Names of the Book
| English: | 1 Thessalonians |
| Greek: | 1 Θεσσαλονικεύς |
| Transliterated: | 1 Thessalonikeus |
| Other names: | Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians |
Who
| Wrote the book: | Paul |
| Are the key people: | Paul, Timothy, Silas |
| Is it written to: | Believers in Thessalonica |
What
| Faithfulness to the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:1-3:13) |
| Watchfulness for Messiah's return (1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:28) |
When
| Was it written: | c 51 CE |
| Did the events occur: | c 50-51 CE |
| Was it canonized: | c 108-117 CE |
| (see the Timeline of the First Century) | |
Where
| Was it written: | Corinth |
| Did the events occur: | Thessalonica |
Why
| 1 Thessalonians was written to inform us that: |
| We should stand firm in our faith in the midst of persecution. |
| We should be faithful and bold in our service or ministry. |
| We should hold fast to the hope of the return of the Messiah. |
| We should be prepared and live our lives knowing that Messiah will return. |
Introduction
In what is likely his very first epistle, Paul wrote to Thessalonica, a city in Macedonia that he had visited during his second journey into Asia Minor. Paul wrote to the (predominantly Gentile) believers in Thessalonica to encourage them in their faith in the midst of persecution, to reassure them of their hope in Messiah, and to remind them to live G-dly lives prepared for His return. He sends a message from himself, Silvanus, and Timothy to "request and exhort" the believers to excel in their behavior even beyond how they already "walk and please G-d". Paul also requests that they appreciate those who diligently labor among them and "have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction". He concludes with the comforting words "faithful is He who calls you, and he also will bring it to pass."
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