Unlike some of Paul the Apostle’s other New Testament letters (such as the Biblical epistles to the Corinthians, Galatians, and Colossians, for example), the Thessalonian epistles were not primarily intended to address a doctrinal issue or problem within the church. Instead, these letters address various questions on several different topics. As we “listen in” on Paul’s responses to those questions, we can gain some valuable insight into those subjects.
Many of those questions seem to relate to the subject of Jesus’ return. While chapters four and five cover that topic in great detail, there are references to Jesus’ second advent in every chapter of this epistle. However, two commentators remind us that the book of 1 Thessalonians also addresses several other important topics as well…
“Paul undoubtedly had multiple reasons for writing, all coming out of his supreme concern for the flock from which he had been separated. Some of Paul’s purposes clearly included: 1) encouraging the church (1:2–10); 2) answering false allegations (2:1–12); 3) comforting the persecuted flock (2:13–16); 4) expressing his joy in their faith (2:17–3:13); 5) reminding them of the importance of moral purity (4:1–8); 6) condemning the sluggard lifestyle (4:9–12); 7) correcting a wrong understanding of prophetic events (4:13–5:11); 8) defusing tensions within the flock (5:12–15); and 9) exhorting the flock in the basics of Christian living (5:16–22).” (1)
“Some of the Thessalonians apparently believed that Jesus Christ was about to return momentarily, and had consequently given up their jobs and become disorderly (cf. 4:11; 5:14). Some worried about what had happened to their loved ones who had died before the Lord had returned (4:13, 18). Persecution from the Gentiles—as well as the Jews—still oppressed the believers (2:17—3:10), who were nevertheless holding fast to the truth, and eager to see Paul again (3:6-8). Some of those outside the church, however, remained hostile to Paul (2:1-12). There appears to have been some misuse of spiritual gifts in the assembly, as well as an unfortunate tendency on the part of some to return to their former habits involving sexual impurity (4:1-8; 5:19-21).” (2)
Like many of Paul’s other Biblical letters, we can separate 1 Thessalonians into individual sections. The first section covers chapters one to three and is highly personal. In it, Paul’s deep affection for the Thessalonian church is clearly evident. The second section comprises chapters four and five. In addition to the subject of Jesus’ return, this portion addresses a variety of topics including sexual behavior, interpersonal relationships with those inside and outside the church, and several rapid-fire exhortations to Godly living.
So with this background information in mind, we’ll begin our look at this epistle next.
(1) MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
(2) Constable, Thomas. DD. “Notes on 1 Thessalonians 2019 Edition”. “Historical Background” https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/1thessalonians/1thessalonians.htm