Study 0 From The Books of Thessalonians Is: The introduction
Almost certainly these two letters
were the first books of the New Testament to be written. They were written in
Corinth during Paul’s second missionary journey, and not long after the church
at Thessalonica had been founded, about 50 AD (Acts 17:1-10). In them we get an
insight into the life of a local Christian church within about twenty years of
the death and resurrection of our Lord. The first letter was written on Timothy’s
return from a visit to Thessalonica, and the second a few months later. They are among the most personal of the
apostle’s letter in the New Testament, and present a vivid picture both of
himself and of his readers, while revealing also the marvellous results of his
missionary work in a great heathen city, the capital of Macedonia.
The apostle was greatly encouraged
by the report, which Timothy brought, of the church’s steadfastness under
persecution and of its continued progress.
But there were some matters that gave him concern, in particular the
wrong were some matters that gave him concern, in particular the wrong views
that were held about the second coming
of Christ. This is then the chief theme of the two letters. It is shown to be a comfort in bereavement, a
motive for endurance, an inspiration to hope, a safeguard in temptation, a help
to purity, a challenge to watchfulness, a ground of rejoicing, and a separating
and sanctifying power. The apostle’s great aim is summed up in 1 Thes. 3:13.
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