Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in thessalonica. The book of romans, the great epistle on grace, also begins with a vivid picture of judgment and the need to prepare for it, later adding detailed instructions on christian living. Although we dont know the particular towns they visited, the book of acts does. Summary of the book of 2 thessalonians bible survey. Paul urges thessalonians to continue to grow in faith, chapter 3. Paul wrote this letter to strengthen and encourage the church in thessalonica. Alleged differences between 1 and 2 thessalonians have caused some scholars to reject the pauline authorship of 2 thessalonians. Book your tickets now, because this place looks amazing. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. This represents the apostle pauls first canonical correspondence to the church in the city of thessalonica. This enrapturement of such a heavenly perspective is a gift of god and it is a gift that i pray for. 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. The first letter was written after timothy, his coworker, returned from thessalonia to report that the new.
Enduring word bible commentary 1 thessalonians chapter 1. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. Paul brought the gospel to thessalonica during his second missionary. Paul and his companions had established the church in thessalonica but were forced to.
Paul later wrote a second letter to the thessalonian saints when he learned that false. 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. 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. Paul weaves faith in and out of his thessalonian letters, but. Investigates the background to pauls letters to the thessalonians, examines the structure and content of first and second thessalonians, and reveals his eschatology. It primarily deals with the acts of peter and paul. The imperfect tense elegon may have the meaning i used to tell you. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. Abiding in such hope strengthens gods people to endure whatever adversity they face. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians from corinth near the end of his second missionary journey. Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in.
Title in the greek nt, 1 thessalonians is listed literally as to the thessalonians. In time it became an important city because of its strategic location. Everything in 2 thessalonians contributes to these twin themes of endurance through suffering and the eternal scope of divine grace. Letters of paul to the thessalonians, two new testament letters written by paul from corinth, greece, about ad 50 and addressed to the christian community he had founded in macedonia. While christ tarries there is still much to do but having this expectation propels you to do rather than to sleep. Pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it. First epistle to thessalonians read the bible online. The background of the thessalonian church is found in ac 17. The revelation of the man of lawlessness 2 thessalonians 2. Going to thessalonica transferred the ministry of the gospel to western civilization. Thus, 1 thessalonians is the second canonical book penned by the apostle. The most famous declaration in this letter is on the harpazo, commonly called, from the latin, the rapture. For example, leon morris, the epistles of paul to the thessalonians london. Because the thessalonian believers had come to know the light of the world and the truth of the gospel, paul calls on them to stay alert and selfdisciplined.
Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. Authorship paul is the stated author of this letter 1. It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52 however, some scholars believe. Paul then wrote another epistle, 2 thessalonians, to correct certain misunderstandings and further to encourage the church. Those who are converted to the gospel of jesus christ desire to share it with. A few months later, while paul was still in corinth, he received word from thessalonica that his teaching on the day of the lord had been misunderstood by some in the thessalonian church. And beyond this, paul stated that the reason christians must remain alert and. 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. Over a quarter of 1 thessalonians and nearly half of 2 thessalonians deal with problems and issues regarding the parousia or coming of christ from heaven. 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 church is looking for a person, not times and seasons. Since the specific date and time of the lords return were unknown, they should be ready, alert and selfcontrolled at all times 5. Paul and his companions had established the church in thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel.
Pauls cathedral in london named for our favorite biblical author, this is one of the mustsee sites in london. The opening words of 1 thessalonians identify the authors as the coworkers paul, silvanus identified as silas in the book of acts, and timothy. 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. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international. It is traditionally attributed to paul the apostle, with timothy as a coauthor. Call to be awake and alert in view of christs coming, vv. Indeed, early external testimony is virtually unanimous in affirming that paul is the author. Letters of paul to the thessalonians bible britannica. In the greek new testament, 2 thessalonians is listed as to the thessalonians. 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. David guzik commentary on 1 thessalonians 1 describes how the gospel. Every chapter of 1 thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of christ, with ch.
The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. Commentary, exegesis, studies, etc 2 thessalonians, geneva study bible, 1599. Book of 2 thessalonians, explained scripture by scripture. The majority of the thessalonians were continuing to grow and to remain faithful to christ in spite of. Upon receiving back news about the thessalonian church, paul wrote the second letter perhaps within a few months of the first one. The first epistle to the thessalonians, or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle written by the apostle paul, probably between 5254 a. When he returns, the dead who have believed in christ will rise and will join the living to meet the lord in the air 4. Paul was now clearly at the head of his own missionary band. Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians. 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. The understanding of the end of time seems so different in 2 thessalonians from the understanding in 1 thessalonians that it appears to represent a different authornot paul. When paul preached the gospel in thessalonica, he proclaimed that the christ who had. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international bible.
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 among the earliest new testament documents. When paul preached the gospel in thessalonica, he proclaimed that the. The book of 2 thessalonians in the world wide study bible. Outlining 1 thessalonians however, before i discuss the literary organization of 1 thessalonians, i would like to ask you to roll up your shirt sleeves and do a little work of your ownan inductive study of the letter. His coming however will be as a thief in the night but we should be watchful and sober 1 thessalonians 5. The literary structure of 1 and 2 thessalonians david alan. 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. The second epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as second thessalonians or 2 thessalonians is a book from the new testament of the christian bible. Like 1 thessalonians, this letter deals extensively with eschatology see introduction to 1 thessalonians.
