1 & 2 THESSALONIANS
OVERVIEW
In the letters of First and Second Thessalonians, Paul wrote to a very young church in Thessalonica that he spent a few short weeks with while on his second missionary journey (see Acts 17). In that time, many people believed the gospel that Paul shared and became followers of Christ. However, there were also many who were outraged by Paul’s teachings, so much so that they formed a mob and chased Paul and his missionary companions out of the city. Paul wrote these letters to honor and congratulate the Christians in Thessalonica for their faith and growth in the face of intense persecution, and to reinforce some essential teachings from the short time he was there.
SECTION BREAKDOWN
Paul Encourages the Church
1 Thessalonians 1:1-3:13
Living to Please God
1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:28
Comforting a Persecuted Church
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Reminders About the Day of the Lord
2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
Caution Against Idleness
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
LOCATION
The city of Thessalonica was an influential and multicultural port city on the Aegean Sea, situated on one of the main highways that connected the Roman Empire. Located in what is modern day Greece, it was the capital of Macedonia at the time Paul visited. Paul wrote these letters from the city of Corinth towards the end of his second missionary journey.
