Grace Institute: The Pauline Epistles: 1 Thessalonians: Introduction

1 Thessalonians Survey of the New Testament: The Pauline Epistles Winter 2006

Introduction (1:1-2)

Greeting (1:1-2)

Author

Paul, along with his companions, Timothy and Silas. Paul wrote this during his second missionary journey, shortly after leaving Thessalonica, from the city of Corinth.

Audience

The letter is addressed to the church of the Thessalonians.

The City of Thessalonica

Thessalonica was the capital city of the Roman province of Macedonia. It was a large city, with some historians estimating a population of 200,000 at the time of Paul. Thessalonica was a port city, located in the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea and also on the main road from Rome to Asia and the orient. It was mostly populated by Greeks, although there were a number of other nationalities in the city, including a large Jewish population.

The Church in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)

Paul founded the church during his second missionary journey. After having left Philippi due to persecution, he and his companions arrived in Thessalonica, where, as typical, they began preaching in the synagogue. Some Jews believed and began following Christ, joining a very large number of Greeks who became followers. However, the Jews persecuted Paul greatly, creating a riot and running Paul out of town after less than a month in Thessalonica.

Occasion for the Writing

Paul had to leave the Thessalonians after only a few weeks of teaching and discipleship. Therefore, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica while he moved on to Athens and then Corinth (Acts 17:14). Timothy rejoined Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5) and brought encouraging news about the Thessalonians, along with an understanding of what additional teaching and exhortations were needed by this young church. The book of 1 Thessalonians is a letter in response to Timothy's report.

Theme of the Book

Not having been there to see their continued growth in the faith, Paul's primary concern for the Thessalonians is that they continue in their sanctification. In addition, the Thessalonians need additional doctrinal teaching on the return of Christ. These two themes of sanctification and Christ's return are weaved throughout the epistle.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your sprit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Structure of the Book (1:9-14)

In the first half of the book Paul looks back over the history of the relationship between Paul, Silas and Timothy and the Thessalonians. In the second half, he teaches specific areas of morality and doctrine on which the Thessalonians need clarification.

[Next: Paul's Relationship with the Thessalonians (1:3-3:13)]