“Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians,” New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2016)
Why study this book?
The First Epistle to the Thessalonians is believed to be the earliest of Paul’s existing epistles and may be the oldest book in the New Testament. Paul’s teachings in this epistle are primarily focused on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, including the hardships that followers of Jesus Christ will face before His return (see 1Thessalonians 3:3), the Resurrection of Christians at the Second Coming (see 1Thessalonians 4:13–14), and the timing of Christ’s Second Coming (see 1Thessalonians 5:1–2). Through their study of this book, students will learn about the Second Coming and receive encouragement to remain faithful to the Lord.
“Paul wrote the epistles to the Thessalonians from Corinth during his second missionary journey,” around A.D.50–51 (Guide to the Scriptures, “Pauline Epistles,” scriptures.lds.org).
To whom was it written and why?
Paul wrote 1Thessalonians to the members of the Church in Thessalonica. Thessalonica was the most populous and prosperous city in the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia because of two important features: the city was built on the best natural harbor in the Aegean Sea, and it was located on the major highway that connected Rome and Asia.
During Paul’s second missionary journey, the Spirit directed Paul and his companions—Silas, Timothy, and Luke—to travel across the Aegean Sea into Macedonia (see Acts 16:6–12). This initiated the preaching of the gospel in Europe. After preaching in Philippi (see Acts 16:12–40), Paul and Silas traveled to Thessalonica.
Paul labored with Silas in Thessalonica, but they were forced out of the city by Jewish leaders (see Acts 17:1–9). Later, Timothy reported to Paul that the Thessalonian Saints had remained faithful despite persecution and that their righteous influence was spreading (see Acts 18:5; 1Thessalonians 1:7–8; 3:6–8).
The Thessalonian converts were some of the first Europeans to embrace the gospel, and they faced persecution as a result. They also had many questions about the Second Coming. Therefore, in his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote words of encouragement and strength and addressed their questions about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
What are some distinctive features of this book?
One of Paul’s main themes in his First Epistle to the Thessalonians is the Second Coming. He focused on the participation of the righteous in the events of the Second Coming, especially Saints who had died previously (see 1Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:13–17; 5:1–10). Unlike many of Paul’s other epistles, 1Thessalonians does not contain any major rebukes but instead offers praise and commendation for the Thessalonian Saints.
Outline
1Thessalonians 1–3 Paul expresses great appreciation for the Saints in Thessalonica. He reminds his readers of his kindly ministry among them and expresses joy for their faithfulness. He encourages the Saints to grow in love toward one another and toward all men.
1Thessalonians 4–5 Paul tells the Saints to be holy and to sanctify themselves. He explains that when the Lord comes again, Saints who have been faithful in their testimony of Christ, both those who have died and those who are still alive, will rise and meet the Lord. The Apostle reminds Church members to prepare and watch for the day of Christ’s coming.
Paul's teachings in this epistle are primarily focused on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, including the hardships that followers of Jesus Christ will face before His return (see 1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians
Date. It is widely agreed that 1 Thessalonians is one of the first books of the New Testament to be written, and the earliest extant Christian text. A majority of modern New Testament scholars date 1 Thessalonians to 49–51 AD, during Paul's 18-month stay in Corinth coinciding with his second missionary journey.
First Thessalonians provides Christians with the clearest biblical passage on the coming rapture of believers, an event that will inaugurate the seven-year tribulation. At the rapture, Christ will return for His people. The dead in Christ shall rise first, while those still living will follow close behind.
The most prominent theme in 1 Thessalonians is the second coming of Jesus. It is mentioned in every chapter of the book (1 Thess. 1:10; 2:19–20; 3:13; 4:13–18; 5:1–11, 23–24). At Jesus' future coming, the dead in Christ will rise and will be caught up along with the living to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess.
What is the main message of 1 Thessalonians? Faith, Love, and Hope in the face of affliction (1 Thessalonians 1v3). He also used the latter to encourage them to live according to God's will and the decisions reached in Jerusalem by the Apostles (1 Thessalonians 4v1-12).
This way of life is motivated by hope in the coming Kingdom of Jesus, which has already begun with his resurrection from death. Holiness, love, and future hope—that's what 1 Thessalonians is all about.
The letter was written from Corinth after his coworker St.Timothy returned from Thessalonica to report that the new converts had stood fast in the Lord despite persecution.
One of Paul's main themes in his First Epistle to the Thessalonians is the Second Coming. He focused on the participation of the righteous in the events of the Second Coming, especially Saints who had died previously (see 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:13–17; 5:1–10).
Thessaloniki (/ˌθɛsələˈniːki/; Greek: Θεσσαλονίκη [θesaloˈnici]), also known as Thessalonica (English: /ˌθɛsələˈnaɪkə, ˌθɛsəˈlɒnɪkə/), Saloniki, Salonika, or Salonica (/səˈlɒnɪkə, ˌsæləˈniːkə/), is the second-largest city in Greece, with slightly over one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, and the capital of ...
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
The primary aim of 1 Thessalonians is to encourage Jesus' believers to continue to progress in their faith, and Paul addresses some practical concerns to that effect: sexual morality, community relationships, and Jesus' return.
The church at Thessalonica was facing persecution, but Paul wrote to them to encourage their faithfulness. He also directs them to respond to their persecution with love, meeting opposition with grace and generosity. This way of life is motivated by hope in the coming Kingdom of Jesus that has already begun.
Paul and his missionary companions found success preaching to the people in Thessalonica but were ultimately forced out of the city by detractors. Sometime after they left, Paul learned that the Thessalonian Saints had remained faithful and were sharing the gospel message with others.
From Philippi, the missionaries moved through Amphipolis and Apollonia before arriving in Thessalonica, where Paul preached the gospel in the synagogue for three weeks. Through this evangelism, a number of Thessalonian Jews and Gentiles received the gospel.
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth near the end of his second missionary journey. Paul and his companions had established the church in Thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel.
Paul would visit Thessalonica time and again. He sent Timothy and Erastus to them in AD 54 (Acts 19:21–22). He returned and stayed three months in AD 55 (Acts 20:1–6; cf. 1 Cor 16:5).
One of Paul's main themes in his First Epistle to the Thessalonians is the Second Coming. He focused on the participation of the righteous in the events of the Second Coming, especially Saints who had died previously (see 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:13–17; 5:1–10).
Chapter 4 begins to address points Paul wants to clarify. First of these is the need to grow in good works, and to avoid immoral living. Paul then begins to explain ''the rapture'': the moment when Christ will retrieve believers from this earth. Paul's explanation seems to be intended to dispel rumors.
Audience: Paul wrote to the church he founded in the city of Thessalonica during his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1–9). Though he lived among these people only a short time, he shows great love for these Gentile believers in this, his first of two letters to them.
Paul begins his first letter to the Thessalonians by giving thanks to God for their “work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in [the] Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:3). These three characteristics gave evidence to the “power” of the Holy Spirit witnessed by Paul in the lives of the Thessalonians.
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