The Brothers in Christ and The Days of Trial

When Paul writes letters to the churches, he often calls them his
"brothers". In 1 Thessalonians, he used this word 19 times. Which
means that this is one of the Pauline letters that the word "brothers"
is used the most besides Romans and 1 Corinthians. Why is Paul calling
the Thesalonian Church his brothers? And what did the church do as the
brothers of Paul?

Hope, joy and Crown of Boasting

As Paul is writing repeatedly to the Thesalonian church that he wants
to see them (2:17-18, 3:10), he was away from them for a while and was
wanting to visit them eagerly. So he sent Timothy over to the
Thesalonian church to encourage them to stand firm in the Lord in the
days of conflict (3:7). Than Timothy brought back a good report about
their faith and love (1:2-3). And this good news became an
encouragement and comfort for Paul in the days of his suffering (3:9).
So Paul called the church, "hope, joy and crown of boasting
(2:19-20)".

The Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ

It is very clear that both Paul and the church were in distress and
affliction (1:14-16, 2:2, 9). And as Paul wrote in chapter 5, the days
that they were waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ were
one of the causes of their suffering (4:13). This coming of the Lord
Jesus Christ is also called "the Day of the Lord" in this letter
(5:23). Which was the hope for the believers (5:9). But while they
wait for the day, there were some people appeared at the church who
told them false things about the coming of the Lord and also some
people who did not live or work as Paul instructed them. What Paul
taught them about waiting for the day of the Lord is to live a life
that is pleasing to God by living quietly and working with their own
hands. So that they will be blameless and holy before the Lord at the
coming of Jesus Christ.

Joy and Thanksgiving in the Days of Trial

The Thessalonian church was filled with joy and thanksgiving (1:13)
even in the days of distress and affliction. And the church themselves
became the encouragement for Paul. But as Paul wrote in this letter,
the Thessalonian church used to serve the idols but they turned to God
and became the servants for the Lord by the Gospel of God that Paul
Preached them in the midst of conflict (1:9). And this is how the
Thessalonian church became the brothers of Paul in Christ (1:6, 2:2,
9). Not only that the Gospel reached the church of Thessalonians but
it also has gone forth everywhere. Because by receiving God's word and
becoming the imitators of God and Paul, they themselves became an
example to all the believers (1:6-8).

To Be Blameless and Holy

Not only that Paul give thanks to the Lord about the church's faith
and love (4:1, 10), he also encouraged and prayed for the church that
they will abound in love and live a life pleasing to God (4:1). So
that they will be blameless and holy (3:13, 4:3, 4, 7, 5:23) on the
day of the Lord and not like the evildoers who will be judged of their
uncleaness (4:3-6). Paul is encouraging the church to abound in love,
so that the love and peace will be kept among them especially in the
days of conflict. And this is one of the reasons that Paul is writing
that he wants to see them repeatedly in this letter. Brothers in
Christ have to stand firm in Christ (4:18, 5:11-15) and encourage each
other with love especially when they are suffering, because the
situation like this can lead them to disruption.

Paul's Encouragement to the Church

Than what should we do to keep ourselves bound in love in the days of
suffering? As Paul taught in this letter, we have to rejoice, give
thanks and prayed to the Lord always (5:16-18). And if we do those
things, we will become an encouragement and comfort to other saints in
distress and affliction like the Thessalonian church was to Paul.