1 Thessalonians — Introduction & Outline

Few have ever disputed the external and internal evidence which show Paul to be the author of the epistle. He identifies himself and his familiar companions in the opening verse. All the circumstances mentioned in the letter fit the account of Paul's experiences in Acts 17-18. The few critics who object to Pauline authorship on the basis of the doctrinal diversity reflected by the eschatological section forget that Paul was capable of addressing many theological topics. His eschatological discussion in 4:13-5:11 forms a crucial foundation for the Christian's understanding of future events.

A comparison of the events described in 3:1-7 and the sequence of events in Acts 17 leading up to Acts 18:1-5 show that the letter to the Thessalonians was written from Corinth. Using Gallio's proconsulship of Achaia as a historical reference (Acts 18:12), the date can be fixed at about A.D. 51. The letter was written soon after Paul's arrival in Corinth, as indicated by the account in Acts.

Thessalonica was situated on the Thermaic Gulf in the province of Macedonia. It was known as a chief shipping, military, and governmental center. The city prospered in its position on the Egnatian Way, the main road connecting Rome with the east, and was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. The Romans ruled the city loosely, designating it a "free city", which meant it could govern itself. In New Testament times, the population numbered about 200,000 which consisted of a majority of Greeks, along with Romans, Orientals, and Jews.

After his "Macedonian call" (Acts 16:9) on his second missionary journey, Paul went into Macedonia from Troas. He stopped first at Philippi, but a riot there led to a brief imprisonment and an early departure for Thessalonica (Cf. Acts 16-18). He found the synagogue there and taught in it for three weeks with the result that a number of Jews and Gentile proselytes were converted. Though Acts says he taught in the synagogue three weeks, it is probable his overall ministry in Thessalonica lasted several months since he had settled into work there (2:9) and had received a couple offerings from the Philippians while there (Phil. 4:16). The unbelieving Jews eventually stirred up trouble and seized Jason and some other believers in an attempt to reach Paul. This led the Christians to send Paul and Silas away secretly to Berea. The church in Thessalonica was made up of some Jews, but mostly Gentiles who had formerly worshipped idols (1:9; 2:14-16).

The troublemaking Jews followed Paul from Thessalonica to Berea, which forced Paul on to Athens while Timothy and Silas remained in Berea. Later, Timothy and Silas joined Paul in Athens, but Paul was so concerned for the church in Thessalonica that he sent Timothy there to check on their progress and welfare (3:1-2). Paul continued on to Corinth where Timothy and Silas (who had perhaps been sent to Philippi) joined him (Acts 18:5). Timothy's good report on the church was the immediate occasion for Paul's desire to write (3:6). His report evidently exposed some areas Paul needed to address in a letter. Besides a hearty commendation for their progress, Paul refutes some charges brought against him by opponents there. He also exhorts them in several areas of Christian responsibility and instructs them on an issue related to the parousia.

Paul first wrote to commend and encourage the faith and love of the Thessalonians in the face of persecution (1:2-10; 3:4-10; 4:9-10). Second, he wrote to vindicate himself of false charges brought against him. The Jews had charged that Paul's interest in the Thessalonians was one of financial gain, probably because they observed the arrival of the gifts from Philippi (Phil. 4:16). Paul defends his motives by reminding the Thessalonians that while with them he was open, honest, and worked so as not to be a fiancial burden (2:1-12). He also refuted the charge that his failure to visit again revealed deceitful motives and cowardice. Paul explains that he wanted to visit, but was hindered by Satan at least twice, so he sent Timothy to check on them instead (2:17-3:10). The third purpose was apparently a response to some developing problems reported by Timothy. Paul wrote to admonish the believers in some practical areas, such as moral purity (4:1-8), industriousness (4:9-12) and respect for their leaders (5:12-14). Finally, Paul wrote to dispel ignorance about the coming of the Lord and its effect on those who had died in Christ (4:13-5:11).

The personal nature of the letter does not obscure Paul's purposes for writing. His intentions are clearly seen as he moves from one subject to another. The epistle is basically divided into two sections; one discusses personal matters (1:2-3:13) and the other, practical (4:1- 5:22). The apostle's affection is evident throughout.

In addressing his personal relations to the church at Thessalonica (1:2-3:13), Paul begins with thanksgiving for their spiritual progress (1:2-10). He recalls their faith, love and hope and is assured of their election by God. Already, the faith of the church has become well known in many regions as the Word of God has been spread by them. Clearly, whatever problems Paul proceeds to address have not severely hampered the church at this point.

