The thoughts and note material given on these pages are only a possible suggestion of the meaning, they must not be taken as inspired, however they are prayerfully prepared and compared with other similar material. There are many ways in which God’s Word can be analyzed and none must be taken in place of the Word of God itself.

1 Thessalonians

WRITER. The Apostle Paul.

This Thessalonica church was the result of the second missionary journey by Paul and Silas. Acts 17:1-9. It was not an easy place to work, the Jews in the area opposed the message. Acts 17:5-13.

Paul was forced to go to Athens and became concerned for his converts back in Thessalonica and Berea. He decided to send Timothy to give encouragement to the church which was being exposed to severe persecution, 1 Thess 3:1-3. Following the return of Timothy to Paul at Corinth and his report of a growing church Paul writes his first letter to the church, to encourage the faithful brethren to continue in Christ, growing in love for Jesus and the fellowship.

Where Written and Date. It is believed that Paul arrived in Corinth during A.D. 50. Soon after this Silas and Timothy joined him from Macedonia, Acts 18:5. The first letter was probably written soon after their return, between A.D. 50 and 54.

Timothy’s report had encouraged Paul and his letter contains practical encouragement and some warnings of problems for a church in a very pagan area, impurity and false teaching.
Paul’s teaching when in Thessalonica had included the second coming and this had caused two problems in the church.
1) Because many of the believers thought that the return of Christ was very soon, they felt it was a waste of time to work.
2) What would happen to any believers who had died before the return of Christ, some thought that these people would not go into the glory of Christ kingdom.

Introduction. 1 Thess 1:1

Paul looks back on his visit. 1 Thess 1:2 to 3:13 a) Paul praises the church. 1 Thess 1:2-10
b) For their acceptance of the Gospel. 1 Thess 1:2-5
c) For their witness to the area. 1 Thess 1:5-10

The formation of the church. 1 Thess 2:1-16

Timothy’s visit to the church. 1 Thess 2:17-3:13

Practical encouragement for the church. 1 Thess 4:1-5:22

Closing prayers and thoughts. 1 Thess 5:23-28