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Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

The Writer

We see from 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2:18 that the writer was Paul the Apostle. This epistle was probably written in A.D. 51 from Corinth during Paul's year and half ministry there (read Acts 17). We also see from the first verse that Silvanus (Silas) and Timotheus (Timothy) were with Paul when he wrote it. This coincides with the book of Acts because we see that Silas was with Paul on this missionary Journey (Acts 15:22, 40; 16:19, 25, 27; 17:4, 10) as well as was Timothy for a portion of it (Acts 17:14-15; 18:4).

The letter is addressed as from Paul, Silas and Timothy:

  • Paul was once a persecutor of the church named Saul of Tarsus. Wrote 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. 1 Thessalonians is one of the first epistles he wrote.
  • Silas was a prophet himself and selected by the elders as one of the delegates of the Jerusalem church to Antioch. When Paul and Barnabas had their personal disagreement, the missionary troop was disbanded. Barnabas and John Mark went their way and Paul and Silas went their own way. (Acts 15:36-41)
  • Timothy was a young convert who Paul desired to continue with him in his missionary journey. (Acts 16:1-3) Note: Timothy isn't mentionaed again until until Acts 17:14 when he appears in Berea, but that may only because he was so young.

Paul visited Thessalonica for three weeks after he left Philippi. He preached in the synagogue and reasoned out of the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. There was mixed success at Thessalonica for Paul but the opposition eventually made it wise to leave. Paul visited Berea, Athens and then Corinth at which he writes this epistle.

The City of Thessalonica

Not much has been uncovered in archaeologic efforts at the location of Thessalonica because of the modern city that sits on top of it. In 1962, an old bus station was demolished and when the area was excavated a 1st or 2nd century A.D. forum was uncovered. Among other things, an inscription (30 B.C. to A.D. 143) was found on the Vardar gate bearing the word "politarches," the word Luke used in reference to the officials of the city before whom Jason was brought by the mob (Acts 17:6).

What kind of place was Thessalonica for the new converts? Thessalonica was a bustling seaport city at the head of the Thermaic Gulf. 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.

The Purpose of Writing

(READ Acts 17:1-10) Paul had to leave Thessalonica suddenly after being there only a short time. The new Christians had little to no support in Paul's departure. Paul's purpose in writing this letter was to exhort, remind, and encourage them.

  • Exhort—2:3; 4:1; 5:14
  • Remind—1:3; 2:9
  • Encourage—1:2; 3:7; 4:9, 18; 5:2, 11, 27

Amidst the important exhortation and stirring of their memory, Paul's main theme seems to be to encourage the young Christians at Thessalonica. 1:2; 3:7; 4:9, 18; 5:2, 11, 27. Included in his message is the assurance that what you received was real.

1 Thessalonians 1:2—We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

About six months after sending out the epistle of 1 Thessalonians (a.d. 51/52) he sent 2 Thessalonians in response to confusion that had arisen concerning the second coming of Christ.

Paul had not to date had the privilege to spend as much time with them as he would have liked especially after his abrupt departure and then further difficulty in trying to return.

1 Thessalonians 2:18—Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

The Theme

The theme of 1 Thessalonians is second coming of Christ (1:3, 10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-11, 23).

The Outline

There are five chapters in the first epistle to the Thessalonians that are divided into two sections:

  1. Personal Relations to the Thessalonians (chapters 1-3)
  2. Practical Instructions in Doctrine and Life (chapters 4-5)
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