Bible Book: I Thessalonians

Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.
Author: Paul

Type of Book: Epistle

Outline
Christian Greetings (1:1)
Paul’s Personal Gratitude for the Thessalonians (1:2-3:13)
Rejoices About Their Relationship With Christ (1:2-10)
Their Faith, Love and Hope (1:2-3)
Their Genuine Devotion to God (1:4-6)
Their Good Example to Others (1:7-10)
Recalls His Role in Their Lives (2:1-3:8)
Reviews His Labors (2:1-12)
Recalls Their Response (2:13-16)
Retains His Interest (2:17-3:8)
Prays to Return and Encourages Their Growth in Faith, Love and Holiness (3:9-13)
Paul’s Practical Instruction to the Thessalonians (4:1-5:22)
Sexual Purity (4:1-8)
Brotherly Love (4:9-10)
Honest Labor (4:11-12)
The Coming of Christ (4:13-5:11)
The Resurrection of Christians Who Have Died (4:13-18)
The Readiness of Christians Still Alive (5:1-11)
Honor for Spiritual Leaders (5:12-13)
Christian Living (5:14-18)
Spiritual Discernment (5:19-22)
Conclusion (5:23-28)
Prayer for Their Purity, Perfection and Preservation (5:23-24)
Final Requests and Benediction (5:25-28)

Theme: Righteous Living and the Return of Christ

Date of Writing: c. A.D. 51

Background
Thessalonica, located slightly less than a hundred miles southwest of Philippi, was a thriving seaport and the capital city of the Roman province of Macedonia. As such, it was an important communication and trade center. Among the city’s population of 200,000 was a strong Jewish community. Many Jews joined Paul and Silas at the outset of their ministry in the city, as did a large number of Greeks and many influential women (Ac 17:4; see map of Paul’s Second Missionary Journey). But not long after Paul had founded the Thessalonian church, his brief but fruitful personal ministry there ended because of the strong opposition from some Jews who were jealous of the church’s influence (Ac 17:1-9).
    Forced to leave Thessalonica, Paul went to Berea where another period of successful ministry was cut short by persecution stirred up by hostile Jews who followed him from Thessalonica (Ac 17:10-13). Paul then traveled to Athens (Ac 17:15-34), where Timothy later joined him. Sometime after that, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to check on the new church (3:1-5) while he went on to Corinth (Ac 18:1-17). After completing the given assignment, Timothy moved on to Corinth with a report for Paul about the Thessalonian church (3:6-8). In response to Timothy’s report, Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonians, perhaps three to six months after founding the church.

Purpose
Because Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica so suddenly, his young converts to Christianity were left with little support during a time of fierce opposition. Up to that point, they had received very little instruction about the Christian life. When Paul learned from Timothy about their present circumstances, he wrote this letter (1) to express his joy over their strong faith and determination to remain strong against the persecution, (2) to provide further instructions about spiritual growth, purity, discipline and godly living and (3) to clarify certain beliefs, especially about what happens to Christians who die before Jesus returns.

Survey
After greeting the church (1:1), Paul joyfully praises the Thessalonians for their enduring passion for Christ and their firm faith in the face of adversity (1:2-10; 2:13-16). Paul responds to criticism by reminding the church of his pure motives in ministry (2:1-6), his sincere love and concern for the church (2:7-8, 17-20; 3:1-10) and the integrity of his conduct while he was with them (2:9-12).
    Paul stresses the necessity and importance of holiness (i.e., moral purity, spiritual wholeness, separation from evil and devotion to God) and power in the Christian life. Jesus’ followers must be holy (3:13; 4:1-8; 5:23-24), and the gospel must be accompanied by a genuine display of the Holy Spirit’s power (1:5; cf. 1Co 2:4). While Paul urges the Thessalonians to exercise discernment, or judgment directed by the Holy Spirit, in spiritual matters, he also challenges them: “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire” (5:19) by rejecting the outward expressions of the Holy Spirit through individuals in the church. He was referring in particular to the spiritual gift of prophecy (5:20; see article on Spiritual Gifts for Believers).
A major theme in this letter is Christ’s return to take his faithful followers to heaven and spare them from God’s wrath—his justified anger and judgment—that will come on the earth in the end times (1:10; 4:13-18; 5:1-11). Since some Thessalonian believers had died already, there was a growing concern about their part in God’s plan and what would happen to them in relation to Jesus’ return. In response, Paul explains God’s plan for believers who pass from this life before he returns for his church (4:13-18; see article on The Resurrection of the Body). He also challenges those who remain alive about the importance of being ready when Christ comes (5:1-11). Paul ends the letter with a prayer that God would continue to work in their lives—spirit, soul and body—by developing, purifying and preparing them for God’s purposes until Christ returns (5:23-24; see article on Sanctification).

Special Features
Four major features characterize this letter. (1) It is among the very first books written in the NT. (2) It contains key passages about God raising the deceased Christians (i.e., believers who die before the rapture) when Jesus returns to take his church from the world (4:13-18; see article on The Rapture) and about “the day of the Lord” (5:1-11; see 5:2, note). (3) All five chapters contain some reference to Christ’s return and its significance for his followers (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-11, 23). (4) It provides unique insight (a) into the life of an enthusiastic but immature church in the mid-first century and (b) into the quality of Paul’s ministry as a pioneer of the gospel—the “good news” of forgiveness, spiritual salvation, a personal relationship with God and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.   

Giving credit where credit is due.  These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible.  Don Stamps, editor.  Originally published by Life Publishers.