Do This, No Matter What
The church at Thessalonica was undergoing severe hardship because of their faith in Christ.
Paul had been forced to leave the city shortly after preaching the gospel there and welcoming “a large number of God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women” who were converted to Christ (Acts 17:4).
In the beginning of this letter he indicates they had “received the word in much tribulation with joy of the Holy Spirit” (1:6).
The Christians in Thessalonica were also concerned about Paul and his companions, because, as he said, “we kept telling you in advance that we were
going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know” (3:4).
Now, as Paul concludes this letter, he gives them a series of short commands concerning their attitude and their action as they live out their faith on a daily basis.