1 THESSALONIANS

In This Section:

1 THESSALONIANS 3:5, with 1 THESSALONIANS 3:8

1 THESSALONIANS 3:5, with 1 THESSALONIANS 3:8

"5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 3:5-8)

According to the typical NEST interpretation of this passage, Paul is antsy about the whole Thessalonian church, and the reason is because Paul is supposed to be in fear that Satan tempted the Thessalonians away from their previous salvation, and so with that, Paul is afraid that his apostolic labor was in futility and now they are lost. Further, in respect to verse 8, Paul is only "really" living if the saved Thessalonians do not give up their salvation. It would be strange to find someone who believes in the NEST that would suggest that Paul would actually die if the Thessalonians were not firm in the Lord, or that Paul is not really alive if the Thessalonians were not firm in the Lord. Nevertheless, according to the typical NEST interpretation, Paul means that the Thessalonians can give up their salvation that they supposedly already have.

The NEST is wrong.

To see why the NEST is wrong concerning this passage, we must go to the epistle and get the context and meaning from the whole text. The first thing we must realize is that Paul is writing to new converts in a young church that was barely a year old. It was birthed in the midst of persecution and was still in persecution at the writing of the letter. Evidently Paul and the rest of his ministry team had been there but left the Thessalonians; consequently they had been gone for many months without close contact. The length of time was uncomfortably long for Paul, who had gotten stuck in Athens and then in Corinth, (cf. Acts 18:1). During this time, Paul was wondering about the church in Thessalonica. This makes sense because Paul, as an apostolic church planter, had a constant fathering type concern for all the churches. We find Paul explaining his typical way of thinking to the Corinthians. He says that he was in,

23... imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, ... 26 I have been ... in dangers ... from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brothers; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure." (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)

[Now we must pay special attention to what Paul says next,]

"28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? (2 Corinthians 11:23-29)

This is the type of thing that is going on in Paul's mind as he is away from this brand-new, fledgling church that he planted in Thessalonica. He has the daily pressure on himself of "intense concern." Any weakness among the churches that he discerns, he paternally experiences, to some degree, that same weakness. We must keep this in mind as we look at the Thessalonian context in consideration of the passages that are wrongly interpreted according to the NEST. Starting in chapter one, Paul says,

"1 Paul and Silvanus [Silvanus is the formal name of Silas] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, ..." (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2)

[Paul recognizes God's sovereignty in salvation. This is why Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians. Paul would have no reason to thank God for the salvation of the Thessalonians if the Thessalonians were the ones who elected God. Paul does not thank the Thessalonians for electing God. Paul recognizes that God elects those whom He saves, (cf. verse 4 below) and so God is the one to be thanked for anyone He elects to save. Paul continues,]

"... making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, ..." (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)

[The above statement is an important statement by Paul, because he says that the Thessalonians are recognized as being faithful and steadfast in hope in Christ. He goes on,]

"4 knowing, brothers beloved by God, ..." (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

[They are Christians, and they are dearly loved by God, and Paul says]

"... His election of you; ..." (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

[Paul is saying that He knows for a fact that God sovereignly elected these people. Then Paul says why,]

"5 because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; ..." (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

[Paul says why the gospel necessarily had to be effective. It was because of power in the Holy Spirit;]

"... just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, ..." (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6)

[These Thessalonians manifested the fruits of being true Holy Spirit led disciples. They even received the word in affliction, of which Paul will touch on more in a moment. Paul goes on,]

"7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ..." (1 Thessalonians 1:7)

[We recognize from this that the believing Thessalonians are famous for their Christianity. They are, in fact, an example to other believers;]

"8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything." (1 Thessalonians 1:8)

[The Thessalonians have famous faith. Additionally, the word of God has been heralded from these people;]

"9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, ..." (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

[Paul, Silas, Timothy (and other ministry team members), were received well by these Thessalonians as is evidenced from what all Paul has said so far, and also in the fruit of the apostolic labor they turned away from paganism to the one true living God. Paul continues,]

"10 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." (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

