Beale 12 thessalonians ivp new testament commentary, 2003. The key personalities in this book are the apostle paul, timothy, and silas. The book of 2 thessalonians was likely written in ad 5152. Aug 11, 2017 only james and galatians were written earlier. Historical allusions in the book fit pauls life as recounted in acts and in his own letters 2. The book of first thessalonians is the first of two letters that are included in the new testament of the bible that were written by the apostle paul to the church in thessalonica. It is also believed that paul wrote this from corinth.
The situation in the church seems to have been much the same. Grace be unto you, and peace, from god our father, and the lord jesus christ. A majority still hold to pauls authorship of 2 thessalonians. Later, paul sent timothy back to thessalonica to check on the church there, and timothys report led paul to write this letter. It was a great commercial center of pauls time, the inhabitants being greeks, romans and jews. First epistle to the thessalonians encyclopedia of the. It is generally accepted that pauls undisputed epistles romans, 1 corinthians, 2 corinthians, philemon, galatians, philippians and 1 thessalonians were written by about 60 ce. 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. Modern biblical scholarship is divided on whether the epistle was written by paul. The first epistle to the thessalonians, or 1 thessalonians, is a pauline epistle written by the apostle paul, probably between 5254 a.
In what order were the books in the new testament written. A survey of his life, letters, and theology, the author states that in 4. I believe that 1 thessalonians was written to reiterate the instructions that paul had for the thessalonians. Second thessalonians distinguishes itself by the detailed teaching it presents on the end times. The second epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as second thessalonians or 2 thessalonians is a book from the new testament of the christian bible. The first of pauls two letters written from corinth to the church at thessalonica is dated ca. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica, he preached in a.
Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible. Since paul wrote 1st thessalonians shortly after he left thessalonica 1 th 2. First thessalonians is the eighth of pauls letters. Timothys report of conditions in the thessalonian church led paul to write the first letter shortly after he arrived in corinth about a. While no arrangement of these books can be made with absolute confidence, the following dates are sufficiently reliable to serve the purpose of the bible student. Paul wanted to check on the state of the thessalonians faith, for fear that false teachers might have infiltrated their number.
The roman empire, and the ancient city of thessalonica, have been reduced to rubble. However, timothy soon returned with a good report, prompting paul to pen 1 thessalonians as a letter of encouragement to the new believers. When timothy returned to paul with the good news that the members of the. Letters of paul to the thessalonians, two new testament letters written by paul from. 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. It is probably one of his earliestknown letters, and one of the oldest books in the new testament. The book of 1st thessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul. Because of its similarity to 1 thessalonians, it must have been written not long after the first letterperhaps about six months. 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. Some of the thessalonians apparently believed that jesus christ was about to return momentarily and had consequently given up their jobs and had become disorderly.
This letter was also written from corinth and during the same year. The first epistle to the thessalonians introduction author the apostle paul, joined in his salutation by silvanus and timothy 1. 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. This also makes 1 thessalonians the oldest book in the new testament. Paul almost certainly wrote his first letter to the thessalonians from corinth, where silas and timothy, co senders of the letters, were reunited with him acts 18.
However, such arguments have not convinced current interpreters. The first book of thessalonians was written approximately in a. 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. How much more so when it comes to the end of the whole world. Where were first and second thessalonians written answers. It should be noted that the first epistle does not mention any previous letter. They are included in the body of the text so the reader can see them as he reads the book without having to page over to a separate outline. The second missionary journey, first epistle of the apostle paul, jailer. Learn bible quiz 1 thessalonians with free interactive flashcards. It was written to a struggling, yet vigorous church that was only a few months old, made up of christians who had just come to christ under pauls ministry. Journey to thessalonica heres the official tourism site for modern day thessaloniki, which is located in greece. Whether one agrees or disagrees with all of his conclusions, beale always has interesting food for.
Interesting facts about 1 thessalonians bible charts. His aim for this letter was to strengthen the christian church in thessalonica by. The book is clearly written to a group of very new believers who were. In the church of thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of christ.
Apr 10, 2009 he also wrote the commentary on the first and second epistles to the thessalonians the gospel according to john in this series. Thessalonica remained in greek hands until 168 bce, when the. Letters of paul to the thessalonians, two new testament letters written by paul from corinth, greece, about ad 50 and addressed to the christian community he had founded in macedonia. When paul and silas arrived in thessalonica they proclaimed jesus as. The first letter of paul to the thessalonians is also the first letter the apostle wrote. It is unusual in that it was written only a short time after the apostle. Please read the whole book of 1 thessalonians again as we study chapter 2. It is traditionally attributed to paul the apostle, with timothy as a coauthor. When he returns, the dead who have believed in christ will rise and will join the living to. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. First epistle to thessalonians read the bible online. In the cases in which historians disagree on the date, we have identified the prominent historians who support the earliest and lastest possible dates. It was founded by cassander, king of macedon 315 b. Book your tickets now, because this place looks amazing.
