I. Christian Life, Conversion, and Conduct:;xNLx;;xNLx;Gospel (of God / of Christ) (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2:2, 4, 8-9; 3:2): Literally "good news." In 1 Thessalonians, it refers to the message proclaimed by Paul about Jesus Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and coming return—which brings salvation to those who believe. Paul emphasizes that it came not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit.;xNLx;Faith (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 8; 2:10 [ESV "holy" implies faithfulness], 13; 3:2, 5-7, 10; 5:8): Trust, belief, reliance, and personal commitment to Jesus Christ and the gospel message. The Thessalonians' faith was renowned.;xNLx;Love (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 3:6, 12; 4:9-10; 5:8, 13): Self-giving, active care and affection for God and for fellow believers. Paul commends their love and encourages them to increase in it.;xNLx;Hope (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:19; 4:13; 5:8): Confident expectation and assurance concerning God's future promises, especially the return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of believers. Paul addresses their concerns about those who had died, offering hope in Christ.;xNLx;Steadfastness / Endurance (Greek: hypomone) (1 Thessalonians 1:3): Patient endurance, perseverance, or remaining constant under trial, suffering, or provocation, particularly in the context of their hope in Christ.;xNLx;Turned to God from idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9): Refers to the Thessalonians' conversion experience, where they abandoned the worship of false gods (pagan deities prevalent in Greco-Roman society) to serve the living and true God.;xNLx;Idols (1 Thessalonians 1:9): Images or objects worshipped as deities, or any created thing that takes the place of the one true God.;xNLx;Sanctification / Holiness (Greek: hagiasmos, hagiosyne) (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:3-4, 7; 5:23): The process or state of being set apart by God for His purposes, made holy, and conformed to His moral character. Paul emphasizes that God's will is their sanctification, particularly in the area of sexual purity.;xNLx;Walk (in a manner worthy of God / to please God) (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 4:1, 12): A metaphor for one's conduct, lifestyle, or pattern of behavior. Believers are called to live in a way that honors God and is consistent with their calling.;xNLx;Brethren / Brothers (and sisters) (Frequently used by Paul, e.g., 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2:1, 9, 14, 17; 3:2, 7; 4:1, 6, 10, 13; 5:1, 4, 12, 14, 25-27): A term of affection and solidarity Paul uses to address fellow believers in Christ, emphasizing their familial relationship in God's family. The ESV often translates the Greek adelphoi (literally "brothers") as "brothers and sisters" when the context includes both men and women.;xNLx;Saints (Implied by "holy ones" or those called to holiness, though the specific term hagioi isn't as frequent as in other epistles like Philippians or Ephesians for directly addressing the recipients, but see 1 Thess 3:13 "all his saints" referring to Christ's coming): Those set apart by God, believers in Christ.;xNLx;Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:1): A major port city and the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia (in modern-day northern Greece), where Paul established the church to whom this letter is addressed.;xNLx;Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8; 4:10): Roman provinces in ancient Greece. Macedonia was the region where Thessalonica, Philippi, and Berea were located. Achaia was the region to the south, where Corinth was located. The Thessalonians' faith became an example to believers in these regions.;xNLx;II. Paul's Ministry and Relationship with the Thessalonians:;xNLx;;xNLx;Apostle (1 Thessalonians 2:6): Meaning "sent one." Paul refers to his authority as an apostle of Christ, though he emphasizes that he and his companions did not use it to be burdensome.;xNLx;Affliction / Tribulation / Suffering / Persecution (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2:2, 14; 3:3-4, 7): The hardships, opposition, and mistreatment that Paul and the Thessalonian believers experienced for their faith in Christ. The Thessalonians received the word in much affliction but with joy.;xNLx;Hindered (by Satan) (1 Thessalonians 2:18): Paul describes how Satan obstructed his plans to revisit the Thessalonians.;xNLx;Exhort / Encourage / Charge / Comfort (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 2:3, 11-12; 3:2, 7; 4:1, 10, 18; 5:11, 14): Key aspects of Paul's pastoral ministry: urging, admonishing, strengthening, and consoling believers in their faith and conduct.;xNLx;Nurse (cherishing her own children) (1 Thessalonians 2:7): A metaphor Paul uses to describe the gentle, tender, and