[The Thessalonians are waiting for the return of Christ. The things we are examining are demonstrating to us how sure Paul has been of the salvation of the primary recipients of his letter. Clearly, Paul expresses that he has been sure of their salvation from the beginning of his ministry among them. Paul goes on,]

"1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain, [Paul knew this too] 2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philipi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition." (1 Thessalonians 2:1-2)

[The apostolic ministry was not received well by both the pagan community, and the Jews of the synagogue, but Paul knows his ministry in Thessalonica was not in vain, and he knows that they know it was not in vain. Paul continues,]

"3 For our exhortation [appeal] does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

[Even though opposed, persecuted, and mistreated for Christ, the apostolic ministers preach in boldness anyway; to please God. Paul continues,]

"5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness-- 6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. 7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:5-8)

[This is Paul's deep parenting-pastoral concern for the Thessalonian church. He was more than glad to suffer hardship in ministry for them. Continuing,]

"9 For you recall, brothers, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." (1 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

[Paul's labor is hard. The concern is great, and this is an important detail. Paul's concern is that they would walk in a manner worthy of God. Being confident in both persecution, and separation, is part of this walk. We must keep this in mind as Paul goes on,]

"13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God," (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

[Notice that Paul thanks God again. You can only sincerely thank God for someone receiving the word and accepting it, if in fact you really believe that, 1) God effectually elected them to salvation, and 2) He keeps them saved. Paul goes on saying that the word of God is that,]

"... which also performs its work in you who believe ..." (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

[Paul is talking about the miracle accomplished through the preaching of the gospel by the Spirit through faith. We must remember that salvation is a miracle. It is not a concept.]

THE KEY

"14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews," (1 Thessalonians 2:14)

[We need to pay special attention to the above verse. This is the big spotlight point, and this is the key to our text. Be thinking about what Paul has been going through, and what the Thessalonians have been going through; namely, persecution and suffering. The Thessalonians endured sufferings. They were being persecuted by pagan Romans just like the Jews persecuted the churches in Judea. We need to put this at the forefront of our thoughts. Our big memory word at this point is "persecution." Paul says concerning the same suffering the Thessalonians received from their own countrymen that the other churches received from the Jews;]

"15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, 16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. 17 But we, brothers, having been taken away from you for a short while--in person, not in spirit--were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. 18 For we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, more than once--and yet Satan hindered us ..." (1 Thessalonians 2:15-18)

[What we are seeing at this point is more of; "Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches," aspect of Paul here. Here is the picture: Paul is separated from his fledgling church plant. Paul knows that they are in heavy persecution, and so he strongly wants to see them face to face. Paul has been trying and trying, but he just has not been able to get back there to Thessalonica. Satan has hindered Paul in Paul's own persecution experience. This is the big picture, and this is the key of the context. So, Paul continues to give his heart felt sentiments, saying,]

"19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy." (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

[Paul loves the Thessalonians. Clearly, from what Paul is saying, Paul knows they are saved. The problem is, though, that he can not wait any longer. He needs contact with His church-plant; so he does something. Next, we read about what he does,]

"Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith," (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2)

This is the key again right here. Paul was absent from a personal connection with the persecuted Thessalonians while on his missionary journey. Paul wants to nurture the suffering Thessalonians as he nurtures all the churches he plants. What is important to see here is that Paul already says these Thessalonian Christians have faith. We must notice this fact. They have faith. He calls it "your faith," but Paul thinks they need encouraging in their faith. Timothy was sent to them to strengthen and encourage them as to their faith that they already have. Paul uses this phrase five times in this chapter alone, where he refers to "your faith" that the Thessalonian believers already have. It is very important to recognize this. Paul has always known that the Thessalonians have had their faith since he led them to the Lord. He is not indicating that he thinks his labor in respect to their salvation is in vain. They are saved. Notice where Paul uses the term, "your faith" that he knows the Thessalonians have in their salvation:

1) Paul uses it in 3:2; "... encourage you in your faith ..." (1 Thessalonians 3:2) It is their faith that they already have as saved people;

2) Paul uses it in 3:5; "... find out about your faith, ..." (1 Thessalonians 3:5) It is their faith that they already have as saved people;

3) Paul uses it in 3:6; "Timothy ... has brought us good news of your faith ..." (1 Thessalonians 3:6) It is their faith that they already have as saved people.

