The apostle Paul names himself as the Holy Writer of this epistle in the opening verse: "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (1:1 - cf. 2:18).
(The following is a summary of Acts 15:36 - 18:5 which details the account of the events surrounding the writing of Paul's letters to Thessalonica.)
After the first missionary journey (where Paul journeyed no further west than the mountain regions of Pamphilia and Pisidia), Paul was intent on strengthening and encouraging the brethren whom they had visited on the first missionary journey. After the separation between Paul and Barnabas, Paul chose Silas and they departed on their venture. They traveled through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches of that region and then came to Derby and Lystra where they acquired the companionship of young Timothy. As they were passing through these cities, they were delivering the decision of the Apostolic Council recently held in Jerusalem regarding the Gentiles freedom from the Mosiac Law. They then preceded north through Phrygia, Galatia and Mysia and came to Troas. In Troas Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man which led him and his companions to cross the Agean Sea into the religiously uncharted land of Macedonia.
Landing in the Macedonian port city of Neapolis, they headed out to Philipi, one of the leading cities of the area and stayed there several days. After being imprisoned, the brethren encouraged them to depart. Traveling through several coastal cities, they came to the important town of Thessalonica which had a Jewish synagogue. We read that Paul, "for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ'" (Acts 17:2-3). Some Jews along with a great multitude of Greeks joined Paul. Then after an uproar by the jealous Jews, Paul and Silas left for Berea.
When the Jews of Thessalonica found out that Paul had gone to Berea, they sent agitators there also, driving Paul from Berea as well. Leaving at night Paul left Silas and Timothy behind to finish the work started there. Paul went on to Athens where he worked among the spiritually ignorant, preaching to them about the "unknown God," while awaiting the return of Silas and Timothy. When they joined up with Paul at Athens, and because of concern for the welfare of the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to encourage them and to find out about their situation (1 Thessalonians 3:1-6). During this time Paul and Silas went on to Corinth to begin work there, which is probably where Timothy met up with them again. It was following Timothy's return and because of the good report of faith and love in the Thessalonian congregation which he brought that Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians. This letter was probably written during Paul's stay in Corinth, around the year 52 A.D.
Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians can be divided up into two main sections:
Paul begins this letter with his customary greeting in which he announces that this epistle is from Silas and Timothy as well. In the following section Paul jumps right into his thanksgiving for their steadfastness in the faith since his abrupt departure from Thessalonica. Paul is thankful for the way this young church has continued to grow in the faith through the message which was brought to them by Paul, Silas and Timothy. Even though they were facing much tribulation there in Thessalonica, Paul says that they "became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe" (1:7). Paul goes on to speak of how the word has spread throughout Greece about their faith in Word of the Lord; how they received that wonderful message of Jesus as their eternal deliverer.
In chapter two the topic shifts to what Paul and his co-workers did while among them. Paul stresses that their message was one from God, and that they were spreading this message not to please men, but to please God. They didn't try to dress it up and make it look good, nor did they seek anything from them. Paul's group treated these new converts very gently, and grew to care about them very much. Paul and his companions worked to support themselves while they were there, so that the Thessalonians would not have to support them financially while they were there instructing them in God's Word. They behaved blamelessly, encouraging the Thessalonians to do the same and to lead a godly life.
Paul is thankful that the Christians in Thessalonica received the message about Christ, as a message from God and not from men. He is also thankful that they became like the churches of Judea. Those believers also suffered persecution from the same Jews that crucified our Lord.
In 2:17-3:5 Paul mentions his eager desire to visit the Thessalonian believers on more than one occasion, "but Satan hindered us" (2:18). Because of Paul's inability to visit the Thessalonians and because he desired to have their faith strengthened, as well as to inquire as to whether they endured the temptations of Satan, he sent Timothy to them. He reminds them of how he had told them they would endure trials and afflictions and so it came to pass.
In verses 6-10 of chapter three we hear about Timothy's positive report from Thessalonica and the good news regarding their faith which he brought to Paul. Finally Paul prays for these believers that God would cause their love for one another and for all men to grow and that He would keep them until the day of Jesus' return at His second coming.
In chapter four Paul begins a new section possibly dealing with what Timothy had taken note of on his recent visit to Thessalonica, as well as questions they may have inquired about through Timothy. In the first eight verses Paul exhorts them to lead a godly life, and increase in their sanctification. Specific mention is made of sexual immorality and fraud. Paul encourages them in their love for others, saying that they do love the brethren, but that it still needs to be greater. He encourages them to lead a quiet life, and work hard so that they have what they need and other people speak well of them.
In 4:13-5:11 Paul speak of death and the second coming of Christ. This seems to have been something which the Thessalonian congregation had an especially difficult time with as we will see from the following letter. Here Paul comforts them with the assurance that those who have fallen asleep in Christ will rise again on that last day, and will enter heaven with those believers who are yet alive. Paul reminds them of how the Lord will return, like a thief in the night, and encourages them to be ready. With that, Paul encourages them once more with the salvation obtained for them by Christ Jesus, that they will live with Jesus in heaven.
Finally Paul offers some practical exhortations, such as appreciation of and respect for those who give them instruction in God's Word. He also encourages them to "Be at peace among yourselves... warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" (5:13-22).
In conclusion, Paul again prays that the Lord would preserve them until His coming, asks for their prayers, asks that all the brethren read this letter, and them closes with a blessing.
Note: This study was prepared for the Bible Class at Zion Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, GA by Pastor Nathanael Mayhew.