December 8, 2025
How does Jesus change our perspective?
1 Thessalonians 1-5
Peggy Liska
Big Book Idea
One day Christ will be back, so until then keep moving forward in a life that's honoring to him.
Key Verse | 1 Thessalonians 4:13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 1-5
Chapter 1
Greeting
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
The Thessalonians' Faith and Example
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly 1 1:2 Or without ceasing mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers 2 1:4 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Chapter 2
Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, 3 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17 that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, 4 2:5 Or with a flattering speech as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle 5 2:7 Some manuscripts infants among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God constantly 6 2:13 Or without ceasing for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men 7 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 8 2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last! 9 2:16 Or completely, or forever
Paul's Longing to See Them Again
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Chapter 3
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker 10 3:2 Some manuscripts servant in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
Timothy's Encouraging Report
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, 11 3:7 Or brothers and sisters in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Chapter 4
A Life Pleasing to God
1 Finally, then, brothers, 12 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 10, 13 we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: 13 4:3 Or your holiness that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body 14 4:4 Or how to take a wife for himself; Greek how to possess his own vessel in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
The Coming of the Lord
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, 15 4:15 Or by the word of the Lord that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Chapter 5
The Day of the Lord
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, 16 5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27 you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children 17 5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Final Instructions and Benediction
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, 18 5:14 Or disorderly, or undisciplined encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Footnotes
[1] 1:2 Or without ceasing[2] 1:4 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
[3] 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17
[4] 2:5 Or with a flattering speech
[5] 2:7 Some manuscripts infants
[6] 2:13 Or without ceasing
[7] 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
[8] 2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time
[9] 2:16 Or completely, or forever
[10] 3:2 Some manuscripts servant
[11] 3:7 Or brothers and sisters
[12] 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 10, 13
[13] 4:3 Or your holiness
[14] 4:4 Or how to take a wife for himself; Greek how to possess his own vessel
[15] 4:15 Or by the word of the Lord
[16] 5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27
[17] 5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse
[18] 5:14 Or disorderly, or undisciplined
Table of Contents
Introduction to 1 Thessalonians
Timeline
Author, Date, and Recipients
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Thessalonica. He probably wrote in A.D. 49–51 from Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–18).
Theme
The main theme is Jesus’ second coming. When he returns, the dead who have believed in Christ will rise and will join the living to meet the Lord in the air (4:15–17). Unbelievers will experience God’s wrath, while believers will inherit salvation (1:10; 5:2–4, 9–10). In preparation for that great day, Christians are called to be holy and blameless (3:11–4:8; 5:23). God, who is faithful, will produce in them the holiness he requires (5:24).
Purpose
Paul has received a report from Timothy about the Thessalonian church. Paul writes to them to restore their hope, which has been tested by unexpected deaths in the church. He reassures them that both the dead and the living believers will be safe at the second coming (4:13–5:11). In addition, Paul wants (1) to stress the authenticity of himself, Silas, and Timothy as preachers of the gospel (1:5; 2:1–12; 2:17–3:10); (2) to teach them that persecution is normal for Christians (3:3–4); and (3) to challenge them to take responsibility for earning their own living (4:9–12).
Key Themes
- God’s wrath comes on those who reject the gospel (2:16; 5:3).
- Jesus’ death and resurrection are the basis for the Christian’s hope (4:14; 5:10).
- Christians are destined not for wrath but for salvation when Christ returns (1:10; 5:4, 9).
- Christians who die will participate fully in the second coming (4:14–17; 5:10).
- Those who respond to the gospel have been elected and called by God. They continue to be called by God throughout their lives (1:4; 2:12; 4:7; 5:9, 24).
- Christians should live lives of complete holiness (3:13; 4:3–8; 5:23).
- Christians must never ignore their responsibility to work (4:9–12; 5:14).
- The truth of the gospel is confirmed by the integrity of its preachers (1:5; 2:1–12).
- Joy, especially in suffering, is a mark of the Christian (1:6; 5:16).
- Christians experience the realities of the new covenant (4:8–9).
- Faith, hope, and love are essential traits of the Christian (1:2–3; 5:8).
Outline
The Setting of 1 Thessalonians
c. A.D. 49–51
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth near the end of his second missionary journey. Paul and his companions had established the church in Thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. Later, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to check on the church there, and Timothy’s report led Paul to write this letter. Thessalonica enjoyed privileged status as the capital of Macedonia and was located on a natural harbor along the busy east-west Egnatian Way.
Fact: When Christ returns,
When Christ returns, he will fix everything that is broken and hurting (8:16–39; see Rev. 21:1–22:5). He will restore creation, including every corner of the globe, to its original beauty and wholeness. God will bring dead believers back to life and make all his children perfect like Christ (Rom. 8:29; 1 Thess. 4:13–18).
Fact: Tough love
Tough love. In contrast to the warm and joyful tone of 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians includes some blunt commands as Paul addresses bad behavior and bad thinking within the church. Some, for instance, were refusing to work for a living (3:6–15).
Fact: Speaking for free
Speaking for free. Traveling speakers and teachers were a common sight in Paul’s day. Some of them openly used their speaking skills to seek fame and fortune. Others claimed to despise materialism while privately pocketing large sums of money. Paul distinguished himself from such dishonest people by earning his own living through manual labor (9:18; compare 1 Thess. 4:11).
Fact: Grace and peace
Paul began each of his letters with some variation of the phrase Grace and peace (see 1:1). Peter began his letters in the same way, and John began his second letter that way as well.
Fact: Thessalonica
Thessalonica was the proud capital of the Roman province of Macedonia, with a population of more than 100,000. It was a center of education as well as commerce.
Fact: Like a thief in the night
Like a thief in the night. Peter says the return of Christ at the end of time will be unexpected, “like a thief” (3:10). Several other NT passages describe the Lord’s return in this same way (see Matt. 24:43; 1 Thess. 5:2; Rev. 3:3). Christ’s return will be a welcome surprise, however, for his true disciples.
The Setting of 1 Thessalonians
c. A.D. 49–51
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth near the end of his second missionary journey. Paul and his companions had established the church in Thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. Later, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to check on the church there, and Timothy’s report led Paul to write this letter. Thessalonica enjoyed privileged status as the capital of Macedonia and was located on a natural harbor along the busy east-west Egnatian Way.
New Testament Timeline
The following chart provides a detailed New Testament timeline. Most of the dates can be determined precisely by correlating biblical events with extensive historical documents and archaeological evidence. Dates with an asterisk denote approximate or alternative dates. The extensive external confirmation of New Testament dates and events encourages great confidence in the truth and historicity of both the Old and New Testaments.
