Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul accorded Jesus Christ equality with God the Father. By calling Jesus Christ "Lord," Paul conveyed the idea, to both Jews and Gentiles, that Jesus is God; both groups would have understood this implication. [Note: Leon Morris, The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, p. 48.] God is not only the strong, loving, security-bestowing Father, but He is also the sovereign Lord His people must obey.