Paul next discusses the relations he had with the Thessalonians while he was present with them (2:1-16). His presentation makes it certain he was defending himself against unfair accusations about his motives. In explaining the nature of his ministry among them (2:1-12), he reminds that he preached to them in the face of conflict (2:1-2). As far as his manner of ministry (2:3-12), they should know that he was open, truthful and honest with them (2:3-5).

Furthermore, he affectionately shared not only the gospel, but his own life with them (2:6-8). As far as finances, he reminds them that he labored "night and day" to provide for himself and to not be a burden (2:9). In sum, they could judge for themselves how his behavior was blameless and how as a father he had admonished them (2:10-12). Paul closes this section with thanksgiving for their reception of the gospel (2:13-16) and a reminder that the Jews have consistently been the enemies of the gospel from Judea to Thessalonica, implying their accusations are expected.

Paul next explains his relations to them in his absence (2:17-3:13). His failure to return to Thessalonica was used by the Jews to argue that Paul was not genuine in his dealings with his converts there and thus was avoiding them. The opponents imply his concern for the Thessalonians was not as great as for his cowardly self. Paul's answer is to explain his desire to be with them and the satanic obstruction that prohibited him (2:17-20). This is the reason he sent Timothy to them (3:1-5). He wanted them to be established in the faith and remain steadfast in the face of their afflictions by the Jews. His genuine affection for them is also seen by his comfort and joy at Timothy's good report of their faith and love (3:6-10). Paul assures them that he continues to pray for the opportunity to visit them (3:10) and demonstrates this with a written prayer for the same and for their love and holiness (3:11-13). The sincere affection Paul has for the Thessalonian believers has poured convincingly from his pen in vindication of his motives towards them.

The prayer of 3:11-13 and the tone of his opening words in this second section show Paul has decidedly vindicated himself and is now turning to some practical instructions for the church (4:1-5:22). His first instructions exhort them to holy living (4:1-12). The immoral influence of the Gentile city had become of concern to Paul. He appeals from their past obedience to continue to please God by abstaining from sexual immorality (4:1-8). Also, he exhorts them to love and industry (4:9-12), as there were evidently unruly and slothful tendencies in some which might prompt further charges from the Jews.

Paul next addresses two questions related to the Lord's return. The first concerned the fate of those who had died in Christ (4:13-18). Due to ignorance, some were overly sorrowful at the death of Christian loved ones whom they thought would miss the resurrection at Christ's return, and consequently, the millennium. Paul explains that Christ will come with the souls of these departed ones and raise their bodies even before the living are "caught up" to be with the Lord in the air. This should be a comfort to those who feared a disadvantage for their loved ones at Christ's return. It is most arguable that Paul spoke of the rapture of the church before the tribulation, an event he had so emphasized as imminent that the Thessalonians were unprepared in their thinking about dead loved ones.

Having addressed their ignorance concerning the end time, Paul now reminds them of things they should know and exhorts them concerning the day of the Lord (5:1-11). Perhaps the Thessalonians thought their deceased loved ones would somehow endure the tribulation period, but Paul reminds them that believers are not like those who are overtaken in the judgment of the day of the Lord. He argues that Christians are not like those in darkness (5:5), but are destined for deliverance from God's wrath (5:9). This is the basis for his exhortation to diligence in the Christian life. Also, Christians can be comforted because, alive or deceased, they are not destined for God's tribulation wrath.

Paul's final exhortations concern various duties in the church's life (5:12-22). He urges them to honor their spiritual leaders and to "be at peace among yourselves" (5:12-13). This may suggest some contention existed toward the church leaders. His other exhortations concern faulty members, personal practice, and the practice of the church when assembled. His closing remarks (5:23-28) include a prayer for their sanctification, a request for prayer, exhortations about reception of his letter and its bearers, and his benediction.

This letter is a reassurance of Paul's love and truthfulness towards the Thessalonians. He gently but firmly vindicates his motives, and encourages, exhorts, and instructs them in their faith that they might grow in their relationship to God and Paul himself.