| 5 B.C.* | Jesus is born in Bethlehem. |
| 4 B.C. | Jesus’ family flees to Egypt to escape from Herod’s plan to kill Jesus (Matt. 2:13–18); Herod dies; Judas (of Sepphoris) and others rebel, requiring the Syrian Governor Varus to intervene throughout Palestine; Sepphoris, a city four miles from Nazareth, is destroyed by Roman soldiers; Judea, Samaria, and Idumea are given to Herod’s son, Archelaus; Galilee and Perea are given to his son Antipas; Jesus’ family, after returning from Egypt, resides in Nazareth (Matt. 2:19–23), a small village in southern Galilee. |
| A.D. 6 | Archelaus is exiled for incompetence; Judea becomes a Roman province; Judas the Galilean (of Gamla) leads a revolt against the tax census; the governor of Syria, Quirinius (A.D. 6–7), appoints Annas high priest (6–15). |
| 8* | Jesus (age 12) interacts with the teachers in the temple (Luke 2:41–50). |
| 8*–28/30 | Jesus works as a carpenter in Nazareth (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3) and probably in neighboring villages and Sepphoris, which was being rebuilt. |
| 28–29* | John the Baptist begins his ministry around the Jordan River (John 1:19). |
| 28–30* | Jesus begins his ministry in Judea, but soon focuses his efforts in Galilee. In Jerusalem, Pharisees (like Gamaliel) train disciples (like Paul) in their tradition. They send a delegation to Galilee, but the delegation rejects Jesus’ teaching. In Alexandria, Philo (20 B.C.–A.D. 50) attempts to unify Greek philosophy with Hebrew Scripture. |
| 33 (or 30) | Jesus returns to Judea, is crucified, and resurrected. James the brother of Jesus becomes a believer after witnessing the resurrected Jesus (1 Cor. 15:7; Acts 12:17). Jesus ascends to the Father’s right hand (Acts 1). Jesus’ first followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and begin to proclaim the gospel (Acts 2). |
| 33/34* | Paul witnesses the resurrected Lord on the way to Damascus and is commissioned as an apostle to the nations (Acts 9; Gal. 1:15–16). |
| 34–37 | Paul ministers in Damascus and Arabia (Acts 9:19–22; 26:20; Gal. 1:16–18). |
| 36 | Pilate loses his position for incompetence. |
| 36/37* | Paul meets with Peter in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18). |
| 37–45 | Paul ministers in Syria, Tarsus, and Cilicia (Acts 9:30; Gal. 1:21). |
| 38* | Peter witnesses to Cornelius (Acts 10). |
| 39 | Antipas is exiled. |
| 40–45* | James writes his letter to believers outside Palestine (see James 1:1). |
| 41–44 | Agrippa, Herod the Great’s grandson, rules Palestine; he kills James the brother of John (Acts 12:2) and imprisons Peter (Acts 12:3). |
| 42–44 | Paul receives his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). |
| 44 | Peter leaves Jerusalem; Agrippa is killed by an “angel of the Lord” (Acts 12:23). |
| 44–46 | Theudas persuades many Jews to sell their possessions and follow him into the wilderness where he claimed he would miraculously divide the Jordan River; Roman procurator Fadus dispatches his cavalry and beheads the would-be messiah. |
| 44–47* | Paul’s Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10). |
| 46–47 | Paul’s First Missionary Journey (with Barnabas) from Antioch to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, and Lystra (Acts 13:4–14:26). |
| 46–48 | Roman procurator Tiberius Alexander crucifies two sons (Jacob and Simon) of Judas the Galilean. |
| 48* | Paul writes Galatians, perhaps from Antioch (see Acts 14:26–28). |
| 48–49* | Paul and Peter return to Jerusalem for the Apostolic Council, which, with the assistance of James, frees Gentile believers from the requirement of circumcision in opposition to Pharisaic believers (Acts 15:1–29); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30) but split over a dispute about John Mark (Acts 15:36–40). |
| 48/49–51* | Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (with Silas) from Antioch to Syria, Cilicia, southern Galatia, Macedonia, notably Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea; and then on to Achaia, notably Athens and Corinth (Acts 15:36–18:22). |
| 49 | Claudius expels Jews from Rome because of conflicts about Jesus (Acts 18:2); Paul befriends two refugees, Priscilla and Aquila, in Corinth (Acts 18:2–3). |
| 49–51* | Paul writes 1–2 Thessalonians from Corinth (Acts 18:1, 11; also compare Acts 18:5 with 1 Thess. 1:8). |
| 51 | Paul appears before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12–17). |
| 50–54* | Peter comes to Rome. |
| 52–57* | Paul’s Third Missionary Journey from Antioch to Galatia, Phrygia, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece (Acts 18:23–21:17). |
| 52–55 | Paul ministers in Ephesus (Acts 19:1–20). |
| 53–55* | Mark writes his Gospel, containing Peter’s memories of Jesus; perhaps within a decade, Matthew publishes his Gospel, which relies on Mark and other sources. Paul writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus (Acts 19:10). |
| 54 | Claudius dies (edict exiling Jews repealed); Priscilla and Aquila return to Rome and host a church in their home (see Rom. 16:3–5). |
| 54–68 | Nero reigns. |
| 55–56* | Paul writes 2 Corinthians from Macedonia (Acts 20:1, 3; 2 Cor. 1:16; 2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2, 4; see 1 Cor. 16:5). |
| 57* | Paul winters in Corinth and writes Romans (Acts 20:3; see Rom. 16:1–2; also see Rom. 16:23 with 1 Cor. 1:14); travels to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1–16), visits with James the brother of Jesus (Acts 21:17–26), and is arrested (Acts 21:27–36; 22:22–29). |
| 57–59 | Paul is imprisoned and transferred to Caesarea (Acts 23:23–24, 33–34). |
| 60 | Paul begins voyage to Rome (Acts 27:1–2); he is shipwrecked for three months on the island of Malta (Acts 27:39–28:10). |
| 60–70* | Letter to the Hebrews is written. |
| 62 | James the brother of the Lord is executed by the Sadducean high priest Ananus. |
| 62–63* | Peter writes his first letter (1 Peter) from Rome (1 Pet. 5:13). |
| 62* | Paul arrives in Rome and remains under house arrest (Acts 28:16–31); he writes Ephesians (see verses for Colossians), Philippians (Phil. 1:7, 13, 17; 4:22), Colossians (Col. 4:3, 10, 18; see Acts 27:2 with Col. 4:10), Philemon (see Philem. 23 with Col. 1:7; Philem. 2 with Col. 4:17; Philem. 24 with Col. 4:10; also see Col. 4:9). Luke, Paul’s physician and companion (see Col. 4:14), writes Luke and Acts. |
| 62–64 | Paul is released, extends his mission (probably reaching Spain), writes 1 Timothy from Macedonia (see 1 Tim. 1:3) and Titus from Nicopolis (Titus 3:12); he is rearrested in Rome (2 Tim. 1:16–17). |
| 63–64 | Work on the temple complex is completed. |
| 64 (July 19) | Fire in Rome; Nero blames and kills many Christians. |
| 64–67* | Peter writes his second letter ( 2 Peter). Jude writes his letter. Paul writes 2 Timothy (see 2 Tim. 4:6–8). Paul and Peter are martyred in Rome. |
| 66 | First Jewish-Roman War begins with a riot between Greeks and Jews at Caesarea; Roman procurator Gesius Florus (A.D. 64–66) is murdered and a Roman garrison wiped out; Menahem, son or grandson of Judas the Galilean, murders the high priest Ananias and seizes control of the temple; Nero dispatches Vespasian with three legions. |
| 67* | Romans destroy the Qumran community, who beforehand hid the so-called Dead Sea Scrolls in nearby caves; the church in Jerusalem flees to Pella (Matt. 24:15–16; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20–22); John migrates to Ephesus with Mary, Jesus’ mother. |
| 68 | Nero commits suicide; year of the three emperors. |
| 69 | Rebellion quelled in Galilee and Samaria; Vespasian summoned back to Rome to become emperor. |
| 70 (Aug. 30) | Titus, Vespasian’s son, after a five-month siege of Jerusalem, destroys the temple after desecrating it; the temple’s menorah, Torah, and veil are removed and later put on display in a victory parade in Rome; the influence of the Sadducees ends; the Pharisee Johanan ben Zakkai escapes and convinces the Romans to allow him and others to settle in Jamnia, where they found a school. |
| 73 (May 2)* | Before Roman general Silva breaches the fortress atop Masada following a two-year siege, 936 Jewish rebels commit suicide. |
| 75 | Titus has an affair with the Jewish princess Berenice, sister of Agrippa II (Acts 25:13, 23), whom he later abandons because of the scandal. |
| 77 | Pliny the Elder writes Natural History. |
| 77–78 | Josephus publishes Jewish War in Rome. |
| 79 | Pompeii and Herculaneum are destroyed by eruption of Vesuvius; Pliny the Elder dies attempting to investigate. |
| 81 | The Arch of Titus, celebrating his destruction of the temple, is erected in Rome. |
| 81–96 | Domitian, Titus’s brother, persecutes Christians among the Roman nobility, including his own relatives Clemens and Domitilla. |
| 85–95* | John writes his letters (1–3 John), probably in Ephesus. |
| 89–95* | John writes his Gospel, probably in Ephesus. |
| 93–94 | Josephus publishes Jewish Antiquities in Rome. |
| 94 | Domitian exiles philosophers from Rome. |
| 95* | Amidst persecution, Clement, a leader in the Roman church, writes his Letter to the Corinthians (1 Clement) appealing for peace between the young men and elders. |
