We hope this outline of 1 thessalonians will assist you as you study gods holy word. Later, paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to check on the church there, and timothys report led paul to write this letter. After listening to andor reading the scripture please answer the related study questions below. Letters of paul to the thessalonians bible britannica. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international bible. 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. Paul weaves faith in and out of his thessalonian letters, but. The book of 2 thessalonians is filled with information that explains the end times. A majority still hold to pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians. The book of 2 thessalonians has not always been accepted as pauline and has been attacked on several grounds. 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 sabbath days. Every chapter of 1 thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of christ, with ch.
Thessalonica is located on the gulf of alonika, which is on the northwest corner of the aegean sea. He was only in the city a short time because he was forced out by enemies of the gospel. Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a. Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the website answer the questions below and then click ok to send your answers. Paul wanted to check on the state of the thessalonians faith, for fear that false teachers might have infiltrated their number. False teachers had been presenting fake letters as if from paul and telling the thessalonian believers that the day of the lord had already come. This book is unique in that every chapter ends with a.
Though paul had to suddenly leave this young church, his deep. Soon afterwards he took timothy along with him acts 16. Investigates the background to pauls letters to the thessalonians, examines the structure and content of first and second thessalonians, and reveals his eschatology. First and second thessalonians comprise some of the earliest new testament writings. Title in the greek nt, 1 thessalonians is listed literally as to the thessalonians. See more ideas about 2 thessalonians, bible verses and bible. This summary of the book of 2 thessalonians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 2 thessalonians. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our lord jesus christ, in the sight of god and our father. Paul soon sent timothy back to thessalonica to strengthen that community in its trials 1 thes 3. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible society. Though only three chapters in length, almost of the book repeats what is said in 1 thessalonians. Because of its similarity to 1 thessalonians, it must have been written not long after the first letterperhaps about six months. The book of 2 thessalonians has not always been accepted as pauline and has been attacked on several.
The first epistle to the thessalonians introduction author. To really jump ahead in your 1 thessalonians bible study, complete our how to study a book of the bible lesson using 1 thessalonians as your subject. Pauls first letter to the thessalonians is the thirteenth book in the new testament. Background to the thessalonian church paul and his companions planted the church in thessalonica after experiencing trials in philippi acts 16. Thus, the time of the writing of 1 thessalonians must have been the summer or fall of a. Thessalonica modern salonica, lies near the ancient. Historical allusions in the book fit pauls life as recounted in acts and in his own letters. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible. For since we believe that jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when jesus returns, god will bring back with him the believers who have died. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the lord, and from the glory of his power. Paul was now clearly at the head of his own missionary band. Book of 1 thessalonians, the new international version. Those who think christians are worse are mistaken, because atheists have created more atrocities, like hitler, stalin, mao zedong. Even the author of 2 thessalonians had to deal with people of that time thinking that maybe jesus had already come back and they missed it 2 thessalonians 2.
Far and away the largest theological contribution of both 1 and 2 thessalonians lies in what they say about eschatology. Alleged differences between 1 and 2 thessalonians have caused some scholars to reject the pauline authorship of 2 thessalonians. The apostle paul, joined in his salutation by silvanus and timothy, and with specific mention of his name again later in the epistle. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. Lesson 3 in the series the heart of pauls theology. The apostle paul appears to have been the principal writer, but it is noteworthy that the letter almost always speaks in the voice of multiple authors using pronouns such as we, us, and our. Both lists of canonical books of the nt circulated in rome. To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second coming of christ. If paul were the author, the books would have had to be written just a few months apart. Book of 2 thessalonians bible survey what are the pauline epistles. Paul and his companions had established the church in thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. General resources for the book of 2 thessalonians check the scripture index for links and study resources pertaining to specific pericopes.
Study basics about bible books, people, dates, places, and content, and take webbased selftests. However, timothy soon returned with a good report, prompting paul to pen 1 thessalonians as a letter of encouragement to the new believers. First thessalonians is the eighth of pauls letters. If we are going to properly understand the book of ephesians, we need to understand its immediate. In addition, paul wants 1 to stress the authenticity of himself, silas, and timothy as preachers of the gospel 1. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in thessalonica. Letters of paul to the thessalonians, two new testament letters written by.
