Watch our overview video on 1 thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Despite persecution, they flourish in their faith and stand strong. The first epistle to the thessalonians, or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle written by the apostle paul, probably between 5254 a. This the book of 1 thessalonians christian powerpoint theme or template is to a large degree. 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. 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.
In the roman empire, it became the capital of the province of macedonia and its largest city with 200,000 people. Constables notes on 1 thessalonians 2020 edition could have been his first inspired epistle. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians from corinth near the end of his second missionary journey. Paul wrote this letter to the church in thessalonica. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so.
For more information on 1 thessalonians and other new testament books. Each packet in this series contains important background information on a specific biblical booksuch as authorship, date, setting, and book outlines gleamed from sources that are both rich and tested. The literary structure of 1 and 2 thessalonians david alan. Timothy was sent back to the church there after paul left, but before this book was written. While people are saying, peace and safety, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible society. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. In fact, in 2 thessalonians 18 out of 47 verses deal with this subject. The background of the thessalonian church is found in ac 17. Bible study questions on the book 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. Paul, silvanus, and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ. Although 1 and 2 thessalonians are two distinct epistles, it is possible to introduce both epistles in one sermon.
The following steps will help you discover the structure of 1 thessalonians for yourself. 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. Thessalonica modern salonica, lies near the ancient site of therma on the thermaic gulf at the northern reaches of the aegean sea. Thessalonica was originally an ancient town named thermai, meaning hot springs. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a jewish. New testament papyrus 46, one of the oldest new testament papyri, showing 2 cor 11. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a.
Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord jesus christ. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians story of the. No new subjects are introduced in the second letter, and it was written only weeks or. The thessalonian letters present the first literary evidence for the use of parousia. Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in some sense as its theme. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline by almost all. With his emphasis on steadfastness and holy living, an appropriate theme might be. The thessalonians set a good example for churches in the area 1 thes 1. This enrapturement of such a heavenly perspective is a gift of god and it is a gift that i pray for. 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. Paul begins this letter, like most, with a declaration of authorship, a clear recipient, an acknowledgment of his position as gods servant, and a blessing. I thessalonians is probably the earliest writing that we have from the christian era.
Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. Pratte, 2016 bible study questions on the book of 1 thessalonians introduction. 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. Wooo on is an eon thessalonians aelo1 1 and 2 thessalonians writing with gratitude and affection to a church that he had visited only briefly, pauls first and second epistles to the thessalonians offer words of encouragement to a faithful but struggling church, and they focus particularly on the encouragement offered by the return of christ. Thessalonica was a bustling seaport city at the head. What is the purpose of the book of 1st thessalonians. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international. The book of 1 thessalonians christian powerpoint templates.
Practical instructions and encouragement 1 thessalonians 4. Historical allusions in the book fit pauls life as recounted in acts and in his own letters. Historical background for epistle to thessalonians. Paul was an amazing man and apostle of god, but he usually did not work all by himself. Like 1 thessalonians, this letter deals extensively with eschatology see introduction to 1 thessalonians.
The book of 1 thessalonians or the first epistle to the thessalonians, usually referred as first thessalonians is the thirteenth book of the new testament, its one of the twelve letters written by apostle paul. The book is clearly written to a group of very new believers who were. 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. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. Theme verse of 1 thessalonians finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the lord jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please god just as you actually do walk. After paul started the church in thessalonica, he wrote this first letter to the. Paul and his companions had established the church in thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. Now may the god of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our lord jesus christ comes again. View chuck swindolls chart of first thessalonians, which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. Thus, the time of the writing of 1 thessalonians must have been the summer or fall of a. The blessed hope of christ should be a hope which purifies us because we are living our life with that expectancy of his return. It is probably one of his earliestknown letters, and one of the oldest books in the new testament. Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians.
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of god 1 thessalonians 4. It was founded by cassander, king of macedon 315 b. 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 aim for this letter was to strengthen the christian church in thessalonica by. Sermonarys bible background series is designed to help pastors and teachers study the setting and details behind every book in the bible. Title in the greek nt, 1 thessalonians is listed literally as to the thessalonians. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. Timothy probably left philippi to rejoin paul and silas in berea cf. The day of the lord now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the lord will come like a thief in the night. Later, paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to check on the church there, and timothys report led paul to write this letter. 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. In time it became an important city because of its strategic location near the aegean sea. In 1 thessalonians, paul celebrates the churchs holiness, love and future hope as they remain faithful to jesus.
Reading 1 and 2 thessalonians key historical background to 1. This represents the apostle pauls first canonical correspondence to the church in the city of thessalonica. Preaching from 1 and 2 thessalonians preaching source. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in greece throughout both macedonia and achaia. Download book of 1 thessalonians powerpoint templates for worship presentations etc. Going to thessalonica transferred the ministry of the gospel to western civilization. This book is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of christ 1th 1.
Every chapter of 1 thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of christ, with ch. His coming however will be as a thief in the night but we should be watchful and sober 1 thessalonians 5. He also addresses their concerns regarding those who died in christ, and jesus second coming. Macedonia was the former kingdom of alexander the great he wanted one world domination and enlightenment with the culture of greece. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. This was the beginning of spreading the gospel from the continent of asia to the continent of europe. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52 however, some scholars believe. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians bible survey.
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