The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. Its importance can be measured by the 318 different occasions it is referenced in the new testament. Pauls purpose in writing this letter was to encourage the new converts in their trials 3. Did paul also say that those who understand will know when the return of jesus christ is near. The key personalities in this book are the apostle paul, timothy, and silas. Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at athens alone. These were the grounds and reasons of his thanksgiving. Ministering with sensitivity and love 1 thessalonians 5. Summary of 1 thessalonians 4 paul reminds his audience of the teachings they were given, saying, you learned from us how you ought to live and to please god as, in fact, you are doing 1 thessalonians 4.
And then mentions the sure evidences of the good success of the gospel among them, which was notorious and famous in several other places 1 thessalonians 1. Many gentiles in the church had come out of idolatry, which was not a particular problem among the jews of that time 1 thessalonians 1. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our lord jesus christ, in the sight of god and our father. His praise for the thessalonians arises from, is surrounded by, and aims toward the work of god. He directs christians to have respect for church leaders since many of them devote their own time and energies into serving the church as well as working in. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians story of the. Introduction to niv study bible go to 1 thessalonians. Interesting facts about 1 thessalonians bible charts. The book of 1 st thessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul. And sent timotheus, our brother, and minister of god, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith. Introduction to the book of 1 thessalonians stories of. It was a great commercial center of pauls time, the inhabitants being greeks, romans and jews.
Paul is the author of the book of 1st thessalonians as he begins paul, silvanus, and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ 1. Part of paul s letter was to expose the false teachers in the church there. First thessalonians is the eighth of pauls letters. Next chapter of 1 thessalonians the book of 1 thessalonians, chapter 1 we hope that you find the content of the book of 1 thessalonians, chapter 1 from the douay rheims version of the catholic bible helpful to your bible studies and for references which allow you to. Paul writes to the church in thessalonians a church he founded, telling them he thanks god for them and prays for them, remembering how their work is produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, and their endurance inspired by hope in jesus. What is the purpose of the book of 1st thessalonians. The first epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as first thessalonians or 1. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. 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. Aug 11, 2017 the thessalonians had grown slack in pursuing holiness 1 thess.
The letter starts with a little introgreetings from paul and his cowriters silvanus and timothy. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the daily bible reading scripture, several questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer to go along with the lesson. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. The opening words of 1 thessalonians identify the authors as the coworkers paul, silvanus identified as silas in the book of acts, and timothy.
Next chapter of 1 thessalonians the book of 1 thessalonians, chapter 1 we hope that you find the content of the book of 1 thessalonians, chapter 1 from the douay rheims version of the catholic bible helpful to your bible studies and for references which allow you to read the books and individual verses of this chapter. Impressed by the faithfulness of the thessalonians in the face of persecution, paul wrote to encourage the christians in that community with the goal that they would continue to grow in godliness. Pauls main purpose in writing is to encourage and reassure the christians there. Book of 1 thessalonians 1 thessalonians chapter 1 1 thessalonians chapter 2 1 thessalonians chapter 3 1 thessalonians chapter 4 1 thessalonians chapter 5. Jun 26, 2017 introduction to the book of 1 thessalonians the book of 1 thessalonians is almost universally considered to be the first of pauls letters, written around 52 ad. You will receive a periodic newsletter with links to our newest articles and features. Did paul try to predict a date of the return of jesus christ. It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52 however, some scholars believe. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica. Andy is a professor of bible and theology at the college of biblical studies in.
The apostle paul appears to have been the principal writer, but it is noteworthy that the letter almost always speaks in the voice of multiple authors using pronouns such as we, us, and our. The book of 1 thessalonians is almost universally considered to be the first of pauls letters, written around 52 ad. Jan 09, 2012 posts about summary of 1 thessalonians 1 written by atozmom. Hes writing to a group of christians in thessalonica, and hes just pleased as punch because hes heard a report that they are kicking butt when it comes to having faith. Bible study questions on the book of 1 thessalonians introduction. Because we are so seldom heavenlyminded, we are of little earthly good. Now interestingly enough, those three things also form a little outline, built right into the text, to guide you in understanding the first three chapters.
