Investigating the Word of God

First
Thessalonians
The Roman Agora in Thessalonica David Padfield, 2002. Used by permission.
Gene Taylor
Gene Taylor, 2006. All Rights Reserved
Investigating the Word of God: First Thessalonians Gene Taylor -1-
An Introduction to First Thessalonians
The City of Thessalonica
The city of Thessalonica was a large seaport of the Roman province of Macedonia. It was located
on the slope of a hill at the northeast end of the Thermaic Gulf which is now called the Gulf of
Salonika. In olden times it had various names such as Emathia and Halia. It also appears in
ancient history as Therma because of the hot springs which were found near it.
It was founded in 315 B.C. by Cassander who named it after his wife, the stepsister of Alexander
the Great.
When the Roman Empire organized Macedonia into a province in 146 B.C., they made
Thessalonica its capital. During the Roman period, it grew to be the second largest city of that
area next only to Philippi which was located about 100 miles to the northeast.
The city was designated by the Romans as a free city. That meant that it had its own
government. It was ruled by officials known as politarchs (Acts 17:6).
Thessalonica had a commercially strategic location. Located at the head of the Thermaic Gulf, it
was able to serve as a seaport for the rich agricultural plains of Macedonia. It was also the largest
city on the Via Egnatia (The Egnatian Way), the main highway between Rome and the region
north of the Aegean Sea. The amount of business it did with peoples from the Orient almost
rivaled that done by the cities of Corinth and Ephesus. Because of its commercial importance, a
good number of Jews were attracted to live there since there was an active synagogue in the city.
The city still stands today. It is known as Salonika and has a population of over 200,000
people.
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The Church in Thessalonica
On his second preaching journey he made from the city of Antioch, the apostle Paul traveled by
land to Troas. Along the way, he visited the churches he had established on his first journey.
While at Troas, Paul received the Macedonian call (Acts 16:9). He, in answer to that call, took
Silas, Timothy and Luke and crossed the Aegean Sea to the continent of Europe. He stopped at
Philippi where he established a church (Acts 16:10-40). He stayed a very short time in Philippi.
When he departed, he left Luke there to teach the church.
Paul then traveled westward along the Via Egnatia, the road which stretched across Macedonia
from Philippi to the Adriatic Sea. He made short stops at Amphipolis and Apollonia and then
journeyed to Thessalonica.
The Jews in Thessalonica gave Paul the opportunity to speak in the synagogue for three Sabbath
days. He reasoned with them from the Scriptures showing that Jesus came in fulfillment of Old
Testament prophecies and promises (Acts 17:2-3). While some of the Jews believed, there was a
greater number of devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women who came to believe (Acts
17:4). The Jews became jealous and gathered some wicked men from the market place and
formed a mob. They attacked the house of Jason and took some of the brethren before the city
officials and accused them of harboring men who were acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar,
saying there is another kingJesus (Acts 17:5-8). In response to this attack, Paul and Silas left
by night and went to Berea (Acts 17:9-10).
Up to the time Paul wrote this letter, the church at Thessalonica had been very faithful and active.
Their work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is pointed
out in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. They had set an example for all believers in Macedonia and Achaia,
particularly in the fact that from them the word of the Lord had sounded forth, not only in
Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place and that their faith toward God had gone forth
(1:8).
They had suffered severe persecution from the Jews because the Jews resented their acceptance
of Pauls message and the obvious change in their way of life caused by it. Paul was anxious to
know of their state so he sent Timothy from Athens to Thessalonica to get information about
them (3:1-5; 2:17). He brought back news that the love the Thessalonians had for Paul continued
and that they were standing fast in the faith (2:14; 3:4-6; 4:9-10).
The Author of the Book
The apostle Paul is without doubt the author of this book. He names himself twice (1:1; 2:18).
His associates at the time of writing were Silas and Timothy, the very men who had assisted him
in preaching the gospel at Thessalonica (1:1; Acts 17:1-9).
The Date of the Book
Written most likely from the city of Corinth, the date of writing was somewhere around 50 or 51
A.D. Some scholars believe that this was the first book written by the apostle Paul. Even if it were
not, it was still one of the earliest he wrote.
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Why This Book Was Written
The major purpose of this book seems to have been twofold. First, Paul wanted to encourage and
comfort these new converts in living as Christians. Also, they seem to have misunderstood his
teaching on the second coming of Christ and feared that those who had died had missed it. He
wanted to straighten out this misunderstanding.
The Theme of the Book
The major theme of this book is the second coming of Jesus Christ. As Paul exhorted them to
faithfulness in the face of persecution and godliness in life and character, the underlying thought
in all he wrote was Christs second coming. Every chapter in this book concludes with a
reference to this hope.
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First Thessalonians Chapter One
Keys to This Chapter
Key Passage: Verse 8
For from you the word of the Lord
has sounded forth, not only in
Macedonia and Achaia, but also in
every place. Your faith toward God
has gone out, so that we do not need
to say anything.
Key People
Paul
Silvanus
Timothy
Key Places
Macedonia
Achaia
Key Words
Election
Assurance
Affliction
Examples
Sounded
Wrath
Key Lesson
Questions on the Text
1. Who was with Paul when he wrote this epistle?
2. When Paul mentioned the Thessalonians in his prayers, what did he
remember about them?