4) Paul uses it in 3:7; "... in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;" (1 Thessalonians 3:7) It is their faith that they already have as saved people;

5) Paul uses it in 3:10; "... we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?" (1 Thessalonians 3:10) It is their faith that they already have as saved people.

These quotes from Paul are very revealing, but we also must remember that Paul has known that the Thessalonian's faith is famous. Paul said,

"8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything." (1 Thessalonians 1:8 emph. mine)

Paul knows that these people are saved. So the question, then, is what does Paul mean by saying in 1 Thessalonians 3:5, "For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain." The reason why Paul says this, is because he, along with Silas, and whoever else is ministering along with them, were away from these harassed, persecuted, suffering, Thessalonians without any contact because of their own persecution. Paul does not know what all is going on with the church there at Thessalonica. For Paul, it is a question of whether these saints may be getting overwhelmed with discouragement, and beaten down. Such a question is not a question of whether they are losing their salvation or walking away from it. Paul is wondering if they are getting pummeled into inactivity and nullification. Are they failing to meet together as a local fellowship? Do they think Paul has abandoned them? Are they just plain discouraged? Is their walk, a walk that is worthy of the God who called them into His kingdom and glory (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:11)? These are the types of things that the apostle cares about. The main point is that Paul thinks that the truly saved people of Thessalonica need encouragement, so Paul thinks it is best to send Timothy to do some edifying. The edification that Timothy is to do is to strengthen and encourage them as to their Christian faith. At this point, to get to the reason for Timothy being sent to strengthening the Thessalonian Christians in their faith, we look back two verses, to verse 3, where Paul states the reason plainly,

"3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; ..." (1 Thessalonians 3:3)

[What Timothy's task is to do, is strengthen all the Thessalonian Christians "so that no one" of them will be disturbed by the apostle's own afflictions and separation. Paul does not like the fact that anyone would be disturbed by his afflictions. Paul says next,]

"... for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this." (1 Thessalonians 3:3)

[Paul is talking about persecution. Paul is experiencing it. The Thessalonians are experiencing it. The exhortation of 3:3 is according to the same teaching Paul gave to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:12, where Paul states, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Paul reaffirms the same principle to the Thessalonians here concerning himself, Silas, Timothy, and other fellow workers. Paul even says next,]

"4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know." (1 Thessalonians 3:4)

[Verse 4 is a very important passage. This detail is important because Paul had labored in advance to get this point across, but now he is not sure that the Thessalonians are grounded in the reality of dealing with the suffering part of their faith yet. As we consider the flow of Paul's point, we remember:

a) the Thessalonians were being persecuted by the Romans, (1 Thessalonians 2:14);

b) Paul kept wanting to get back to the Thessalonians because they are babes in Christ, but he is constantly thwarted by his own persecution, (1 Thessalonians 2:18);

c) when Paul could endure the separation no longer, he sends Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians as to their faith, (1 Thessalonians 3:1);

d) and it is so that no one will be disturbed by these afflictions, (1 Thessalonians 3:2), which are the same afflictions which caused the separation.

ANOTHER KEY

Now coming into our 1 Thessalonians 3:5-8 passage, Paul is saying that you yourselves know we have been destined for this persecution, because when we were with you we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction. We labored in this teaching; we labored in trying to get this across to you, and apparently it came to pass. To really understand more thoroughly that this is the gist of what is going on here with this Thessalonian situation, we read where Paul makes the big illuminating and clarifying statement in three simple words. Notice verse 5]

"For this reason, .."