| 95–96* | Exiled by Domitian to Patmos, John writes Revelation (Rev. 1:9). |
| 96–98 | Nerva, the first of five “good” emperors, ends official persecution. |
* denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or
Major Events in the Life of the Apostle Paul
| A.D. 5–10? | Born in Tarsus, an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin and a Roman citizen (Acts 22:3, 28; Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5); raised in either Jerusalem (Acts 22:3?) or Tarsus |
| 15–20? | Trained as a Pharisee by Gamaliel I (Acts 22:3; 26:5; Gal. 1:14; Phil. 3:5–6) |
| 30/33? | Death, resurrection of Christ |
| 31–34 | Present at Stephen’s stoning; persecuted Christians (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:4a; 26:9–11; 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6) |
| 33/34* | Converted, called, and commissioned on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19; 22:6–11; 26:12–18; Gal. 1:15–16) |
| 33/34–36/37 | Stays in Damascus a short time (Acts 9:19b); leaves for Arabia (2 Cor. 11:32; Gal. 1:17); returns to Damascus (Gal. 1:17; Acts 9:20–22?); escapes through city wall to avoid arrest (Acts 9:23–24; 2 Cor. 11:32–33) |
| 36/37* | Meets with Peter, sees James, in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18) Hellenists seek to kill him; flees to Tarsus (Acts 9:28–30; Gal. 1:21) |
| 37–45 | Ministers in Syria/Cilicia (2 Cor. 11:22–27?) |
| 44–47* | Ministers with Barnabas in Antioch (Acts 11:25–26) Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10) |
| 46–47 | First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4–14:26): 1.5 years? |
| 48* | With Barnabas, spends “no little time” in Antioch (Acts 14:28; Gal. 2:11–14); writes Galatians |
| 48–49* | Returns to Jerusalem for the apostolic council (Acts 15); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30–33), but dispute over John Mark causes them to part ways (Acts 15:36–41) |
| 48/49–51* | Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36–18:22): 2.5 years? |
| 49 | Paul and Silas travel to southern Galatia through Asia Minor, on to Macedonia (Philippi [1 Thess. 2:2]); Thessalonica [1 Thess. 2:2; Phil. 4:15–16]; and Berea [Acts 17:10–15]), and then to Achaia (Athens [1 Thess. 3:1] and Corinth [2 Cor. 11:7–9]) |
| 49–51* | Spends 1.5 years in Corinth (Acts 18:11); appears before Gallio (Acts 18:12–17); writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians |
| 51 | Returns to Jerusalem? (Acts 18:22) |
| 52–57* | Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23–21:17): 5 years? |
| 52 | Travels to Antioch, spends “some time”; travels through Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:23) |
| 52–55 | Arrives in Ephesus (Acts 19:1; 1 Cor. 16:8); ministers for three years (Acts 20:31) and writes 1 Corinthians; makes brief, “painful visit” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1), then returns to Ephesus and writes “severe letter” (now lost) to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:3–4; 7:8–16) |
| 55–56* | Travels north to Macedonia, meets Titus (Acts 20:1; 2 Cor. 2:12–13); writes 2 Corinthians |
| 57* | Winters in Corinth (Acts 20:2–3; 2 Cor. 9:4), writes to the Romans from Corinth; travels to Jerusalem; is arrested (Acts 21:27–36) |
| 57–59 | Transferred as prisoner to Caesarea, stays for two years (Acts 24:27) |
| 60* | Voyage to Rome; shipwrecked, spends three months on Malta (Acts 28:11); finally arrives in Rome |
| 62* | Under house-arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30–31), writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon |
| 62–67 | Released from house-arrest in Rome, travels to Spain (?), writes 1 Timothy (from Macedonia?) and Titus (from Nicopolis); is rearrested, writes 2 Timothy from Rome, is martyred |
* denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or
The Authentication of Paul’s Letters
In 2:2 Paul warns against letters that claim to come from him but do not. In 11 places in his letters Paul either identifies himself or gives his signature. This supports the conclusion that all of the NT letters attributed to Paul are in fact authentic, rather than having been written by someone else in Paul’s name.
| 1 Cor. 16:21 | I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand |
| 2 Cor. 10:1 | I, Paul, myself entreat you |
| Gal. 5:2 | Look: I, Paul, say to you |
| Gal. 6:11 | See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand |
| Eph. 3:1 | I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus |
| Col. 1:23 | of which I, Paul, became a minister |
| Col. 4:18 | I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand |
| 1 Thess. 2:18 | we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again |
| 2 Thess. 2:2 | not to be . . . alarmed . . . by . . . a letter seeming to be from us |
| 2 Thess. 3:17 | I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write |
| Philem. 19 | I, Paul, write this with my own hand |
The Epistles
| Book | Author | Date | Recipients | Place of Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James | James | 40–45 | Jewish Christians in or near Palestine | Jerusalem? |
| Galatians | Paul | 48 | South Galatian churches | Syrian Antioch |
| 1 Thessalonians | Paul | 49–51 | Church in Thessalonica | Corinth |
| 2 Thessalonians | Paul | 49–51 | Church in Thessalonica | Corinth |
| 1 Corinthians | Paul | 53–55 | Church in Corinth | Ephesus |
| 2 Corinthians | Paul | 55–56 | Church in Corinth | Macedonia |
| Romans | Paul | 57 | Church in Rome | Corinth |
| Philippians | Paul | 62 | Church in Philippi | Rome |
| Colossians | Paul | 62 | Church in Colossae | Rome |
| Philemon | Paul | 62 | Philemon | Rome |
| Ephesians | Paul | 62 | Churches in Asia Minor (circular letter?) | Rome |
| 1 Timothy | Paul | 62–64 | Timothy | Macedonia? |
| Titus | Paul | 62–64 | Titus | Nicopolis |
| 1 Peter | Peter | 62–63 | Churches in Roman provinces in Asia Minor | Rome |
| 2 Peter | Peter | 64–67 | Churches in Roman provinces in Asia Minor? | Rome |
| 2 Timothy | Paul | 64–67 | Timothy | Rome |
| Jude | Jude | Mid–60s | Jewish Christians in Egypt? Asia Minor? Antioch? | Unknown |
| Hebrews | Unknown | 60–70 | Jewish Christians in Rome or in or near Palestine | Unknown |
| 1 John | John | 85–95 | Churches near Ephesus? | Ephesus |
| 2 John | John | 85–95 | Church or churches near Ephesus | Ephesus |
| 3 John | John | 85–95 | Gaius | Ephesus |
The Second Coming in 1 Thessalonians
| 1:3 | “hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” |
| 1:10 | “to wait for his Son from heaven” |
| 2:19 | “before our Lord Jesus at his coming” |
| 3:13 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” |
| 4:15 | “the coming of the Lord” |
| 4:16 | “the Lord himself will descend from heaven” |
| 5:2 | “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” |
| 5:3 | “as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman” |
| 5:23 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” |
Equivalent Expressions for the “Last Days”
The “last days” (the day of salvation, 2 Cor. 6:2) have already come but the “last day” (the day of salvation and wrath, 1 Thess. 5:1–11) has not yet arrived. The following are equivalent expressions for the “last days” (the period of time between Jesus’ death and resurrection and the final judgment).
| “the last days” | Acts 2:17; 2 Tim. 3:1; Heb. 1:2; James 5:3 |
| “the last hour” | 1 John 2:18 |
| “the last time” | Jude 18 |
| “the last times” | 1 Pet. 1:20 |
Timothy
Timothy was from Lystra in South Galatia and was the son of a Jewish mother and a Greek father. Timothy, along with his mother and grandmother, may have been led to Christ during Paul’s first visit to Lystra. Timothy joined Paul as a coworker when Paul passed through his hometown early on his second missionary journey. Paul trusted Timothy immensely, and sent him on a number of important missions to strengthen and encourage churches as well as to deal with doctrinal and theological problems. Although he was young, Timothy proved himself to be a godly and effective leader. In Philippians 2:19–24, Paul describes Timothy as an example of a Christ-centered life. Paul also referred to Timothy by the lofty title “God’s coworker,” emphasizing his credentials (1 Thess. 3:2). Two of the NT epistles are letters written from Paul to Timothy. (Philippians 2:19–22)
1 Thess. 1:1 Opening. Silvanus and Timothy worked with Paul during his second missionary journey. Silvanus, or Silas, was a Judean Christian (Acts 15:22) who joined Paul after he separated from Barnabas (Acts 15:39–40). Timothy, from Lystra in south Galatia, was a son of a Jewish mother and Greek father. He became partners with Paul when Paul passed through his hometown early on his second missionary journey (see Acts 16:1–4). Timothy has returned from a visit to the Thessalonian church (1 Thess. 3:6). His report is Paul’s major source of information as he writes. While Silas and Timothy are included as co-senders, Paul was clearly the main author (see 2:18; 3:5; 5:27). Grace . . . and peace. See note on Rom. 1:7.
Fact: Grace and peace
Paul began each of his letters with some variation of the phrase Grace and peace (see 1:1). Peter began his letters in the same way, and John began his second letter that way as well.
