please God, as well. See 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7: "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."

These exhortations underscore the call to holiness that accompanies the Gospel, as believers are transformed and empowered to live according to God's will.