nurturing care he and his companions had for the Thessalonian believers.;xNLx;Father (dealing with his children) (1 Thessalonians 2:11): Another familial metaphor Paul uses to describe how he exhorted, encouraged, and charged the Thessalonians, like a father guiding his children.;xNLx;III. The Return of Christ (Parousia) and Related Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;The coming of our Lord Jesus (Christ) / Parousia (Greek: parousia) (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23): Parousia literally means "presence" or "arrival," and in the New Testament, it became a technical term for the future, glorious return of Jesus Christ to earth to judge the living and the dead, resurrect believers, and establish His kingdom in fullness. This is a major theme in 1 Thessalonians.;xNLx;Those who are asleep / Those who have fallen asleep (1 Thessalonians 4:13-15): A euphemism for believers who have died before Christ's return. The Thessalonians were grieving and concerned about their fate.;xNLx;The dead in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16): Believers who have died physically while remaining in union with Christ through faith. Paul assures that they will be raised when Christ returns.;xNLx;Archangel (1 Thessalonians 4:16): A chief or high-ranking angel. His cry will accompany Christ's descent.;xNLx;Trumpet of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16): A trumpet blast associated with God's direct intervention and the resurrection of the dead at Christ's coming.;xNLx;Caught up / Snatched away (Greek: harpazo) (1 Thessalonians 4:17): Often referred to as "the rapture." Describes how living believers at the time of Christ's return will be suddenly taken up together with the resurrected dead in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.;xNLx;The day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:2): A time of God's decisive intervention for judgment and salvation, which Paul says will come unexpectedly, "like a thief in the night." (See also definition in Joel/Zephaniah lists).;xNLx;Children of light / Children of the day (1 Thessalonians 5:5): Describes believers, who belong to the realm of light and truth through Christ, in contrast to the darkness of the unbelieving world. This means they should not be caught unprepared by the day of the Lord.;xNLx;Darkness / Night (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, 7): Metaphors for the state of spiritual ignorance, sin, and unbelief, characteristic of those who do not belong to Christ.;xNLx;Wrath (of God) (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:16; 5:9): God's righteous judgment against sin. Paul assures believers that God has not destined them for wrath but to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ.;xNLx;IV. Ethical Instructions and Church Life:;xNLx;;xNLx;Abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3): A specific exhortation to avoid porneia (see definition in 1 Corinthians list), which was prevalent in Greco-Roman society. Sanctification involves controlling one's own body in holiness and honor.;xNLx;Idleness / Disorderly conduct / Not working (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 5:14; see also 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 for fuller treatment): Paul encourages the Thessalonians to live quietly, mind their own affairs, and work with their hands, partly to be a good witness to outsiders and not be dependent on others. This seems to address some who may have stopped working, perhaps due to an over-realized eschatology.;xNLx;Outsiders (1 Thessalonians 4:12): Those who are not believers in Christ; non-Christians. Believers are to live in a way that earns their respect.;xNLx;Respect / Esteem (those who labor among you) (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13): Paul calls for the church to recognize, appreciate, and hold in high regard their spiritual leaders who work hard, oversee them, and admonish them.;xNLx;Admonish (the idle) (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 14): To warn, reprove gently, or urge someone to a proper course of conduct.;xNLx;Encourage the fainthearted (1 Thessalonians 5:14): To comfort, console, and build up those who are timid, discouraged, or weak in faith.;xNLx;Help the weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14): To support and assist those who are struggling, whether spiritually, morally, or physically.;xNLx;Holy kiss (1 Thessalonians 5:26): A common greeting among early Christians, symbolizing fellowship, love, and brotherhood/sisterhood in Christ.;xNLx;This list provides definitions for many of the important terms found in Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians (ESV). Understanding these within their original context helps to illuminate Paul's pastoral heart, his urgent eschatological hope, and his practical instructions for a young church living in anticipation of Christ's return.