1 Thess. 1-5, Introduction (4)

We concluded our last post by illustrating what it means to “reason” the Gospel of Christ.  Let us begin here by noting how Paul, led by the Spirit, used a variety of “methods” or “approaches” in preaching the Gospel.  Truly there is no substitute to walking in the Spirit.  This list comes from the book of Acts.

i.   2:40: gave testimony of it

ii. 4:2: taught it

iii. 8:5-6: preached it (w/power)

iv. 13:5: announced it

v.  14:1: spoke it (naturally)

vi. 14:3: spoke it (boldly)

vii. 14:7: preached it (w/gladness)

viii. 17:2-3: reasoned it (apologetics)

In returning now to our Introduction of 1 Thessalonians let us note the following.

I.    Author(s) of 1 Thessalonians: Paul, Silas, Timothy, 1:1.

II.  Date of 1 Thessalonians: 51AD.  Of greater importance than a date is to note that this letter was written while Paul was still on the second missionary journey.  It was likely only a few weeks from the time Paul left Thessalonica until he arrived at Corinth.  They had been gone from this new local church for what he calls a short time (1 Th. 2:17).  Upon hearing some concerns Paul sent Timothy for a visit (1 Th. 3:1) and now Timothy had returned (1 Th. 3:6).  It appears therefore that it had not been long, perhaps only a few months before the letter was sent to encourage them.

III.Origination of 1 Thessalonians: Corinth.  1 Thess. 1:7-8 lead us to conclude that Paul has left Macedonia (province of Thessalonica) and moved on to Achaia (province of Corinth, the location of his next significant ministry). 

IV.Occasion of 1 Thessalonians: Timothy's report, 1 Thess. 3:6.

V.   Purpose of 1 Thessalonians: keep on keeping on, 1 Thess. 3:12; 4:1; 5:11.

VI.Outline of 1 Thessalonians.  We encourage you to read the entire letter referring to this outline.

A. The church life at the Model Church, Ch. 1-3.

1.  Its ministry, Ch. 1.                  2. Its ministers, Ch. 2 (past) -3 (present).

B. The Christ life at the Model Church, Ch. 4-5.

1.  Introduction, 4:1-2.                2. Sexual morality, 4:3-8.

3.  Brotherly love, 4:9-10.           4. Daily life, 4:11-12.

5.  Grief management, 4:13-18.  6. Enduring, 5:1-11.

7.  Etcetera, 5:12-22.                             8. God's resources, 5:23-28.


This letter is such an encouragement for a local church and a pastor today.  We see clearly what is valued most highly by our Shepherd and Head, the Lord Jesus Christ.  How we pray that our time spent studying the two Thessalonian letters will bear delicious and eternal fruit to the glory of God!