The Book of 1 Thessalonians
Paul encourages a young church to grow in holiness and hope in Christ's return.
- Author
- The apostle Paul
- Date
- c. AD 50–51
- Chapters
- 5
- Genre
- Paul's Letters
Summary
1 Thessalonians is among Paul's earliest letters. He thanks God for the faith, love and endurance of the new believers in Thessalonica, who had turned from idols to serve the living God despite persecution.
Paul encourages them to live holy lives and to love one another more and more. He comforts those grieving believers who had died, teaching that the dead in Christ will rise when the Lord returns. He urges them to "rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances."
Outline
- Chapters 1–3 — Thanksgiving and Paul's ministry
- Chapters 4–5 — Holy living and the Lord's return
Key Themes
Key Verses
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Start reading 1 ThessaloniansRejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.