Introduction to 1st Thessalonians

Here's my introduction to the book of 1st Thessalonians, and my study series on it.

Thessalonica was a city of nearly 200,000 people in Paul's day! Paul had spent some time there doing mission work until persecution from the Jewish community became so serious that Paul, Silas, and Timothy had to leave! They headed for Barea! Not too long after that, the Jews in Thessalonica heard word that Paul was in the neighboring city of Barea. They were so maddened against the gospel (even as Paul in his earlier days before conversion) that they chased him and his associates out of there. After fleeing farther south to Athens, Greece, where Paul again took up ministry, his heart was still burdened for the brethren in Thessalonica. Paul sent Timothy up there to check on them, and Silas was sent to another place in Macedonia, perhaps Philippi. Later they all met up again in Corinth, where Paul had moved himself to, after Athens. Paul wrote this letter from Corinth in A.D. 51 as he was serving the Corinthian church on his second missionary journey (Compare Acts 18:1,5 and also 1 Thessalonians 1:1. Here Silas is called Silvanus). In the letter Paul deals a lot with practical teachings and issues regarding the return of Jesus Christ. The Second Coming is a special theme throughout the Thessalonian letters. May you be blessed in God as you study through these Spirit-inspired letters to the church in Thessalonica!

Blessings,

BB