Were beginning a series of seven messages in the book of 1 thessalonians. The church at thessalonica was established on pauls second missionary trip. Book of 2 thessalonians, explained scripture by scripture. Watch our overview video on 1 thessalonians, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. First thessalonians is the eighth of pauls letters. Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living. The thessalonian church towards the back of the new testament, you will find pauls two letters to the church in thessalonica. Introduction more books of the new testament were written by the apostle paul. It was a church under persecution, but also a church that had a dynamic. Paul, thessalonica, and early christianity donfried, mr. We would almost expect the thessalonians to be filled with complaining because of all of the trouble and persecution that they were going through. As you read through 1 thessalonians, pray about how you can endure suffering and trials. In addition to suffering persecution, the thessalonian church had also come under.
Best commentaries and books on 1 thessalonians logos. An important corollary of jewetts argument is his uncommonly integrated and coherent case for the authenticity of 2 thessalonians. At the time paul wrote 2 thessalonians, he had also learned that the thessalonian church members were experiencing increased persecution see 2 thessalonians 1. Inappropriate the list including its title or description facilitates illegal activity, or contains hate speech or ad hominem attacks on a fellow goodreads member or author. Paul fled to athens from berean persecution, leaving silas and timothy in berea see. And those false beliefs led to practical problems such as discouragement and irresponsibility.
Thessalonian church being persecuted by its gentile neighbours is founded on unsound premises. Book of 2 thessalonians explained discover the 66 books. Pdf this article argues that the recent scholarly consensus of an essentially gentile thessalonian church being persecuted by its gentile neighbours. It is helpful to trace the locations of paul and his companions that relate to the thessalonian correspondence. Summary two letters that paul wrote to the church in thessalonica are. Significantly, in every chapter of 1 thessalonians, the apostle sought to comfort and motivate with the truth of the lords sure return. Though the thessalonian believers were under severe persecution, this was not the day of the lord. This article argues that the recent scholarly consensus of an essentially gentile thessalonian church being persecuted by its gentile neighbours is. First and second thessalonians comprise some of the earliest new testament writings. This summary of the book of 1 thessalonians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 1 thessalonians.
In 1 thessalonians, paul directs the persecuted thessalonian. Methodological and stylistic clarity, especially in discussions of. The thessalonian epistles were written to the church at thessalonica. And this is true of its subsequent ecclesiastical history. It was written to a struggling, yet vigorous church that was only a few months old, made up of christians who had just. Second thessalonians is the ninth of pauls letters. Internally the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness. The church at thessalonica began in the throes of persecution. Pauls first letter to the church in thessalonica encourages new believers to stand firm in the face of strong persecution. Now i would like to quickly discuss the social makeup of the church in. The background of the thessalonian church is found in ac 17. The redactor is saying that the thessalonian christians suffered discrimination and persecution from the.
While a clear motive exists for opposition to paul and persecution of the church. What was the social setting of the church at thessalonica. Thessalonian church was proving to be a model church. Acts 17 makes it abundantly clear that it was the thessalonican jews that instigated the persecution of the church.
Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the. In the greek new testament, 2 thessalonians is listed as to the thessalonians. Persecution could definitely bring the church back to what it really means to be joyful in our trials james 1. Thus, it is very much true that their jewish countrymen, did in fact persecute them. Weima begins with the historical background of the letters. From this time forward it disappears from the apostolic history. Paul needed to address the three troubles the church in thessalonica faced. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one in thessalonica. Paul wrote his first letter to the thessalonian church from the city of corinth. The thessalonian church is now but a very few months old a little more than a year at most. When, however, one reads of a witch being ducked, of a woman possessed by devils, of a wise woman selling herbs, or even of a very remarkable man who had a mother, then i think we are on the track of a. The redactor is saying that the thessalonian christians suffered discrimination and persecution from the pagan thessalonians just as the jewish. The first letter of paul to the thessalonians is also the first letter the apostle wrote. Pauls letter to the thessalonians celebrates a flourishing church.
His letters to believers there show how he established churches early in his ministry, met with opposition, instructed new believers in doctrine, mentored christians, and presented major themes on endtimes prophecy. The unbelieving jews in thessalonica were exceedingly jealous of the success which attended the preaching of the gospel acts 17. The thessalonians endured economic persecution and remained faithful, i suspect the american. The church of thessalonica, biblical essays, joseph barber. What afflictions did the church in thessalonica suffer. The christians in thessalonica were being persecuted. Responding to an objection was it jewish persecution in. So far as i know, there are but two notices of it during two centuries and a half or more, and these are of the briefest and most meagre character 4. The church of thessalonica passes through a period of thick darkness, from which it emerges at length in the fourth century. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive.
He has probably just received a report on the fledgling thessalonian church with the arrival of timothy and is thrilled to hear that the church has survived through the persecution that. Intro to 1 thessalonians biblica the international. Paul exhorts the church to warn those dodging their obligation to work 1 thess. They used their influence to stir up a mob through misrepresentation acts 17. Impressed by the faithfulness of the thessalonians in the face of persecution, paul.
Persecution in the early church workman, herbert b. But then it seems that he realizes that he must confront another issue that is disrupting the church idleness. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see 1. The social status of the thessalonians reading acts. In acts, luke recorded that paul preached for three sabbath days to the jews in the. Paul directs the persecuted thessalonian christians to hope in the future of king jesus return who will make all things right. Nine of these book are letters to local churches like the one. Severe persecution is threatening their lives, and they are clinging to the promise that jesus is coming back. Some thoughts on the book of acts and pauline theology.
Book of first thessalonians overview insight for living ministries. One of the apostle pauls most important ministries took place in thessalonica. They were written before most of the rest of the new. After paul started the church in thessalonica, he wrote this first letter to the believers there within just a few months of leaving. The jewish community in thessalonica would have had.
Persecution had opened the door for misconceptions about the immediate return of christ. Book of 1 thessalonians explained discover the 66 books. Its a wonderful book, and it used to be one of my favorite books in the new testament. The focal point of the book is christs presence in the midst of persecution and his neverending nourishment, protection, and forgiveness. These small group studies of thessalonians contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. Paul praises the thessalonian church s courage, persistence, and faith in christ. We learn from the book of acts that during pauls stay in the city of thessalonica.