1 Thess. 1:3 faith . . . love . . . hope. A common Pauline pattern (see 5:8; Rom. 5:2–5; 1 Cor. 13:13; Gal. 5:5–6; Eph. 4:2–5). The prominent final position here belongs to hope. This seems fitting in a letter so concerned with the end times (1 Thess. 1:10; 2:12, 19–20; 3:13; 4:13–18; 5:1–11, 23–24).
1 Thess. 1:4 brothers loved by God. God’s love is the ultimate reason for their election (Eph. 1:4–5; compare Rom. 1:7). Chosen (literally, “elected”) refers to God’s sovereign act of appointing people for eternal life (see notes on Eph. 1:4; 1:5; 1:11). Because of his experience of fellowship with them, Paul is confident the Thessalonians are among the chosen (see 1 Thess. 1:5–10 and note). Therefore he can reassure them that they are forever secure.
1 Thess. 1:6 for you received the word in much affliction. See Acts 17:5–9; 1 Thess. 2:14. When people take a stand of faith in God, they should expect to encounter difficulties as a result (see Rom. 8:17–18; 1 Pet. 4:12–14).
New Testament Timeline
The following chart provides a detailed New Testament timeline. Most of the dates can be determined precisely by correlating biblical events with extensive historical documents and archaeological evidence. Dates with an asterisk denote approximate or alternative dates. The extensive external confirmation of New Testament dates and events encourages great confidence in the truth and historicity of both the Old and New Testaments.
| 5 B.C.* | Jesus is born in Bethlehem. |
| 4 B.C. | Jesus’ family flees to Egypt to escape from Herod’s plan to kill Jesus (Matt. 2:13–18); Herod dies; Judas (of Sepphoris) and others rebel, requiring the Syrian Governor Varus to intervene throughout Palestine; Sepphoris, a city four miles from Nazareth, is destroyed by Roman soldiers; Judea, Samaria, and Idumea are given to Herod’s son, Archelaus; Galilee and Perea are given to his son Antipas; Jesus’ family, after returning from Egypt, resides in Nazareth (Matt. 2:19–23), a small village in southern Galilee. |
| A.D. 6 | Archelaus is exiled for incompetence; Judea becomes a Roman province; Judas the Galilean (of Gamla) leads a revolt against the tax census; the governor of Syria, Quirinius (A.D. 6–7), appoints Annas high priest (6–15). |
| 8* | Jesus (age 12) interacts with the teachers in the temple (Luke 2:41–50). |
| 8*–28/30 | Jesus works as a carpenter in Nazareth (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3) and probably in neighboring villages and Sepphoris, which was being rebuilt. |
| 28–29* | John the Baptist begins his ministry around the Jordan River (John 1:19). |
| 28–30* | Jesus begins his ministry in Judea, but soon focuses his efforts in Galilee. In Jerusalem, Pharisees (like Gamaliel) train disciples (like Paul) in their tradition. They send a delegation to Galilee, but the delegation rejects Jesus’ teaching. In Alexandria, Philo (20 B.C.–A.D. 50) attempts to unify Greek philosophy with Hebrew Scripture. |
| 33 (or 30) | Jesus returns to Judea, is crucified, and resurrected. James the brother of Jesus becomes a believer after witnessing the resurrected Jesus (1 Cor. 15:7; Acts 12:17). Jesus ascends to the Father’s right hand (Acts 1). Jesus’ first followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and begin to proclaim the gospel (Acts 2). |
| 33/34* | Paul witnesses the resurrected Lord on the way to Damascus and is commissioned as an apostle to the nations (Acts 9; Gal. 1:15–16). |
| 34–37 | Paul ministers in Damascus and Arabia (Acts 9:19–22; 26:20; Gal. 1:16–18). |
| 36 | Pilate loses his position for incompetence. |
| 36/37* | Paul meets with Peter in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18). |
| 37–45 | Paul ministers in Syria, Tarsus, and Cilicia (Acts 9:30; Gal. 1:21). |
| 38* | Peter witnesses to Cornelius (Acts 10). |
| 39 | Antipas is exiled. |
| 40–45* | James writes his letter to believers outside Palestine (see James 1:1). |
| 41–44 | Agrippa, Herod the Great’s grandson, rules Palestine; he kills James the brother of John (Acts 12:2) and imprisons Peter (Acts 12:3). |
| 42–44 | Paul receives his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7). |
| 44 | Peter leaves Jerusalem; Agrippa is killed by an “angel of the Lord” (Acts 12:23). |
| 44–46 | Theudas persuades many Jews to sell their possessions and follow him into the wilderness where he claimed he would miraculously divide the Jordan River; Roman procurator Fadus dispatches his cavalry and beheads the would-be messiah. |
| 44–47* | Paul’s Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10). |
| 46–47 | Paul’s First Missionary Journey (with Barnabas) from Antioch to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, and Lystra (Acts 13:4–14:26). |
| 46–48 | Roman procurator Tiberius Alexander crucifies two sons (Jacob and Simon) of Judas the Galilean. |
| 48* | Paul writes Galatians, perhaps from Antioch (see Acts 14:26–28). |
| 48–49* | Paul and Peter return to Jerusalem for the Apostolic Council, which, with the assistance of James, frees Gentile believers from the requirement of circumcision in opposition to Pharisaic believers (Acts 15:1–29); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30) but split over a dispute about John Mark (Acts 15:36–40). |
| 48/49–51* | Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (with Silas) from Antioch to Syria, Cilicia, southern Galatia, Macedonia, notably Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea; and then on to Achaia, notably Athens and Corinth (Acts 15:36–18:22). |
| 49 | Claudius expels Jews from Rome because of conflicts about Jesus (Acts 18:2); Paul befriends two refugees, Priscilla and Aquila, in Corinth (Acts 18:2–3). |
| 49–51* | Paul writes 1–2 Thessalonians from Corinth (Acts 18:1, 11; also compare Acts 18:5 with 1 Thess. 1:8). |
| 51 | Paul appears before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12–17). |
| 50–54* | Peter comes to Rome. |
| 52–57* | Paul’s Third Missionary Journey from Antioch to Galatia, Phrygia, Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece (Acts 18:23–21:17). |
| 52–55 | Paul ministers in Ephesus (Acts 19:1–20). |
| 53–55* | Mark writes his Gospel, containing Peter’s memories of Jesus; perhaps within a decade, Matthew publishes his Gospel, which relies on Mark and other sources. Paul writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus (Acts 19:10). |
| 54 | Claudius dies (edict exiling Jews repealed); Priscilla and Aquila return to Rome and host a church in their home (see Rom. 16:3–5). |
| 54–68 | Nero reigns. |
| 55–56* | Paul writes 2 Corinthians from Macedonia (Acts 20:1, 3; 2 Cor. 1:16; 2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2, 4; see 1 Cor. 16:5). |
| 57* | Paul winters in Corinth and writes Romans (Acts 20:3; see Rom. 16:1–2; also see Rom. 16:23 with 1 Cor. 1:14); travels to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1–16), visits with James the brother of Jesus (Acts 21:17–26), and is arrested (Acts 21:27–36; 22:22–29). |
| 57–59 | Paul is imprisoned and transferred to Caesarea (Acts 23:23–24, 33–34). |
| 60 | Paul begins voyage to Rome (Acts 27:1–2); he is shipwrecked for three months on the island of Malta (Acts 27:39–28:10). |
| 60–70* | Letter to the Hebrews is written. |
| 62 | James the brother of the Lord is executed by the Sadducean high priest Ananus. |
| 62–63* | Peter writes his first letter (1 Peter) from Rome (1 Pet. 5:13). |
| 62* | Paul arrives in Rome and remains under house arrest (Acts 28:16–31); he writes Ephesians (see verses for Colossians), Philippians (Phil. 1:7, 13, 17; 4:22), Colossians (Col. 4:3, 10, 18; see Acts 27:2 with Col. 4:10), Philemon (see Philem. 23 with Col. 1:7; Philem. 2 with Col. 4:17; Philem. 24 with Col. 4:10; also see Col. 4:9). Luke, Paul’s physician and companion (see Col. 4:14), writes Luke and Acts. |
| 62–64 | Paul is released, extends his mission (probably reaching Spain), writes 1 Timothy from Macedonia (see 1 Tim. 1:3) and Titus from Nicopolis (Titus 3:12); he is rearrested in Rome (2 Tim. 1:16–17). |
| 63–64 | Work on the temple complex is completed. |
| 64 (July 19) | Fire in Rome; Nero blames and kills many Christians. |
| 64–67* | Peter writes his second letter ( 2 Peter). Jude writes his letter. Paul writes 2 Timothy (see 2 Tim. 4:6–8). Paul and Peter are martyred in Rome. |
