Walvoord, one of evangelicalisms most prominent leaders, and mark hitchcock, todays leading bible prophecy expert, guide you through the prophecy and exhort believers on practical matters such as moral purity, disciplined living, church relationships, prayer and church discipline. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. Irenaeus quoted 1 thessalonians by namehe wrote around a. The book is clearly written to a group of very new believers who were quickly brought into the faith and then immediately thrown into the grasp of satan as persecutions broke out upon them acts 17. Though only three chapters in length, almost of the book repeats what is said in 1 thessalonians. Paul was now clearly at the head of his own missionary band. There are also some great prayers in 2 thessalonians that can be an example for us on how to pray for other believers today. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international. General resources for 1 thessalonians check the scripture index for links and study resources pertaining to specific pericopes. Paul is the author of the book of 1st thessalonians as he begins paul, silvanus, and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ 1.
First and second thessalonians comprise some of the earliest new testament writings. Since the specific date and time of the lords return were unknown, they should be ready, alert and selfcontrolled at all times 5. Will there be a great apostasy falling away during the end times. The letters called epistles from paul to thessalonica, which included i thessalonians and ii thessalonians were probably two of the earliest letters paul had written which was around a. This represents the apostle pauls first canonical correspondence to the church in the city of thessalonica. This summary of the book of 1 thessalonians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 thessalonians. Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. Paul soon sent timothy back to thessalonica to strengthen that community in its trials 1 thes 3. Nov 18, 2015 paul is the author of the book of 1st thessalonians as he begins paul, silvanus, and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ 1. First thessalonians is considered one of pauls earliest epistles. False teachers had been presenting fake letters as if from paul and telling the thessalonian believers that the day of the lord had already come.
Background to the thessalonian church paul and his companions planted the church in thessalonica after experiencing trials in philippi acts 16. The first epistle was penned at corinth by the apostle paul in response to timothys report on the progress of the church they had recently established there 3. Paul wrote this letter to the church in thessalonica. After paul started the church in thessalonica, he wrote this first letter to the believers. Paul wanted to check on the state of the thessalonians faith, for fear that false teachers might have infiltrated their number. Thessalonica modern salonica, lies near the ancient.
Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in some sense as its theme. Please read the whole book of 1 thessalonians again as we study chapter 3. The book of romans, the great epistle on grace, also begins with a vivid picture of judgment and the need to prepare for it, later adding detailed instructions on christian living. Second thessalonians distinguishes itself by the detailed teaching it presents on the end times. See more ideas about 2 thessalonians, bible verses and bible. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in thessalonica. From athens paul dispatched timothy to check on the situation in the thessalonian. The first epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as first thessalonians or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle of the new testament of the christian bible. Book of 2 thessalonians bible survey what are the pauline epistles. After you have read the whole epistle, state the theme of the book. Pauls first letter to the thessalonians is the thirteenth book in the new testament. We hope this outline of 1 thessalonians will assist you as you study gods holy word.
If we are going to properly understand the book of ephesians, we need to understand its immediate. Paul wanted to check on the state of the thessalonians faith, for fear that false. Blackhawk church eat this book weekly bible guide reading 1 and 2 thessalonians key historical background to 1 thessalonians paul, silas and timothy were the first to share the gospel in thessalonica, where many jews. If paul were the author, the books would have had to be written just a few months apart.
Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. They were called to work hard so as not to be a burden to anybody and win the respect of outsiders 4. Check bible dictionaries or similar reference works for information. For since we believe that jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when jesus returns, god will bring back with him the believers who have died. Second thessalonians is the ninth of pauls letters. External evidence strongly supports pauline authorship geisler, a general introduction to the bible, pp. However, such arguments have not convinced current interpreters. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline by almost all nt scholars1 b. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible society. It also exhorts us not to be idle and to work for what we have. Thessalonica is located on the gulf of alonika, which is on the northwest corner of the aegean sea. Paul weaves faith in and out of his thessalonian letters, but.
Over a quarter of 1 thessalonians and nearly half of 2 thessalonians deal with problems and issues regarding the parousia or coming of christ from heaven. In the book of acts we read about how the church was formed during pauls second missionary journey when paul, silas, and timothy came there after. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. A majority still hold to pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians. The background of the thessalonian church is found in ac 17. It was the first he wrote to european christians, and in it the fundamental things of the christian life are very clearly set forth. Bible study questions on the book of 1 thessalonians. Both themes would recur prominently in 2 thessalonians 1. Later, paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to check on the church there, and timothys report led paul to write this letter. Paul and his companions had established the church in thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. Though paul had to suddenly leave this young church, his deep.
