Acts 18, Paul in Corinth; Third Journey Begins

Paul has spent time in Athens, talking to the Greeks, and now moves further west to another Greek city, a center of commerce and Greek culture.

Acts 18:1-8, Paul in Corinth
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

A turning point occurs. Paul begins to understand that the Gentiles are more receptive to the gospel and decides to go to them first.  Still, he continues to care about his Jewish brothers and sisters and we will see Paul speaking to Jews in the synagogues in later chapters. 

Luke notes that the local synagogue ruler becomes a believer.

Acts 18:9-11, Stay  in Corinth!
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.  For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."  So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word  of God.

With encouragement from the divine vision, Paul devotes portions of two years to building the church in Corinth.  He will later send them letters, working through a number of practical and theological problems.

Acts 18:12-17, Attack before Gallio
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."

Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law--settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things."  So he had them ejected from the court.

Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.

Luke expresses surprise at the apathy of Gallio.  

Acts 18:18-22, Journey to Ephesus
Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

Paul returns home to the church in Antioch.  The trip is covered quickly in Luke's telling, other than the vow made in Cenchrea (a port of Corinth.)  At Cenchrea Paul apparently gets on a ship and crosses the Aegean to Ephesus, a port city on the opposite side.  Ephesus is a major city in this time and Paul had set up a significant ministry there.  Later he will write them a letter which comes into our canon as the Epistle to the Ephesians.

It is not clear what vow Paul is taking in Cenchrea. It may be one begun there, intended to end in Jerusalem in Acts 21:20-26. If so, Paul may be taking a Nazarite vow -- see this Stackexchange page.

Acts 18:23-28, A new trip! And growth in Ephesus!

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.

He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

The third missionary journey begins, with a return through Asia Minor, visiting the churches (synagogues) developed in the previous journeys.  

Meanwhile, Luke digresses to tell us of Apollos in Ephesus.  Apparently Apollos knows of Jesus, but not of Pentecost.  The knowledge Apollos has might be equated with that one has after reading the gospel of Mark or Matthew.  Luke emphasizes that because Apollos knew the Scriptures (that is, what Christians today would call the Old Testament) and because Apollos knew about Jesus, he was able to accurately link the Jewish Scriptures to the Messiah.  (I would love to know what Apollos taught! Could it be summarized in the book of Hebrews?)

II Thessalonians 3, Work While Waiting

Paul has elaborated on the "Second Coming" of the Messiah-Savior.  Now he clarifies the type of lives we should live as we await the return of the Messiah.

2 Thessalonians 3: 1-5, Pray for us, deliver us from evil

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

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3 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord will [ae]spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was also with you; 2 and that we will be rescued from troublesome and evil people; for not all have the faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, [af]and He will strengthen and protect you [ag]from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing, and will do, what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ.

6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you [ah]keep away from every brother or sister who [ai]leads a [aj]disorderly life and not one in accordance with the tradition which [ak]you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to [al]follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined way among you, 8 nor did we eat [am]anyone’s bread [an]without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a role model for you, so that you would [ao]follow our example. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now we command and exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to work [ap]peacefully and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary of doing good.

14 If anyone does not obey our [aq]instruction [ar]in this letter, take special note of that person so as not to associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 And yet do not regard that person as an enemy, but [as]admonish that one as a brother or sister.

16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every [at]circumstance. The Lord be with you all!

17 [au]I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Paul asks for continued prayer to aid the continued growth of the church.  He is aware that this return of Jesus may still be some distance away and there is much work to do.

2 Thessalonians 3: 6-9, We were a model for you

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.

Paul set a standard of hard work while among the Thessalonians and he wants them to emulate that. Idleness is not a kingdom ethic.

2 Thessalonians 3: 10-12, Work; do not be idle

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

This is a famous passage, later quoted by many people, including both the Jamestown explorer, John Smith, and Vladimir Lenin.  Paul's message is a simple one: in a community we all must be involved. Everyone has a part.  Idleness is not a kingdom ethic; in fact, work is a natural part of the kingdom! Adam and Eve were given work to do in perfect Eden, long before the Fall. (See Genesis 2:15.) God's plan involves good (healthy) work for all of us.