| 66 | First Jewish-Roman War begins with a riot between Greeks and Jews at Caesarea; Roman procurator Gesius Florus (A.D. 64–66) is murdered and a Roman garrison wiped out; Menahem, son or grandson of Judas the Galilean, murders the high priest Ananias and seizes control of the temple; Nero dispatches Vespasian with three legions. |
| 67* | Romans destroy the Qumran community, who beforehand hid the so-called Dead Sea Scrolls in nearby caves; the church in Jerusalem flees to Pella (Matt. 24:15–16; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:20–22); John migrates to Ephesus with Mary, Jesus’ mother. |
| 68 | Nero commits suicide; year of the three emperors. |
| 69 | Rebellion quelled in Galilee and Samaria; Vespasian summoned back to Rome to become emperor. |
| 70 (Aug. 30) | Titus, Vespasian’s son, after a five-month siege of Jerusalem, destroys the temple after desecrating it; the temple’s menorah, Torah, and veil are removed and later put on display in a victory parade in Rome; the influence of the Sadducees ends; the Pharisee Johanan ben Zakkai escapes and convinces the Romans to allow him and others to settle in Jamnia, where they found a school. |
| 73 (May 2)* | Before Roman general Silva breaches the fortress atop Masada following a two-year siege, 936 Jewish rebels commit suicide. |
| 75 | Titus has an affair with the Jewish princess Berenice, sister of Agrippa II (Acts 25:13, 23), whom he later abandons because of the scandal. |
| 77 | Pliny the Elder writes Natural History. |
| 77–78 | Josephus publishes Jewish War in Rome. |
| 79 | Pompeii and Herculaneum are destroyed by eruption of Vesuvius; Pliny the Elder dies attempting to investigate. |
| 81 | The Arch of Titus, celebrating his destruction of the temple, is erected in Rome. |
| 81–96 | Domitian, Titus’s brother, persecutes Christians among the Roman nobility, including his own relatives Clemens and Domitilla. |
| 85–95* | John writes his letters (1–3 John), probably in Ephesus. |
| 89–95* | John writes his Gospel, probably in Ephesus. |
| 93–94 | Josephus publishes Jewish Antiquities in Rome. |
| 94 | Domitian exiles philosophers from Rome. |
| 95* | Amidst persecution, Clement, a leader in the Roman church, writes his Letter to the Corinthians (1 Clement) appealing for peace between the young men and elders. |
| 95–96* | Exiled by Domitian to Patmos, John writes Revelation (Rev. 1:9). |
| 96–98 | Nerva, the first of five “good” emperors, ends official persecution. |
* denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or
1 Thess. 1:5–10 because. Paul bases his confidence that the Thessalonians are elect on two things: the authenticity and authority of those preaching the gospel to them (v. 5) and the nature of their response to the gospel (vv. 6–10).
1 Thess. 1:9–10 wait for his Son. The first of many references to the second coming in this letter (see 2:12, 19–20; 3:13; 4:13–18; 5:1–11, 23–24). whom he raised from the dead. See 4:13–18. delivers us from the wrath to come. See 5:1–11.
The Second Coming in 1 Thessalonians
| 1:3 | “hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” |
| 1:10 | “to wait for his Son from heaven” |
| 2:19 | “before our Lord Jesus at his coming” |
| 3:13 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” |
| 4:15 | “the coming of the Lord” |
| 4:16 | “the Lord himself will descend from heaven” |
| 5:2 | “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” |
| 5:3 | “as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman” |
| 5:23 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” |
1 Thess. 2:2 shamefully treated at Philippi. See Acts 16:19–39. boldness. Despite experiencing fierce persecution in Philippi, Paul did not shrink from proclaiming the gospel in Thessalonica, even when it led to further suffering.
Major Events in the Life of the Apostle Paul
| A.D. 5–10? | Born in Tarsus, an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin and a Roman citizen (Acts 22:3, 28; Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5); raised in either Jerusalem (Acts 22:3?) or Tarsus |
| 15–20? | Trained as a Pharisee by Gamaliel I (Acts 22:3; 26:5; Gal. 1:14; Phil. 3:5–6) |
| 30/33? | Death, resurrection of Christ |
| 31–34 | Present at Stephen’s stoning; persecuted Christians (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:4a; 26:9–11; 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6) |
| 33/34* | Converted, called, and commissioned on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19; 22:6–11; 26:12–18; Gal. 1:15–16) |
| 33/34–36/37 | Stays in Damascus a short time (Acts 9:19b); leaves for Arabia (2 Cor. 11:32; Gal. 1:17); returns to Damascus (Gal. 1:17; Acts 9:20–22?); escapes through city wall to avoid arrest (Acts 9:23–24; 2 Cor. 11:32–33) |
| 36/37* | Meets with Peter, sees James, in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18) Hellenists seek to kill him; flees to Tarsus (Acts 9:28–30; Gal. 1:21) |
| 37–45 | Ministers in Syria/Cilicia (2 Cor. 11:22–27?) |
| 44–47* | Ministers with Barnabas in Antioch (Acts 11:25–26) Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10) |
| 46–47 | First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4–14:26): 1.5 years? |
| 48* | With Barnabas, spends “no little time” in Antioch (Acts 14:28; Gal. 2:11–14); writes Galatians |
| 48–49* | Returns to Jerusalem for the apostolic council (Acts 15); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30–33), but dispute over John Mark causes them to part ways (Acts 15:36–41) |
| 48/49–51* | Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36–18:22): 2.5 years? |
| 49 | Paul and Silas travel to southern Galatia through Asia Minor, on to Macedonia (Philippi [1 Thess. 2:2]); Thessalonica [1 Thess. 2:2; Phil. 4:15–16]; and Berea [Acts 17:10–15]), and then to Achaia (Athens [1 Thess. 3:1] and Corinth [2 Cor. 11:7–9]) |
| 49–51* | Spends 1.5 years in Corinth (Acts 18:11); appears before Gallio (Acts 18:12–17); writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians |
| 51 | Returns to Jerusalem? (Acts 18:22) |
| 52–57* | Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23–21:17): 5 years? |
| 52 | Travels to Antioch, spends “some time”; travels through Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:23) |
| 52–55 | Arrives in Ephesus (Acts 19:1; 1 Cor. 16:8); ministers for three years (Acts 20:31) and writes 1 Corinthians; makes brief, “painful visit” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1), then returns to Ephesus and writes “severe letter” (now lost) to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:3–4; 7:8–16) |
| 55–56* | Travels north to Macedonia, meets Titus (Acts 20:1; 2 Cor. 2:12–13); writes 2 Corinthians |
| 57* | Winters in Corinth (Acts 20:2–3; 2 Cor. 9:4), writes to the Romans from Corinth; travels to Jerusalem; is arrested (Acts 21:27–36) |
| 57–59 | Transferred as prisoner to Caesarea, stays for two years (Acts 24:27) |
| 60* | Voyage to Rome; shipwrecked, spends three months on Malta (Acts 28:11); finally arrives in Rome |
| 62* | Under house-arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30–31), writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon |
| 62–67 | Released from house-arrest in Rome, travels to Spain (?), writes 1 Timothy (from Macedonia?) and Titus (from Nicopolis); is rearrested, writes 2 Timothy from Rome, is martyred |
* denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or
1 Thess. 2:3–4 The missionaries did not have a faulty message, impure motives, or questionable methods. They preached the gospel as those approved by God and as those committed to speaking to please God.
1 Thess. 2:5 pretext for greed. Paul did not minister for financial gain. See v. 9; 2 Thess. 3:8.
1 Thess. 2:6 made demands as apostles of Christ. As apostles, they had unique authority to request support (see Rom. 15:24; 1 Cor. 9:3–14).
The Second Coming in 1 Thessalonians
| 1:3 | “hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” |
| 1:10 | “to wait for his Son from heaven” |
| 2:19 | “before our Lord Jesus at his coming” |
| 3:13 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” |
| 4:15 | “the coming of the Lord” |
| 4:16 | “the Lord himself will descend from heaven” |
| 5:2 | “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” |
| 5:3 | “as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman” |
| 5:23 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” |
1 Thess. 2:7–8 gentle. Acting in a humble way toward the converts. like a nursing mother. Loving and selfless in their devotion to the converts.
