1 Thessalonians
  1. Background
    1. Author: Paul
    2. Recipients
      1. Background of the city of Thessalonica
        1. Today it is called Thessaloniki
          1. Previously called Salonika
          2. It is the only city with an apostolic ministry that has survived to today
          3. Presently has a population of over 300,000
        2. Originally named Therma
          1. Name changed to Thessalonica in 315 BC in honor of the half-sister of Alexander the Great
          2. Capital of the province
          3. Population of over 200,000 in Paul's day
          4. 2nd in population behind Philippi
        3. Located along the Thermaic Gulf
          1. Bustling seaport city
          2. Located on the junction of the great Egnatian Way and the road north to Danube
      2. The church at Thessalonica
        1. Started by Paul during 2nd missionary journey
          1. Macedonian vision brought them to Philippi
          2. Paul, Silas, Luke, and Timothy go to Philippi
          3. Win Lydia to Christ
          4. Paul and Silas put in jail and win the Philippian jailer to the Lord
          5. Leave for Thessalonica
        2. Stayed for at least 3 weeks in Thessalonica
          1. Reasoned for at least 3 Sabbaths
          2. Probably stayed longer because he was there long enough to take up two offerings (Phil. 4:16)
          3. Unbelievers stirred up the city and Paul and Silas had to leave to Berea
        3. Subsequent events
          1. Paul & Silas flee Thessalonica
          2. Timothy, since he is not mentioned, possibly stayed behind in Thessalonica or went back to Philippi
          3. Paul had to flee Berea during the night and went on to Athens leaving Silas and Timothy in Berea
          4. Timothy rejoined Paul in Athens and was sent back to Thessalonica.
          5. Paul went on to Corinth
          6. Silas and Timothy came to Paul in Corinth (3:6; Acts 18:5)
          7. Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians and sent it to the church
          8. Six month later he wrote 2 Thessalonians
    3. Date
      1. AD 51
      2. Earliest letter written (unless you accept an early date for Galatians)
      3. Interesting that the earliest letter emphasizes the Second Coming
    4. Purpose
      1. Remind them of his ministry there
        1. His motive in ministry
        2. His sufferings
        3. Their love
      2. Encourage them during persecution
      3. Exhort them to godly living
      4. Give assurance about believers who have died (possibly as the result of persecution)
    5. Features
      1. While there is no specific theme, the Second Coming is prominent and mentioned in every chapter
      2. Classic passage on the rapture of the church
      3. First epistle written
  2. Outline
    1. Introduction
      1. Greeting (11)
      2. Paul's thankfulness for their steadfastness in the fast (12-10)
    2. Paul's Ministry (21-313)
      1. Paul's conduct and motive
      2. Thessalonians received the Word gladly and suffered
      3. Paul's desire to see them
      4. Plan to send Timothy to inquire of the condition of their faith
      5. Encouragement from Timothy
      6. Paul's prayer for them
    3. Paul's Admonitions (41-528)
      1. Walk in purity
      2. Walk in brotherly love
      3. Comfort in the rapture
      4. The Day of the Lord
      5. Miscellaneous admonitions
    4. Closing