2 Thessalonians 3: 13-15, Do what is right & insist on this in the Church

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.

Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

The confrontation described here occurs only within the church. It is to be done with love and concern.

2 Thessalonians 3: 16-18, Paul, servant of the Lord of Peace

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Paul ends the letter as he began it, with an emphasis on grace and peace.

II Thessalonians 2, The Second Coming

Paul has mentioned the returning Messiah in his first letter to the Thessalonians and again briefly in the first part of his second letter.  Now he describes this Second Coming in more detail.

2 Thessalonians 2: 1-4, The second coming of the Messiah

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.

Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

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2 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the [i]coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your [j]composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a [k]message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the [l]apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above [m]every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [n]He who now restrains will do so until [o]He is [p]removed. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will eliminate with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His [q]coming; 9 that is, the one whose [r]coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false [s]signs and wonders, 10 and with [t]all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God [u]will send upon them [v]a deluding influence so that they will believe [w]what is false, 12 in order that they all may be [x]judged who did not believe the truth, but [y]took pleasure in wickedness.

Stand Firm

13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you [z]from the beginning for salvation [aa]through sanctification [ab]by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, [ac]that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter [ad]from us.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Request for Prayer

A "man of lawlessness" will apparently appear prior to the Messiah's return.  It is possible the Paul is responding to rumors that Jesus has already returned a second time.  

2 Thessalonians 2: 5, We talked about this!

Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?

Paul is continuing a conversation begun in Thessalonica when he was with the church.

2 Thessalonians 2: 6-12, The Man of Lawlessness

And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Paul expects a "man of lawlessness" who will dramatically attack the believers (and possibly Israel?) This "man" will be deceptive, with even counterfeit miracles.  

We will try to look more closely at these ideas when we get to the book of Revelation.

2 Thessalonians 2: 13-14, But you share in Glory

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As he has done in other places, Paul is quick to remind the believers that they have a better alternative, for they are part of the growing eternal kingdom.

2 Thessalonians 2: 15-17, and so you should be stable and faithful
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

The fundamental response to all of this is simple: Live faithful lives.  Paul will elaborate on this in the next chapter, as he closes out this short letter.

II Thessalonians 1, Temporary Suffering, Longterm Glory

Shortly after Paul wrote a letter to the church in Thessalonica, he wrote a follow-up letter.  This follow-up letter explains more about the second advent of Jesus and how the church is to respond in the meantime, while patiently waiting for Jesus's return.

2 Thessalonians 1: 1-2, Paul, Silas and Timothy greet you!

Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater. 4 As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your [a]perseverance and faith [b]in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 5 This is [c]a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering. 6 [d]For after all it is only right [e]for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, [f]when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with [g]His mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified among His [h]saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will consider you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Man of Lawlessness

Just as in his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul is writing this along with coworkers Timothy and Silas. (The Greek name Paul uses here for Silas is "Silvanus".)  This greeting, standard for Paul, wishes the Thessalonians, "grace" and "peace".  I think most of us understand "peace" but "grace" is a little more complex, for here it relies on the freedom and forgiveness provided by the Savior-Messiah. (See this article for more on "grace and peace".)

2 Thessalonians 1: 3-7a, Encouraged by suffering

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. 

The Thessalonians continue to suffer in some way, probably in persecution from the authorities and some Jews who have been confronting Paul's message.  Paul wants the young church to know that suffering has a purpose. 

As always, Paul is upbeat at the beginning of his letter, encouraged by the growth of his readers.

2 Thessalonians 7b-10, Blazing fire
This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

Paul explicitly mentions the return of the Messiah as a final time of judgment and restoration.  He describes "blazing fire", most likely an image of a bright noonday sun. (John has a more detailed description of what the returning Messiah might look like in Revelation 1: 12-18.)

2 Thessalonians 1: 11-12, Be worthy!

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.  We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul prays for the Thessalonians, for their growth and fulfillment as faithful followers of the Messiah.

