East Midlands School of  Christian Ministry
   Biblical Studies
New Testament 

1 & 2 Thessalonians

Introduction

a)	It is probable that these two books are amongst the lesser known and used 
books of the New Testament. This is a sad reflection on pulpit preaching for 
these two somewhat smaller books of the NT provide some of the riches 
teaching on the second coming, but above all are filled with some of the most 
personal information regarding the ministry of apostle Paul. Its doctrinal and 
practical emphases is worthy of close attention as Paul presents some of the  
most penetrating  descriptions of sanctification and salvation teachings every 
to be found within the pages of the NT. 

b)	The letters were written from Corinth, probably in the year 51 AD ( Acts 18). 
Paul and Silas left Philippi after their release from prison and came to 
Thessalonica (modern Salonica), which was a large commercial centre. The 
narrative is told for us in Acts 17:1-9. Paul and Silas appear to have jumped 
from the "frying pan into the fire". Having escaped from a persecution in 
Philippi, (see 1 Thess 2:2)"But even after that we had suffered before, and were 
shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you 
the gospel of God with much contention." ,  they began to preach in Thessalonica 
and persecution immediate arose once again forcing them to flee for their lives , "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea" (vs 10). 

c)	Paul remained, however, in the city for the space of three Sabbaths ( two or 
three weeks at the most), Acts 17:2   "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto 
them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures".  This was long 
enough for the party of evangelists to preach the Gospel with boldness and 
see fruit for their labours, Acts 17:4 " And some of them believed, and consorted with 
Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a 
few". It may be concluded from 1 Thess 1:9 that Paul remained with the Gentiles since 
there was a considerable Gentile following, "For they themselves show of us what manner 
of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living 
and true God", and 2:14, "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God 
which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own 
countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews" . 

d) 	Following a day in Berea and a visit to Athens, Paul settled in Corinth for the space of eighteen months. From Corinth he sent Timothy to Thessalonica to find out news of the Church, and it was this report of Timothy which motivated Paul into writing the letters to the Corinthians.

e)	The Church at Thessalonica consisted mainly of Gentle believers. The overwhelming problems within the city would be idolatry and immorality ( not much different from Corinth). Reading between the lines one gains the impression that the opposing Jews in the city were continuing to undermine the Gospel by trying to discredit Paul's claims to apostleship, and were trying suggest that his sudden departure from them after only three weeks indicated that he did not really care about them. Thus Paul's pastoral ministry was being threatened. Furthermore, they accused Paul of preaching from a desire to obtain financial gain from them rather than from a desire to save and nurture their souls.

f)	Thus when Timothy reported back to Paul in Corinth he had to present a desperate 
situation amongst the new converts. Additionally, there were doctrinal misunderstandings 
about the second coming of Christ as some were suggesting that those who died before 
the coming of Christ would not share in the advent and subsequent glory. Some 
Christians were failing to respect their leaders whilst others were slipping into immorality. 

g)	Within these letters lies an  example of a true pastoral heart for an infant Church 
demonstrating wise and loving guidance. It reveals the nature of Paul's pastoral ministry 
and his love and affection for this young Church. It must be remembered that these 
powerful letters were written whilst Paul was battling with the problems of Corinth where, 
in an thoroughly immoral, religious and materialistic city he was seeking to proclaim the 
Gospel of Christ. In spite of the problems of Corinth, Paul still found time to address the 
needs of Thessalonica.

1. Brief Outline of the Letters

1 Thessalonians

1:1	General Introduction

1:2-10	Paul's past experiences in Thessalonica

2:1-16	The Apostolic Ministry

2:17-3:13	Paul's genuine love for the Church

4:1-12	General exhortations Christian living

4:13-5:11	The Second Coming of Christ

5:12-28	Final exhortations

2 Thessalonians

1:1-2	General Introduction

1:3-12	Suffering and glory

2:1-12	Additional teaching on the Second Coming of Christ

2:13-17	Encouragement

3:1-5	Hope and Triumph

3:6-18	Various warnings	

3.  The Contents of 1  Thessalonians

1. Greetings: 1:1 
	Note Paul's usual greetings, wishing "grace" and "peace" for them

2. Paul's past experiences among the Thessalonians: 1:2-10
	Prayer always features prominently in Paul's letters and experiences 2-3
	In spite of the problems, Paul has time for encouragements:-

