1 Thessalonians Study Guide

Christ is Coming Back! : 

Christ is Coming Back! This is the theme of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians Truth Presented Inspiration Encouragement Incentive to Love Comfort to the grieving Warning to live Holy Christ 1st appearance surprised philosophers The 2nd appearance will be just as sudden

1 Thessalonians - Overview : 

1 Thessalonians - Overview Who – Paul, Timothy, Silus What – Remind them about Christ 2nd coming When – AD 53 or 54 Where – written from Corinth to the church in Thessalonica Why – Encourage the church in Thessalonica to stand firm and help them endure the persecution. Key Verse: Ch 3:12-13, Ch 4:3 and 4:16

1st Thessalonians - Who : 

1st Thessalonians - Who Founded church during 2nd Missionary Journey Paul, Silas, Timothy Spent three weeks preaching – founded a church Created a “stir” Enemies accused Paul of turning world upside down (Acts 17:6) Believers sent Paul away to Berea

1st Thessalonians - What : 

1st Thessalonians - What Church founded in three week of preaching 1 Thessalonians written from Corinth, sent by Timothy Church composed mostly of gentiles A very intimate letter Heart to heart Word “brothers” used 14 times Paul constantly prayed for them. This church was held up as a model for others

1 Thessalonians : 

1 Thessalonians Metropolis of Macedonia

Background in Paul's time : 

Background in Paul's time Thessalonica was a very large, populous, and flourishing city, it was "liberae conditionis", as Pliny says (a), a free city, and the metropolis of Macedonia; it was formerly called Halis (b), and had the name of Thessalonica given it by Philip king of Macedon, on account of his conquest of Thessalia,

The People : 

The People The city was inhabited by Greeks, Romans, and Jews. It adored many gods, but particularly Jupiter, as the father of Hercules, the alleged founder of its ancient royal family. It had a celebrated amphitheater, where gladiatorial shows were exhibited for the amusement of the citizens, and a circus for public games.

1st Thessalonians - Time : 

1st Thessalonians - Time TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING: First Thessalonians is considered one of Paul's earliest epistles, if not the first. From the letter itself (3:1-6), and the record of Paul's travels in Acts (Ac 17:10-18:11), it appears that Paul wrote this letter soon after arriving in Corinth on his second journey. This would put it somewhere around 52 A.D.

1st Thessalonians - Purpose : 

1st Thessalonians - Purpose Purpose in writing was: To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution To instruct them concerning holy living To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second coming of Christ This book is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23). With an emphasis on steadfastness and holy living.

1st Thessalonians INTRODUCTION (1:1-4) : 

1st Thessalonians INTRODUCTION (1:1-4) Salutation (1) Thanksgiving for their faith, hope, and love (2-4) Paul’s Personal Reflections (1:5-3:13) . THEIR CONDITION (1:5-10) 1. Their reception of the gospel (1:5-7) 2. Their reputation in every place (1:8-10) . HIS CONDUCT (2:1-12) 1. The manner of his preaching (2:1-8) 2. The manner of his life (2:9-12) . HIS CONCERN (2:13-3:13) 1. For their faithfulness (2:13-3:10) 2. For their continued growth (3:11-13)

II. APOSTOLIC INSTRUCTIONS (4:1-5:28) : 

II. APOSTOLIC INSTRUCTIONS (4:1-5:28) . HOLINESS (4:1-8) 1. To please God (4:1-2) 2. To abstain from sexual immorality (4:3-8) . LOVE (4:9-10) 1. As they are taught by God to love one another (4:9) 2. To increase more and more (4:10) . DILIGENCE (4:11-12) 1. To work with their hands (4:11) 2. To walk properly toward those who are outside (4:12) . HOPE (4:13-18) 1. With no sorrow concerning those who have died (4:13-14) 2. For we will be rejoined with them when Christ returns (4: 15-18) . LIGHT (5:1-11) 1. For the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (5: 1-4) 2. For we are sons of light and sons of the day (5:5-8) 3. For God has appointed us to salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (5:9-11) . OBEDIENCE (5:12-22) 1. With respect toward those over us (5:12-13) 2. With concern for one another (5:14-15) 3. With joy, prayer and thanksgiving (5:16-18) 4. Don't quench the Spirit or despise prophecies, but don't be gullible either (5:19-22)

1st Thessalonians CONCLUDING REMARKS (5:23-28) : 

1st Thessalonians CONCLUDING REMARKS (5:23-28) . A prayer for their sanctification and preservation (5:23-24) . A request for prayer in his behalf (5:25) . A charge to greet one another with a holy kiss, and to read the epistle to others (5:26-27) . A benediction of grace from the Lord Jesus Christ (5:28)

Significant Words – Alive = zaō : 

Significant Words – Alive = zaō ζάω zaō dzah'-o A primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively): - life (-time), (a-) live (-ly), quick.

Significant Words – Caught Up = harpazō : 

Significant Words – Caught Up = harpazō ἁρπάζω harpazō har-pad'-zo From a derivative of G138; to seize (in various applications): - catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).