1 Thessalonians

Author: The apostle Paul

Audience: The largely Gentile church in Thessalonica, founded by Paul

Date: About ad 51

Theme: Paul praises the Thessalonian believers for their spiritual maturity and perseverance, and he encourages them to further growth in view of Christ’s imminent return and God’s empowering Spirit.

Introduction

Background of the Thessalonian Letters

It is helpful to trace the locations of Paul and his companions that relate to the Thessalonian correspondence. The travels were as follows:

(1) Paul, Silas and Timothy established the church in Thessalonica on Paul’s second missionary journey (Ac 17:1–9).

(2) Because of persecution, Paul and Silas fled from Thessalonica to Berea. Since Timothy is not mentioned (see Ac 17:10 and note), it is possible that he stayed in Thessalonica or went back to Philippi and then rejoined Paul and Silas in Berea (Ac 17:14).

(3) Paul fled to Athens from Berean persecution, leaving Silas and Timothy in Berea (see Ac 17:14).

(4) Paul sent word back, instructing Silas and Timothy to come to him in Athens (see Ac 17:15; see also note on 1Th 3:1–2).

(5) Timothy rejoined Paul at Athens and was sent back to Thessalonica (3:1–5). Since Silas is not mentioned, it has been conjectured that he went back to Philippi when Timothy went to Thessalonica (see note on 3:1–2).

(6) Paul moved on to Corinth (Ac 18:1).

(7) Silas and Timothy came to Paul in Corinth (3:6; Ac 18:5).

(8) Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians and sent it to the church.

(9) Sometime later (perhaps ad 51 / 52) he sent 2 Thessalonians in response to further information about the church there.

Author, Date and Place of Writing

Both external and internal evidence (1:1; 2:18) support the view that Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians (from Corinth; see map and note on 3:1–2). Early church writers are agreed on the matter, with testimonies beginning as early as ad 140 (Marcion). Paul’s known characteristics are apparent in the letter (3:1–2,8–11 compared with Ac 15:36; 2Co 11:28). Historical allusions in the book fit Paul’s life as recounted in Acts (1Th 2:14–16 compared with Ac 17:5–10; 1Th 3:6 compared with Ac 17:15–16). In the face of such evidence, few have ever rejected authorship by Paul.

This epistle is generally dated c. ad 51 (see chart). Weighty support for this date was found in an inscription discovered at Delphi, Greece (see map), that dates Gallio’s proconsulship to c. 51–52 and thus places Paul at Corinth at the same time (see Ac 18:12–17 and note on 18:12; see also chart). Except for the possibility of an early date for Galatians (48–49?), 1 Thessalonians is Paul’s earliest canonical letter.

Thessalonica: The City and the Church

Thessalonica was a bustling seaport city at the head of the Thermaic Gulf (see photo). It was an important communication and trade center, located at the junction of the great Egnatian Way and the road leading north to the Danube. It was the largest city and the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia.

The background of the Thessalonian church is found in Ac 17:1–9 (see note on 17:1). Since Paul began his ministry there in the Jewish synagogue, it is reasonable to assume that the new church included some Jews. However, 1:9–10 and Ac 17:4 seem to indicate that the church was largely Gentile in membership.

Purpose

Paul had left Thessalonica abruptly (Ac 17:5–10) after a rather brief stay. Recent converts from paganism (1:9) were thus left with little external support in the midst of persecution. Paul’s purpose in writing this letter was to praise the new converts for their perseverance and to encourage them in their trials (3:3–5), to give instruction concerning godly living (4:1–12) and to give assurance concerning the future of believers who die before Christ returns (4:13–18; see Themes below; see also notes on 4:13,15).

Themes

Much of 1 Thessalonians is not overtly theological. A key theme in both Thessalonian letters, however, is eschatology (doctrine of the last things). Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the return of Christ, with ch. 4 giving it major consideration (1:9–10; 2:19–20; 3:13; 4:13–18; 5:23–24). Thus the return of Christ permeates 1 Thessalonians, and the two letters are often designated as the eschatological letters of Paul. A significant secondary theme in both letters is the importance of work to support oneself when possible, rather than idleness and dependence on others.

Paul writes to encourage new converts in their trials, to give instruction concerning godly living, and to give assurance concerning the future of believers who die before Christ returns.

Outline

I. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians (ch. 1)

A. The Grounds for Thanksgiving (1:1–4)

B. The Genuineness of the Grounds (1:5–10)

II. Defense of the Apostolic Actions and Absence (chs. 2–3)

A. Defense of the Apostolic Actions (2:1–16)

B. Defense of the Apostolic Absence (2:17—3:10)

C. The Prayer (3:11–13)

III. Exhortations to the Thessalonians (4:1—5:22)

A. Primarily Concerning Personal Life (4:1–12)

B. Concerning the Coming of Christ (4:13—5:11)

C. Primarily Concerning Church Life (5:12–22)

IV. Concluding Prayer, Greetings and Benediction (5:23–28)