1 Thess. 2:9 Paul’s love was shown by his long hours of manual labor. He worked hard to pay his own expenses rather than depend on the Thessalonian believers for support.
1 Thess. 2:1–12 Paul expands on what he said in summary form in 1:5: while they were in Thessalonica, he and his fellow missionaries displayed all the traits of authentic ministers of the gospel. In 2:17–3:10, he will explain why he then had to be absent from them.
1 Thess. 2:10–12 kingdom and glory. At Jesus’ second coming, Christians will enjoy the full benefits of God’s kingdom.
1 Thess. 2:13 not as the word of men but as . . . the word of God. Paul claims divine authority for his words as an apostle.
1 Thess. 2:14 The Judean churches were the mother churches of all those established by Paul. They established a standard by which all other churches might measure themselves. Like them, the Thessalonian Christians suffered persecution for their faith. your own countrymen. Jewish opponents of the gospel had instigated the difficulties that the Thessalonians had with their Gentile neighbors (Acts 17:5–10).
1 Thess. 2:15 drove us out. See Acts 17:5–10. oppose all mankind. Everyone needs to hear the gospel of salvation. To oppose the gospel is therefore to “oppose all mankind.”
1 Thess. 2:16 wrath has come upon them at last. Paul may mean (1) the Judean famine in A.D. 44–47, (2) the riot and massacre in Jerusalem in 48–49, (3) the expulsion of Jews from Rome in 49; or, most likely, (4) an unspecified future event that is certain or has already begun.
1 Thess. 2:17 The missionaries left Thessalonica because of persecution. for a short time. Timothy’s recent visit ended the brief absence. in person not in heart. Physical absence did not reflect a lack of concern for the Thessalonians. we endeavored . . . to see you. The missionaries had tried to get back to Thessalonica.
1 Thess. 2:18 I, Paul. Paul feels he must explain the absence. Satan hindered us. How Satan did this is unknown.
The Authentication of Paul’s Letters
In 2:2 Paul warns against letters that claim to come from him but do not. In 11 places in his letters Paul either identifies himself or gives his signature. This supports the conclusion that all of the NT letters attributed to Paul are in fact authentic, rather than having been written by someone else in Paul’s name.
| 1 Cor. 16:21 | I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand |
| 2 Cor. 10:1 | I, Paul, myself entreat you |
| Gal. 5:2 | Look: I, Paul, say to you |
| Gal. 6:11 | See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand |
| Eph. 3:1 | I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus |
| Col. 1:23 | of which I, Paul, became a minister |
| Col. 4:18 | I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand |
| 1 Thess. 2:18 | we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again |
| 2 Thess. 2:2 | not to be . . . alarmed . . . by . . . a letter seeming to be from us |
| 2 Thess. 3:17 | I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write |
| Philem. 19 | I, Paul, write this with my own hand |
The Second Coming in 1 Thessalonians
| 1:3 | “hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” |
| 1:10 | “to wait for his Son from heaven” |
| 2:19 | “before our Lord Jesus at his coming” |
| 3:13 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” |
| 4:15 | “the coming of the Lord” |
| 4:16 | “the Lord himself will descend from heaven” |
| 5:2 | “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” |
| 5:3 | “as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman” |
| 5:23 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” |
1 Thess. 2:19–20 Presenting his converts to Jesus at the second coming is part of Paul’s Christian hope. crown. Crowns or wreaths were given to winning athletes.
Fact: Thessalonica
Thessalonica was the proud capital of the Roman province of Macedonia, with a population of more than 100,000. It was a center of education as well as commerce.
1 Thess. 3:1 Paul sent Timothy because he could no longer endure not knowing how the Thessalonians were doing. Sending Timothy was a sacrifice for Paul. It shows deep pastoral love, since Paul was left behind at Athens alone (see note on Acts 17:15).
Major Events in the Life of the Apostle Paul
| A.D. 5–10? | Born in Tarsus, an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin and a Roman citizen (Acts 22:3, 28; Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5); raised in either Jerusalem (Acts 22:3?) or Tarsus |
| 15–20? | Trained as a Pharisee by Gamaliel I (Acts 22:3; 26:5; Gal. 1:14; Phil. 3:5–6) |
| 30/33? | Death, resurrection of Christ |
| 31–34 | Present at Stephen’s stoning; persecuted Christians (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:4a; 26:9–11; 1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6) |
| 33/34* | Converted, called, and commissioned on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19; 22:6–11; 26:12–18; Gal. 1:15–16) |
| 33/34–36/37 | Stays in Damascus a short time (Acts 9:19b); leaves for Arabia (2 Cor. 11:32; Gal. 1:17); returns to Damascus (Gal. 1:17; Acts 9:20–22?); escapes through city wall to avoid arrest (Acts 9:23–24; 2 Cor. 11:32–33) |
| 36/37* | Meets with Peter, sees James, in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26–30; Gal. 1:18) Hellenists seek to kill him; flees to Tarsus (Acts 9:28–30; Gal. 1:21) |
| 37–45 | Ministers in Syria/Cilicia (2 Cor. 11:22–27?) |
| 44–47* | Ministers with Barnabas in Antioch (Acts 11:25–26) Second Visit to Jerusalem; time of famine (Acts 11:27–30; Gal. 2:1–10) |
| 46–47 | First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4–14:26): 1.5 years? |
| 48* | With Barnabas, spends “no little time” in Antioch (Acts 14:28; Gal. 2:11–14); writes Galatians |
| 48–49* | Returns to Jerusalem for the apostolic council (Acts 15); Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch (Acts 15:30–33), but dispute over John Mark causes them to part ways (Acts 15:36–41) |
| 48/49–51* | Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36–18:22): 2.5 years? |
| 49 | Paul and Silas travel to southern Galatia through Asia Minor, on to Macedonia (Philippi [1 Thess. 2:2]); Thessalonica [1 Thess. 2:2; Phil. 4:15–16]; and Berea [Acts 17:10–15]), and then to Achaia (Athens [1 Thess. 3:1] and Corinth [2 Cor. 11:7–9]) |
| 49–51* | Spends 1.5 years in Corinth (Acts 18:11); appears before Gallio (Acts 18:12–17); writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians |
| 51 | Returns to Jerusalem? (Acts 18:22) |
| 52–57* | Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23–21:17): 5 years? |
| 52 | Travels to Antioch, spends “some time”; travels through Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:23) |
| 52–55 | Arrives in Ephesus (Acts 19:1; 1 Cor. 16:8); ministers for three years (Acts 20:31) and writes 1 Corinthians; makes brief, “painful visit” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1), then returns to Ephesus and writes “severe letter” (now lost) to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:3–4; 7:8–16) |
| 55–56* | Travels north to Macedonia, meets Titus (Acts 20:1; 2 Cor. 2:12–13); writes 2 Corinthians |
| 57* | Winters in Corinth (Acts 20:2–3; 2 Cor. 9:4), writes to the Romans from Corinth; travels to Jerusalem; is arrested (Acts 21:27–36) |
| 57–59 | Transferred as prisoner to Caesarea, stays for two years (Acts 24:27) |
| 60* | Voyage to Rome; shipwrecked, spends three months on Malta (Acts 28:11); finally arrives in Rome |
| 62* | Under house-arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30–31), writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon |
| 62–67 | Released from house-arrest in Rome, travels to Spain (?), writes 1 Timothy (from Macedonia?) and Titus (from Nicopolis); is rearrested, writes 2 Timothy from Rome, is martyred |
* denotes approximate date; / signifies either/or
1 Thess. 3:2 God’s coworker. Paul may be highlighting Timothy’s credentials to show that he was a worthy substitute, since Paul could not come himself.
Timothy
Timothy was from Lystra in South Galatia and was the son of a Jewish mother and a Greek father. Timothy, along with his mother and grandmother, may have been led to Christ during Paul’s first visit to Lystra. Timothy joined Paul as a coworker when Paul passed through his hometown early on his second missionary journey. Paul trusted Timothy immensely, and sent him on a number of important missions to strengthen and encourage churches as well as to deal with doctrinal and theological problems. Although he was young, Timothy proved himself to be a godly and effective leader. In Philippians 2:19–24, Paul describes Timothy as an example of a Christ-centered life. Paul also referred to Timothy by the lofty title “God’s coworker,” emphasizing his credentials (1 Thess. 3:2). Two of the NT epistles are letters written from Paul to Timothy. (Philippians 2:19–22)
1 Thess. 3:3–4 Paul sent Timothy to strengthen the persecuted Thessalonians (see 2 Thess. 1:5–7). we are destined for this. Christians should expect to suffer for their faith (see Rom. 8:17–18; 2 Tim. 3:12; also Mark 10:30; 1 Pet. 4:12–13).
