1 Thessalonians

What makes 1 Thessalonians special?

This short letter provides a look at the relationship Paul had with the Thessalonian church. Over half the letter is devoted to his prayers and thanksgiving for their faith. He is like a pastor who is concerned for his congregation and thankful for the time he has spent with them. Paul repeatedly uses phrases like “You know” and “You remember,” and then reminds the Thessalonians what they have learned from him. This makes it clear that he is writing to people who are already followers of Jesus Christ.

Why was 1 Thessalonians written?

Paul wanted to greet the Thessalonians and thank them for their faithfulness. He also wanted to let them know that he intended to come and see them again (3.11). Apparently some of the Thessalonian followers had questions about what would happen to followers who had died before Christ came back again (sometimes called the “Second Coming”), so Paul included an answer to this question (4.13-18). He followed up this advice by reminding them to be on the lookout for Christ's return at all times (5.1-11). As in most of his letters, Paul offers advice about how to live in a way that pleases God (4.1-12).

What's the story behind the scene?

The author of Acts describes the time of Paul's ministry among the Thessalonians (Acts 17.1-10). Just how long he stayed in Thessalonica is not clear, but Paul says in this letter that he worked long and hard to support himself (2.9) while starting the church in Thessalonica. This suggests that he must have stayed for at least several months.

Thessalonica, the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia in northern Greece, was located on a major east-west highway. Many of its people had worshiped idols before becoming Christians (1.9). But now they were faithful to the Lord, and because of them the Lord's message had spread everywhere in the region (1.7,8). This letter may be the oldest of Paul's letters found in the New Testament, and may even be the earliest of all the New Testament writings.

How is 1 Thessalonians constructed?

The letter can be outlined in the following way: