A guide for introducing each book of the bible please refer to this guide as you rehearse your reading for the week. The roman empire, and the ancient city of thessalonica, have been reduced to rubble. In 1 thessalonians, paul directs the persecuted thessalonian christians to hope in the future of king jesus return who will make all things right. Secular greek letters sometimes included in their introduction a prayer to some god, but.
Introduction to the first epistle to the thessalonians. Further, this letter is noteworthy for pauls toughmindedness in predicting judgment on the ungodly and in rebuking church members who behave and think incorrectly. Tone to more formal and rigid than 1st thessalonians. Aug 11, 2017 this article is part of the why study the book. First thessalonians is a key book for every christian, whether a new believer or seasoned saint. Turn of events from 1st thessalonians from a dynamic outreach church to a church. Introduction to 2 thessalonians bible exposition commentary. Going to thessalonica transferred the ministry of the gospel to western. How can we act wisely as we await jehovahs day of judgment. First thessalonians provides christians with the clearest biblical passage on the coming rapture of believers, an event that will inaugurate the sevenyear tribulation.
Acts, romans, and every other new testament book except galatians and james. Gods righteous judgment will be completed when jesus returns. Discover the basics of the book of 1 thessalonians with the esv study bible from crossway. 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. The first epistle to the thessalonians is believed to be the earliest of pauls existing epistles and may be the oldest book. Paul, silas and timothy, to the church of the thessalonians in god the father and the lord jesus christ. One of the apostle pauls earliest ministries was in the city of thessalonica.
Introduction to the first epistle of paul to the thessalonians. The literary structure of 1 and 2 thessalonians david alan. Here is a brief chart and introduction notes on the book. Book of second thessalonians overview insight for living. Christians should live godhonoring lives now because jesus could return at any moment. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline by almost all nt scholars1 b.
Book of 2 thessalonians, explained scripture by scripture. The theme is the coming of the lord, and each chapter builds on. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. Paul and his companions had established the church in thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. The book is clearly written to a group of very new believers who were. Hopefully, youve had a chance to complete the suggested assignments in our bible study orientation for this book in this first week, you will learn some basic historical, cultural and exegetical background for the study of 1 thessalonians. The recording is dramatized, from the king james bible.
Early sources in church history that attribute this letter to paul include. In the greek new testament, 2 thessalonians is listed as to the thessalonians. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. They thought it had come already so they stopped with their work. Timothys return with a report on conditions at thessalonica served as the.
Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international bible. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline by almost all. It was not long after paul had written his first letter to the church in thessalonica that he realized he needed to write another letter to clarify exactly when they should expect the second coming of christ. 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. We remember before our god and father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our. After paul started the church in thessalonica, he wrote this first letter to the believers there within just a few months of leaving. The book of 2 thessalonians has not always been accepted as pauline and has been attacked on several grounds.
Second thessalonians distinguishes itself by the detailed teaching it presents on the end times. Paul had not spent long enough time with the church in thessalonica, and wrote this letter to further instruct them in their walk with christ and sound doctrine. The first epistle to the thessalonians is believed to be the earliest of the apostle pauls existing epistles. Introduction to 1 thessalonians why study this book. Paul wrote this letter to the church in thessalonica.
The holy bible book 52 1 thessalonians kjv dramatized. Two thousand years have passed since paul penned 12 thessalonians. This represents the apostle pauls second canonical correspondence to the fellowship of believers in. Introduction to the book of 1 thessalonians stories of god. This web page contains lesson plans for an eightweek bible study. Jun 26, 2017 the book of 1 thessalonians is almost universally considered to be the first of pauls letters, written around 52 ad. It was possible that he subsequently preached outside the synagogue. John macarthur takes readers on a journey through biblical texts to discover what lies beneath the surface, focusing on meaning and context, and then reflecting on the explored passage or concept. The thessalonian church is the only church not censured for anything. For example, some had feared that those who had already died would be unable to participate in that glorious event i thessalonians 4. Video series bible book introduction videos english bible book introduction videos. Discover the basics of the book of 1 thessalonians.
External evidence strongly supports pauline authorship geisler, a general introduction to the bible, pp. 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. How much more so when it comes to the end of the whole world. The time of this writing was surely a few months after the first epistle, while paul was still in corinth with silas and timothy 1. The church at thessalonica was founded by paul on his 2nd missionary journey in which the gospel was taken to macedonia which was eastern europe. The book speaks of a servant, a man of sorrows, who would be wounded for our transgressions, accomplishing gods purposes of salvation 52. Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international.
In 1 thessalonians, paul taught the new church about salvation, sanctification, service, suffering, election, gods coming wrath on the unsaved, living a pure life, the rapture, the antichrist, apostasy, obedience to leadership, disciplining the unruly, supporting and encouraging the weak, the day of the lord, prayer, and christs second coming. Christians are destined not for wrath but for salvation when christ returns 1. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible society. Paul was now clearly at the head of his own missionary band. 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. The first epistle to the thessalonians is believed to be the earliest of the apostle pauls existing epistles and may be the oldest book in. The church in thessalonica still had some misconceptions about the day of the lord. Introduction to the book of 1 thessalonians the book of 1 thessalonians is almost universally considered to be the first of pauls letters, written around 52 ad. Dec 08, 2019 pauls first letter written to the believers in thessalonica, called 1 thessalonians, is a rich and encouraging letter. Study the bible online using commentary on 1 thessalonians introduction and more. Introduction to 1 thessalonians church of jesus christ. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline by almost all nt scholars 1.