The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. Also, select the version and then click the search the bible button. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians from corinth near the end of his second missionary journey. In any case, we can be sure that paul was clarifying the teaching of christ, the church, salvation and sanctification for these saints. Pauls first letter to the thessalonians learn religions. Second thessalonians is the ninth of pauls letters. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. 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. Yet the church of the thessalonians continued alive and active. The opening words of 1 thessalonians identify the authors as the coworkers paul, silvanus identified as silas in the book of acts, and timothy. It also exhorts us not to be idle and to work for what we have. Landscape the bustling seaport city of thessalonica was the capital of macedonia, located along the egnatian way the most important trade route in the roman empire, running from.
Check bible dictionaries or similar reference works for information. Thessalonica was, during the time of paul, one of the two most important commercial centers in greece corinth was the other. This book is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of christ. 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. Introduction to niv study bible go to 1 thessalonians background of the thessalonian letters it is helpful to trace the locations of paul and his companions that relate to the thessalonian correspondence. External evidence strongly supports pauline authorship geisler, a general introduction to the bible, pp. Paul wanted to check on the state of the thessalonians faith, for fear that false. Will there be a great apostasy falling away during the end times. 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. Hes writing to a group of christians in thessalonica, and hes just pleased as punch because hes heard a report that they are kicking butt when it comes to having faith.
Please read the whole book of 1 thessalonians again as we study chapter 3. From richard lloyd anderson, understanding paul, rev. They were called to work hard so as not to be a burden to anybody and win the respect of outsiders 4. The thessalonians had a doctrinal problem as well as a practical problem growing out of it. Enduring word bible commentary 1 thessalonians chapter 1. This represents the apostle pauls first canonical correspondence to the church in the city of thessalonica. Since the specific date and time of the lords return were unknown, they should be ready, alert and selfcontrolled at all times 5. Irenaeus quoted 1 thessalonians by namehe wrote around a. Who is the man of lawlessness in 2 thessalonians 2. Authorship paul is the stated author of this letter 1. After you have read the whole epistle, state the theme of the book. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. The mention of silas silvanus and timothy as cosenders 1. 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.
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. Silas and timothy had joined paul at corinth acts 18. Paul wrote this letter to the church in thessalonica. The situation in the church seems to have been much the same. In the top box type the book of the bible and the chapter e. The background of the thessalonian church is found in ac 17. However, the pauline authorship of this book has been challenged by some and is more debated than that of 1 thessalonians. The apostle paul, joined in his salutation by silvanus and timothy, and with a reference to his own signature at the end of the epistle. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international. Nov 18, 2015 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. First thessalonians is considered one of pauls earliest epistles. Both themes would recur prominently in 2 thessalonians 1. Book of second thessalonians overview insight for living. The doctrine, style, and manner of thought are all pauline, and resemble 1st thessalonians.
Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. Walvoord, one of evangelicalisms most prominent leaders, and mark hitchcock, todays leading bible prophecy expert, guide you through the prophecy and exhort believers on practical matters such as moral purity, disciplined living, church relationships, prayer and church discipline. 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 himself founded the church in thessalonica on his second missionary journey acts 17. Later, paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to check on the church there, and. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living ministries. Bible study questions on the book of 1 thessalonians. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. Second thessalonians distinguishes itself by the detailed teaching it presents on the end times. If this is so, then the book was written to the churches in that reason. 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. What is the purpose of the book of 1st thessalonians. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline by almost all nt scholars1 b. However, such arguments have not convinced current interpreters.
Thessalonica modern salonica, lies near the ancient site of therma on the thermaic gulf at the northern reaches of the aegean sea. Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in some sense as its theme. There are also some great prayers in 2 thessalonians that can be an example for us on how to pray for other believers today. Paul wrote 2 thessalonians to reassure those terrified that the day of the lord had already come. In the book of acts we read about how the church was formed during pauls second missionary journey when paul, silas, and timothy came there after. General resources for 1 thessalonians check the scripture index for links and study resources pertaining to specific pericopes. Biography of paul both the internal and external evidence points to paul writing this epistle.