Paul's Letters to Thessalonica

The Epistle of First Thessalonians

Background Information

This letter was probably written by Paul (1:1, 2:18) from Corinth, during his second missionary journey.

Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, which he had planted shortly before his arrival at Corinth (Acts 17:1-10).

After planting a church in Philippi, Paul planted a church westward in Thessalonica. After being in Thessalonica for anywhere from 3 days to 3 months, angry Jews and other spiteful residents had forced Paul to leave the city hurriedly by threatening his life. Since he still cared for the health of this new church, he had sent Timothy back on a return visit to check their progress (3:2, 6). This epistle is based upon Timothy’s follow-up report to Paul from that return visit. The report had been a generally good report, indicating that they had not been swayed by false teachers and influencers, so Paul wrote this letter to encourage them to continue living faithfully in following Christ.

Those who believe Paul was there only 3 weeks point to Luke’s mention of him preaching at the local synagogue for 3 sabbaths (Acts 17:2). Those who lean towards 3 months point out that 3 weeks would have been to brief a period for Paul to have received multiple financial gifts from the church over at Philippi (Phil 4:15-16).

The general theme apparent in this epistle is “The Return of Christ” (1:10, 2:19, 3:13, 4:12-18, 5:23).

Paul seems to have written this letter with three purposes in mind.
 

• First, he wrote to confirm his genuine interest in them.

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers…” (1:2).

Since Paul had spent minimal time with this new church, it may have seemed to them or to critics and naysayers that Paul didn’t genuinely care for the church’s spiritual wellbeing. With this letter, Paul demonstrates his continued, ongoing, genuine care and commitment to them.

• Second, he wrote to correct misconceptions about the return of Christ.

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” (4:13).

Every chapter of this letter includes at least one reference to Christ’s second coming (1:3, 10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13–18; 5:23). In particular, the church was concerned because some of them had recently died, so they were worried that they would miss the coming rapture. Paul assured them that the rapture was still to come and would be clearly marked with (a) a shout, (b) the loud voice of the archangel, and (c) the trumpet of God. Then those believers who had previously died would come with Christ, joined by those who were still alive. All would be reunited and participate in the coming rapture. So, it was appropriate for the believers to grieve the loss of their deceased fellow believers, but not because they would never see them again.

• Third, he wrote to challenge them towards a holy lifestyle (3:10-13, 4:3-7, 5:23)

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor…” (4:3-4).

Paul’s brief ministry in Thessalonica had reached both Jews and Gentiles, with the latter coming out from a life of idolatry (1 Thess 1:9). These Gentiles, then, would have been converted out from an immoral but, to them, acceptable lifestyle. So, Paul urged them strongly to exchange their immoral lifestyle for a holy lifestyle instead.

He specifically singled out three priorities: (1) abstaining from sexual immorality, (2) possessing one’s “vessel” in a holy, honorable way, and (3) not defrauding a brother. The first refers to all types of sexual behavior outside of the proper expression in marriage. The second uses “vessel” to refer to a husband’s wife, meaning that men should both pursue and care for their wives in a godly manner. The third refers to avoiding behavior (such as rape, fornication, or adultery) which abuses, exploits, or mistreats a person, whether that be a person firsthand or a secondhand person, such as a woman’s husband (in the case of adultery), her father (in the case of fornication), etc.

Outline of the Book

The Good Testimony of the Church (Ch. 1)

“so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth …in every place…” (1:7-8)

Paul’s Involvement with the Church (Chs. 2-3)

• His track record of ministry to the church. (2:1-16)
• His personal concern for the church (2:17-3:10)

Problems in the Church (4-5:22)

• Matters of morality (4:1-12)
• Matters of end times theology (4:13-5:11)

The word “rapture” is not in our English translation of the Bible. It originates from a Greek word in 1 Thess 4:13, which is translated “caught up” (the Greek word is harpazo, and in Latin it is rapturo).

• Matters of church administration (5:12-22)

Conclusion (5:23-28)

Altogether, Paul wrote this letter to encourage the church at Thessalonica to live godly, holy lives comforted and motivated by the certain, future second coming of Christ.

The Epistle of Second Thessalonians

Background Information

This letter was written by Paul (1:1, 3:17), probably from Corinth, shortly after he wrote his first letter to the same audience.

Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica – again (Acts 17:1-10).

Paul seems to have written his second letter to the church at Thessalonica only weeks or months after his first letter. He had somehow received notice that some misguided people were attempting to mislead the church, pretending to represent Paul himself (2 Thess 2:2; 3:17).

The theme of this book is “The Day of the Lord” (2:2-3; see also 1:7-10, 2:1, 8, 3:5).

The “day of the Lord” is an eschatological (end times) concept highlighted frequently by the Old Testament prophets. It refers to the Lord’s terrifying, spectacular intervention in human affairs and serves three purposes: (1) to purify Israel, (2) to judge the nations, and (3) to establish God’s kingdom on earth. Some periods of the Old Testament are called the “day of the Lord,” but these serve as limited prototypes of the future, climatic “day of the Lord” which will occur in the future Tribulation period that will follow the rapture of the church.

Paul wrote to correct wrong thinking about both about the “day of the Lord” and disorderly fellow believers.

Some Thessalonian believers thought that the Tribulation period had begun (2:2). This conclusion was due to their response to persecution and to bad influencers who were telling them that the Day of the Lord had already begun (contradicting Paul’s previous teaching that the rapture would first occur and remove them from the Earth before the Day of Lord began). They thought that the persecution they were experiencing was somehow God’s prophesied Tribulation judgment.

Paul pointed out that a “man of lawlessness” (i.e., the Antichrist) must first be revealed for the Day of the Lord to begin (2 Thess 2:3), demonstrating that the Day of the Lord had not, in fact, begun.

In addition to false teachers, Paul also wrote to confront some within the church who refused to engage in meaningful, everyday work and to serve God by doing good. Their reasoning was that “the end was near, so why bother.” Paul urged the believers to admonish these people to quit being lazy – to work and to serve more diligently than ever.

Outline of the Book

Instruction about Future Events (1-2:12)

• Anticipate persecution from unbelievers (1:1-12)
• Expect the future coming of the Lord (2:1-12)

Instruction about Present Responsibilities (2:13-3:15)

• Advance in Christian growth by faith (2:13-17)
• Participate in prayer (3:1-5)
• Address disorderly believers (3:6-15)

Conclusion (3:16-18)

In summary, Paul wrote this letter to bring calm and focus to the believers who had become anxious, afraid, and lazy due to wrong ideas about Christ’s second coming.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.” (3:16).