1 Thessalonians

Thessalonica

A.D. 49-50Paul, Silas, and Timothy

travelled from Troas to CorinthActs 16:11-18:5

The Church in ThessalonicaPaul, Silas, & Timothy arrived in A.D. 49 Acts 17:1• Paul preached 3 weeks in the synagogue v.2-4• Many Greeks believed v.4• Jews became envious v.5• Started severe persecution v.6-9

At night, brethren sent Paul to Berea v.10• Jews were receptive v.11• Many Greeks believed there, too v.12

The Church in Thessalonica• Jews from Thessalonica came to stir up Bereans

against Paul v.13Brethren sent Paul to Athens v.14-15

• Silas, Timothy stayed with the new Christians v.15• Paul waited in Athens and preached there v.16-17

Paul leaves Athens for Corinth A.D. 50 18:1• They rejoin Paul in Corinth 18:5• Paul was moved by the Spirit 18:6• He preached to the Corinthians 18:6• He wrote 1 Thessalonians (3:1-10)

1 Thessalonians 1:3• What matters most to God? 1 Cor. 13:13• Faith, hope and love• 1 Thess. 1:3 outlines the book• Work of faith 1:1-3:10• Commendation for faith in spite of persecution• Labor of love 3:11-4:12• Brotherly love instead of worldly love (lust)• Patience of hope 4:13-5:28• Jesus will return, so be ready

Work of Faith 1:1-3:10• 1:1-2 Greeting

1:3-3:10 thanks to God for their faith• Their manner of receiving the gospel 1:3-10• Paul’s manner of preaching the gospel 2:1-12• The persecution by the Jews 2:13-16• Paul’s necessary separation from them 2:17-20• Paul sent Timothy to strengthen them 3:1-5• Timothy returned with a good report 3:6-10• Paul is relieved and thankful v.8-10

Labor of Love 3:11-4:123:11-4:2 abound and increase in love

• Establishes your heart blameless in holiness 3:12 • Involves walking in God’s commands 4:2-3

4:3-8 abstain from fornication• This is God’s will, our sanctification 4:4• God provides marriage as an honorable way of

meeting sexual needs 4:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1 Cor. 5-74:9-12 how to show brotherly love

• Give to others 4:9-10• Be responsible, not a burden to others 4:11-12

Patience of Hope 4:13-5:284:13-18 comfort concerning the departed

• We will all be raised as Jesus was raised 4:14• When Jesus returns, all will meet Him in the air 4:17

5:1-11 be ready for Jesus’ return• We do not know when He will return 5:1-3• We must watch and prepare by living right 5:4-11

5:12-28 the patience of hope• Patience with each other 5:12-15• Patience with active spiritual hope 5:16-22• Closing 5:23-28