1. REFINING HOPE KNOWING AND APPLYING BIBLICAL PROPHECY
Dr. Christopher Cone
drcone.com
calvary.edu

4. Faith, Love, and Hope in 1 Thessalonians

5. Background and Context
Paul (with Silvanus and Timothy) wrote this, his earliest epistle, during his second missionary journey, from Corinth in AD (Acts 18:1-11).
Paul founded the church at Thessalonica earlier in the journey, but was forced to leave the city (Acts 17:1-10, 1 Thess. 2:15).
Just a short time later (2:17), Paul writes to commend the church for past growth and to encourage future growth.

7. Structural Keys Particles: Pronouns: for (γὰρ), but (ἀλλὰ),
therefore (διό),
now (δὲ),
then (οὖν).
Pronouns:
we,
you,
they, He
Structural Keys

8. Growth in Faith, Love, and Hope
1-3 Past Growth
1 Application of the Gospel
2 Reception of the Gospel
3 Standing Fast in the Gospel
4-5 Future Growth
4:1-12 In Walk
4:1-12 To Self, Brothers, and Outsiders
4:13-5:28 In Hope
4:13-18 Resurrection and Rapture
5:1-5 The Day of the Lord
5:6-28 The Responsibility of Hope
Outline

9. Key Words 8 instances of faith (πίστις)
5 instances of love (5x ἀγάπη, 1x φιλαδελφία)
4 instance of hope (ἐλπίδα)
12 instance of know (οἴδατε)
10 instances of labor/work) (κόπος, ἔργον)
6 instances of good news/gospel (εὐαγγέλιον)
6 instances of always (πάντοτε)

10. Growth in Faith, Love, and Hope
1-3 Past Growth
1 Application of the Gospel
2 Reception of the Gospel
3 Standing Fast in the Gospel
4-5 Future Growth
4:1-12 In Walk
4:1-12 To Self, Brothers, and Outsiders
4:13-5:28 In Hope
4:13-18 Resurrection and Rapture
5:1-5 The Day of the Lord
5:6-28 The Responsibility of Hope
Outline

11. Observations 1-3
Thessalonians commended for their faith, love, and hope (1:3) (later only faith, love, reiterated)
Thessalonians commended for faith (1:8)
The word works (2:13)
Thessalonians are Paul’s hope (2:19-20)
Paul affirmed regarding their faith and love (3:2-10) – but noticeably absent is hope.

12. Growth in Faith, Love, and Hope
1-3 Past Growth
1 Application of the Gospel
2 Reception of the Gospel
3 Standing Fast in the Gospel
4-5 Future Growth
4:1-12 In Walk
4:1-12 To Self, Brothers, and Outsiders
4:13-5:28 In Hope
4:13-18 Resurrection and Rapture
5:1-5 The Day of the Lord
5:6-28 The Responsibility of Hope
Outline

13. Observations 4:1-12
Thessalonians are walking well, but exhorted to do more (4:1,10)
No need of further instruction on love (4:9-10), but should do more
Work is expected as part of love (4:11-12)

14. Growth in Faith, Love, and Hope
1-3 Past Growth
1 Application of the Gospel
2 Reception of the Gospel
3 Standing Fast in the Gospel
4-5 Future Growth
4:1-12 In Walk
4:1-12 To Self, Brothers, and Outsiders
4:13-5:28 In Hope
4:13-18 Resurrection and Rapture
5:1-5 The Day of the Lord
5:6-28 The Responsibility of Hope
Outline

15. Observations 4:13-5:28 Need for knowledge regarding hope (4:13)
Hope should be a distinguishing factor (4:13)
Words of hope a basis for exhortation, encouragement (4:18)
Commended for their knowledge (5:1-2)
An urgency based on the times (5:6-8)
Thessalonians were encouraging and building up each other, needed to continue (5:11)
Other responsibilities stemming from positional reality and ultimate hope (5:12-28)