The problem of idleness in thessalonica 1 thessalonians 4. The letters called epistles from paul to thessalonica, which included i thessalonians and ii thessalonians were. Thus, the time of the writing of 1 thessalonians must have been the summer or fall of a. Thessalonica was a roman colony and very important in the life of the roman empire. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. Though paul had to suddenly leave this young church, his deep.
The letter by james is usually considered the earliest, but 1 thessalonians is considered the earliest of pauls letters, written approximately at 51 a. 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 was also an important port and a melting pot city with cultures from all over the world. Support for this comes from timelines given in the book acts which have been coupled with accounts of roman and jewish history.
He provides with an overview of ancient thessalonica and the founding of the thessalonian. Two thousand years have passed since paul penned 1 2 thessalonians. Then paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to see what was happening with that church 1 thessalonians 3. This summary of the book of 1 thessalonians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 thessalonians. 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.
Study 1 thessalonians using matthew henry bible commentary complete to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Yet the church of the thessalonians continued alive and active. The ancient city of thessalonica is the same city, which is now called thessaloniki. Knowing the form of a typical letter will help us find the key themes and key purpose for the writing of the book.
In 1 thessalonians the emphasis is upon the rapture of believers, the coming of christ to take his church out of the world. As we may look and examine the elements that 1 thessalonians provides throughout, we come to see the utilization of gods distinct word in life. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. The faith, love, and patience of the thessalonians, are evident tokens of their election which was manifested in the power with which the gospel came to them. Its powerful and exemplary effects upon their hearts and lives. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a. Pauls ministry in thessalonica 1 12 thessalonians accepted gods word 16 paul longs to see the thessalonians 1720 3. Pauls message offered a marked contrast to the paganism and heathenism which were present in thessalonica. Thessalonians 1,2, study of camp hill church of christ.
Many gentiles in the church had come out of idolatry, which was not a particular problem among the jews of that time 1 thessalonians 1. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a jewish synagogue on three successive. Headings throughout the following book of 1 thessalonians. Book of 1 thessalonians outline summary online bible nwt. Pauls ministry in thessalonica obviously touched not only jews but gentiles as well. Bible study questions on the book of 1 thessalonians. The book of 1 st thessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul. 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 joins these two faithful fellowlabourers with himself in this epistle, because they had been with him at thessalonica, and were well known to and. I will speak of this letter as though it had chapters. Paul neither uses the title of an apostle, nor any other, as writing to pious and simplehearted men with the utmost familiarity. Jesus is coming again click chart to enlarge charts from jensens survey of the nt used by permission. Jeffrey weima provides an indepth look at two of pauls most intriguing letters. Blue letter bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the bible easy and rewarding. After death no reviving, after the grave no meeting again. Book of 1 thessalonians 1 thessalonians chapter 1 1 thessalonians chapter 2 1 thessalonians chapter 3 1 thessalonians chapter 4 1 thessalonians chapter 5. Constables notes on 1 thessalonians 2020 edition could have been his first inspired epistle.
Weima begins with the historical background of the letters. They wrote this first letter soon after timothy had come back to join paul and silas in corinth 1 thessalonians 3. It was located 100 miles west of philippi and about 200 miles north of athens. Paul arrived at corinth before gallio assumed this position, perhaps a year earlier.
Good bible study requires defining the meaning of keywords, studying parallel passages, explaining the meaning of the text clearly. Book of 1 thessalonians matthew henrys bible commentary. There were a staggering variety of religions and religious professionals in thessalonica. Enduring word bible commentary 1 thessalonians chapter 1. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. While we are most concerned to hear how paul wants the problem solved, it will be helpful to make some suggestions as to how the problem might have arisen in the first place. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. Thus, the main theme of 1 thessalonians is to encourage this new group of believers founded in thessalonica. 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. The key personalities in this book are the apostle paul, timothy, and silas. Book of 1 thessalonians matthew henry bible commentary.
Pauls anxious wait in athens 1 5 timothys comforting report 610 prayer for the thessalonians 11 4. Best commentaries and books on 1 thessalonians logos. It was the first he wrote to european christians, and in it the fundamental things of the christian life are very clearly set forth. It is unusual in that it was written only a short time after the apostle. Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians. He was only in the city a short time because he was forced out by enemies of the gospel. This is currently the second largest and second most important city in. The historical context of pauls epistles to the thessalonians is found in acts 17. Study 1 thessalonians using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Watch our overview video on 1 thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. It was founded by cassander, king of macedon 315 b. This narrative recounts pauls work in the city of thessalonica during his second missionary journey. Paul wrote this letter to strengthen and encourage the church in thessalonica. First thessalonians it is generally supposed that pauls first epistle to the thessalonians is the first book of the new testament that was ever written.
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