The NIV footnotes say that the ending of verse 12 could be translated "God and Lord, Jesus Christ" just as easily as "God and Lord Jesus Christ."  The Greek has no punctuation; Paul could be identifying Jesus as both God and as Lord (or Master).

The next chapter focuses on this returning Messiah.

I Thessalonians 5, Living Quiet Contented Lives (NASB)

Paul has just reassured the Thessalonians that they have an eternal life, to be revealed when the Messiah returns in dramatic power.  Now he elaborates on that return.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, Like a thief in the night

Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 

This unexpected return will be both dramatic and (for some) catastrophic.  This subject will appear again in Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians and is a main subject of the book of Revelations which we will look at in December!  

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, Sons of light

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 

Despite the destruction mentioned earlier, for the Christian, the return of their Messiah is not something to be feared.  The Christian should be in the light, alert and aware, always ready for the Messiah and his kingdom.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-11, Alert, self-controlled

so then, let’s not sleep as others do, but let’s be alert and sober. 

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.

As we wait (across the centuries!) for that Day of the Lord, we are reminded that until the Messiah's reign is completed, we are to live lives that represent that kingdom. These lives are "alert and self-controlled".  Paul then begins a metaphor that he expands in his letter to the Ephesians: the Christian has some spiritual armor that others do not have.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15, Value leaders, encourage the fainthearted

But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction, and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 

We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people. 

We hobbits, here in the Shire, are to work steadily, happily, content and in peace with each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, Be joyful, pray... 

Rejoice always, 

pray without ceasing, 

in everything give thanks; 

for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 

Do not quench the Spirit, 

do not utterly reject prophecies, 

but examine everything;

hold firmly to that which is good, 

abstain from every form of evil.

As Paul ends his letter, he has a list of short instructions, simple sentences that a medieval scribe separated out as short verses.  They read almost like poetry, in their brevity and simplicity.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, A blessing

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.

As Paul writes he says out loud a prayer for the Thessalonians, writing his prayer down.  He prays for the full spirit, soul and body of his readers and promises them that Jesus is ready to answer this prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:25-28, Final admonitions

Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. I put you under oath by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Paul makes a few more finals comments as he winds down his letter: "Pray, Kiss... and pass this on." The letter ends with final "God be with ye"; in English this was long ago shortened to "Goodbye."

I Thessalonians 4, Steady Lives in the Shire, followed by Glory (NASB)

Paul has been reassured by the recent report about the Thessalonian church, passed on after a visit by Timothy.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Holy living in the Holy Spirit

Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more. 

For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no one violate the rights and take advantage of his brother or sister in the matter, because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you previously and solemnly warned you. 

For God has not called us for impurity, but in sanctification. Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

In the first century -- and today -- there is a basic conflict between our own selfishness (especially as it relates to sexuality, a force in human motives) and our attempts to give everything over to God.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, Living peacefully in community

Now as to the love of the brothers and sisters, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you practice it toward all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to excel even more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we instructed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

This is an interesting command about ambition: we are (as best as it depends on us) to lead quiet (peaceful) lives, working steadily.  We are to be hobbits, working quietly in the Shire.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15, "Sleep" and eternal life

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

Paul describe death as "sleep", something from which one awakens into God's eternal kingdom. He reassures the Thessalonians that, just as Jesus was resurrected, so too will they be. This is an especially urgent message for those who have already lost loved ones.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Dramatic return

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 

This passage describes a dramatic return of the Messiah, at the "Last Times", a clear statement of an eternal life with the Messiah-Savior in a new universe. Paul clarifies that this is available to both those living now and those who have already died.

1 Thessalonians 4:18, Remember, comfort!

Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

The chapter ends with the main goal of this passage -- this is to be a comfort to these new believers, many of whom grew up with Greek views of the afterlife -- from a belief that all ended at death, through possible a variety of other beliefs -- the shadowy world of Hades, the reincarnation of the Pythagoreans and eastern religions -- this mixed bag is to be overcome with encouragement and joy at a future resurrection.  

What is missing from this passage? There is no discussion of an eternal soul and their is no discussion of the judgment of the wicked. The silence in these matters may simply be due to Paul's emphasis on this important and encouraging message to believers.