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. Paul wrote these letters in response to timothys report that the thessalonians church was prospering despite intense persecution from factions. Second thessalonians is the theological sequel to first thessalonians. External evidence strongly supports pauline authorship geisler, a general introduction to the bible, pp. This is an introduction to the book of 1st thessalonians, and what you can expect from the miniseries. Irenaeus quoted 1 thessalonians by namehe wrote around a. The letters called epistles from paul to thessalonica, which included i thessalonians and ii thessalonians were probably two of the earliest letters paul had written which was around a. Interesting facts about 1 thessalonians bible charts. Though paul had to suddenly leave this young church, his deep. Pauls personal reflections of the thessalonians chs. This is true of the first letter to the thessalonians. Aug 11, 2017 first and second thessalonians are among the earliest documents we possess from the inception of the new testament church. Not only is 1 thessalonians the first of two letters to the church at thessalonica, it is pauls first letter period.
Yet despite a twomillennia gap, these letters ring with relevance for today. The book of 1 st thessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul. Not long after receiving i thessalonians from paul, some of the thessalonian believers. First and second thessalonians comprise some of the earliest new testament writings. The opening to the letter is typical for the world he lived in. Introduction to niv study bible go to 2 thessalonians author, date, and place of writing. It follows his visit there on his second missionary journey see. A reading from the book of the prophet isaiah or jeremiah, ezekiel, hosea, etc. Apr 01, 2019 pauls first letter to the thessalonians author. Pauls thankful optimism regarding the thessalonians spiritual welfare is tempered by his insistence on their recognition of the selfless love shown by the missionaries. First thessalonians provides christians with the clearest biblical passage on the coming rapture of believers, an event that will inaugurate the sevenyear. It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52. The key personalities in this book are the apostle paul, timothy, and silas.
It opens with a reminiscence of the founding of the church there. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international bible. The first epistle to the thessalonians table of contents introduction to first thessalonians 1. Apr 14, 2020 a reading from the first or second book of samuel or kings, chronicles, maccabees. Silas came to him and brought him word concerning the thessalonians see 1 thess. The first says instructions on church order and pastoral responsibilities is the message of the letter. Introduction this wonderful epistle is almost at the end of pauls epistles as far as their arrangement in the new testament is concerned. It is unusual in that it was written only a short time after the apostle.
There are a lot of people today who want to argue prophecy, and there is a great deal of curiosity about it. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians and sent it to the church. This will be a great study, so be sure to like it and pass it on. He was only in the city a short time because he was forced out by enemies of the gospel. Paul had not spent long enough time with the church in thessalonica, and wrote this letter to further instruct them in their walk with christ and sound doctrine. We find him establishing a church in a brief time and continuing to pray and be concerned about its growth, development, and ministry. The first epistle was penned at corinth by the apostle paul in response to timothys report on the progress of the church they had recently established there 3. In all probability, 1 thessalonians is the earliest of pauls epistles, particularly because it indicates that the memory of the events leading to the.
The name jesus in ancient hebrew text yeshua in first century hebrew text. The apostle paul advises the thessalonian christians to stay spiritually awake, make sure of all things, pray constantly, and encourage one another. The book of 2 thessalonians has not always been accepted as pauline and has been attacked on several grounds. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline by almost all nt scholars1b. Paul himself founded the church in thessalonica on his second missionary journey acts 17. Title in the greek nt, 1 thessalonians is listed literally as to the thessalonians. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul. Timothy also brought some questions to paul, problems troubling the believers in thessalonica. It is unusual in that it was written only a short time after the apostle had left the citypossibly not over six months in time. The first letter to the thessalonians when paul parted from barnabas acts 15. Paul wrote this letter to strengthen and encourage the church in thessalonica.
Pauls first letter to the thessalonians is the thirteenth book in the new testament. Introduction to 1 thessalonians church of jesus christ. Pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it has more support from early christian writers. The fact that the coming of christ is a purifying hope should lead to sanctification in our lives. Intro to 1 thessalonians background of the thessalonian letters. First thessalonians is older than matthew, mark, luke, john, acts, romans, and every other new testament book except galatians and james. Yet the church of the thessalonians continued alive and active. Paul commends believers for their positive testimony, exhorts them in behalf of the. A 5 minute introduction to 1 thessalonians youtube.
