1 Thessalonians

Overview of 1 Thessalonians

Paul is writing to a group of young believers in Thessalonica.

Paul had a close call in Macedonia’s major city. Thus, he was forced to leave the city, while not being able to give these new converts the necessary instructions they needed.

During his time there, Paul did have his opportunity to speak with them about a few subjects regarding their spiritual living:

In the first half of this letter...

...two things about Paul emerge very clearly:

Two things about Paul emerge very clearly:

His deep, personal anxiety about the Thessalonian’s situation

There is always a back-story to the ministry movement.

… two things emerge about the Thessalonian believers:

His equally deep relief to learn that things are going basically very well. (3:6-8)

… two things emerge about the Thessalonian believers:

They continue to undergo suffering and persecution.

They are basically hanging in there with regard to their faith in Christ - although there are also some things lacking.

The rest of the letter takes up matters that have been reported to him by Timothy. Most of them are reminders of instructions they had been given when Paul and his companions were among them - about:

Sexual immorality

Mutual love , which includes working for one’s own sustenance.

The return of Christ.

One extra item is included, namely, what happens to believer who have died before the coming of Christ.

These are found, as we will view, in: (1:5; 2:1, 5, 9, 10, 11; 4:2, 5:1)

***It is also of some interest to read 1 Thessalonians in conjunction with Philippians. Because, we get a view of the persecution that the Macedonian citizens endure due to their loyalty to a “King” other than Caesar.

Emphases of the Letter

Paul’s loving concern for his friends in Thessalonica;

suffering as part of Christian life;

holiness regarding sexual matters;

the need to do one’s own work and not live off the largesse of others;

the resurrection of the Christian dead;

readiness for Christ’s coming.

A Walkthrough of 1 Thess.

1:2-10 Thanksgiving for Their Conversion

2:1-12 Recalling Paul’s Ministry

2:13-16 The Thanksgiving - and Thessalonian’s Suffering - Renewed

2:17-3:10 Paul, the Thessalonians, and Timothy

3:11-13 Prayer Report

4:13-18 On the Future of Christians Who have Died

5:1-11 On the Coming of Christ

5:12-22 Concluding Exhortations

5:23-28 Concluding Prayer and Greetings