1 and 2 Thessalonians Introduction
Bro David Petersen
1 Thessalonians
Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5
2 Thessalonians
Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3
These epistles were written to the new church at Thessalonica in Greece. Paul established the church on his 2nd missionary journey with help from Silas and Timothy. The account of the start of the church can be found in Acts 17:1-10. The church became an effective witness for Christ.
The City of Thessalonica
Situated on the Thermaic Gulf, Thessalonica was the chief seaport of Macedonia.
The city was founded in about 315 B.C. by Cassander. He named the city after his wife, Thessalonica, the sister of Alexander the Great and daughter of Philip II of Macedonia. The Egnatian Way, the main overland route from Rome to the East, ran directly through the city.
Under Roman rule, Thessalonica achieved prominence. In 167 B.C. the Romans divided Macedonia into four districts, Thessalonica becoming capital of the second district. Some 20 years later, in 148 B.C., Macedonia became a Roman province with Thessalonica as its capital. After the battle of Philippi in 42 B.C., when Octavian (later Augustus Caesar) and Mark Antony defeated Brutus and Cassius, the assassins of Julius Caesar, Thessalonica became a free city. It was the most populous city of Macedonia.
The apostle Paul visited Thessalonica in A.D. 49 or 50 during his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9). Paul's evangelistic efforts met with success. Within a short time a vigorous Christian congregation had blossomed, consisting of some members of the Jewish synagogue as well as former pagans.
Paul probably stayed at least two or three months in Thessalonica before being forced to leave because of Jewish opposition. A shorter stay would scarcely account for Paul's receiving two gifts of aid from the Philippians (Phil 4:16), or for the depth of affection which developed between Paul and the Thessalonians (1 Thess 2:1-12). Thessalonica was also the home of two of Paul's co-workers, Aristarchus and Secundus (Acts 20:4; 27:2).
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary,
Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Author
The Aposle Paul wrote the letter with help from Silas and Timothy.
Date
There is broad concesus among scholars that 1 and 2 Thessalonians were some of the earliest epistles written by the apostle. The epistles were written in approximately 50-53 AD. 2 Thessalonians was written shortly after the first epistle.
Purpose
Thessaloncia was the largest city in Macedonia. It was an important city on a major trade route to Rome. Both epistles aim to establish and strengthen a young church in a stormy setting (1 Thess 3:2,13; 2 Thess 2:17; 3:3). The church had of few Jewish converts and a larger number of former pagans (1 Thess 1:9; Acts 17:4). When Paul was persecuted by the unbelieving Jews at Thessalonica he had to escape the city (Acts 17). He was then concerned about the young church and wrote back to encourage it. He wrote to establish them in their faith and to comfort them regarding some concerns they had about the 2nd coming of Christ.
Themes
Three themes appear in the Thessalonians epistles: thanksgiving for their faith and example in the past; encouragement for those undergoing persecution in the present; and exhortation to further work and growth in the future.
Since 2 Thessalonians is basically a continuation of 1 Thessalonians it contains many of the same basic themes. The main theme of 1 and 2 Thessalonians is the retum of Christ to earth. The emphasis is to be engaged in the responsibilities of the present, not just gazing into the future. In neither epistle does Paul fight any grave errors in the church. In both epistles the reader feels the heartbeat of Paul the pastor as he identifies with a young congregation taking its first steps in faith.
Outline
Paul begins the first epistle by thanking God for the faith, hope, and love of the Thessalonians, and marveling that they have become "examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia" (chap. 1).
Paul recalls his sacrificial labor for the gospel (2:1-12), and the suffering the Thessalonians endured (2:13-16).
Longing to see them again (2:17-3:5), Paul expresses his relief and encouragement upon hearing Timothy's report of their well-being (3:6-10).
He prays for their growth in the gospel (3:11-13).
In chapters four and five Paul addresses three concerns. He reminds his converts that in sexual matters a Christian must conduct himself differently from a pagan (4:1-8).
He adds a gentle reminder to work diligently and thus earn the respect of "those who are outside" (non-Christians, 4:9-12).
Paul then devotes extended consideration to the most pressing questions in Thessalonica, the Second Coming of Christ (4:13-5:11).
The first letter concludes with a number of memorable exhortations and a charge to read the epistle "to all the holy brethren" (5:12-28).
Second Thessalonians is both shorter and simpler than 1 Thessalonians. Paul follows a nearly identical opening (1:1) with an assurance that when Christ returns He will punish those who persecute the Thessalonians (chap. 1).
Chapter two brings Paul to the purpose of the letter-to clarify and expand his teaching on the Second Coming (4:13-5:11). Certain signs will precede the return of Christ, in particular, an outbreaking of lawlessness, followed by the appearance of "the man of sin," or "lawless one" (Antichrist), who will escort to their doom those who have no love for the truth (2:1-12). In contrast to those who are perishing, believers can give thanks to God for their call to salvation (2:13-17).
Paul concludes by requesting the prayers of the Thessalonians (3:1-3) and encouraging idlers to earn their living rather than live off their neighbors (3:6-15). He ends with a benediction in his own hand (3:16-18).
1 Thessalonians
Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5