Two scholarly camps exist on the major theme of 1 timothy. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. The bustling seaport city of thessalonica was the capital of macedonia, located along the egnatian way. Believers at thessalonica, but as with all of the epistles it is also for believers of all times. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline. For background on the church at thessalonica, see acts 17. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living ministries. Introduction to the first epistle to the thessalonians 1 thessalonians 1. In 1 thessalonians the emphasis is upon the rapture of believers, the coming of christ to take his church out of the world. The thessalonian letters provide tremendous insight into paul as both missionary and pastor. Paul had not spent long enough time with the church in thessalonica, and wrote this letter to.
In this video i provide for you a brief introduction to pauls letter to the believers in thessalonica. 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. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians story of the. Introduction to the first epistle to the thessalonians. The first epistle to the thessalonians introduction author the apostle paul, joined in his salutation by silvanus and timothy 1. In his letters to the thessalonians, paul would have none of this. Pauls greetings and concerns chapters 12 christian living chapter 3 the coming day of jesus chapter 45. First thessalonians is accepted by virtually all nt scholars. He also address es their concerns regarding those who died in christ, and jesus second coming. It states its occasion very specifically and crisply. Its genuineness is attested by polycarp epistle to the philippians, 11, who alludes to 2 thessalonians 3. The dead in christ shall rise first, while those still living will follow close behind.
The first epistle to the thessalonians is believed to be the earliest of the apostle pauls existing epistles and may be. This introductory course is designed to provide key insights into the book of 2 thessalonians by pulling together a number of key resources. Both lists of canonical books of the nt circulated in rome. The authenticity of this epistle is attested by iren. Paul was now clearly at the head of his own missionary band. The city of thessalonica enjoyed the advantages of a strategic location. The thessalonian church is the only church not censured for anything. Study the bible online using commentary on 1 thessalonians introduction and. Upgrade your digital bible study experience with bible gateway plus. When he returns, the dead who have believed in christ will rise and will. I thessalonians introduction and background to the epistle. It is helpful to trace the locations of paul and his companions that relate to. Introduction to 1 thessalonians why study this book. Ad 51, and addressed to the newly founded church at thessalonica thessaloniki.
The books of the new testament are most of them definitely occasional in character. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a jewish. The first letter to the thessalonians lesson 1 introduction and chapter 1. The book of acts recounts the events surrounding the founding of this.
Thus, pauls first two letters were written to thessalonica. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a. These 1 and 2 thessalonians are considered by many scholars to be the earliest of pauls epistles. The apostle paul wrote this letter with the assistance of his coworkers silas and timothy. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians bible survey.
Soon afterwards he took timothy along with him acts 16. Bible commentary on the book of 1 thessalonians, introduction, by dr. Thessalonians 1,2, study of camp hill church of christ. The book of 1stthessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul.
Jan 19, 2015 numerous folks have requested that i do a study on the eschatology of thessalonians. One of the apostle pauls earliest ministries was in the city of thessalonica. Paul wrote this letter to the church in thessalonica. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians story of the bible. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a jewish synagogue on three successive sabbath days. Book of 1 thessalonians explained discover books of the.
The first three chapters are about paul longing to visit the church in thessalonica but not being able to because satan stopped them 1 thessalonians 2. Now, with some of that introductory information setting the foundation, we can look at pauls opening in verse one. Introduction to 1 thessalonians bible exposition commentary. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible. This represents the apostle pauls first canonical correspondence to the church in the city of thessalonica. Paul wrote this first epistle in response to their questions, to instruct them further and give them needed comfort.
Enduring word bible commentary 1 thessalonians chapter 1. This letter to the church at thessalonica is most likely the first letter paul ever wrote. Paul commends believers for their positive testimony, exhorts them in behalf of the faith, corrects false doctrine, answers false charges against his ministry. However, it was actually the first epistle that paul wrote. When paul and silas had passed through amphipolis and apollonia they came to. The second camp insists the books true aim is to prove that the authentic gospel produces godly results in the lives of those who follow it. First thessalonians provides christians with the clearest biblical passage on the coming rapture of believers, an event that will inaugurate the sevenyear tribulation. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. 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 the new testament. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international.
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