Just because paul visited a city, preached the gospel for weeks or even months, and founded a church by guiding converts to the faith, this did not protect the new church from scheming heretics. Homebooks of the bible facts about 1 thessalonians. The thessalonian letters present the first literary evidence for the use of parousia. The book of 1 st thessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul. 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. However, the pauline authorship of this book has been challenged by some and is more debated than that of 1 thessalonians. Since paul began his ministry there in the jewish synagogue, it is reasonable to assume that the new church included some jews. This letter deals with three main themes that make up the body of the letter and these are book ended by a salutation at the beginning and an exhortation and final greeting at the end. The blessed hope of christ should be a hope which purifies us because we are living our life with that expectancy of his return. This represents the apostle pauls second canonical correspondence to the fellowship of believers in. Second epistle to the thessalonians read the bible online. The global message of pauls second letter to the thessalonians is that amid suffering, believers must remember the sovereign grace that has rescued them in jesus christ. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible.
We should be alert and ready for christ because we have been given signs and. Pauls first letter to the thessalonians is the thirteenth book in the new testament. Exposition of i and ii thessalonians grand rapids, mich baker book house, 1979, p. This was the beginning of spreading the gospel from the continent of asia to the continent of europe. Both themes would recur prominently in 2 thessalonians 1. What is the purpose of the book of 1st thessalonians. Paul exhorted the thessalonians, therefore, to remain alert. The traditional title of this book is, in some respects, a misnomer. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a.
The light of this great doctrine underwent an eclipse during the history of the church. The apostle paul, joined in his salutation by silvanus and timothy, and with a reference to his own signature at the end of the epistle. The writings of many early church fathers irenaeus, tertullian, clement of alexandria affirm pauls claim to be the author of this epistle. First thessalonians is the eighth of pauls letters.
The advantage of reading pauls first letter to the thessalonians, the earliest new testament book, is that it was written soon after his missionary visit in 49. Bobby looks at the first of pauls encouraging letters to the church at thessalonica. Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in some sense as its theme. Looking back at christs work on the cross and looking forward to his second coming, believers around the world. Macedonia was the former kingdom of alexander the great he wanted one world domination and enlightenment with the culture of greece.
Lesson 3 in the series the heart of pauls theology. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of second thessalonians in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Blackhawk church eat this book weekly bible guide reading 1 and 2 thessalonians key historical background to 1 thessalonians paul, silas and timothy were the first to share the gospel in thessalonica, where many jews and gentiles came to believe and follow jesus acts 17. 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. It really should be called the acts of the holy spirit. We know more about timothys background than we do about silas. Jesus work delivers believers from the coming day of the lord, when gods wrath will be revealed.
Thessalonians study guide blackham, paul, thomas, richard on. Introduction to 1 thessalonians bassendean church of christ. Christ to a sober person who is awake and alert 1 thessalonians 5. From richard lloyd anderson, understanding paul, rev. American bible society has been engaging people with the lifechanging message of gods word for nearly 200 years. 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. First and second thessalonians comprise some of the earliest new testament writings. There was a certain amount of organization to the church by the time that paul wrote 1 thessalonians 5. Constable historical background thessalonica was originally an ancient town named thermai, meaning hot springs.
So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be selfcontrolled. Paul wrote this letter to the church in thessalonica. The key personalities in this book are the apostle paul, timothy, and silas. Timothy brings a good report of thessalonians, chapter 3. The church in thessalonica still had some misconceptions about the day of the lord. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians bible survey. Home bible studies thessalonians 1 thessalonians 1 these small group studies of thessalonians contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. Grace be unto you, and peace, from god our father, and the lord jesus christ. Soon afterwards he took timothy along with him acts 16. Shortly after writing 1 thessalonians, the apostle paul received a report 2 thess. Book summary this book tells us about christ coming with his angels this is the second part of the same event which is known as the day of the lord. In fact, in 2 thessalonians 18 out of 47 verses deal with this subject.
Paul, silvanus, and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the. The book is clearly written to a group of very new believers who were quickly brought into the faith and then immediately thrown into the grasp of satan as persecutions broke out upon them acts 17. He also informs them about christs return, the time when their suffering will cease. The town gave its name to the thermaic gulf of the aegean sea, on the shore of which it stood.
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. 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. The following steps will help you discover the structure of 1 thessalonians for yourself. Book of second thessalonians overview insight for living. Investigates the background to pauls letters to the thessalonians, examines the. Journey to thessalonica heres the official tourism site for modern day thessaloniki, which is located in greece. Living in light of the lords return 1 thessalonians 5. The author of this book encourages the thessalonians to remain faithful in the midst of suffering. Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of god 1 thessalonians 4. It is probably one of his earliestknown letters, and one of the oldest books in.
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