Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I Thessalonians Chapter 1
Metaphysically Interpreting I Thessalonians 1:1-1
1:1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy,
unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.
Metaphysically Interpreting I Thessalonians 1:2-10
1:2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 1:3remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father; 1:4knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election, 1:5how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake. 1:6And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit; 1:7so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. 1:8For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything. 1:9For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 1:10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.
December 2, 1934: I Thessalonians 1:1-10
What does Paul represent in this lesson? Paul represents the will, which is an important factor in expressing the Christ actively in the life.
Name two other faculties that are necessary to the work of true self-expression. Understanding (represented by Silvanus) and zeal or the inspired reason united with faith (Timothy) must cooperate with the will, if man would express the Christ fully.
Of what does the true church consist? First of all, the true church is an aggregation of spiritual ideas in individual consciousness. It begins as a mental perception and by degrees establishes itself in the whole consciousness.
Explain how spiritual understanding is gained. Man gains spiritual understanding by unifying his will with divine will. “If a man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.”
What is the result when we use faith, love, and patience in solving our problems? By the right exercise of these qualities we realize a consciousness of power that fills us with confidence and courage, and assures our success.
Is the doctrine of cause and effect always an encouraging one? The law of cause and effect is not cheering to those who have failed to realize the goal they have set before them, but it furnishes a satisfying explanation of the things that come to pass in one's life.
Can the sequence of cause and effect ever be interrupted? If so, how? By recognizing only the great first cause, God, and invoking His action in our life, we nullify the effects of minor causes.
Explain the phrase “Even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.” When we turn our faith Godward and look for that which is perfect in all that concerns us, steadily refusing to recognize imperfection, we become conscious of the ideal expression of good (Jesus), and learn to depend upon its regenerative influence.
November 17, 1946: I Thessalonians 1:2-8
What teaching is most effectual? That which shows earnestness, cleanness of mind, and sincerity.
Do our words prove more than the point we are attempting to make? They prove us as well as our faith. If our teaching is tinged with error, if it is not unadulterated Truth, if it is insincere, instinct with flattery or swollen with covetousness, sooner or later these things make themselves evident and corrupt or dilute our teaching, reducing our influence and minimizing our power.
What is the outcome of the “much assurance” that comes to us as we gain deeper and firmer faith in the Christ? Our faith and confidence are increased and we gain in understanding, love, and power.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-12-2014
