Tag: Lord Jesus Christ

God Our Father

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2Thessalonians 1:1-2 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church [congregations] of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

‘Paul’ – In all his epistles except 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians, Philippians and Philemon, Paul calls himself an apostle. It may be that he was held in such affection by these congregations that he did not need to assert his apostolic authority.

‘Silvanus’ – The same as Silas, Paul’s companion on his second missionary journey. He took part in the founding of the Macedonian congregations (Acts 15:40-18:18).

‘Timotheus’ – was called Timothy (2Cor. 1:1; 1Tim. 1:2, 18; 6:20; 2Tim. 1:2; Phm. 1; Heb. 13:23). Converted by Paul on his first trip (Acts 14:6-7 with 1Tim. 1:2). Part Jew and Greek, uncircumcised, but a true Christian (Acts 16:1-3). A miracle worker like Paul (1Cor. 16:10). Paul’s companion from here on (Acts 16:1-3; 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Rom. 16:21; 1Cor. 4:17; Php. 2:19). It is believed by some that he was Paul’s scribe in writing Hebrews and Galatians.

‘Unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’ This and the second epistle are the only ones so addressed. Compare this with the other salutations in other epistles.

‘In God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’ One in unity (John 10:30; 17:11, 21-23), not one in person or individuality (Dan. 7:9-14; 1Jn. 5:7; Acts 7:55; Rom. 8:34; 1Cor. 8:6; 11:3; Eph. 1:20-23; 4:1-6; 1Tim. 2:5; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 12:2; 1Pet. 3:22; Rev. 5:1-7).

‘God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Twice here it is made clear that the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are two separate and distinct persons. Believers are in both and the salutation is from both through Paul.

Divisions

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1Corinthians 1:10-13 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you said, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

‘By the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you.’ Three exhortations by Christ’s authority: That you speak the same things; that there be no divisions among you and that you be unified in all things.

Jesus prayed for the unity of believers (John 17:11, 21-22).

‘Divisions’ [Greek: schism] From a split or gap (“schism”), literally or figuratively: division, rent or schism.

‘Declared’ [Greek: deloo] ]to make manifest (3:13; Col. 1:8; Heb. 9:8; 12:27).

‘Them which are of the house of Chloe’ – perhaps the ones of 1 Corinthians 16:17 who had come from Corinth to make known the conditions of the congregation to Paul. They perhaps were sons of Chloe, a very prominent person in Corinth.

‘Contentions’ [Greek: eris] Strife (Rom. 13:13; 1Cor. 3:3; Php. 1:15; 1Tim. 6:4); contention (1:11; Tit. 3:9); debate (Rom. 1:29; 2Cor. 12:20); and variance (Gal. 5:20). These contentions were caused by the divisions of 1 Corinthians 1:10.

‘Every one of you said, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.’ Four main parties in Corinth: Paulians – followers of Paul, because he founded the congregation (Acts 18:1-7), and because he was a special apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13). Apollonians – followers of Apollos, because of his eloquence (Acts 18:24-19:1). Cephians – followers of Peter, because he was the apostle to the Jews (Gal. 2:7-10). Christians – followers of Christ, because they would have nothing to do with parties that followed people (1Cor. 1:12)

‘Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name of Paul?’ Paul, Apollos and Peter were followers of Jesus Christ and rebuked those who followed them instead of Jesus Christ. There can be no divisions in the body of Christ.

Romans 16:17 warns us to be alert for those who cause divisions and have no religious fellowship with them that the flock may be protected; 1 Corinthians 3:3 warns that envying led to strife and evil speaking, and that led to divisions and fixed parties; 1 Corinthians 11:18-19 talks about the divisions amongst the congregation of Corinth and that there must be heresies among them, that they which are approved may be made manifested.

The Testimony of Christ

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1Corinthians 1:6-9 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 

‘Testimony’ [Greek: marturion] refers to the gospel of Christ which Paul had confirmed to people in all places by the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:18-19, 29; Acts 15:4, 12; 19:11).

‘So that you come behind in no gift’ – the gospel was fully preached and confirmed (1:6), to the end that believers come behind in no gift of the Holy Spirit (1:7; 12:4-11).

‘Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ …’ this is the first New Testament prophecy in 1 Corinthians verses 7-8, unfulfilled. [Greek: apekdechomai] eagerly expecting. It is used in nearly every instance of looking for the coming of the Lord or the future hope of salvation.

‘Coming’ [Greek: apokalupsis] unveiling, revelation, manifestation. Revelation – when used of a revelation it always denotes that which has had the covering taken off and the mystery removed, so that all can see alike what is revealed (Rev. 1:1; Rom. 2:5; 16:25; 1Cor. 14:6, 14:26; 2Cor. 12:1, 7; Gal. 1:12; 2:2; Eph. 1:17; 3:3). When used of a person it means his visible appearance and manifestation to others (Luke 2:13; Rom. 8:19; 1Pet. 1:7). It is used of: The gospel light (Luke 2:32); the coming judgment (Rom. 2:5); the unveiling of truths previously hidden but now revealed (Rom. 16:25; 2Cor. 12:1, 12:7; Gal. 1:12; 2:2; Eph. 1:17; 3:3; Rev. 1:1); the coming glory (1Pet. 4:13); the second coming of Christ (1Cor. 1:7; 2Thess. 1:7; 1Pet. 1:7, 13); manifestation of the sons of God (Rom. 8:19).

There are four Greek words used of Christ’s coming: (1) Apokalupsis: revelation (Rev. 1:1; 2Thess. 1:7; 1Pet. 1:7, 13). (2) Epiphaneia: appearing (1Tim. 6:14; 2Tim. 4:1, 8; Tit. 2:13; 2Thess. 2:8). Use also of the first coming (2Tim. 1:10). (3) Phaneros: to shine, be manifest, be seen (1Jn. 2:28; 3:2; 1Pet. 5:4; Col. 3:4). (4) Parousia: personal appearance, presence. The word is generally translated “coming,” hence it is used for both the rapture (coming in the air for the saints) and the second coming (coming from heaven with the saints to earth). The word is used of the rapture in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; James 5:7-8 and 1 John 2:28. It is used of the second coming in Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39; 2 Thessalonians 2:8 and 2 Peter 1:16; 3:4.

‘Confirm you unto the end’ – As the testimony or the gospel of Christ was confirmed among you to attract you to Christ, so He will confirm you through this testimony until the end, that you may be blameless at His coming.

‘Blameless’ [Greek: anengkletos] not accused, unimpeachable.

‘Day of our Lord Jesus Christ’ – In the day when Christ comes to receive saints unto Himself (1Cor. 1:8; 5:5; 2Cor. 1:14; Php. 1:6, 10; 2:16).

‘God is faithful’ – this was a favourite expression among Jews of the integrity of God (1Cor. 1:9; 10:13; 2Cor. 1:18; 1Thess. 5:24; 2Thess. 3:3).

‘Fellowship’ [Greek: koinonia] the communion, fellowship, and participation with Christ in His sufferings, in the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit in this life, and in the glories of the kingdom in the next life (2Cor. 13:14; 1Jn. 1:3; Php. 3:10).