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. The headings and subheadings make up an outline of the book. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international bible society. It was the first he wrote to european christians, and in it the fundamental things of the christian life are very clearly set forth. This is being aired by permission of the holder litchfield associates, all. Second thessalonians is the ninth of pauls letters. The first is seen as representing pauls earliest epistolary efforts and as providing two successive moments in his long relationship as advisor to that community. Of all the surviving letters written by the apostle paul, 1 thessalonians is very likely the first to have been written. 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. Pauls cathedral in london named for our favorite biblical author, this is one of the mustsee sites in london. Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians. Everyone would like to have some insight into what their future holds. The first letter 1 thessalonians was written to a community of believers who.
It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52 however, some scholars believe. The first letter was written after timothy, his coworker, returned from. It would seem most reasonable then, in the absence of any conclusive proof to the contrary, to take 2 thessalonians as following 1 thessalonians. Though paul was the single inspired author, most of the first person plural pronouns we, us, our, refer to all 3. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study.
Youll find david jeremiahs introduction to the book of 1 thessalonians on page 16811682 of the jeremiah study bible. Paul wrote this letter to the church in thessalonica. Paul wrote this letter to strengthen and encourage the church in thessalonica. Jan 09, 2012 posts about summary of 1 thessalonians 1 written by atozmom.
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. Only modern form critics have seriously doubted the pauls authorship and the authenticity of 1 thessalonians, but their conclusions have not convinced many scholars. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. First thessalonians provides christians with the clearest biblical passage on the coming rapture of believers, an event that will inaugurate the sevenyear tribulation. Paul and his companions had established the church in thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. Interesting facts about 1 thessalonians barnes bible charts author. Thus, pauls first two letters were written to thessalonica. First thessalonians it is generally supposed that pauls first epistle to the thessalonians is the first book of the new testament that was ever written. When trying to share the gospel with someone, these are faithful and true to the bible. The first letter was written after timothy, his coworker, returned from thessalonia to report that the new. Watch our overview video on 1 thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its.
The first epistle to the thessalonians, commonly referred to as first thessalonians or 1. This is the holy book of 1 thessalonians, known as the first epistle of paul the apostle to the thessalonians. The first epistle to the thessalonians executable outlines. Discover practical insights into the book of 1 thessalonians. The book of 1st thessalonians urges us to continue in the lord, growing in faith and love as we wait for the lords return. The book of first thessalonians for the lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of god, and the dead in christ will rise first. Not only is 1 thessalonians the first of two letters to the church at thessalonica, it is pauls first letter period. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline by almost all nt.
The first and second epistles to the thessalonians. Two thousand years have passed since paul penned 1 2 thessalonians. The book of 1 st thessalonians is a pauline epistle letter from paul. Both lists of canonical books of the nt circulated in rome. The thessalonians faced intense opposition for their faith 2 thess. Paul the traveller and roman citizen, 236 4 see discussion in our introduction to philippians 5 although this is not the view we adopt, it is quite plausible. Letters of paul to the thessalonians bible britannica. The book of 1 thessalonians kjv audio bible full by. 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.
Book of second thessalonians overview insight for living. 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. 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. Yet despite a twomillennia gap, these letters ring with relevance for today. Far and away the largest theological contribution of both 1 and 2 thessalonians lies in what they say about eschatology. The following chart provides the dates when the new testament books were written. The book of 1 thessalonians was written in approximately a. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living ministries.
Intro to 2 thessalonians biblica the international bible. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica. The church in thessalonica still had some misconceptions about the day of the lord. After paul started the church in thessalonica, he wrote this first letter to the believers there. The letters first and second thessalonians are traditionally associated with the pauline foundation of the macedonian church at thessalonica. The authenticity of 1 thessalonians is affirmed as pauline by almost all nt scholars1 b. Choose from 500 different sets of bible quiz 1 thessalonians flashcards on quizlet. Bible study questions on the book of 1 thessalonians. Thus, the time of the writing of 1 thessalonians must have been the summer or. The book of 1 thessalonians read by alexander scourby. Mary fairchild is a fulltime christian minister, writer, and editor of two christian anthologies, including stories of cavalry.
Thessalonica, today known as salonica, is still a thriving city with almost 300,000 inhabitants. Headings throughout the following book of 2 thessalonians. Paul writes to the church in thessalonians a church he founded, telling them he thanks god for them and prays for them, remembering how their work is produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, and their endurance inspired by hope in jesus. Enduring word bible commentary 1 thessalonians chapter 1. It is likely the first of pauls letters, probably written by the end of ad 52 however, some scholars believe the epistle to galatians may. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in thessalonica. If 1 thessalonians followed 2 then we still need another one, now lost. They thought it had come already so they stopped with their work. Beale has written what many consider to be a definitive commentary on the book of revelation, and now we have the results of his research into the thessalonian epistles. External evidence strongly supports pauline authorship geisler, a general introduction to the bible, pp.
Paul wrote the second letter to the thessalonians approximately a year or so after the first letter. It is most likely that 1 thessalonians was written shortly after pauls. He writes in the introduction to this 1959 book about the authenticity of i thessalonians, this letter claims to be from paul 1. 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. Paul wrote 1 thessalonians and sent it to the church.