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Before you read

1 Thessalonians

A warm letter to a young church under pressure: hold on, love each other, and wait for the Lord's return with hope.

See the map and timelineJump to Chapter 1

Who wrote it

Paul

The letter names Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy (1:1), and almost no scholar doubts that Paul wrote it; it is often counted among his earliest letters, and so among the earliest writings in the New Testament. Some scholars question whether 2:13-16 (with its harsh words about "the Jews") was written by Paul or added later, since it seems out of step with Romans 9 to 11; others defend it as Paul's own words about a particular group in a particular situation.

Who it was for

The church in Thessalonica, mostly Gentile converts who had turned from idols

Paul, Silas, and Timothy founded the church on the second journey after being driven out of Philippi (Acts 16:11-40; 17:1-9). Thessalonica was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia, a busy port city on the Via Egnatia. The church had grown quickly and was immediately under pressure from fellow townspeople (1:6; 2:14; 3:3-4).

When it happens

Corinth, about AD 50 to 51, only months after Paul left Thessalonica

Paul had been forced out of Thessalonica after a short stay, went on to Athens, and then to Corinth. Worried about the new believers, he sent Timothy back; Timothy rejoined him with good news (3:1-6; Acts 18:5), and Paul wrote in reply. The letter is dated by Paul's year in Corinth and the governor Gallio (Acts 18:12). Corinth is not named in the letter; it is inferred from Acts.

How to read it

Letter

A warm, personal letter in the form of ancient correspondence: greeting, thanks, a long reminder of how Paul and his friends behaved, news and prayers, practical instruction, and a conclusion. The tone is that of a father and a nurse writing to children they miss.

Map: Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens, and Corinth

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MACEDONIAACHAIA

Paul's route: beaten and jailed in Philippi, then Thessalonica, then Athens (where he sends Timothy back), and on to Corinth, where he writes.

Timeline

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  1. Paul founds the churchPaul preaches in Thessalonica for a short time and is forced out, about AD 49 to 50 (Acts 17:1-9).
  2. 1 Thessalonians is writtenPaul writes from Corinth, about AD 50 to 51, among the earliest of his surviving letters.
  3. A second letter followsPaul soon writes again to correct a misunderstanding about the Lord's coming (2 Thessalonians).

In order, not to scale.

Big idea

The gospel changed the Thessalonians from idol-worshippers to people who serve the living God and wait for his Son; so keep going in faith, love, and hope, live quietly and well, and comfort one another with the promise that Christ will return and the dead in Christ will rise.

Key themes
  • Faith, love, and hope
  • Suffering and encouragement
  • Holy living
  • The return of the Lord
  • Comfort for those who grieve

Who’s who

Paul

The apostle, writing as a spiritual father to a church he had to leave.

  • Chapters: 1, 2

Silvanus

Paul's co-worker (Silas), who helped found the church in Thessalonica.

  • Chapters: 1

Timothy

Sent back to Thessalonica to strengthen the believers; returned with good news (3:2-6).

  • Parents: Eunice
  • Chapters: 1, 3

The believers in Thessalonica

Mostly Gentiles who turned from idols, now suffering for their faith.

The Lord Jesus

Whose return the church awaits, and who rescues from the coming wrath.

  • Parents: Joseph, Mary
  • Siblings: James, Joses, Jude, Simon
  • Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Family links and chapters: Theographic Bible Metadata, CC BY-SA 4.0. About our sources