External evidence strongly supports pauline authorship geisler, a general introduction to the bible, pp. His aim for this letter was to strengthen the christian church in thessalonica by. And there is the expression of the patience, waiting in hope for his son from heaven. American bible society has been engaging people with the lifechanging message of gods word for nearly 200 years. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. 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 book of 1 thessalonians calls believers to live in the gospel and fulfill their calling in the joy of the holy spirit. The account of pauls initial visit to thessalonica is in acts 17. This represents the apostle pauls second canonical correspondence to the fellowship of believers in. Modern biblical scholarship is divided on whether the epistle was written by paul. This letter was also written from corinth and during the same year.
The holy bible book 52 1 thessalonians kjv dramatized. The first epistle to the thessalonians, or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle written by the apostle paul, probably between 5254 a. It is the shortest letter paul wrote to any church and is characterized by its lack of special salutations and for its general idea of patient waiting for our lord. The author of this book encourages the thessalonians to remain faithful in the midst of suffering. 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 book of 1 st thessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul. Please read the whole book of 1 thessalonians again as we study chapter 3. Thanksgiving for the thessalonians faith we always thank god for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. Both 1 thessalonians and 2 thessalonians are traditionally believed to have been written by paul in athens. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. In the greek new testament, 2 thessalonians is listed as to the thessalonians. A new church was founded there of mixed population and included various prominent macedonian women.
It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52. Headings throughout the following book of 1 thessalonians. 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. This may well be true of 1 thessalonians, but most new testament scholars say that 2. It appears to have been written shortly after 1 thessalonians, in response to certain reports that had come to the apostle regarding the thessalonians progress 3. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline by almost all nt scholars1 b.
After only a brief time in the city, dangerous opposition arose from those who thought pauls message was a threat to judaism. For since we believe that jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when jesus returns, god will bring back with him the believers who have died. Such sins were common in the city in which they lived. 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.
However, timothy soon returned with a good report, prompting paul to pen 1 thessalonians as a letter of encouragement to the new believers. 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. Yet despite a twomillennia gap, these letters ring with relevance for today. This makes 1 thessalonians one of the earliest new testament books written the gospels, by comparison, were written anywhere from 60. Paul wrote his first letter to the thessalonian church from the city of corinth around ad 51, just a few months after having preached in thessalonica on his second missionary journey. Bible study questions on the book of 1 thessalonians.
For whatever good this material achieves, to god be. Today most scholars date the book of revelation to late in the first century, during the reign of the emperor domitian. This summary of the book of 1 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 1 thessalonians. The first of pauls two letters written from corinth to the church at thessalonica is dated ca. We remember before our god and father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our. This also makes 1 thessalonians the oldest book in the new testament.
Second thessalonians is the ninth of pauls letters. 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 headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. Please study it with the respect and devotion it deserves. In addition, 1 thessalonians is the first letter paul wrote as well. 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. The mention of silas silvanus and timothy as cosenders 1. Of all the surviving letters written by the apostle paul, 1 thessalonians is very likely the first to have been written. Nov 18, 2015 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. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a.
He also informs them about christs return, the time when their suffering will cease. Mar 17, 2020 second thessalonians was undoubtedly written to deal with the embarrassment resulting from pauls belief that jesus would return in his own lifetime, yet died disappointed. Many gentiles in the church had come out of idolatry, which was not a particular problem among the jews of that time 1 thessalonians 1. Thus, pauls first two letters were written to thessalonica. Paul was still in corinth and unable to leave his work there. Paul established the congregation at thessalonica during his. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible. The thessalonians faced intense opposition for their faith 2 thess. This may well be true of 1 thessalonians, but most. Pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it. Pauls second letter to the thessalonians is a follow up to the first.
Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians. Paul wanted to check on the state of the thessalonians faith, for fear that false teachers might have infiltrated their number. Paul, along with silas and timothy, founded the church at thessalonica on his second missionary journey acts 17. Though only three chapters in length, almost of the book repeats what is said in 1 thessalonians. Second thessalonians appears to have been written just a few months, possibly a year, after first thessalonians. It was after timothy and silvanus rejoined paul in corinth acts 18. What is the purpose of the book of 1st thessalonians. It is traditionally attributed to paul the apostle, with timothy as a coauthor. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. This is the holy book of 1 thessalonians, known as the first epistle of paul the apostle to the thessalonians.
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. Since paul wrote 1st thessalonians shortly after he left thessalonica 1 th 2. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. Story of the bible great commission bible institute bible lands travel.
It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written. Letters of paul to the thessalonians bible britannica. The recording is dramatized, from the king james bible. Book of 2 thessalonians, explained scripture by scripture. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians and sent it to the church. Follow stepbystep instructions for facilitating the group sessions using the member book and dvd video sessions. Where was the book of 1 thessalonians written and when. The first letter was written after timothy, his coworker, returned from thessalonia to report that the new. Now interestingly enough, those three things also form a little outline, built right into the text, to guide you in understanding the first three chapters. It is helpful to trace the locations of paul and his companions that relate to the thessalonian correspondence. Jan 01, 2008 1 thessalonians author and title paul is widely regarded as the author of 1 thessalonians, as evidenced by how compatible the vocabulary, style, and theology are with his other letters.
Nov 18, 2012 this is the holy book of 1 thessalonians, known as the first epistle of paul the apostle to the thessalonians. Paul, silas and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ. If paul were the author, the books would have had to be written just a few months apart. Timothys report and update from the churches there. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in thessalonica. Gods word is written so souls may please god and have eternal life. It says not to be troubled by a previous letter written as if by paul, whi. This would place the writing of the epistle during pauls extended stay at corinth on his second missionary journey cf. Interesting facts about 1 thessalonians bible charts.
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. 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. It is probably one of his earliestknown letters, and one of the oldest books in the new testament. Not only is 1 thessalonians the first of two letters to the church at thessalonica, it is pauls first letter period. 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 book of 2 thessalonians was likely written in ad 5152. The church in thessalonica still had some misconceptions about the day of the lord. Far and away the largest theological contribution of both 1 and 2 thessalonians lies in what they say about eschatology.
Paul reminds the thessalonians of christs returna tricky passage to interpretbut also reminds them to simply follow christs example while they await his coming. They thought it had come already so they stopped with their work. Bible study questions on the book of 1 thessalonians introduction. Second thessalonians was undoubtedly written to deal with the embarrassment resulting from pauls belief that jesus would return in his own lifetime, yet died disappointed. Paul undoubtedly had multiple reasons for writing, all coming out of this supreme concern for the flock from which he had been separated.
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