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Paul's letters · New Testament · 5 chapters

The book of 1 Thessalonians

Living in expectation of the Lord’s return

Author
The apostle Paul, with Silvanus and Timothy (1:1)
Written
About AD 50–51, probably from Corinth
Time covered
Second missionary journey, a few months after the founding of the church (Acts 17:1-10; 18:1-5)
Key word
Coming

Paul gives thanks for a model church, converted from idols to the living God and looking toward the return of Jesus (1). He recalls the purity of his ministry: gentle as a nurse, working with his hands, bringing the word of God (2:1-16). Prevented from returning, he sent Timothy, whose good news revives him (2:17-3:13). He calls for holiness, brotherly love and quiet work (4:1-12), then consoles those who mourn their dead: at the Lord’s return, the dead in Christ will rise and all will be together with him (4:13-18). The day of the Lord will come as a thief: watch, pray, give thanks (5).

Main theme

A young, persecuted church is strengthened: Paul defends the sincerity of his ministry, calls for a holy life and comforts with the hope of Christ’s return, which will reunite the living and the dead forever.

Outline

  1. 1 Thessalonians 1 — A model church

    Thanksgiving for a dazzling conversion: from idols to the living God, awaiting the Son (1:9-10).

  2. 1 Thessalonians 2-3 — An apostle’s heart

    Paul recalls the sincerity of his ministry, his longing to see them again and his joy at Timothy’s return.

  3. 1 Thessalonians 4 — Holiness and hope

    Purity, brotherly love, quiet work, then the resurrection of the dead in Christ at the Lord’s return.

  4. 1 Thessalonians 5 — Watching as children of the day

    The day of the Lord will come as a thief; instructions for a living church, and the closing blessing.

Key points

  • A conversion in three movements: turning from idols, serving the living and true God, waiting for his Son from heaven (1:9-10).
  • Born in tribulation, the church of Thessalonica became a model for Macedonia and Achaia (1:6-7).
  • Paul was gentle as a nurse and demanding as a father, working night and day so as not to burden anyone (2:7-11).
  • The Thessalonians received the apostolic message as the word of God, which works in those who believe (2:13).
  • The will of God is our sanctification, in particular sexual purity (4:3-7).
  • At the Lord’s return, the dead in Christ will rise first, then the living will be caught up together with them to meet him (4:16-17).
  • The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; the children of the day watch and stay sober (5:2-6).
  • “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks”: the will of God in Christ Jesus (5:16-18).
For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 — The portrait of an authentic conversion: a break with idols, service of the true God, waiting for the Son.
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 — The apostolic word received for what it truly is: the word of God at work in believers.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Thessalonians 4:3 — A clear answer to the question “What is the will of God?”: your sanctification.

Jesus in 1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians presents Jesus as the risen Son “which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1:10) and who “died for us” that we should live together with him (5:9-10). Above all he is the Lord who returns: he himself will descend from heaven, raise his own and gather them forever to himself (4:16-17). The whole Christian life is oriented toward the day when he will appear with all his saints (3:13).

Did you know?

  • Every chapter culminates in the return of the Lord (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:16-17; 5:23).
  • The verb “caught up” (4:17) is rendered in the Latin Vulgate by rapiemur: that is the source of the word “rapture,” used for the catching up of the church.
  • During his stay in Thessalonica, Paul earned his living with his own hands (2:9) and also received help from the Philippians twice (Phil 4:16).

Quiz on 1 Thessalonians

Which names does Paul join to his own in the greeting of 1 Thessalonians?

Whom did Paul send from Athens to strengthen the Thessalonians?

How will the day of the Lord come, according to 5:2?

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