The thessalonians had a doctrinal problem as well as a practical problem growing out of it. This book is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of christ. To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second coming of christ. Yet the church of the thessalonians continued alive and active. If this is so, then the book was written to the churches in that reason. Authorship paul is the stated author of this letter 1. Thessalonica modern salonica, lies near the ancient site of therma on the thermaic gulf at the northern reaches of the aegean sea. General resources for the book of 2 thessalonians check the scripture index for links and study resources pertaining to specific pericopes. Soon afterwards he took timothy along with him acts 16. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a jewish synagogue on three successive sabbath days. This summary of the book of 2 thessalonians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 2 thessalonians. Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians. Because of its similarity to 1 thessalonians, it must have been written not long after the first letterperhaps about six months.
The situation in the church seems to have been much the same. In the top box type the book of the bible and the chapter e. Letters of paul to the thessalonians, two new testament letters written by. Biography of paul both the internal and external evidence points to paul writing this epistle.
Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international bible. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible. Study basics about bible books, people, dates, places, and content, and take webbased selftests. Who is the man of lawlessness in 2 thessalonians 2. Hes writing to a group of christians in thessalonica, and hes just pleased as punch because hes heard a report that they are kicking butt when it comes to having faith. The opening words of 1 thessalonians identify the authors as the coworkers paul, silvanus identified as silas in the book of acts, and timothy. The first letter 1 thessalonians was written to a community of believers who had been christians for only a short period of time, probably no more than a few months. Every chapter of 1 thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of christ, with ch. Alleged differences between 1 and 2 thessalonians have caused some scholars to reject the pauline authorship of 2 thessalonians. The apostle paul appears to have been the principal writer, but it is noteworthy that the letter almost always speaks in the voice of multiple authors using pronouns such as we, us, and our. Investigates the background to pauls letters to the thessalonians, examines the structure and content of first and second thessalonians, and reveals his eschatology. After listening to andor reading the scripture please answer the related study questions below.
Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the website answer the questions below and then click ok to send your answers. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians from corinth near the end of his second missionary journey. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. What is the purpose of the book of 1st thessalonians. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the lord, and from the glory of his power. He was only in the city a short time because he was forced out by enemies of the gospel. The apostle paul, joined in his salutation by silvanus and timothy, and with a reference to his own signature at the end of the epistle. Landscape the bustling seaport city of thessalonica was the capital of macedonia, located along the egnatian way the most important trade route in the roman empire, running from. Thessalonica was, during the time of paul, one of the two most important commercial centers in greece corinth was the other. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living ministries. The apostle paul, joined in his salutation by silvanus and timothy, and with specific mention of his name again later in the epistle. Introduction to niv study bible go to 1 thessalonians background of the thessalonian letters it is helpful to trace the locations of paul and his companions that relate to the thessalonian correspondence. Book of second thessalonians overview insight for living. Book of 1 thessalonians, the new international version.
Title in the greek nt, 1 thessalonians is listed literally as to the thessalonians. Enduring word bible commentary 1 thessalonians chapter 1. Even the author of 2 thessalonians had to deal with people of that time thinking that maybe jesus had already come back and they missed it 2 thessalonians 2. However, the pauline authorship of this book has been challenged by some and is more debated than that of 1 thessalonians. To really jump ahead in your 1 thessalonians bible study, complete our how to study a book of the bible lesson using 1 thessalonians as your subject. However, timothy soon returned with a good report, prompting paul to pen 1 thessalonians as a letter of encouragement to the new believers. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our lord jesus christ, in the sight of god and our father. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ. Silas and timothy had joined paul at corinth acts 18. The book of 2 thessalonians has not always been accepted as pauline and has been attacked on several grounds. Later, paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to check on the church there, and. Pauls first letter to the thessalonians learn religions. The mention of silas silvanus and timothy as cosenders 1. The doctrine, style, and manner of thought are all pauline, and resemble 1st thessalonians.
Thus, the time of the writing of 1 thessalonians must have been the summer or fall of a. Far and away the largest theological contribution of both 1 and 2 thessalonians lies in what they say about eschatology. Historical allusions in the book fit pauls life as recounted in acts and in his own letters. Both lists of canonical books of the nt circulated in rome. Also, select the version and then click the search the bible button. From richard lloyd anderson, understanding paul, rev. This book is unique in that every chapter ends with a. Those who think christians are worse are mistaken, because atheists have created more atrocities, like hitler, stalin, mao zedong. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a. Letters of paul to the thessalonians bible britannica. Paul wrote 2 thessalonians to reassure those terrified that the day of the lord had already come. In addition, paul wants 1 to stress the authenticity of himself, silas, and timothy as preachers of the gospel 1. The book of 2 thessalonians has not always been accepted as pauline and has been attacked on several.
1479 936 409 1464 677 998 1093 1082 783 908 378 1264 256 1365 441 84 749 488 645 97 625 123 1550 310 266 535 1254 681 281 16 1355 129 787 1224 351 264 877 1259