1 Thess. 3:5 tempter. Satan tempted Jesus (Matt. 4:1–11) and he tempts Christians (1 Cor. 7:5). our labor would be in vain. If Satan had succeeded in getting the Thessalonians to abandon their faith, Paul’s mission work would have been a failure.
1 Thess. 3:6 When Timothy returned from Thessalonica, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians.
1 Thess. 2:17–3:10 Just as 2:1–12 is a defense of Paul and his fellow missionaries during their work in Thessalonica, these verses are a defense of their later absence.
1 Thess. 3:9–10 what is lacking in your faith. The missionaries had been unable to complete their usual instruction in the fundamentals of the faith.
1 Thess. 1:2–3:13 Thanksgiving and Encouragement. It is typical for Paul to include a word of thanksgiving near the beginning of his letters (1:2–3). He goes on to offer encouragement (1:4–2:16) and to seek to clear up any possible misunderstanding resulting from his non-arrival at Thessalonica (2:17–3:13).
1 Thess. 3:13 Jesus will someday return with all his saints (or “holy ones”—angels, Christians, or, most likely, both; compare Zech. 14:5). On the second coming of Christ, see 1 Thess. 5:1–11; 1 Pet. 4:7; 2 Pet. 3:2–18.
The Second Coming in 1 Thessalonians
| 1:3 | “hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” |
| 1:10 | “to wait for his Son from heaven” |
| 2:19 | “before our Lord Jesus at his coming” |
| 3:13 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” |
| 4:15 | “the coming of the Lord” |
| 4:16 | “the Lord himself will descend from heaven” |
| 5:2 | “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” |
| 5:3 | “as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman” |
| 5:23 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” |
1 Thess. 4:2 instructions. Originally a military word, it usually conveys authoritative commands.
1 Thess. 4:3 that you abstain from sexual immorality. For former pagans, the lure of sexual sins was strong (see 1 Corinthians 5–6). Paul forbids any sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage (see Eph. 5:3; 1 Pet. 1:15–22).
1 Thess. 4:4 control his own body. The Greek could be translated “take a wife for himself” (see ESV footnote). However, in view of vv. 4–5 and 1 Corinthians 7, sexual self-control is more likely the intended meaning.
1 Thess. 4:5 in the passion of lust like the Gentiles. See Rom. 1:24–27.
1 Thess. 4:6 wrong. Taking advantage of a fellow Christian through sexual sin. the Lord is an avenger. Those who ignore the Christian sexual ethic will face Jesus’ wrath.
1 Thess. 4:8 Therefore. In view of v. 7, to reject Paul’s teaching on sex is to reject God, the source of Paul’s instruction. who gives his Holy Spirit to you. In the OT (e.g., Ezek. 36:26–27), God promised a new covenant in which the Holy Spirit would write the law on people’s hearts and empower them to obey.
1 Thess. 4:9 taught by God to love one another. See Jer. 31:33–34. By love, Christians fulfill the law (Rom. 13:8–10; compare Lev. 19:18; John 13:34).
1 Thess. 4:11 live quietly. Live peacefully with others (see 2 Thess. 3:11–12) instead of interfering in others’ affairs. work with your hands. Earn their own living instead of being supported by wealthier Christians.
Fact: Speaking for free
Speaking for free. Traveling speakers and teachers were a common sight in Paul’s day. Some of them openly used their speaking skills to seek fame and fortune. Others claimed to despise materialism while privately pocketing large sums of money. Paul distinguished himself from such dishonest people by earning his own living through manual labor (9:18; compare 1 Thess. 4:11).
1 Thess. 4:12 walk properly before outsiders. For some Christians to be shamelessly exploiting the charity of wealthier Christians would have brought disgrace on the gospel they claimed to believe.
1 Thess. 4:13 we do not want you to be uninformed. The Thessalonians are unaware of the things Paul will explain in vv. 14–17 (see note on 3:9–10). those who are asleep. Those who have died. grieve as others do who have no hope. Grieving is not wrong (see Acts 8:2), but it is wrong for Christians to exhibit hopelessness in their grief.
1 Thess. 4:14 rose again. Christ’s resurrection is the center of God’s plan for history. It is the believer’s basis for hope in the future resurrection of the body (1 Cor. 15:42–57). through Jesus, God will bring. Jesus will “bring” deceased Christians with him at his return. those who have fallen asleep. The souls of those who have been in heaven with Christ up to that point.
1 Thess. 4:15 word from the Lord. Probably something the Lord revealed personally to Paul.
The Second Coming in 1 Thessalonians
| 1:3 | “hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” |
| 1:10 | “to wait for his Son from heaven” |
| 2:19 | “before our Lord Jesus at his coming” |
| 3:13 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” |
| 4:15 | “the coming of the Lord” |
| 4:16 | “the Lord himself will descend from heaven” |
| 5:2 | “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” |
| 5:3 | “as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman” |
| 5:23 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” |
1 Thess. 4:15b–17 We who are alive does not mean Paul believed that he would be alive at the second coming. It means all Christians should be prepared for Christ to return during their lifetime. who are left. Still alive. will not precede those who have fallen asleep. It is unclear whether the Thessalonians thought the dead would rise only after the second coming or whether they thought the dead had no hope for salvation at all.
1 Thess. 4:16–17 cry of command . . . voice of an archangel . . . trumpet of God. The three noises summon the dead. The only “archangel” identified in the Bible is Michael (Jude 9). Trumpets in the OT proclaimed the Lord’s presence (Ex. 19:16; Ps. 47:5). In Jewish tradition, the “trumpet” was associated with battle, the day of the Lord, and the resurrection (see 1 Cor. 15:52). first. Then. Dead Christians will rise from their graves, then the living and the dead together are caught up (“to grab or seize suddenly, to take away”) from the earth into the air to meet Christ. together with. The dead Christians and those still alive join Christ at the same time. clouds. Probably the clouds of glory that surround the presence of God (see Ex. 33:9–10; 1 Kings 8:10–11; Ps. 97:2; Matt. 17:5; Mark 13:26). to meet. The Greek term often describes the reception given by the inhabitants of a city for an important visitor. They celebrated their honored guest’s arrival, then led him into the city (see Matt. 25:6; Acts 28:15).
1 Thess. 4:13–18 Paul answers the Thessalonians’ questions about Christians who die before Jesus returns.
1 Thess. 4:18 Understanding about the Lord’s return should bring comfort and encouragement, not fear and division. These words refers to vv. 13–17.
Fact: When Christ returns,
When Christ returns, he will fix everything that is broken and hurting (8:16–39; see Rev. 21:1–22:5). He will restore creation, including every corner of the globe, to its original beauty and wholeness. God will bring dead believers back to life and make all his children perfect like Christ (Rom. 8:29; 1 Thess. 4:13–18).
1 Thess. 5:1 Now concerning. Paul may be responding to a question the Thessalonians sent by Timothy. the times and the seasons. That is, when the day of the Lord will occur (compare Acts 1:7).
Fact: Like a thief in the night
Like a thief in the night. Peter says the return of Christ at the end of time will be unexpected, “like a thief” (3:10). Several other NT passages describe the Lord’s return in this same way (see Matt. 24:43; 1 Thess. 5:2; Rev. 3:3). Christ’s return will be a welcome surprise, however, for his true disciples.
1 Thess. 5:2–3 The phrase day of the Lord is common in the OT Prophets (see note on Amos 5:18–20). It refers to the great and terrible day when Yahweh will punish the disobedient and save the faithful. In Paul’s letters it is connected with the second coming. like a thief in the night. Unexpected and unwelcome by those not ready for it (see Matt. 24:43–44). people. That is, unbelievers. peace and security. False promises of avoiding God’s wrath. labor pains. A metaphor for judgment and destruction on the day of the Lord. Compare Isa. 13:8; Jer. 6:24.
1 Thess. 5:4 But you. Christians will not face destruction on judgment day.
1 Thess. 5:5 children of light. Those who belong to God and receive his salvation (Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Col. 1:13).
