1Thessalonians 1


I. Author and Destination

1Thess 1:1  Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus,
unto the church of the Thessalonians….

II. THEME: Primarily encouragement.
    A. Overall the book is not a heavy doctrinal book.
    B. In fact, those who question Paul’s authorship site that as the
        reason.
    C. Perhaps the most important doctrine discussed in both First
        and Second Thessalonians is the Lord’s Returns.

1Thess 1:10  And to wait for his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which
delivered us from the wrath to come.

1Thess 2:19  For what is our hope, or joy, or
crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

1Thess 3:13  To the end he may stablish your
hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even
our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ with all his saints.

\\#1Thess 4:13-18\\

\\#1Thess 5:1-10\\

III. History:
    A. \\#Acts 17:1-9\\ Paul founded the church on his second
        missionary journey. He was only able to spend three weeks
        there before being run out of the city \\#Acts 17:2\\.
        1. Christians were accused of "turning the world upside-
            down," \\#Acts 17:6\\.
        2. This may have been said just eight years after Peter first
            opened to the gospel to the Gentiles.
https://www.generationword.com/bible_school_notes/Timeline%20of
%20Acts.htm

        3. \\#Acts 17:10\\ Paul and Silas left Thessalonica, but
            there is no mention of Timothy leaving.  He likely
            stayed for a short time and then followed Paul.
     B. \\#Acts 17:10-15\\ Paul next came to Berea, of whom the Bible
         says:

Acts 17:11  These were more noble than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with
all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures
daily, whether those things were so.

         1. But the unbelievers of Thessalonica followed Paul and
             continued to make trouble.

Acts 17:13  But when the Jews of Thessalonica had
knowledge that the word of God was preached of
Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and
stirred up the people.

        2. \\#Acts 17:14\\ When it was time for Paul to leave Berea,
            he left both Timothy and Silas behind.
        3. \\#Acts 17:15\\ When he arrived at Athens, Paul sent for
            both Silas and Timothy to join him.
        4. \\#Acts 17:15-34\\ Paul, perhaps while he still ministered
             in Athens, eventually sent back to Thessalonica
             \\#1Thess 3:1\\, again leaving Paul alone.
            a. By the time Timothy joined with Paul again, he was in
                Corinth \\#Acts 18:5\\.
            b. Since Timothy had returned with word that the church
                in Thessalonica was well \\#1Thess 3:6\\, it seems
                sound to say that Paul was in Corinth when this
                letter was written.
     C. Paul continued his journey until he came to Corinth
         \\#Acts 18:1-11\\, where he spent 18 months, and from which,
         most speculate, he wrote both epistles to the Thessalonians,
         probably around 51 AD.
     D. However, the postscripts \\#1Thess 5:28, 2Thess 3:15\\ state
         that both epistles were written from Athens, before Paul got
         to Corinth.
         1. It is believed that the postscripts were added AFTER
             Paul completed the letter.
         2. \\#1Thess 3:1\\ Paul was left alone at Athens, but
             Timothy had rejoined him before 1 Thessalonians was
             written \\#1Thess 1:1, 3:6\\.
         3. \\#Acts 18:1,5\\ Paul had moved to Corinth by the time
             Timothy rejoined him.
     E. Regardless, these are some of the first of Paul’s writings.

Outline:
I. \\#1:1\\ Salutation
II. \\#1:2-2:12\\ Remembering
    A. \\#1:2-3\\ Remembering Their Devotion
    B. \\#1:4-5\\ Remembering Paul’s Confidence
    C. \\#1:6-10\\ Remembering Their Character
    D. \\#2:1-12\\ Remembering Our Labor
III. \\#2:13-3:10\\ Knowing
    A. \\#2:13-16\\ Knowing How the Gospel Changed Them
    B. \\#2:17-20\\ Knowing How Much Paul Want to See Them
    C. \\#3:1-5\\ Knowing Why Paul Sent Timothy
    D. \\#3:6-10\\ Knowing How Thankful Paul Was for Timothy’s Report
IV. \\#3:11-13 \\ Desiring
    A. \\#3:11-13\\ Desiring That God Would Establish Them
    B. \\#4:1-12\\ Desiring That You Would Walk in Christ
V. \\#4:13-5:22 \\ Teaching
    A. \\#4:13-18\\ Teaching about the Dead In Christ
    B. \\#5:1-10\\ Teaching about the Day of the Lord
    C. \\#5:11-22\\ Teaching About How We Should Live
VI. \\#5:23-28\\ Closing

<Outline Index>  <Close Window>