		They are the "elect of God"  4

		The Gospel had powerful effects amongst them  5

		The Word was readily received by them with joy 6

		Their conversion has proved to be an "example" to others  7

		They have a testimony which they are declaring  8-9

		They have all experienced a radical conversion  10

3  The genuineness of Paul's Apostolic Ministry  2:1-16

	Paul seeks to prove that he preached from sincere motives 1-6

	He also has to show how much he loved and cared for them 7-9

	His conduct amongst them was one of purity  10-12

	Paul is encouraged by their patience in suffering 13-16

	Although he is absent he still longs after them 17- 20

4. Encouragement received from Timothy's news 3:1-13

	Timothy was sent to "follow up" the evangelistic work done by Paul 1-5

	Timothy brought welcome news about the Thessalonians 6-10

	Paul prays for the Thessalonians 11-13

5. Paul's general exhortations about the Christian life 4: 1-12

	First, encouragement regarding their progress in the faith    1-2

	Their sanctification is the will of God       3

	The sins of immorality must be avoided  4-8

	More encouragements to work towards further progress  9-10

	A call to work hard as Christians in employment  11-12

6. Teaching on the Second Coming of Christ  4:13- 5:11

	The dead will not be abandoned at the second coming  13-15

	The dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord  16

	Those who are alive at His coming will then ascend to meet Him  17

	This teaching must be used to encourage each other  18

	The date and time of His second Coming is unknown to us  5:1-2

	His coming will be sudden, unexpected    3

	For this reason we must all be alert and encouraging each other  4-11

7. A general list of final exhortations  5:12-22

	Let all Christians respect their leaders    12-13

	Exhort, encourage, help, love, rejoice, pray & be thankful  14-18

	All spiritual gifts must be tested & what is profitable retained  19-22

8. Paul's final prayer and general requests  5:23-28

4 The Contents of 2  Thessalonians  

1. Introduction 1:1-2

2. Suffering and glory 1:3-12

	Encouragement for the Thessalonian Christians 1:3-4

	Present suffering and future vindication   1:5-12

3  The Second Coming of Christ 2:1-12

	The Day of the Lord has not yet come  1-2

	The Day of the Lord will be preceded by the man of lawlessness  3-9

	The Day of the Lord will come with delusion upon the unbelieving  10-12

4.  Further encouragement for the Thessalonians 2:13-17

	Their election and calling to glory  13-15

	Pray for the Thessalonians 16-17

5. General exhortations  3:1-18

	A request for prayer 1-2

	Hope and triumph for the Thessalonians 2-5

	Warnings regarding idle Christians 6-15

	Final conclusion 16-18

5.  Essential lessons from 1 & 2 Thessalonians

a) The Second Coming teaching  1 Thess 4:13-18, 5:1-11 / 2 Thess 2:1-12

	Notice how in 1 Thess each chapter ( except 5) ends with a reference to the 
second coming; e.g. 1:10, 2:19, 3:13, 4:18.

	The fundamental lesson in these two epistles is the second coming.

	Use these epistles when discussing, teaching on the second advent.

	Paul's teaching on the second coming can be summarised: -

		i) The second coming will not hinder those who are already dead (1 
Thes 4:13-18). Additionally are some details surrounding the coming itself.

		ii) The second coming will come unexpectedly 5:1ff. Being prepared 
is the key 5:3

		iii) The second coming must motivate sanctification 5:4-10

		iv) The second coming teaching is for mutual encouragement, 4:18, 
5:11.

		v) The second coming will be heralded by the "man of lawlessness", 
2 Thess 2:3ff. A period of apostasy, sin, evil and lawlessness in the nations.

b) Encouragement for Christians who are making mistakes.

	A detailed list of their spiritual blessings in Christ, testimony and perseverance 1 
Thess 1:2-10, 2:13-14, 2 Thess 1:3-4, 2:13-15. 

c) Prayers make for the Thessalonians.

	1 Thess 3:11-13,  5:23-24, 2 Thess 1:11-12,  2:16-17,  3:16.

d) An example of Apostolic pastoral care.

	1 Thess 2:1-12, 17- 3:10, 

e) Exhorations to holiness

	1 Thess 4:1-8,  5:12-22,  2 Thess 3:6-15 

Conclusion

These Epistles abound with theological, practical, pastoral and encouraging 
material.  They  should not be the "forgotten epistles". Hendrikson in his 
commentary states, "1 & 2 Thessalonians may be regarded therefore as an 
important source for the subsequent formulation of doctrine, as an 
indispensable guide for the study of the man Paul, and an  important chapter 
in the handbook for missionaries. What is offered in these two short epistles is 
this and more. It is above all a part of God's infallible special revelation, which 
comes to every believer with absolute, divine authority, and shows him what 
he should believe and how he should live".

© Copyright Richard Lee Thursday, 31 July 1997. 
Please copy and download for distribution but not for resale.