1st Thessalonians
The Epistle of 1 Thessalonians is one of Paul's letters in the New
Testament of the Bible, written by the Apostle Paul and his
associates Silas and Timothy. It was written around AD 51-52,
making it one of the earliest Christian documents, possibly the
first written book of the New Testament.
The letter was written in Corinth and sent to the Christian
community in Thessalonica, a bustling seaport city in the Roman
province of Macedonia (modern-day Thessaloniki, Greece).
Thessalonica was a cosmopolitan city, known for its trade,
diverse cultures, and influence. It was a free city, not directly
ruled by a Roman official, which afforded its citizens,
especially the wealthy ones, a considerable degree of
autonomy.
However, the social structure was heavily stratified, with
slaves and impoverished people making up a large
proportion of the population. The city was largely
Hellenistic, influenced by Greek culture and philosophy,
but it also contained a significant number of Jews.
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Chapter 1
1. Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, sends greetings to the church of
the Thessalonians, acknowledging their faith in God the Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. They express gratitude for the Thessalonians,
remembering their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of
hope in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
2. Paul affirms the Thessalonians' election by God. Their reception of
the Gospel wasn't merely through words, but also in power and the
Holy Spirit, with full conviction.
He reminds them of his own conduct and theirs when they received the
Gospel, mentioning how they became imitators of Paul, Silas, Timothy,
and the Lord by welcoming the message amidst severe affliction with
joy inspired by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6
3. Consequently, the Thessalonians became an example to all believers
in Macedonia and Achaia. The word of the Lord echoed from them not
only in these regions, but their faith in God became known
everywhere. Paul elaborates on their transformation as they turned
from idols to serve the living and true God, and to await His Son from
heaven, Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, and who rescues us
from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
A summary of all five chapters of 1 Thessalonians
Chapter 2
1. Paul recalls the hardship and opposition he faced in bringing the
Gospel to the Thessalonians. Despite the struggles, they had the
courage in God to declare to them the Gospel.
1 Thessalonians 2:2,
2. Paul asserts that their appeal did not spring from deceit, impure
motives, or manipulation. They were entrusted with the gospel, so
they speak to please God and not humans.
1 Thessalonians 2:3-6,
3. They were gentle among the Thessalonians, like a nursing mother
taking care of her own children, and they were ready to share not
only the gospel but also their own lives.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8,
4. The Thessalonians remember Paul's labor and toil; how he worked
night and day that he might not be a burden to any of them while he
preached to them the gospel of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:9,
5. They lived devoutly, justly, and blamelessly before the
Thessalonians. Paul exhorts, comforts, and charges them, as a father
does his own children, to walk worthy of God who calls them into His
own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12,
Chapter 3
1. Paul expresses his longing to see them, so he sent Timothy to
establish and encourage them in their faith, that no one should
be shaken by these afflictions 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5,
2. Timothy brought good news of their faith and love, and that
they always have good remembrance of Paul, longing to see him.
This greatly comforted Paul in his distress and affliction
1 Thessalonians 3:6-7
3. Paul expresses his profound joy for the Thessalonians and
prays exceedingly night and day to see them and perfect what is
lacking in their faith 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10
4. Paul prays to God to make them increase and abound in love
to one another and to all, so that He may establish their hearts
blameless in holiness before God at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
Chapter 4
1. Paul exhorts them to excel still more, to aspire to lead a quiet
life, to mind their own business, and to work with their own
hands 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12
2. He comforts them concerning those who have fallen asleep,
that they sorrow not as others who have no hope. For if we
believe that Jesus died and rose again, so God will bring with
Him those who sleep in Jesus 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
3. Paul speaks of the Lord's coming, the resurrection of the
dead in Christ, and the catching up of those who are alive and
remain together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
Chapter 5
1. Paul writes about the times and seasons, stating that the day of
the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. They are children of light
and children of the day; they should not sleep, but watch and be
sober 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
2. He encourages them to put on the breastplate of faith and love,
and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint them
to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ
1 Thessalonians 5:8-9
3. Paul urges them to comfort each other, recognize those who labor
among them, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's
sake. Be at peace among yourselves 1 Thessalonians 5:11-13
4. Paul instructs them to warn those who are unruly, comfort the
fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all, and to always
pursue what is good both for themselves and for all.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
5. Paul exhorts them to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in
everything give thanks; for this is God's will for them in Christ
Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit or despise prophecies. Test all
things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
6. Paul prays that the God of peace Himself sanctify them
completely, and that their whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians
5:23
7. Paul asks them to pray for him and his companions, greets all the
brethren with a holy kiss, and adjures them by the Lord that this
epistle be read to all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with them. Amen. 1 Thessalonians 5:25-28
