1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

NIV: and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

NASB: and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is, Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come.

CSB: and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead —Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

NLT: And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven — Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.

KJV: And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

NKJV: and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Paul reports that the Thessalonian Christians had turned to God, from idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9). They not only worked to serve the living and true God, but also "to wait for his Son from heaven."

Forty days after rising from the dead Jesus ascended to heaven, where He sits on the right side of the Father (Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9–11; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20). The Thessalonians were aware that He promised to return, and they were eagerly anticipating that day.

Before He died on the cross, rose again, and returned to heaven, Jesus urged His disciples not to be troubled. He described heaven as His Father's house with many rooms and assured them He was going there to prepare a place for them. Then He added the bright prospect of His return: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:3).

This same Jesus rescues us from the wrath of God that will fall on all who reject His Son (John 3:36; Revelation 20:10–15). In addition, He will pour out His wrath on the earth during the tribulation, the seven-year period that follows Jesus' return for the church (Revelation 6:16–17). Later in this same letter, Paul will expound on the way this eventual return will play out.

First Thessalonians 1:4–10 expresses Paul's confidence in the fact that God had saved his readers. He presents convincing evidence that they belong to God. He recalls how they had responded when they first heard the gospel, what kind of individuals they had become as a result of believing the gospel, and how effectively they had spread the gospel. He sums up their experience as having left paganism behind to serve God and to look forward to Jesus' return.

First Thessalonians 1 records the apostle Paul's greetings to the Christians at Thessalonica. Thessalonica was the second city Paul preached in, after receiving a call to present the gospel in Macedonia. Philippi was the first city in Europe to receive the gospel from Paul. Both churches received a letter from Paul, but 1 Thessalonians, written around AD 51, was among the earliest of Paul's New Testament letters. In the first chapter, he expresses his gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and gives a brief background of what had happened during his visit to their city. He commends them for their spread of the gospel, their exemplary faith, and their turning from idols to serve the true God and to wait for Jesus' return.

The first chapter of 1 Thessalonians is mostly praise for these believers, from the apostle Paul. Paul is clearly delighted to hear that they have grown in their faith and begun to spread the gospel. Chapter two will continue reminding the Thessalonians about their prior experiences with Paul, and it includes more of his praise for their excellent efforts. Later chapters will address the questions lingering in the minds of these passionate Christians. Of particular interest, among these, are concerns related to the return of Christ. Paul will also address some areas where the church needs to improve, spiritually.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.