1
Thessalonians 5:17 MKJV Pray without ceasing.
A1
Background
B1
Acts 17:1-9 NKJV Now
when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to
Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as
his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with
them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the
Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and [saying,]
“This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” And some of
them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and
not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. But the Jews
who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men
from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an
uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out
to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason
and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who
have turned the world upside down have come here too. “Jason has
harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of
Caesar, saying there is another king–Jesus.” And they troubled
the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things.
So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let
them go. Keathley
III adds this from
his
commentary:
Paul instructed the
returning Bereans to have Silas and Timothy join him immediately at
Athens (see Acts 17:15 and 1 Thess 3:1). Paul then sent Timothy back
to Macedonia for the purpose of strengthening and encouraging the
Thessalonian believers and to bring back a report about their faith
and spiritual condition. Silas was probably sent on a similar mission
to Philippi.
B2
The Thessalonian Christians were faithful. They had some questions
for Paul, since he had to leave abruptly.
B3
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians ~51 AD (CE).
C1
Dr. Daniel B. Wallace writes in his
introduction
to 1 Thessalonians:
Not only is 1
Thessalonians found in Marcion’s canon and the Muratorian canon,
but it is also quoted by name by Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and
Tertullian. Perhaps even Polycarp alludes to it when he speaks of
Paul’s letters to the Philippians.4 Further, it is found in the
most ancient MSS (including the old Latin, old Syriac, and ¸46),
suggesting its full acceptance from a very early period.
C2
Keathley III adds: Both
1 and 2 Thessalonians were written from Corinth during the Apostle’s
eighteen-month stay in that city (cf. Acts 18:1-11). The first
epistle was written during the earlier part of that period just after
Timothy had returned from Thessalonica with news of the progress of
the church, and the second letter was dispatched just a few weeks
later (or at the most a few months). Any date assigned will have to
be approximate, though probably ... AD 51-52.
B4
This is ~20 years after the ministry of the Lord Jesus. Many people
would still alive who had seen, heard, been healed, be blessed, etc.
By the Lord Jesus Himself.
B5
The book has not been questioned as to time of writing or author for
the most part.
A2
At the end of his letter, Paul gives some instructions to the
Thessalonians. These are rules for the church to follow. It was not
only the congregation at Thessaloniki at that time. It is for today,
too.
A3
Pray without ceasing
B1
Pray
C1
The Greek word is G4336 προσεύχομαι proseuchomai, which
means to offer prayer to the gods. Of course, we know there is only
one God.
C2
Prayer is talking, that is, conversing with God.
C3
We enjoy talking with our spouse, our children, our friends, and the
people we work with, so why shouldn’t we enjoy talking to God.
C4
The Westminster Larger Catechism has as it first question:
Q.
1. What is the chief
and highest end of man?
A.
Man's chief and
highest end is to glorify God, 1 and fully to enjoy him forever.
C5
Personally, I prefer the answer to be Man’s chief and highest end
is to fellowship with God and serve Him forever.
D1
1 John 1:3 MKJV that
which we have seen and heard we declare unto you, so that you also
may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the
Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
D2
Revelation 22:3 WEB There
will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be
in it, and his servants will serve him.
C6
Since fellowship is important, let us pray. Praying is fellowship. We
don’t to be passive or in silence. God wants us alert and
fellowship with Him. 1 Corinthians 1:9 GNB God
is to be trusted, the God who called you to have fellowship with his
Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.
B2
Without ceasing
C1
The Greek word is G3114 μακροθυμέω makrothumeō, which
means do not quit or interrupt.
C2
How do we do this?
C3
It is an attitude.
C4
We do this with our friends. We may not talk for awhile when working
but then we say something. It is not non-stop talking; it is a
readiness to converse with our God.
B3
Fellowship
C1
God does not have a need for fellowship. He enjoys it.
C2
We see this is in the Garden of Eden. We see God and Enoch walking
together. We see the Lord Jesus walking with the Apostles. We need to
see Him walking with us.
C3
Some verses:
D1
He wanted fellowship with the nation of Israel: Exodus 25:8 NRSV And
have them make me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell among them.
D2
All people: Zechariah 2:10-12 NRSV Sing
and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your
midst, says the LORD. 11 Many nations shall join themselves to the
LORD on that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in your
midst. And you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
12 The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and
will again choose Jerusalem.
D3
Christians: John 14:23 NRSV Jesus
answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my
Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home
with them.
A4
Summary
B1
1 Peter 4:7 GW The
end of everything is near. Therefore, practice self-control, and keep
your minds clear so that you can pray.
B2
Pray without ceasing.
B3
Will you?
