Watch our overview video on 2 thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The first letter to the thessalonians was likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52, making it, so far as is now known, the oldest extant christian document. Then paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to see what was happening with that church 1 thessalonians 3. After the introduction the apostle begins with a thanksgiving to god for the saving benefits bestowed on them. 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 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. Jesus is coming again click chart to enlarge charts from jensens survey of the nt. First chapter of 1 thessalonians chapter 1 go to next section. 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 undoubtedly had multiple reasons for writing, all coming out of this supreme concern for the flock from which he had been separated. This church was a testimony to the whole area that we would call greece today. Read and study 1 thessalonians, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. Watch our overview video on 1 thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Paul, silvanus, and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ.
Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in some sense as its theme. 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. 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 separate outline. If there is any good in us, it is owing to the good pleasure of his goodness, and therefore it is called grace. The first epistle of paul the apostle to the thessalonians commentary by a. The jerusalem bible renders it our visit to you has not proved ineffectual. Paul was the inspired apostle and writer of this epistle, though he makes no mention of his apostleship, which was not doubted of by the thessalonians, nor opposed by any false apostle among them. Paul praised them for their faith and said that he remembered them for the works they had done in the name of jesus. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. Later in this letter, paul used the expression god did not appoint us to wrath 1 thessalonians 5. And then mentions the sure evidences of the good success of the gospel among them, which was notorious and famous in several other places, 1 thessalonians 1. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. 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. Study the bible online using commentary on 1 thessalonians 1 and more.
Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians. Thessalonica was and still is an important seaport about 185 miles 300 km north of athens. Pauls exemplary life served as an open book for all men to read, establishing the credibility of the power and grace of god essential to making the message of redemption believable to sinners. Enduring word bible commentary 1 thessalonians chapter 1. It was after timothy and silvanus rejoined paul in corinth acts 18. Headings throughout the following book of 1 thessalonians. The book of 1 thessalonians is a personal and affectionate letter to the church, pauls own words confirm this, we loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of god but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to.
And so next week, continue and finish the book of thessalonians, chapter four and five. They wrote this first letter soon after timothy had come back to join paul and silas in corinth 1 thessalonians 3. Paul had visited this city during his second missionary journey acts 17. Every chapter of 1 thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of christ, with ch. In the next chapter, paul will mention how he and his colleagues. And then mentions the sure evidences of the good success of the gospel among them, which was notorious and famous in several other places. Paul also speaks of this church as being an example to the corinthians in 2 corinthians 8.
And then mentions the sure evidences of the good success of the gospel among them, which was notorious and famous in several other places v. In pauls day, the region in which thessalonica was located was known as macedonia. The persons from whom this epistle came, or by whom it was written. The purpose of ii thessalonians was in part is to encourage the church due to persecutions. First, there is pauls characteristic salutation and greeting 1 thessalonians 1. Not that much reading, but surely important teaching in regards to the. Paul has heard reports of their growth and gives thanks for this 1. A free bible commentary on the first letter to the thessalonians in easyenglish. So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in macedonia and achaia 1 thess.
We will be studying it more later on in the book, but the key lesson in this chapter is that they didnt waste the time they had passively waiting for this second coming. It was a great commercial center of pauls time, the inhabitants being greeks, romans and jews. Book of 1 thessalonians 1 thessalonians chapter 1 1 thessalonians chapter 2 1 thessalonians chapter 3 1 thessalonians chapter 4 1 thessalonians chapter 5. It was founded by cassander, king of macedon 315 b. In his pastoral epistle paul is cheering them on in order to help them persevere 1. David guzik commentary on 1 thessalonians 1 describes how the gospel caused changes in the tessalonian christians, which caused them to become. And then mentions the sure evidences of the good success of the gospel among them, which was notorious and famous in several other places 1 thessalonians 1. As a result of the coming of the gospel to thessalonica, the jesusbelievers there can now be noted for their work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of. Constables notes on 1 thessalonians 2020 edition could have been his first inspired epistle.
It was the first he wrote to european christians, and in it the fundamental things of the christian life are very clearly set forth. Grace be unto you, and peace, from god our father, and the lord jesus christ. Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ. To wait for his son from heaven each chapter in 1 thessalonians ends with an eschatological reference. They had been imprisoned together for the gospel of jesus. God had told them to go and tell people the gospel of jesus christ. Paul reminds his audience of the teachings they were given, saying, you learned from us how you ought to live and to please god as, in fact, you are doing 1 thessalonians 4.
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