Summary
Summary
of the Book of 1 Thessalonians
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.
It is
helpful to trace the locations of Paul and his companions that relate to the
Thessalonian correspondence. The travels were as follows:
- Paul
and Silas fled from Thessalonica to Berea. Since Timothy is not mentioned
(see Ac 17:10and 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).
- Paul
fled to Athens from Berean persecution, leaving Silas and Timothy in
Berea (see Ac 17:14).
- 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).
- Timothy
rejoined Paul at Athens and was sent back to Thessalonica (see 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).
- Paul
moved on to Corinth (see Ac 18:1).
- Silas
and Timothy came to Paul in Corinth (see 3:6; Ac 18:5).
- Paul
wrote 1 Thessalonians and sent it to the church.
- About
six months later (a.d. 51/52) he sent 2 Thessalonians in response to
further information about the church there.
Both
external and internal evidence (see 1:1; 2:18) support the view that Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians (from
Corinth; see note on 3:1-2). Early church writers are agreed on the matter, with
testimonies beginning as early as a.d. 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 and in his own letters (2:14-16 compared with Ac 17:5-10; 3:6 compared
with Ac 17:16). In the face of such evidence, few have ever rejected
authorship by Paul.
It is
generally dated c. a.d. 51. Weighty support for this date was found in an
inscription discovered at Delphi, Greece (see map No. 13 at the end of this
study Bible), 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, p. 1673). Except for the possibility of an
early date for Galatians (48-49?), 1 Thessalonians is Paul's earliest canonical
letter.
Thessalonica
was a bustling seaport city at the head of the Thermaic Gulf (see map, p.
2280). 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 in Macedonia and was also the capital of its province.
The
background of the Thessalonian church is found in Ac 17:1-9. 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; Ac 17:4 seem to indicate that the church was largely Gentile in
membership.
Paul
had left Thessalonica abruptly (see 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 encourage the new
converts 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 Theme below; see also notes on 4:13,15).
Although
the thrust of the letter is varied (see Purpose), the subject of eschatology
(doctrine of last things) seems to be predominant in both Thessalonian letters.
Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming 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 second coming seems to permeate the letter and may
be viewed in some sense as its theme. The two letters are often designated as
the eschatological letters of Paul.
I.
The Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians (ch. 1)
- The Genuineness
of the Grounds (1:5-10)