Introduction to the first epistle of paul to the thessalonians why study this book. The thessalonians received his gospel message not as the word of man, but as it really is, the word of god 2. Jesus will return after the man of lawlessness appears and humanity rebels for a final time 2. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living ministries. Therefore, in his letter to the thessalonians, paul wrote words of encouragement and strength and addressed their questions about the second coming of jesus christ. The message is an introduction to the epistles of the advent the letters of paul, the apostle, to the church at thessalonica. They began in northern greece, which was then know.
Introduction to the first epistle to the thessalonians israel my glory. Bible introductions 2 thessalonians by john macarthur. The book of 1 thessalonians is a personal and affectionate letter to the church, pauls own words confirm this, we loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of god but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us 2. Paul wrote these letters in response to timothys report that the thessalonians church was prospering despite intense persecution from factions. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. Soon afterwards he took timothy along with him acts 16. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible. Introduction to 1 thessalonians bible exposition commentary. When faced with apostasy, how can we stand firm in the faith.
Read 1 thessalonians introduction commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. 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. Video video download options bible book introduction videos share. Introduction to the book of 2 thessalonians brief summary. The shortest epistle that paul ever wrote to any church. 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. Second thessalonians is the ninth of pauls letters. Timothy rejoined paul at athens and was sent back to thessalonica see 3.
Both lists of canonical books of the nt circulated in rome. Introduction thessaloniansthe book of acts tells how paul, silas, and timothy brought the good news about jesus to europe around ad 51 see p. Every chapter of 1 thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of christ, with ch. Introduction to the book of 1 thessalonians stories of. Paul was probably in corinth a short time after he left thessalonica. It was the first he wrote to european christians, and in it the fundamental things of the christian life are very clearly set forth. Thus, 1 thessalonians is the second canonical book penned by the apostle paul, written within two years.
Paul had not spent long enough time with the church in thessalonica, and wrote this letter to. Background and setting for the history of thessalonica, see introduction to 1 thessalonians. Criswell sermon library introduction to thessalonians. Nov 18, 2012 this is the holy book of 1 thessalonians, known as the first epistle of paul the apostle to the thessalonians. He initially visited thessalonica to establish a congregation after a difficult trip to philippi, where he was mistreated. An introduction to 1 thessalonians december 8, 2019 pauls first letter written to the believers in thessalonica, called 1 thessalonians, is a rich and encouraging letter. The first letter dealt with some misunderstanding about the second coming of jesus christ. Introduction to niv study bible go to 2 thessalonians author, date and place of writing pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians has been questioned more often than that of 1 thessalonians, in spite of the fact that it has more support from early christian writers.
Welcome to week 1 of your 1 thessalonians bible study. Everyone would like to have some insight into what their future holds. One of pauls main themes in his first epistle to the thessalonians is the second coming. Paul helps christians in thessalonica understand that the apostasy has to come first and that the man of lawlessness has to be revealed before jehovahs day arrives. Irenaeus quoted 1 thessalonians by namehe wrote around a. The main themes that run through 1 thessalonians is living holy and sanctified lives and being selfcontrolled and alert. Thanksgiving for the thessalonians faith we always thank god for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.
Unbelievers will be condemned and believers will be saved 1. Enduring word bible commentary 1 thessalonians chapter 1. When paul left thessalonica, he went to berea, then athens and finally corinth where he wrote first thessalonians. It is unusual in that it was written only a short time after the apostle had left the citypossibly not over six months in time. The apostle paul advises the thessalonian christians to stay spiritually awake, make sure of all things, pray constantly, and encourage one another. 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. In contrast to the warm emotional tone of 1 thessalonians, 2 thessalonians includes some blunt commands as paul addresses bad behavior and bad thinking. The old testament the torah book lectors introduction genesis a reading from the ook of genesis.
Jesus death and resurrection are the basis for the christians hope 4. The epistle is attributed to paul the apostle, and is addressed to the church in thessalonica, in modernday greece. The following steps will be helpful in getting the most from your 1 thessalonians bible study. Thus, the second coming seems to permeate the letter and may be viewed in some sense as its theme. A period of no more than several months separates the writing of i and ii thessalonians. Pauls first letter written to the believers in thessalonica, called 1 thessalonians, is a rich and encouraging letter. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. Because of this shift in emphasis, it may be useful to make a paragraph break at the end of v 5. The book of 2 thessalonians was likely written in ad 5152. The church at thessalonica was founded by paul on his 2nd missionary journey in which the gospel was taken to.
Bible commentary on the book of 1 thessalonians, introduction, by dr. Historical allusions in the book fit pauls life as recounted in acts and in his. Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians. A large number of greek proselytes and not a few prominent women also believed the gospel acts 17. Youre sharing with us the services of the first baptist church in dallas.
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