1 Thessalonians
Introduction
When
Paul parted from Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41) at
the beginning of what is called his second missionary journey, he chose
Silvanus (Silas) as his traveling companion. Soon afterwards he took Timothy
along with him (Acts
16:1-3). Paul was now clearly at the head of his own missionary band. About
A.D. 50, he arrived in Greece for the first time. In making converts in
Philippi and, soon afterwards, in Thessalonica, he was beset by persecution
from Jews and Gentiles alike. Moving on to Beroea, he was again harassed by
enemies from Thessalonica and hurriedly left for Athens (Acts 16:11-17:15). Silvanus
and Timothy remained behind for a while. Paul soon sent Timothy back to
Thessalonica to strengthen that community in its trials (1
Thes 3:1-5). Timothy and Silvanus finally returned to Paul when he reached
Corinth (Acts
18:1-18), probably in the early summer of A.D. 51. Timothy's return with a
report on conditions at Thessalonica served as the occasion for Paul's first
letter (1
Thes 3:6-8).
The letter begins with a
brief address (1
Thes 1:1) and concludes with a greeting (1
Thes 5:26-28). The body of the letter consists of two major parts. The
first (1
Thes 1:2-3:13)
is a set of three sections of thanksgiving connected by two apologiae
(defenses) dealing, respectively, with the missionaries' previous conduct and
their current concerns. Paul's thankful optimism regarding the Thessalonians'
spiritual welfare is tempered by his insistence on their recognition of the
selfless love shown by the missionaries. In an age of itinerant peddlers of new
religions, Paul found it necessary to emphasize not only the content of his
gospel but also his manner of presenting it, for both attested to God's grace
as freely bestowed and powerfully effected.
The second part of the letter
(1
Thes 4:1-5:25)
is specifically hortatory or parenetic. The superabundant love for which Paul
has just prayed (1
Thes 3:12-13) is to be shown practically by living out the norms of conduct
that he has communicated to them. Specific "imperatives" of Christian
life, principles for acting morally, stem from the "indicative" of
one's relationship to God through Christ by the sending of the holy Spirit.
Thus, moral conduct is the practical, personal expression of one's Christian
faith, love, and hope.
The principal divisions of
the First Letter to the Thessalonians are the following:
I.
Address
(1
Thes 1:1-10)
II.
Previous
Relations with the Thessalonians (1
Thes 2:1-3:13)
III.
Specific
Exhortations (1
Thes 4:1-5:25)
IV.
Final
Greeting (1
Thes 5:26-28)
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1
Thessalonians Introduction Ends.
Easter
Sunday 12 April 2009.