The historical context of pauls epistles to the thessalonians is found in acts 17. 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. 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. The book of 1 st thessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul. Paul joins these two faithful fellowlabourers with himself in this epistle, because they had been with him at thessalonica, and were well known to and.
This narrative recounts pauls work in the city of thessalonica during his second missionary journey. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. Pauls message offered a marked contrast to the paganism and heathenism which were present in thessalonica. Pauls ministry in thessalonica 1 12 thessalonians accepted gods word 16 paul longs to see the thessalonians 1720 3. Best commentaries and books on 1 thessalonians logos. Thessalonica was also an important port and a melting pot city with cultures from all over the world. 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. There were a staggering variety of religions and religious professionals in thessalonica. Study 1 thessalonians using matthew henry bible commentary complete to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. Constables notes on 1 thessalonians 2020 edition could have been his first inspired epistle. Book of 1 thessalonians outline summary online bible nwt. The letter by james is usually considered the earliest, but 1 thessalonians is considered the earliest of pauls letters, written approximately at 51 a.
Paul, along with silas and timothy, founded the church at thessalonica on his second missionary journey acts 17. It was the first he wrote to european christians, and in it the fundamental things of the christian life are very clearly set forth. Support for this comes from timelines given in the book acts which have been coupled with accounts of roman and jewish history. Book of 1 thessalonians matthew henry bible commentary. Good bible study requires defining the meaning of keywords, studying parallel passages, explaining the meaning of the text clearly. Thus, the time of the writing of 1 thessalonians must have been the summer or fall of a. Paul wrote this letter to strengthen and encourage the church in thessalonica. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a. They wrote this first letter soon after timothy had come back to join paul and silas in corinth 1 thessalonians 3. The key personalities in this book are the apostle paul, timothy, and silas. Pauls ministry in thessalonica obviously touched not only jews but gentiles as well.
It is unusual in that it was written only a short time after the apostle. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. Thessalonica was a roman colony and very important in the life of the roman empire. I will speak of this letter as though it had chapters. Weima begins with the historical background of the letters. The ancient city of thessalonica is the same city, which is now called thessaloniki. He was only in the city a short time because he was forced out by enemies of the gospel.
Enduring word bible commentary 1 thessalonians chapter 1. Then paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to see what was happening with that church 1 thessalonians 3. This summary of the book of 1 thessalonians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 thessalonians. As we may look and examine the elements that 1 thessalonians provides throughout, we come to see the utilization of gods distinct word in life. Pauls anxious wait in athens 1 5 timothys comforting report 610 prayer for the thessalonians 11 4. Headings throughout the following book of 1 thessalonians. Watch our overview video on 1 thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Study 1 thessalonians using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The problem of idleness in thessalonica 1 thessalonians 4. Book of 1 thessalonians matthew henrys bible commentary. They are included in the body of the text so the reader can see them as he reads the book without having to page over to a. Book of 1 thessalonians 1 thessalonians chapter 1 1 thessalonians chapter 2 1 thessalonians chapter 3 1 thessalonians chapter 4 1 thessalonians chapter 5. In 1 thessalonians the emphasis is upon the rapture of believers, the coming of christ to take his church out of the world.
Thessalonica modern salonica, lies near the ancient site of therma on the thermaic gulf at the northern reaches of the aegean sea. Thessalonians 1,2, study of camp hill church of christ. Knowing the form of a typical letter will help us find the key themes and key purpose for the writing of the book. Two thousand years have passed since paul penned 1 2 thessalonians. It was founded by cassander, king of macedon 315 b. Paul neither uses the title of an apostle, nor any other, as writing to pious and simplehearted men with the utmost familiarity. This is currently the second largest and second most important city in. Blue letter bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the bible easy and rewarding.
Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians. Though paul had to suddenly leave this young church, his deep. The faith, love, and patience of the thessalonians, are evident tokens of their election which was manifested in the power with which the gospel came to them. 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. Paul himself founded the church in thessalonica on his second missionary journey acts 17. It was located 100 miles west of philippi and about 200 miles north of athens. After death no reviving, after the grave no meeting again. Greetings 1 thanks for the thessalonians faith 210 2. He provides with an overview of ancient thessalonica and the founding of the thessalonian. Yet the church of the thessalonians continued alive and active. Its powerful and exemplary effects upon their hearts and lives. Jesus is coming again click chart to enlarge charts from jensens survey of the nt used by permission.
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