Paul wrote this first sentence to identify himself, his companions, and his addressees, and to convey a formal word of greeting.
At the time he wrote this epistle Silas and Timothy were with Paul. "Silvanus"was the Roman form of his name, which Paul preferred over "Silas."Luke used "Silas"(Acts 15:22; et al.). No one knows if this Silvanus is the same man whom Peter mentioned in 1 Peter 5:12. Silas and Timothy were Paul's primary associates on his second missionary journey during which the church at Thessalonica came into existence (Acts 15:40). We know more about Timothy's background than we do about Silas'. Paul may have led Timothy to faith in Christ on the first missionary journey (1 Tim. 1:2; Acts 13-14). Timothy had recently returned to Paul in Corinth. He had come from Thessalonica bearing news of conditions in the church there (3:1-2, 6). The Thessalonians knew all three men personally.
First and 2 Thessalonians are the only Pauline Epistles in which Paul did not elaborate on his name or the names of his fellow writers. This probably implies that his relationship with the Thessalonians was stable.12
The "church"(Greek ekklesia) is a group of people, Jews and Gentiles equally, whom God has called out of the mass of humanity for a life separated unto Himself. The Greek word refers to many different types of assemblies (social, political, and religious), and in the Septuagint it is a synonym for "synagogue."This term became useful to Paul in gaining access to the Gentile world as well as in separating from the Jewish world.
Paul accorded Jesus Christ equality with God the Father. God is not only the strong, loving, security-bestowing Father, but He is also the sovereign Lord His people must obey.
"Grace"was a common Greek salutation that meant "greeting"or "rejoice.""Peace"is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "shalom"meaning "favor,""well-being,"and "prosperity."Paul used both words when he greeted the recipients of his epistles. God's grace is the basis for and leads to our peace.
The absence of any reference to Paul's apostleship in any of his inspired writings to the Macedonian churches, namely those in Thessalonica and Philippi, is noteworthy. He mentioned his apostleship in all his other epistles and sometimes had to defend it vigorously (e.g., in 2 Corinthians). Evidently the Macedonian churches never questioned Paul's apostleship as did the churches elsewhere (e.g., in Galatia and Corinth).
Paul added this final postscript to encourage three more actions and to stress one basic attitude.
5:25 Paul believed that intercessory prayer would move God to do things that He would not do otherwise (cf. James 4:2).
"The ministry of prayer is the most important service that the Church of Christ can engage in."134
5:26 The man to man and woman to woman kiss of brotherly affection in Christ was and is a customary greeting in many parts of the world. In North American culture an embrace or handshake more often communicates the same sentiments.
5:27 Paul recognized the edifying value of this letter and perhaps its divine inspiration, so he firmly charged that someone read it aloud to all the congregation of saints.
"The sudden switch from the plural to the singular of the first person is significant; the most probable explanation is that Paul took over the pen at this point and added the adjuration and the concluding benediction with his own hand . . ."135
5:28 Finally, he expressed his longing that the unmerited favor of God would continue to be his readers' experience and source of joy. Paul typically mentioned God's grace in his farewells. It was one of his favorite themes. This benediction is identical to the ones in Romans 16:20 and 1 Corinthians 16:23.
