Paul’s First Epistle to the Thessalonians
This
is
one
of
Paul’s
earliest
letters
to
the
churches.
If
Galatians
was
the
first
(which
is
much
debated),
then
this
would
have
been
his
second.
Paul
was
at
Thessalonica
for
only
a
short
time
before
having
to
leave
because
of
persecution
orchestrated
by
some
Jews.
Even
so,
there
had
been
many
converts.
From
Thessalonica
Paul
went
on
to
Berea,
then
Athens
and
then
to
Corinth.
Timothy
had
been
sent
to
Thessalonica
from
Athens,
then
later
rejoined
Paul
in
Corinth,
bringing
news
of
the
Thessalonian
church,
which
prompted
this
first
letter
to
them,
written
around
A.D.
51
or
52.
Although
the
content
is
various,
the
subject
of
eschatology
(doctrine
of
last
things
or
end
times)
seems
to
be
uppermost
in
Paul’s
mind,
with
each
of
the
first
three
chapters
ending
with
a
reference
to
Christ’s
second
coming,
and
chapter
four
giving
it
specific
consideration.
Paul’s
second
letter
to
the
Thessalonians
also
deals
with
this
subject,
with
the
consequence that these letters to the Thessalonians are often referred to as the eschatological letters.
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians
[1Th 1]
Paul’s
greeting
comes
from
himself,
Silas
and
Timothy,
his
companions
at
the
time.
He
gives
thanks
and
commends
them
for
their
faith,
love
and
hope,
which,
despite
the
persecution
around
them,
continue
to
grow
and
have
become
known
throughout
Macedonia
and
Greece.
They
are
an
example
to
all
believers
in
the
region
in
how
they
turned
away
from
idols
to
God
and
now
wait
for
His
Son
from
heaven.
The manner of Paul’s ministry to the Thessalonians
[1Th 2]
Seemingly
in
defence
of
his
ministry
to
them,
Paul
tells
of
how
they
came
to
Thessalonica
despite
experiencing
previous
persecutions
in
Macedonia,
bringing
the
gospel
boldly,
but
with
plain
speaking
and
without
seeking
glory
from
anyone.
They
delivered
the
gospel
with
love
and
without
being
a
burden
to
them,
being
blameless
in
their
behaviour,
and
teaching
them
as
a
father
to
his
children
that
they
might
come
to
know
the
ways
of
God.
All
the
believers
at
Thessalonica
can
testify
to
this.
Paul
and
his
companions
are
now
able
to
give
thanks
for
their
acceptance
of
the
gospel
as
the
true
word
of
God,
having
become
like
the
churches
in
Judea,
suffering
persecution
for
their
faith.
But
their
time
at
Thessalonica
had
been
cut
short
and
Paul
now
longs
to
come
to
see
them
again,
having
already
been
hindered twice. His hope and joy would be for them to be in the presence of Christ in His coming.
Further thanksgiving and prayer
[1Th 3]
Timothy
had
been
sent
to
Thessalonica
because
Paul
was
concerned
their
faith
might
have
suffered
as
a
result
of
the
persecution
there.
However,
he
returned
with
good
news
and
the
message
that
they
longed
to
see
Paul
and
his
companions
again.
Paul
gives
thanks
to
God and prays they will increase and abound in love, establishing hearts prepared for the Lord’s second coming.
Living for God; Concerning the departed and Christ’s second coming
[1Th 4-5:11]
Paul
now
exhorts
them
to
continue
to
walk
in
faith
and
to
aim
to
please
God.
He
particularly
mentions
abstinence
from
fornication
(which
dishonours
the
body),
both
personally
and
in
relation
to
another
man’s
wife,
for
the
Lord
is
the
avenger
concerning
all
these.
Their
brotherly
love
should
increase
more
and
more,
they
should
work
to
support
themselves
and
they
should
conduct
themselves
in
a
manner that witnesses to their faith.
Probably
in
response
to
concerns
for
loved
ones
who
died
before
Christ’s
second
coming
(for
which
the
expectation
at
the
time
was
that
it
would
be
soon),
Paul
makes
it
clear
that
believers,
living
or
departed,
will
all
be
gathered
to
be
with
the
Lord
forever.
In
this
they
can
take
comfort,
but
they
will
not
know
when
that
day
will
come,
for
it
will
be
as
a
thief
in
the
night.
In
the
meantime,
they
are
to
continue in their Christian walk, in faith, love and hope of salvation, comforting and edifying one another.
Closing exhortations, prayer and greetings
[1Th 5:12-28]
Paul’s
closing
remarks
provide
a
summary
list
of
Christian
attributes
they
should
display,
including
respect
for
masters,
concern
for
one
another,
to
do
good
to
all
men,
rejoice
and
pray
continuously,
and
to
always
give
thanks
to
God.
They
are
to
be
receptive
to
inspired
teaching, but with discernment.
Paul closes with a request for prayer and a charge to ensure this epistle is read to all the brethren.
Hierarchical Précis