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I THESSALONIANS – INTRODUCTION

I. BACKGROUND FOR THE BOOK:

A. Paul helped establish a church in Thessalonica on his second preaching tour (Acts 17:1-10).

1. Preached for three Sabbath days (Acts 17:2).

2. Converts were mainly Greeks (non-Jews) (Acts 17:4; I Thessalonians 1:9)

3. His stay was shortened due to the rebellious and jealous Jews.  They employed“vile fellows of the rabble” to                 stir up trouble and cause the Apostle’s departure for Berea (Acts 17:5-10, I Thessalonians 2:18).

                            a. Their accusation: “All act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another King, one                                 Jesus” (Acts 17:7).

II. AUTHOR:

A. “Paul,” “I Paul” (1:1, 2:18)

B. Occurrences alluded to fit with Paul’s life:

1. I Thessalonians 2:2 - “shamefully treated at Philippi” – Acts 16:22-23.

2. I Thessalonians 3:4 - “We are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know” – Acts 17:5.

C. Timothy and Silas were traveling companions with Paul on his second tour.

            1. Silas began Paul’s second tour with him (Acts 15:40).

            2. Timothy was picked up at Lystra (Acts 16:1-3).

III. DATE AND PLACE OF WRITING

A. The letter was written when Timothy returned to Paul with news regarding the church.  Timothy had been sent to learn                  of the new converts’ state (I Thessalonians 3:1-2, 6-8, Acts 17:15).

B. Timothy and Silas joined Paul during his eighteen-month stay in Corinth (Acts 18:5).

C. Paul probably wrote this letter from Corinth, shortly after he arrived in Corinth (I Thessalonians 2:17)

D. Paul was also brought before Gallio, the proconsul (Acts 18:12).

1. According to the Delphi inscriptions, Gallio was proconsul of Achaia in A.D. 52.

2. Normally the term of proconsul was one year; but sometimes it was two years.  He therefore would have been proconsul as early as A.D. 50 and as late as A.D. 54.

3. It appears that Paul was brought before Gallio at the end of his eighteen-month stay (Acts 18:11-12).

4. Therefore, the letter was probably written from Corinth in approximately A.D. 51.

IV. THEME AND PURPOSE OF THE BOOK:

A. THEME: Thankfulness for a new and devoted church (1: 2-3)

B. PURPOSE:

1. to remind his new converts of how he cared for them when he was with them and inform them that the care has not diminished due to his being away (Chapters 2-3).

2. to encourage them to continue a pleasing walk before God (Chapters 4-5).

3. to comfort and challenge them considering the Lord’s return.

V. FEATURES OF THE BOOK:

A. The character of true converts is illustrated (Chapter 1).

1. They became examples for others (1:6-7).

2. They “sound forth the word of the Lord” (1:8-10)

 B. The character of effective teachers is illustrated (Chapter 2).

1. Pure motives: Please God – not men (2:4)

2. Pure message: Word of God – not word of men (2:13)

3. Gentle and pure conduct:

a. gentle as a nurse with her own children, and as a father with his children (2:7, 11).

b. work as to not be a burden (2:9)

c. unreproachable daily living (2:10)

C. The second coming of Christ is mentioned in every chapter: a challenge and comfort (1;10, 2:19-20, 3:13, 4:13-18,          5:2, 23).

D. General exhortations:

1. love for brethren should abound (4:9-10).

a. Esteem highly those who have rule over you in the Lord (5:12).

b. Brethren need to be at peace with one another (5:13).

c. Carefully admonish those we love (5:14).

2. Do not seek revenge, but do good, seeking the benefit for all (5:15).

3. Rejoice always (5:16)

4. Pray without ceasing – make it a habit (5:17)

5. Follow the standard of the Spirit’s teachings in the Word (5:19-22).

            a. Hold to the proven good things.

            b. Abstain from the appearance of evil.

VI. ARRANGEMENT OF THE BOOK:

A. SALUTATION (1:1)

B. THANKFULNESS FOR THE REPUTATION OF THE CHURCH (1:2-10).

1. Their general character (v3)

2. Their conversion (v. 4-6)

3. Their exemplary lives (v. 7-10)

C. THE APOSTLE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH (2:1-3:13)

1. Paul’s conduct toward the church (2:1-12)

2. Paul’s reception by the Thessalonians (2:13-16)

3. Paul’s prayerful concern for the church (2:17-3:13)

D. NEEDED EXHORTATION FOR THE CHURCH (4:1-5:23)

1. Keep the body from the sin of fornication (4:1-8)

2. Conduct before the world should be fitting (4:9-12)

3. The true state of the Christians who have died should comfort their brethren (4:13-18).

4. Live sober and watchful lives (5:1-11)

5. General exhortations of godliness (5:12-28)