The purpose of 1 thessalonians hts teologiese studies. Paul and friends are writing to a group of christians in thessalonica. Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in some sense as its theme. Purpose the second coming of christ is a foundational truth to the christian faith. He initially visited thessalonica to establish a congregation after a difficult trip to philippi, where he was mistreated. Paul, silvanus, and timothy to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ. First thessalonians it is generally supposed that pauls first epistle to the thessalonians is the first book of the new testament that was ever written. Paul addressed the thessalonians but his instructions apply to all christians in the body of christ throughout the ages. The purpose behind i thessalonians is multifaceted. He begins by saying that the church finds its calling in god and in the lord jesus christ 1 thessalonians 1. It still exists under the name of saloniki, and has a population of from 75,000 to. This summary of the book of 2 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 2 thessalonians. Constables notes on 1 thessalonians 2020 edition could have been his first inspired epistle. Bible study questions on the book of 1 thessalonians.
His aim for this letter was to strengthen the christian church in thessalonica by. The book of 1 thessalonians, chapter 3 king james bible. This whole book is beautifully written and easy to understand. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians bible survey. 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 his first letter to the thessalonian church from the city of corinth around ad 51, just a few months after having preached in thessalonica on his second missionary journey. Paul knew that the people had been exposed to errant teaching from those in opposition to the way of jesus christ and the grace of god. Paul writes to the church in thessalonians a church he founded, telling them he thanks god for them and prays for them, remembering how their work is produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, and their endurance inspired by hope in jesus god has chosen them as evinced by the power of the holy spirit and their deep conviction. However, timothy soon returned with a good report, prompting paul to pen 1 thessalonians as a letter of encouragement to the new believers. Thus, the time of the writing of 1 thessalonians must have been the summer or fall of a. As his custom was upon arrival, he sought out the synagogue in which to teach the local jews the gospel acts 17.
Then, if we were to reconstruct the story of the thessalonians active faith, it would proceed with the following points. It was founded by cassander, king of macedon 315 b. He was also disputing the false charge that he had left in a hurry because of a charge of hypocrisy that the false teachers had accused him of. I used this book as a source for a bible presentation and it gave very detailed descriptions and helped broaden my understand of 1 and 2 thessalonians and of god.
There are those who identify the purpose of 1 thessalonians as to express to the congregation his joy about them and his satisfaction with them see jewett 1986. Second epistle to the thessalonians read the bible online. Please read the whole book of 1 thessalonians again as we study chapter 3. Wooo on is an eon thessalonians aelo1 1 and 2 thessalonians writing with gratitude and affection to a church that he had visited only briefly, pauls first and second epistles to the thessalonians offer words of encouragement to a faithful but struggling church, and they focus particularly on the encouragement offered by the return of christ. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians and sent it to the church. But the main purpose of pauls letter is to deal with a special problem that developed after paul left the city. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. 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. Pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it. Every chapter of 1 thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of christ, with ch. We thank god always for all of you as we mention you constantly in our prayers, 1. Paul has received a report from timothy about the thessalonian church. Pauls relationship with them and pauls exhortations to them 45. Dec 17, 2015 overview of the book of 1 thessalonians.
The book is a basic book of rejoicing and thanksgiving, six times mentioning joy or rejoicing and three times mentioning thanksgiving. Such sins were common in the city in which they lived. The thessalonians had grown slack in pursuing holiness 1 thess. And there is the expression of the patience, waiting in hope for his son from heaven. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead. It is probably one of his earliestknown letters, and one of the oldest books in the new testament. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. The book of 1 thessalonians, chapter 1 catholic bible. Historical allusions in the book fit pauls life as recounted in acts and in his own letters. The thessalonians were unsettled because they had misunderstood their future hope 1 thess. Pauls first letter to the thessalonians contains eight bible lessons which can be used for personal of group bible studies. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in thessalonica. The thessalonians had definitely grasped the significance of this event, and their lives displayed their eager anticipation. 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.
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