1. The Introduction 1:1
2. Paul's Personal Relations to the Thessalonians 1:2-3:13

   1. His thanksgiving for them 1:2-10

      1. The fact and frequency of His thanksgiving 1:2
      2. The reasons for his thanksgiving 1:3-10
      1. They have faith, love and hope. 1:3
      2. They are chosen by God. 1:4-7
      1. The assurance of their election 1:4
      2. The preaching of the gospel to them 1:5
      3. The response to the gospel by them 1:6-7
      3. They spread their faith. 1:8-10
      1. The spread of their faith to every place 1:8
      2. The reports received about their faith 1:9-10
   2. His relations while he was with them 2:1-16

      1. The nature of his ministry when he was among them 2:1-12

         1. The circumstances behind his ministry 2:1-2
         2. The manner of his ministry 2:3-12
         1. He was honest. 2:3-5

            1. He did not speak from deceit. 2:3
            2. He spoke to please God, not men. 2:4
            3. He did not flatter or covet. 2:5
         2. He was affectionate. 2:6-8

            1. He did not flaunt his authority. 2:6
            2. He affectionately shared his life. 2:7-8
            3. He was industrious. 2:9
         3. He was blameless. 2:10-12

            1. He behaved blamelessly. 2:10
            2. He admonished them as a father. 2:11-12
      2. The thanksgiving for their reception of the gospel 2:13-16

         1. The manner of their reception of the gospel 2:13
         2. The result of their reception of the gospel 2:14-16
         1. They suffered like the Judean churches. 2:14
         2. Paul also suffers persecution. 2:15-16
   3. His relations while absent from them 2:17-3:13

      1. He desired to visit them. 2:17-20

         1. His desire to visit 2:17
         2. Satan's hindrance of his visit 2:18
         3. His rejoicing in them 2:19-20
      2. He sent Timothy to them. 3:1-5

         1. The circumstances behind his sending Timothy 3:1
         2. The purpose in sending Timothy 3:2-4
         1. To encourage their faith 3:2
         2. To keep them from being shaken by affliction 3:3-4
         3. The motive for sending Timothy 3:5
      3. He was comforted by Timothy's report. 3:6-10

         1. Timothy's encouraging report 3:6
         2. Paul's response to the report 3:7-10
         1. He was comforted. 3:7-8
         2. He prayed for them with thanksgiving. 3:9-10
      4. He prays for them. 3:11-13

         1. That God direct his way to them 3:11
         2. That God make them abound in love 3:12
         3. That God establish their hearts in holiness 3:13
3. Paul's Practical Instructions to the Thessalonians 4:1-5:22

   1. The exhortations concerning holy living 4:1-12

      1. The exhortation to please God 4:1-2
      2. The exhortation to sexual purity 4:3-8
      1. The basis in God's will for sanctification 4:3
      2. The positive restraint to follow 4:4
      3. The negative behavior to avoid 4:5-6
      4. The reasons in God's desire for holiness 4:7-8
      3. The exhortation to love and industry 4:9-12
      1. The appeal to increase in love 4:9-10
      2. The appeal to lead a quiet and industrious life 4:11-12
   2. The instruction concerning the dead in Christ 4:13-18

      1. The need for the instruction 4:13
      2. The content of the instruction 4:14-17
      1. Jesus is coming with the dead. 4:14
      2. The dead in Christ will rise first. 4:15-16
      3. The living will be caught up in the air. 4:17
      3. The benefit of the instruction 4:18
   3. The exhortation in view of the coming Day of the Lord 5:1-11

      1. The lack of need for instruction 5:1-2
      2. The consequence of unpreparedness 5:3
      3. The position and nature of believers 5:4-5
      4. The exhortations to preparedness 5:6-8
      1. The exhortation to watchfulness 5:6-7
      2. The exhortation to be soberly equipped 5:8
      3. The basis for the exhortations 5:9-10
      5. The exhortation to comfort and mutual edification 5:11
   4. The exhortations concerning various duties 5:12-22

      1. The exhortations concerning spiritual leaders 5:12-13
      2. The exhortations concerning faulty members 5:14-15
      3. The exhortations concerning personal practice 5:16-18
      4. The exhortations concerning assembly practice 5:19-22
      1. The negative commands 5:19-20
      2. The positive commands 5:21-22
4. The Conclusion 5:23-28

   1. Paul's prayer for their complete sanctification 5:23
   2. Paul's assurance of the answer to his prayer 5:24
   3. Paul's request for prayer 5:25
   4. Paul's greeting 5:26
   5. Paul's instruction to read the epistle 5:27
   6. Pauls' benediction 5:28