First Thessalonians

I am starting with this post a study of the book of I Thessalonians.

Thessalonica was a thriving city in New Testament times with a population of around 200 000. It was the capital and largest city in the Roman province of Macedonia, which is part of modern day Greece. It had an excellent harbour and was on a major Roman road, the Via Egnatia.

To learn about how the church in Thessalonica started, read Acts 17:1-10.

Because the Apostle Paul left Thessalonica unexpectedly, he worried about the Church. Therefore, he sent Timothy back to find out how the Church was doing. Timothy rejoined Paul in Corinth and gave his report on the Church.

Paul wrote this letter from Corinth around 51 AD in response to Timothy’s report. This would have been about a year after Paul left Thessalonica. This is the second letter of Paul that we have. (Galatians is the first.)

Timothy’s reported that the Church was doing well spiritually. However, the Christians in Thessalonica were being actively persecuted. Also, they wanted clarification on some of Paul’s teachings.

This letter reveals to us the heart of the Pastor-Missionary Paul. It contains much teaching on End Times. The main theme is the Second Coming.