Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

I. Authorship - Vs 1:1 explicitly states it was Paul who, along with Silvanus/Silas, had evangelized the city. cp Ac 17:1-10
A) Only the most radical and liberal of interpreters have rejected the truth of Pauline authorship.
B) No one has seriously challenged Paul's authorship of this epistle for the last 100 years.
C) This is the second epistle written by Paul, the first being Galatians.

II. The City of Thessalonica
A) The city was founded in 315 BC by Cassander and named for his wife (the half-sister of Alexander the Great).
B) In 168 BC the Romans divided the conquered Greek territory into four districts, which were then united into one Roman province in about 146 BC, with Thessalonica as the natural choice for its capital (it was the major seaport and largest city of Macedonia,).
C) It was made a free city in 42 BC by Anthony and Octavian (the future Caesar Augustus), and given the right to independent rule by "politarchs" (city fathers), numbering between five and seven rulers.
D) The inhabitants were generally native Greeks, but it contained a considerable mixture of Romans, Asiatics, Orientals, and a sizable number of Jews.
E) Located in the region of southern Greece known as Macedonia, it is situated on the Thermaic Gulf, in the northwest Aegean Sea.
F) It was strategically located on the Via Egnatia, a military highway spanning Macedonia from the east to the west which Paul used for his travels.
G) Coupled with the fact that the Via Egnatia passed through the walls of the city, Thessalonica had the further advantage of a splendid harbor, which guaranteed a cosmopolitan environment thoroughly acquainted with the various religions and philosophies of the day.

III. The Founding of the Church
A) The initial contact had occurred during the second missionary journey of Paul (51-53 AD). Ac 17:1
B) Paul had been attempting to move east into Asia Minor when he received a vision instructing him to head toward Europe/Greece instead. Ac 16:6-10
C) After having been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, they continued west into Thessalonica.
D) They arrived in Thessalonica around November, 51AD. Ac 17:1
1) According to his custom, Paul first went to the Jewish synagogue and evangelized them, for three weeks. Ac 17:2
2) After the three weeks, he had an extended ministry (approx. 5 mos) to the believing Jews, proselytes, Gentiles, and "a number of the leading women". Ac 17:4
a) Luke's intention was not to give a strictly chronological sequence, but to give a description of the major events - "hitting the high points" of the missionary journey.
b) the text indicates that the unbelieving Jews became jealous and began instigating trouble after three weeks, but does not say how long after those three weeks.
c) the Philippian church sent him monetary assistance on two separate occasions, which would certainly have taken more than three weeks (Philippi is 100 miles away). Phi 4:16
d) the Doctrinal knowledge which is attributed to these people in First and Second Thessalonians would require a longer period of instruction. cp 1Th 3:4; 2Th 2:5
e) the fact that Paul supported himself by manual labor also indicates he was in the city longer than three weeks - if they had only seen Paul work for a week or so, his argument would lose some of its force. 2Th 3:8
E) Most likely, the negative Jews closed access to the synagogue after the initial three weeks and continued to monitor his activities.

IV. The Recipients
A) A high degree of Positive Volition among some of the Jews (but primarily among the Gentiles) was demonstrated. Ac 17:4
B) His success aroused the envy and hostility of the unbelieving Jews. Ac 17:5
C) Unable to stop them alone, the Jews instigated certain market-loungers (rent-a-mob), who were known for their trouble-making and eagerness for excitement, into creating a boisterous commotion. Ac 17:5
D) Unable to find Paul or Silas, they bound their host Jason over, who was forced to give a bond/security for the conduct of his guests, and to avoid further trouble the missionaries secretly left town. Acts 17:6-9
E) The new Christians in Thessalonica continued to grow in Doctrine, but without experienced leadership some problems arose. 2Th 2:1-5
F) The sudden, unexpected and forced departure from Thessalonica deprived the young church of much needed guidance.
G) Paul then proceeded to Berea, in Feb of 52AD, where he stayed for approx. one month. Ac 17:10-14
H) Paul was concerned about how this sudden departure might impact the Thessalonian believers. 1Th 3:5
I) After a brief stay in Athens (during which Timothy and presumably Silas joined him - 1Th 3:1), he went to Corinth (March of 52), after sending Silas and Timothy back to the new churches; they then rejoined him with news of the Thessalonians' progress and positive volition. Ac 18:5 cp 1Th 3:6
J) The good news of the Thessalonians adhering to the Word of God occasioned this letter, along with answers to Doctrinal questions and issues Paul wanted to answer, in the summer of 52 AD.
K) Timothy's report was far better than Paul seemed to think possible, and his relief and gratitude is expressed in this letter.
L) This was a spiritually healthy, growing church which was doing quite well in spite of:
1) the lack of experienced leadership.
2) being deprived of their right apostle.
3) their relative lack of doctrinal teaching.
4) their persecutions.

V. Purpose of the Letter
A) The primary purpose of this letter is to express the emotional reaction of Paul and his team to the news which Timothy brought - his thankfulness for their spiritual condition is evident in each of the chapters.
B) Paul also wrote to defend his ministry against false charges and slander, which was apparently instigated and promoted by the Jews. cp Gal 4:17
1) His message was attacked - 2:3
2) His motives were attacked - 2:5
3) His methods were attacked - 2:9-10
4) His departure and prolonged absence were made an issue - 2:17-18
C) He did not defend himself from a feeling of wounded personal pride, the attacks were directed toward him personally in an attempt to sway the new believers from their loyalty to the message of Paul.
D) He wrote to refute the charges, to protect the new faith of his converts, and to encourage these believers to stand fast in the face of persecution. 3:2-4
E) Paul also wrote to exhort them not to return to their pagan practices of pre-salvation life:
1) avoid reverting to immorality - 4:1-9
2) work for a living and not sponge off others - 4:11-12
3) treat their spiritual leaders properly - 5:12-13
4) apply the appropriate doctrinal principles toward various categories of believers - 5:14-15
5) continue to excel in their overall applications - 5:16-22
F) The letter was also written to inform them concerning prophetic issues, including:
1) The Rapture - 4:13-18
2) The Day of the Lord (The Wrath) - 5:1-11

VI. Outline
A) Greeting - 1:1
B) Thanksgiving - 1:2-4
C) Initial response of the Thessalonians - 1:5-10
D) Paul's defense of his ministry - 2:1-12
1) the message - 1-4
2) the motives - 5-6
3) the methods - 7-8
4) the example - 9-12
E) The Jewish persecution - 2:13-16
F) Affection, desire to visit, and sending of Timothy - 2:17-3:5
1) out of sight, not out of mind - 2:17-20
2) sending Timothy - 3:1-5
G) Response to Timothy's report - 3:6-10
H) Prayer request - 3:11-13
I) Exhortations - 4:1-12
1) to sexual purity - 1-8
2) to brotherly love - 9-10
3) to simplify one's niche - 11-12
J) Doctrinal teaching - 4:13-5:11
1) The Rapture - 4:13-18
2) The Day of the Lord - 5:1-11
K) Instructions on church relations - 5:12-15
L) Various, personal Christian duties - 5:16-22
M) Final prayer of Paul regarding them - 5:23-24
N) Closing - 5:25-28