1 Thessalonians

About 1 Thessalonians

First Thessalonians was written soon after Paul had to leave a brand-new church in a hurry because of persecution. Relieved by Timothy's good report, Paul writes to encourage these young believers to keep going, to live holy and quiet lives, and to grieve with hope. Its most famous passages answer their worry about believers who had died: when Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise, and all His people will be with Him forever.

Written by

Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians together with Silvanus and Timothy, and his authorship is accepted on all sides.

When

It was written around AD 50-51, making it one of the earliest documents in the New Testament.

Themes

• Hope in Christ's return
• Faith under pressure
• Holy living
• Encouraging one another

Key verses

• 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10For they themselves shew 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 to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.