1 Thess. 5:6 So then. Paul gives general instructions based on the reassurances in v. 5. sleep. Living without considering the coming day of judgment.
1 Thess. 5:8 breastplate . . . helmet. Paul echoes Isa. 59:17, where the Lord is a warrior wearing armor (see Eph. 6:10–20). faith and love . . . hope. Essential Christian traits (see 1 Cor. 13:13; 1 Thess. 1:3).
1 Thess. 5:9 For connects this verse with either vv. 6–8 in general or with the specific instruction in v. 8 to put on the helmet of hope.
1 Thess. 5:10 awake or asleep. Alive or dead (4:13–18).
Equivalent Expressions for the “Last Days”
The “last days” (the day of salvation, 2 Cor. 6:2) have already come but the “last day” (the day of salvation and wrath, 1 Thess. 5:1–11) has not yet arrived. The following are equivalent expressions for the “last days” (the period of time between Jesus’ death and resurrection and the final judgment).
| “the last days” | Acts 2:17; 2 Tim. 3:1; Heb. 1:2; James 5:3 |
| “the last hour” | 1 John 2:18 |
| “the last time” | Jude 18 |
| “the last times” | 1 Pet. 1:20 |
1 Thess. 5:12–13 respect those who labor . . . admonish you. The young Thessalonian church was not appreciating and respecting its leaders enough. are over you. The elders in the church (see notes on Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). Be at peace among yourselves may suggest there were tensions in the community.
1 Thess. 5:14 idle. Some Thessalonians were ignoring their responsibility to work. See 4:9–12; also 2 Thess. 3:6–15. fainthearted. Due to persecution (1 Thess. 3:3–4) or the unexpected deaths (4:13–5:11). weak. Those with weak consciences (see 1 Corinthians 8–9), those upset by the ongoing persecution, or those anxious about the day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:1–11).
1 Thess. 5:16 Rejoice always. Joy is a basic mark of the Christian (Rom. 14:17) and a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).
1 Thess. 5:17 Pray without ceasing suggests continual personal fellowship with God.
1 Thess. 5:18 give thanks. Christians are to be marked by thanksgiving (Eph. 5:4, 20; Col. 2:7; 3:15, 17; 4:2). This probably refers to all of 1 Thess. 5:16–18.
1 Thess. 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit. The next verse clarifies how the Thessalonians were putting out the Holy Spirit’s fire.
1 Thess. 5:20–21 Do not despise prophecies. Believers are to be open to learning God’s will through fellow Christians exercising the gift of prophecy (see note on 1 Cor. 14:22–25). test everything. To distinguish the true from the false. True prophecy agrees with Scripture and helps the church. See 1 Cor. 14:29–33 and the note on 1 Cor. 12:10. what is good. Most likely prophecies that pass the test.
The Second Coming in 1 Thessalonians
| 1:3 | “hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” |
| 1:10 | “to wait for his Son from heaven” |
| 2:19 | “before our Lord Jesus at his coming” |
| 3:13 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” |
| 4:15 | “the coming of the Lord” |
| 4:16 | “the Lord himself will descend from heaven” |
| 5:2 | “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” |
| 5:3 | “as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman” |
| 5:23 | “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” |
1 Thess. 5:26 holy kiss. A symbol of Christian fellowship and holiness (see note on 1 Cor. 16:20).
1 Thess. 5:27 I. As usual, having dictated his letter to a secretary, Paul wrote the final greeting in his own handwriting (compare 2 Thess. 3:17). This showed readers that the letter really came from Paul. have this letter read to all. See note on Col. 4:16.
1 Thess. 4:1–5:28 Instruction and Exhortation. Paul gives instructions on pleasing God (4:1–12), the second coming (4:13–5:11), community conduct (5:12–22), and prayer and assurance (5:23–28).
1 Thess. 5:23–28 God of peace. God initiated the reconciliation of Christians with himself. He is now at peace with them. Spirit, soul, and body represent the entirety of human nature (see Matt. 10:28; Mark 12:30; 1 Cor. 7:34).
The Setting of 1 Thessalonians
c. A.D. 49–51
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth near the end of his second missionary journey. Paul and his companions had established the church in Thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. Later, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to check on the church there, and Timothy’s report led Paul to write this letter. Thessalonica enjoyed privileged status as the capital of Macedonia and was located on a natural harbor along the busy east-west Egnatian Way.
Introduction to 1 Thessalonians
Timeline
Author, Date, and Recipients
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Thessalonica. He probably wrote in A.D. 49–51 from Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–18).
Theme
The main theme is Jesus’ second coming. When he returns, the dead who have believed in Christ will rise and will join the living to meet the Lord in the air (4:15–17). Unbelievers will experience God’s wrath, while believers will inherit salvation (1:10; 5:2–4, 9–10). In preparation for that great day, Christians are called to be holy and blameless (3:11–4:8; 5:23). God, who is faithful, will produce in them the holiness he requires (5:24).
Purpose
Paul has received a report from Timothy about the Thessalonian church. Paul writes to them to restore their hope, which has been tested by unexpected deaths in the church. He reassures them that both the dead and the living believers will be safe at the second coming (4:13–5:11). In addition, Paul wants (1) to stress the authenticity of himself, Silas, and Timothy as preachers of the gospel (1:5; 2:1–12; 2:17–3:10); (2) to teach them that persecution is normal for Christians (3:3–4); and (3) to challenge them to take responsibility for earning their own living (4:9–12).
Key Themes
- God’s wrath comes on those who reject the gospel (2:16; 5:3).
- Jesus’ death and resurrection are the basis for the Christian’s hope (4:14; 5:10).
- Christians are destined not for wrath but for salvation when Christ returns (1:10; 5:4, 9).
- Christians who die will participate fully in the second coming (4:14–17; 5:10).
- Those who respond to the gospel have been elected and called by God. They continue to be called by God throughout their lives (1:4; 2:12; 4:7; 5:9, 24).
- Christians should live lives of complete holiness (3:13; 4:3–8; 5:23).
- Christians must never ignore their responsibility to work (4:9–12; 5:14).
- The truth of the gospel is confirmed by the integrity of its preachers (1:5; 2:1–12).
- Joy, especially in suffering, is a mark of the Christian (1:6; 5:16).
- Christians experience the realities of the new covenant (4:8–9).
- Faith, hope, and love are essential traits of the Christian (1:2–3; 5:8).
Outline
The Setting of 1 Thessalonians
c. A.D. 49–51
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth near the end of his second missionary journey. Paul and his companions had established the church in Thessalonica but were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel. Later, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to check on the church there, and Timothy’s report led Paul to write this letter. Thessalonica enjoyed privileged status as the capital of Macedonia and was located on a natural harbor along the busy east-west Egnatian Way.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | 1 Thessalonians 1-5
Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonians because he deeply loved the young church and wanted them to flourish. He also wanted to remind them to live out their faith and challenged them to live above the temptations of their flesh. Similar to our world today, they were surrounded by a culture that worshiped something other than the one true God. Paul encouraged them to live differently so that they would "walk properly before outsiders" (1 Thessalonians 4:12).
Paul's letter reminds us that we, as believers who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus, are called to live a holy and blameless life as we continue down the path of sanctification. Living the Christian life isn't about resting in our salvation; it's about acting out of our salvation. It is not enough for us to simply know God's Word; we are called to go out and reach others for the sake of the gospel and for God's glory.
Paul gave the Thessalonians another reason to live out their faith, saying, "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." (1 Thessalonians 5:2) He wanted them to live in light of Jesus' return, knowing it could happen at any moment. Throughout his letter, Paul listed countless things they should do. And while this list likely felt daunting, Paul reminded them that the reason he was calling them to this higher standard is because "this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and he desired for them to "be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
God desires to use our time on this earth to sanctify us and bring us closer to him in our character and actions. We are called to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). Some day, we all will be required to give an account of how we chose to live out our salvation here on earth. May we be found blameless!
This month's memory verse
"And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"
– Revelation 21:5
Discussion Questions
1. To the watching world, what evidence is there in the way you live that you have been transformed by Christ? In what ways do you instead blend into the world around you?
2. How do you feel the Spirit is calling you to live out your faith with even more boldness and confidence?
3. Where have you been holding back from being obedient and stepping out boldly in your faith?
4. How can you live differently in light of Christ's imminent return? What does this look like practically in your life today?
5. How can you encourage and build up other believers as Paul exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 5:11?