Paul's First Letter

Thessalonians: the first letter

This letter would have been written during Pauls 2nd missionary journey.

Likely corrisponds with Acts 15:36 “After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.”” to Acts 18:22

Acts 15:36 CSB

After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.”

Acts 18:22 CSB

On landing at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, then went down to Antioch.

During that time Paul and his compainions had suffered many things at thee hands of both Jews and Greeks while on this journey. He would see prison as well as take beatings.

The Promise of the Lord would speak to him in Acts 18:10-11

Acts 18:10–11 CSB

For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.” He stayed there a year and a half, teaching the word of God among them.

We must keeps these things in mind because this is what Paul would be thinking, reflecting, and teaching on as he writes this letter to the Thessalonians.

Just some background information. 1st Thessalonians is thought to be the first letter that Paul would write. Some would contest that Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians first.

Paul is concerned, which we will read, that the Church in Thessalonica has been infiltrated and that they have been practicing teaching that is not in line with the gospel that Paul had once proclaimed to them.

Paul had good reason to the concerned. Thessalonica was a port city, trade was great there. The population rose to about 200,000 people and pagan and idol, worship was practiced regularly.

We read about the actual birth of the church in Thessalonica in Act 17:3-4

Acts 17:3–4 CSB

explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.

Paul and Silas would face intense persiction from the Romans and would have to flee from the city. Thus the letter was written to check up on the church that they left behind there.

This gives us some background as to what is going on with Paul. Let’s take a look at the city more and see if we can add some more color to our backdrop.

I think it is important to take notice of the list that Paul makes here as he is speaking about what he recalls when he prays for the church in Thessalonica.

Your work produced by faith

Your labor motivated by love

Your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

Let’s break these down and see what we can learn from the roots of our family tree!

(Maybe you need to look further in the book to see these things played out. Remember that they were under intense persicution. They would have neighboring Greeks, Romans, and Jews that would hate them. Their neighbors would see it as an attack on Ceaser. Claiming that Jesus is king would be a direct opposition to king ceaser.

Paul discusses their labor. He speaks aout those who are working hard. this is we should do this because we are not to be burdens to anyone. We help others who are not able to live out their work. This does not mean that they stop the work that they are doing in the Lord.

Paul speaks about their the holiness that they are to be living. The ancient greek world was littered with sexually immoral people. Paul address this. We will talk about this later on in this series.

Looking further into the book, coupled with looking at Acts, could lead to some understanding as to what these three things look like in the lives of the Thessalonians.)