[This is a key phrase. What we need to ask ourselves concerning these three words, is "For what reason?" The answer is what Paul just said. It is for "this" reason of being afflicted and separated from the apostles and not being disturbed, and knocked off kilter in their faith, by these afflictions. It is with this in mind that Paul says,]

"5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain." (1 Thessalonians 3:5)

[Now, it is easy to see, based upon comprehensive contextual analysis, that Paul is wondering if the Thessalonians had not been grounded in the fact that persecution, and even separation, is not to be considered a reason for being disturbed, but rather it is to be the expected lot. Paul wants the Thessalonians to know that he had not abandoned them. A right understanding of persecution is part of a proper faith walk in walking in a manner worthy of God who called them into His kingdom, (1 Thessalonians 2:11). The axiom holds true; your doctrine will drive your actions. Rather than having his labor be in vain in establishing the Thessalonian's faith concerning all of these issues, if indeed such would have been the case, Paul sends Timothy to find out if Paul's concern has merit, and also to strengthen them. So what we see from the context is that Paul says that these Thessalonians already have faith. Paul's interest has to do with Paul and those who are with him in getting persecuted and being separated from Thessalonica, coupled with Paul not knowing how they were handling things while he was inhibited from getting back to nurture them. Additionally, Paul did not want them to think he had deserted them. With all of these things in mind, we recognize that this passage does not have to do with losing salvation at all. Nevertheless, there is more to consider, so let us look, as Paul goes on,]

"6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith ..." (1 Thessalonians 3:6)

[Remember, Paul is contextually writing concerning their faith in respect to, what he calls "This reason," (verse 5) which is the reason of being disturbed by the apostle's "suffering affliction" according to verses 3 and 4; "so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know." With this in mind, Paul sends Timothy to find out about their faith, and Paul gets the good news of]

"...your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;" (1 Thessalonians 3:6-7)

Timothy had evidently come back to Paul in Corinth (cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:16 with Acts 18:1). Timothy brought good news of:

1) the Thessalonians faith, which evidently extended into every area including being brave and steadfast under persecution and separation from the apostles;

2) the Thessalonians were manifesting the spiritual fruit of love for others in a pronounced way.

3) they are always remembering Paul fondly. They do not think that Paul abandoned them in their persecution.

4) they are thinking kindly of Paul and desiring to see him and Silas again.

These four things comforted Paul, and put him at ease concerning the young persecuted church that he was blocked from getting back to nurture. What is important in this, is the detail that even though Timothy brings Paul this news, Paul still says in a couple of sentences,

"as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?" (1 Thessalonians 3:10 emph. mine)

It is absolutely vital that we see why this prayer is important in our contextual analyzation. Paul is comforted about their faith, (verse 7), but Paul still wants to complete what is lacking in it. Paul does not complete what is lacking in people's faith so as to save them! Rather, Paul is talking about their faith that they already have, so Paul, (as he has been doing all along) is referencing the Thessalonian's faith, as in their whole Christian lifestyle of practicing the salvation that they already have in trusting God in every area of their persecuted lives. Paul, as God's apostle, wants to fulfill his ministry, and complete any lack in this area in edifying the Thessalonians.

Now we must analyze the last verse of the 1 Thessalonians 3:5-8, passage that is wrongly interpreted according to a NEST hermeneutic;

"8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 3:8)

This punctuating comment made by Paul is easy to properly understand by simply realizing two things:

1) that Paul is making a point based upon Timothy's report;

2) Paul is using the first class conditional application for the Greek word, "Ei," which is quoted above from the NASB translation, as "if." (see footnote (1) below)

We have already analyzed Timothy's report, and we realize that Paul is confident concerning the fact that the Thessalonians stand firm in the Lord. Since this is true, then we must understand Paul's expression of using "if." Paul is using a first class condition. A first class conditional incorporates the idiomatic usage of "if," in respect to certainty. To help us recognize what this means, I will quote the New International Version's dynamic equivalent of the first class conditional.

