Therefore, paul probably wrote 1 thessalonians in a. New testament papyrus 46, one of the oldest new testament papyri, showing 2 cor 11. Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of god 1 thessalonians 4. Interesting facts about 1 thessalonians bible charts. It was founded by cassander, king of macedon 315 b. Practical instructions and encouragement 1 thessalonians 4. In 1 thessalonians chapter 3, paul explained to the church why timothy had been sent to them and why paul remained in athens. It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52 however, some scholars believe. Now may the god of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our lord jesus christ comes again. Paul and his companions had established the church in thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. Over a quarter of 1 thessalonians and nearly half of 2 thessalonians deal with problems and issues regarding the parousia or coming of christ from heaven. Book of 1 thessalonians 1 thessalonians chapter 1 1 thessalonians chapter 2 1 thessalonians chapter 3 1 thessalonians chapter 4 1 thessalonians chapter 5. Summary of 1 thessalonians 4 paul reminds his audience of the teachings they were given, saying, you learned from us how you ought to live and to please god as, in fact, you are doing 1 thessalonians 4. You will receive a periodic newsletter with links to our newest articles and features.
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that i write unto you. He was afraid that their afflictions may have given the devil a chance to tempt them and render his work in vain. Pauls relationship with them and pauls exhortations to them 45. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians bible survey. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the lord so cometh as a thief in the night. The thessalonians had grown slack in pursuing holiness 1 thess. Living for christs return volume 11 21st century biblical commentary series stallard, mike, hindson, ed, couch, mal on. Introduction to the book of 1 thessalonians the book of 1 thessalonians is almost universally considered to be the first of pauls letters, written around 52 ad. The thessalonian church the first epistle to the thessalonians is probably the first epistle that paul ever wrote, around 52 ad. However, timothy soon returned with a good report, prompting paul to pen 1 thessalonians as a letter of encouragement to the new believers.
The apostle paul and his associates write a tender pastoral letter to believers in thessalonica to reaffirm their strong faith, strengthen their ground for hope. A new church was founded there of mixed population and included various prominent macedonian women. It is helpful to trace the locations of paul and his companions that relate to the thessalonian correspondence. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians and sent it to the church. The opening words of 1 thessalonians identify the authors as the coworkers paul, silvanus identified as silas in the book of acts, and timothy. Learn what the bible teaches in the book of 1 thessalonians. The first epistle to the thessalonians is believed to be the earliest of the apostle pauls existing epistles and may be the oldest book in. I used this book as a source for a bible presentation and it gave very detailed descriptions and helped broaden my understand of 1 and 2 thessalonians and of god. Many gentiles in the church had come out of idolatry, which was not a particular problem among the jews of that time 1 thessalonians 1. First thessalonians it is generally supposed that pauls first epistle to the thessalonians is the first book of the new testament that was ever written. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. The first epistle to the thessalonians, or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle written by the apostle paul, probably between 5254 a. The book is a basic book of rejoicing and thanksgiving, six times mentioning joy or rejoicing and three times mentioning thanksgiving.
Introduction to the book of 1 thessalonians stories of. Grace be unto you, and peace, from god our father, and the lord jesus christ. The thessalonians were unsettled because they had misunderstood their future hope 1 thess. We give thanks to god always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. The apostle paul appears to have been the principal writer, but it is noteworthy that the letter almost always speaks in the voice of multiple authors using pronouns such as we, us, and our. This summary of the book of 1 thessalonians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 thessalonians. The account of pauls initial visit to thessalonica is in acts 17. In an age of itinerant peddlers of new religions, paul found it necessary to emphasize not only the content of his gospel but also his manner of presenting it, for. Paul addressed the thessalonians but his instructions apply to all christians in the body of christ throughout the ages. Paul wrote his first letter to the thessalonian church from the city of corinth around ad 51, just a few months after having preached in thessalonica on his second missionary journey. Living for christs return volume 11 21st century biblical commentary series. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. The background of the thessalonian church is found in ac 17. Grace be unto you, and peace, from god our father, and the lord jesus christ 2 we give thanks to god always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our lord.
In return for its support of augustus, the romans made thessalonica a free city in 43 b. Paul is the author of the book of 1st thessalonians as he begins paul, silvanus, and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ 1. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by god, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the. The first epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as first thessalonians or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living.
What is the purpose of the book of 1st thessalonians. Later, paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to check on the church there, and timothys report led paul to write this letter. He initially visited thessalonica to establish a congregation after a difficult trip to philippi, where he was mistreated. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. Next chapter of 1 thessalonians the book of 1 thessalonians, chapter 1 we hope that you find the content of the book of 1 thessalonians, chapter 1 from the douay rheims version of the catholic bible helpful to your bible studies and for references which allow you to.
In pauls day, the region in which thessalonica was located was known as macedonia. His aim for this letter was to strengthen the christian church in thessalonica by. The book of 1 thessalonians, chapter 1 catholic bible. Hes writing to a group of christians in thessalonica, and hes just pleased as punch because hes heard a report that they are kicking butt when it comes to having faith. First thessalonians is the eighth of pauls letters.
Did paul also say that those who understand will know when the return of jesus christ is near. The first letter 1 thessalonians was written to a community of believers who had been christians for only a short period of time, probably no more than a few months. It is probably one of his earliestknown letters, and one of the oldest books in the new testament. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians story of the. The apostle paul identified himself twice as the author of this letter 1.
Because we are so seldom heavenlyminded, we are of little earthly good. Constables notes on 1 thessalonians 2020 edition could have been his first inspired epistle. He also expressed his concern for their faith in god. The first epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as first thessalonians or 1.
Watch our overview video on 1 thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living ministries. He directs christians to have respect for church leaders since many of them devote their own time and energies into serving the church as well as working in. This whole book is beautifully written and easy to understand. Indeed, others were telling paul of the thessalonians conversion from idols to serve the true god, and how they were waiting for the resurrected jesus to return from heaven who would deliver them from the wrath to come 510. Ministering with sensitivity and love 1 thessalonians 5. The thessalonian letters present the first literary evidence for the use of parousia.
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