What Is First Thessalonians About?

First Thessalonians is the first of two letters Paul addressed to the believers in Thessalonica. Paul’s teaching on death and the Second Coming of Jesus may have been distorted or confused, hence the need for a second epistle to clarify matters. First Thessalonians shows how much Paul cared for this fledgling church in Greece and the challenges they faced in a Gentile environment.

Academics typically acknowledge First Corinthians as a genuine letter written by Paul. Penned between 49 and 51 CE, this letter by Paul is among his earliest writings included in the official scriptures. Paul acknowledges Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy as collaborators in writing the letter. The probable time frame for this correspondence aligns with the duration of the second missionary journey that Paul embarked on.

Historical Context

Thessalonica, a significant urban center in Macedonia (now known as Thessaloniki, Greece), played a crucial role in commerce and politics. People from all over the Roman Empire resided in the city, including a large Jewish community. A powerful Roman influence permeated local society.

Despite Paul leaving suddenly, the Thessalonian church kept expanding, notwithstanding opposition from Jewish and pagan groups. Paul wrote this letter to encourage and guide the Thessalonian Christians due to his worries about their persecution, and their understanding of the destiny of deceased believers, and the second coming of Christ.

Paul then labored to provide for himself instead of relying on the Thessalonians for assistance. During his 18-month stay in Corinth, Paul penned the initial letter to this community.

Structure

The structure of First Thessalonians is straightforward. Scholars often divide the book into the following main parts:

Salutation (First Thessalonians 1:1-10)

Paul starts by giving a customary greeting and then expresses gratitude for the faith, love, and hope the Thessalonians display. He praises their example and testimony, emphasizing their shift from worshiping idols to serving the living God.

Paul’s relationship with the Thessalonians (First Thessalonians 2:1-3:13)

Paul shared fond memories of his time with the Thessalonians, highlighting his sincere concern and eagerness to return to them. He also details the reasons for his departure and talks about Timothy’s positive report on the Thessalonian church.

Encouragements and Guidance (First Thessalonians 4:1-5:11)

Paul advises on how to live a life that pleases God, focusing on the significance of sexual purity, showing love towards others, and working hard. He talks about the worries regarding dead believers and talks about Christ’s Second Coming, comforting the Thessalonians that all believers will be united with the Lord, whether alive or dead now.

Concluding Directions and Blessing (First Thessalonians 5:12-28)

Paul wraps up his message by providing practical advice on how to behave in the church, the importance of prayer, the significance of prophecy, and the importance of building a strong community. He concludes by praying for the Thessalonians and giving a final blessing.

Several key themes emerge from the letter First Thessalonians:

As in Paul’s iconic chapter on love in First Corinthians 13, he also speaks of faith, love, and hope in First Thessalonians. Unlike the Corinthians who needed guidance on these three characteristics, Paul commends the Thessalonians for displaying them (First Thessalonians 1:3).

When Paul visited them, the Christians in Thessalonica were experiencing persecution. Paul encourages them to remain steadfast in the face of suffering, reinforcing their sense of hope and reminding them of the reward that comes from faith in Christ (First Thessalonians 2:14-16; 3:3-4).

The Bible and other archaeological artifacts from Thessalonica indicate that, from a Christian perspective, a culture of immorality reigned supreme there. Paul emphasized the importance of sanctification, sexual purity, and love among believers that would set them apart from the Gentiles around them (First Thessalonians 4:1-8). From addressing the topic of sexual morality, Paul transitions into general guidance of ethical living. New converts to Christianity in Thessalonica were used to a Gentile way of life, associating idolatry with banquets held in honor of various gods.

The lifestyle Paul presents to the Thessalonian Christians is his own imitation of Christ, a life pleasing to God and devoted to holiness. Paul has no expectations that the believers in Thessalonica withdraw from society but rather that they live a simple life of sanctification and avoidance of vice.

Since circumstances cut his visit to the city short, Paul may not have had an opportunity to teach the new converts about what to expect upon the Second Coming of the Lord. Due to this, the Thessalonians experienced severe anxiety regarding their deceased brothers and sisters who would miss out on the coming glory of the Lord. The consolatory nature of Paul’s eschatological teaching is evident as he describes the events of the Second Coming as a time when both the living and the dead in Christ will share in God’s salvation and reunite with one another. The chiastic structure of 4:13-18 shows the importance of this section.

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you 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, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (First Thessalonians 1:4-10 ESV)

This passage is well known as a testament to Paul’s conversion-oriented ministry. The dialogue here begins an autobiographical account of Paul’s actions in Thessalonica. By considering the success of Paul’s ministry and the nature of the church formed, students of this passage will be able to analyze the depth of Paul’s friendship and affection for the Thessalonian church.

Arguably the most well-known passage from First Thessalonians is chapters 4:13 to 5:4, which deals with the dead when Jesus returns, with Jesus coming like a thief in the night. It reads:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Therefore encourage one another with these words. Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.” (ESV)

This passage marks one of only two references to an archangel in the Bible (the other instance is Jude 9). Jesus’s words “the day of the Lord will come like a thief” are often referenced in connection with the rapture of the saints, though the context in which the same term is used in 2 Peter 3:10-12 makes it unlikely that it refers to an event that would precede a period of seven years during which people remain on earth.

First Thessalonians’ focus on the Second Coming and the Resurrection offers hope to believers facing uncertainty, loss, or persecution. It looks past the current situation to what will be when Jesus returns.

Paul’s exhortations for church conduct inspire modern Christians to foster supportive and encouraging communities. The practical instructions being holy, prayer, and thanksgiving, provide timeless guidance for living a life that pleases God.

First Thessalonians is a book that brings encouragement in times of trial and helps the reader to gather hope, looking past the present to an eternal future.