The major theological theme of 1 and 2 Thessalonians is the return of Christ to earth. Purpose of Writing: In the church of Thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of Christ. II. 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. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group. In doing so, Paul provides further encouragement and consolation in the fact that the Thessalonians can rely on their knowledge in the faith. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-13 “Some sermons don’t have enough gospel in them to make soup for a sick grasshopper.” 4 giving it major consideration (1:9–10; 2:19–20; 3:13;4:13–18; 5:23–24). And to tell them that they cared about them. THE FIRST LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS When Paul parted from Barnabas (Acts 15:36–41) at the beginning of what is called his second missionary journey, he chose Silvanus (Silas) as his traveling companion. He reminds them, "For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness." Important as this theme is, however, the Thessalonian letters leave the reader wide-awake to the responsibilities of the present, not gazing into the future. We call the first section of the epistle the reminiscent part, because the apostle is referring to what had taken place in Thessalonica at that time. Therefore his writing is uniquely Remembrance, Celebration, and Thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 2:1-3:13) Although the thrust of the letter is varied (see Purpose), the subject of eschatology (doctrine of last things) seems to be predominant in both Thessalonian letters. First Thessalonians is one of the first of Paul’s letters, or epistles, to churches. Although the word Rapture does not occur in the English Bible (the Latin Bible uses the verb here from which rapture derives), the idea is expressed in the words “caught up.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 1 Thessalonians 1:6, NIV: "You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1:5). He then spends the next three chapters setting forth his relation to the Thessalonians (1:2–3:13). Because Paul had spent such little time with them, he writes to give both instruction and encouragement to them. Purpose and Themes present in 1 Thessalonians: The content of things covered in 1 & 2 Thessalonians is really quite remarkable. Again, the main subject of the book is Jesus Christ, who is mentioned 36 times in 89 verses. Argument. 2 To tell the Thessalonians how much they loved them. Paul says that "whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God." 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:16 REMINISCENT For the story of the founding of this church by Paul, examine Acts 17. 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.The epistle is attributed to Paul the Apostle, and is addressed to the church in Thessalonica, in modern-day Greece.It is likely the first of Paul's letters, probably written by the end of AD 52. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4) Paul reminds them of other teachings as well, including to love each other, not wronging anyone. When we write a letter of complaint, we generally do not begin with warm, fuzzy greetings. In all probability, 1 Thessalonians is the earliest of Paul’s epistles, particularly because it indicates that the memory of the events leading to the founding of that congregation are still fresh in the mind of the apostle.The letter was written from Corinth after his coworker St. Timothy returned from Thessalonica to report that the new converts had stood fast in the … 1 Thessalonians 5:14, ESV: "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." The Thessalonians willingly suffered the same things because they were convinced that Paul brought them not the word of man, but the Word 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 … 1 Thessalonians 1 is the first chapter of the First Epistle to the Thessalonians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.It is authored by Paul the Apostle, likely written in Corinth in about 50-51 CE for the church in Thessalonica. The inclusion of Paul's distinguished helpers, Silvanus and Timothy, in this salutation was not intended as designation of them as co-authors with Paul of this letter, but rather as a mark of friendship and courtesy on the part of the apostle for these faithful workers who had so frequently labored and suffered with him on the mission field. Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ, with ch. Rather, Paul reminds them of what they already know. Theme. The theme of 1 Thessalonians can be summed up as “the resurrection of the saints and the rapture of the Church.” II. Paul addressed the Thessalonians but his instructions apply to all Christians in the Body of Christ throughout the ages. The Day of the Lord is coming, and Paul 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The Thessalonian Christians became imitators of those who had suffered before them. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5 - Purpose As I mentioned in the introduction, 1 & 2 Thessalonians are Ecological epistles. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul cannot stop rejoicing that the gospel came to the Thessalonians in word, in power, and with full conviction by the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “But test them all; hold on to what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 , “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. • Upon hearing of their progress from Timothy, he writes 1 Thessalonians. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 1 Thessalonians 5:14, NIV: "And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone." After Paul’s forced separation from the Thessalonians, he grows increasingly concerned about the progress of their young faith. 1 Thessalonians 1:6, ESV: "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit," Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy (3:2, 6), Paul’s traveling companions on the second missionary journey when the church was founded (Acts 17:1-9), were also mentioned in Paul’s greeting (1:1). This is a central theme of the letter, set out already in 1:1-10 and repeated throughout (cf., 2:1, 2, 5, 11; 3:3, 4; 4:2). I. Start studying 1 Thessalonians (themes: 1-5). Likewise, a letter making a formal request will not generally begin with informal salutations. 4 giving it major consideration (1:9-10; 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23-24). Author and Date: The Apostle Paul identified himself twice as the author of this letter (1:1; 2:18). Introduction (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy greet the Thessalonians and praise them for their exemplary faith, hope, and love. 1 To express the joy that the writers felt and to give thanks to God for the good news that Timothy brought. Paul opens his letter with a customary salutation (1:1), written to the Thessalonian believers. Despite the hostile environment the new believers experienced in Thessalonica, they were holding fast to the word that was preached to them, and news of their devotion to Christ was becoming well-known throughout Macedonia (1 Thessalonians 1:7–8). Go to Index of Thessalonians. We jumped into that in chapter 4, and we are deep into it here in chapter 5. Such practices were also the case in antiquity, where the form … Continue reading "Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10" Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ, with ch. Soon afterwards he took Timothy along with him (Acts 16:1–3). 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