Purpose of the book of 1 thessalonians

The roman empire, and the ancient city of thessalonica, have been reduced to rubble. Historical allusions in the book fit pauls life as recounted in acts and in his own letters. 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. Paul, along with silas and timothy, founded the church at thessalonica on his second missionary journey acts 17. First thessalonians provides christians with the clearest biblical passage on the coming rapture of believers, an event that will inaugurate the sevenyear tribulation. Pauls purpose in writing this letter was to encourage the new converts in their trials 3. 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. Some are classic 1 thessalonians commentaries and other are new releases. Overview of the book of 1 thessalonians reformed answers. The people of thessalonica, greece were called thessalonians. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. Paul undoubtedly had multiple reasons for writing, all coming out of this supreme concern for the flock from which he had been separated. Pauls purpose in writing this letter was to encourage the new.

Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible society. The book of 2 thessalonians was likely written in ad 5152. Thus, pauls primary purpose for writing the epistle was to encourage, comfort, and strengthen the church. Best commentaries and books on 1 thessalonians logos. Outlining 1 thessalonians however, before i discuss the literary organization of 1. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians and sent it to the church. They thought it had come already so they stopped with their work. First thessalonians is the eighth of pauls letters. The purpose of ii thessalonians was in part is to encourage the church due to persecutions. Every chapter of 1 thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of christ, with ch. 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. Interesting facts about 1 thessalonians bible charts. To follow up his previous letter 1 thessalonians by instructing the thessalonians further about the return of christ and the importance of responsible daily living.

There are those who identify the purpose of 1 thessalonians as to express to the congregation his joy about them and his satisfaction with them see jewett 1986. The church in thessalonica still had some misconceptions about the day of the lord. According to the lords own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. Later he sent timothy to encourage the believers there with sound doctrine, and to report back to paul.

But the main purpose of pauls letter is to deal with a special problem that developed after paul left the city. What is the purpose of the book of 2 thessalonians. Historical allusions in the book fit pauls life as recounted in acts and. Among its 27 books are selected recollections of the life and acts and sayings of jesus in the. 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. What is the purpose of 1 thessalonians in the bible. The book of 1 thessalonians calls believers to live in the gospel and fulfill their calling in the joy of the holy spirit. Best 1 thessalonians commentaries updated for 2020. It was after timothy and silvanus rejoined paul in corinth acts 18. In his pastoral epistle paul is cheering them on in order to help them persevere 1. Its importance can be measured by the 318 different occasions it is referenced in the new testament. 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. Paul has heard reports of their growth and gives thanks for this 1. Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians.

Letters of paul to the thessalonians, two new testament letters written by paul from corinth. Because paul had spent such little time with them, he writes to give both instruction and. Paul wants them to understand that this since of encouragement that he provides is just like a boost to get them over the hump that they may be facing. Encouraged by their steadfastness in the face of persecution, paul had exhorted them to holiness in view of the lords coming cf. Pauls main purpose in writing is to encourage and reassure the christians there. The following steps will help you discover the structure of 1 thessalonians for yourself. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. Paul and his companions had established the church in thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. Objections are based on internal factors rather than on the adequacy of the statements of the church fathers. Paul gives another reason to renounce sexual impurity. Paul reminds the thessalonians of christs returna tricky passage to interpretbut reminds them to simply follow christs example in the meantime. Two thousand years have passed since paul penned 1 2 thessalonians. Paul had founded the church in thessalonica during his second missionary journey acts 17 and he and his companions often desired to return to thessalonica but were unable 1 thess. Headings throughout the following book of 2 thessalonians.

After paul started the church in thessalonica, he wrote this first letter to the. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a. To assure the thessalonians of pauls love and to instruct them on the importance of living for christ and properly understanding the ramifications of his return. The literary structure of 1 and 2 thessalonians david alan. You will find commentaries for pastors, teachers, professors, and laypeople. It creates that element of care and love for one another in christ that is really the most important element in the book 1 thessalonians 3. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living ministries. Headings throughout the following book of 1 thessalonians. Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in some sense as its theme. Some volumes approach the text versebyverse and others passagebypassage. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica.

American bible society has been engaging people with the lifechanging message of gods word for nearly 200 years. Weima begins with the historical background of the letters. What is the purpose of the book of 1st thessalonians. The first epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as first thessalonians or 1. 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 purpose of 1 thessalonians hts teologiese studies. The book of 1 st thessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul. To assure the thessalonians of pauls love and to instruct them on the. The author of this book encourages the thessalonians to remain faithful in the midst of suffering. Later, paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to check on the church there, and timothys report led paul to write this letter. Purpose the second coming of christ is a foundational truth to the christian faith. He also informs them about christs return, the time when their suffering will cease.

Search this blog awesomegod book of 1 thessalonians. Jeffrey weima provides an indepth look at two of pauls most intriguing letters. The book of 1 timothy outlines gospelcentered living. He provides with an overview of ancient thessalonica and the founding of the thessalonian. Constables notes on 1 thessalonians 2020 edition could have been his first inspired epistle. The persons from whom this epistle came, or by whom it was written. Pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it has more support from early christian writers.

Interesting facts about 1 thessalonians barnes bible charts author. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. 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. Letters of paul to the thessalonians bible britannica. 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. Paul has received a report from timothy about the thessalonian church.

In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. 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. The apostle paul, or saint paul, wrote many epistles letters to churches in various locations. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. The first epistle to the thessalonians had been written in response to news brought back by timothy who had made a quick trip there while paul was in athens cf.