"8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 3:8 NIV)

When the first class conditional of the Greek word "Ei" is rendered accurately as "since" then we see more clearly how Paul is not making continuance in salvation contingent upon a saved person's ability to stay standing in Christ. Standing in Christ is a miracle. It is the miracle of salvation. Additionally, it is only with the proper understanding of "if" here as a first class conditional that Paul makes any kind of sense in what he is saying! This becomes apparent by looking at his point. Paul says that he, Silas and whomever else, are "now" at this very moment "really" living which is an idiomatic expression for being happy and comforted right now, about the Thessalonians. Herein lies the problem for the NEST interpretation; namely, how can Paul be happy and comforted if he still does not really know for sure if the Thessalonians are standing firm in the Lord? If Paul is worried as to whether (if) the Thessalonians are really standing firm in the Lord, then he has no reason to be comforted, or to go on and use the exuberant expression that he is now "living." What makes sense, is what Paul really means; Paul does know for a fact that they are standing firm in the Lord, and it is since they are standing firm in the Lord that Paul is comforted and really living.

Additionally, there is linguistic support for the usage of the first class condition in 1 Thessalonians 3:8, in respect to other passages of this same letter. Paul only uses the Greek word "ei" twice in 1 Thessalonians. The first time the Greek word ei is used, is right here in 1 Thessalonians 3:8. The second, and only other time the Greek word ei is used, is in the next chapter, in 1 Thessalonians 4:14. As we examine 1 Thessalonians 4:14 from the ESV, we see how it is accurately rendered as also a first class conditional,

"13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since [ei] we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." (1 Thessalonians 4:14 ESV emph. mine)

In 1 Thessalonians 4:14, Paul explains that people who have no hope in the resurrection, grieve at the death of loved ones. Then he says, "For since ..." The Greek word translated in the ESV for since is "ei" in its first class condition. Paul says, because, since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.

What we have just learned about is a very important practice that Paul likes to use when writing. It is Paul's affinity to use the Greek word, (Ei) as a first class conditional in this letter. This demonstrates, along with all other considerations, a strong inductive stance toward Paul's intended meaning being that he, in fact, believes the Thessalonian Christians are standing firm in their Lord.

In addition to the consideration we have studied thus far, Paul's meaning becomes even more apparent when we translate the modern word "For" from the archaic form of being used at the beginning of a sentence to its equivalence that makes more sense to contemporary readers. Starting sentences with "For" is not a practice that contemporary writers and speakers typically practice anymore. Therefor, most modern English readers are unfamiliar with the practice. The Greek word that "for" is translated from at the beginning of verse 8, is hoti. Hoti literally means, "because." With this in mind, the sentence is very accurately, and understandably rendered this way;

"8 Because now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 3:8)

Paul's point can be restated in the form of a contemporary analogy. For example, if a pastor today left a city in which he was instrumental in starting a church, then was arrested for his faith, and the church in the city was in extreme persecution, the pastor would not likely be worrying about the church losing salvation. On the other hand, it would be likely for the pastor to be worried about whether the tempter had beaten down the people of that church by testing them through trials and tribulations. The pastor, now disconnected from close discipleship and encouragement with the church, would wonder whether or not his labor in previous discipleship and encouragement among the church had been effective. The pastor had previously taught the church that the hardships they are experiencing are the way the things were probably going to be. Further, he taught them that he may get imprisoned and not be around in the future. Now the pastor is worried that his previous teachings may have been in vain. After sending someone to find out how the church is doing in their faith, and then finding out that the church is doing well in the Lord, and standing firm in the Lord, then the pastor would expectantly say something like,

"Now I really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord."

Based upon all that has been demonstrated so far, the sentences used by the NEST out of 1 Thessalonians 3 are cleared up as not representing a view from Paul that he is worried about the Thessalonian church being tempted by Satan and as a result losing salvation by giving up salvation. Paul is not afraid that all his evangelistic labor was in futility. Additionally, Paul is not saying he is really only living if the saved Thessalonians are really saved. Therefore, this passage does not remotely teach that a saved person can lose salvation, gain salvation by self effort, or maintain keeping salvation secure by self effort.

FOOTNOTES:
(1) First class conditionals are covered more comprehensively in the chapter dealing with 1 Corinthians. Please see the section on 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, for examples and further clarification.