3. According to verse four, what did Paul know about the Thessalonians?
4. In what manner had the gospel come to the Thessalonians?
5. How did the Thessalonians receive the word of God?
6. To whom were the Thessalonians an example?
7. Of what were the Thessalonians an example?
8. To what extent was the faith of the Thessalonians known?
9. Before they became Christians, what was the Thessalonians religion?
10. For what were the Thessalonians waiting?
Matching
____ 1. Prayers A. What the Thessalonians had
sounded forth.
____ 2. The gospel B. What the Thessalonians were
waiting for.
____ 3. The word of the Lord C. Prayers.
____ 4. Us and the Lord D. The gospel.
____ 5. His Son from heaven E. The word of the Lord.
True - False
T F 1. Paul remembered the Thessalonians work of faith, labor of
love and patience of hope.
T F 2. The gospel had come to the Thessalonians in word only.
T F 3. The Thessalonians had received the word in much affliction.
T F 4. The Thessalonians were only examples to the believers in
Macedonia.
T F 5. The Thessalonians had turned from the living and true God to
serve idols.
Discussion Question
How could the Thessalonians have joy in their conversion to the Lord even
though they had received the word in much affliction?
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First Thessalonians Chapter Two
Keys to This Chapter
Key Passage: Verse 13
For this reason we also thank God
without ceasing, because when you
received the word of God which you
heard from us, you welcomed it not
as the word of men, but as it is in
truth, the word of God, which also
effectively works in you who
believe..
Key Places
Philippi
Judea
Key Words
Spitefully
Exhortation
Flattering
Covetousness
Cherishes
Imitators
Endeavored
Hindered
Key Lesson
Questions on the Text
1. In what had Pauls coming to the Thessalonians not been?
2. How had Paul been treated at the city of Philippi?
3. How had Paul preached the gospel at Thessalonica?
4. From what had Pauls exhortation to the Thessalonians not come?
5. With what had Paul been entrusted?
6. When Paul spoke, whom was he trying to please?
7. What, besides the gospel, had Paul imparted to the Thessalonians?
8. According to verse ten, how had Paul behaved while he was at
Thessalonica?
9. According to verses 11 and 12, why had Paul treated the Thessalonians
as a father trea?
10. What did the Thessalonians recognize the word which they had
received from Paul to be?
11. Of whom had the Thessalonians become imitators? Why?
12. What had the Judeans done to stop the preaching of the gospel?
13. What had Paul endeavored to do in regards to the Thessalonians?
14. What had hindered Paul from visiting the Thessalonians?
15. What was Pauls glory and joy?
True - False
T F 1. Pauls visit to Thessalonica had been in vain.
T F 2. Paul had been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.
T F 3. Paul used flattering words while he was in Thessalonica in
order to cover his covetousness.
T F 4. Paul likened himself while among the Thessalonians to a
nursing mother who cherishes her children.
T F 5. Paul behaved himself blamelessly while he had been in
Thessalonica.
Discussion Question
How can a person walk worthy of the Lord?
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First Thessalonians Chapter Three
Keys to This Chapter
Key Passage: Verse 7
Therefore, brethren, in all our
affliction and distress we were
comforted concerning you by your
faith.
Key People
Timothy
Key Places
Athens
Key Words
Endure
Establish
Tribulation
Distress
Render
Key Lesson
Questions on the Text
1. Where did Paul remain alone?
2. Whom did Paul send to the Thessalonians?
3. Why did Paul send one of his fellow-workers to the Thessalonians?
4. What did Paul foretell when he was with the Thessalonians?
5. According to verse five, what did Paul fear about the Thessalonians?
6. According to verses six and seven, what caused Paul to be comforted?
7. For what did Paul pray night and day?
8. What did Paul want both the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ, to do for
him?
9. What did Paul want the Lord to do for the Thessalonians?
10. What did Paul desire in regards to the hearts of the Thessalonians?
Matching
____ 1. Paul A. Coming with all His saints.
____ 2. Timothy B. Made Pauls work vain.
____ 3. The tempter C. The one to whom Paul rendered
thanks.
____ 4. The Lord Jesus Christ D. Alone in Athens.
____ 5. God E. Brought love and good news of
your faith and love.
True - False
T F 1. Timothy was sent to discourage the Thessalonians.
T F 2. The Thessalonians had no desire to see Paul.
T F 3. The Thessalonians were to stand fast in the faith.
T F 4. Paul wanted to perfect what was lacking in the faith of the
Thessalonians.
T F 5. Paul wanted a map so it would direct his way to the
Thessalonians.
Discussion Question
Who is the tempter? What are some ways he tempts Christians to be
unfaithful?
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First Thessalonians Chapter Four
Keys to This Chapter
Key Passage: Verse 14
For if we believe that Jesus died
and rose again, even so God will
bring with Him those who sleep in
Jesus.
Key Places
Macedonia
Key Words
Sanctification
Defraud
Avenger
Aspire
Precede
Key Lesson
Questions on the Text
1. What did Paul urge and exhort the Thessalonians to do?
2. What was the source of Pauls commandments to the Thessalonians?
3. From what did the will of God want the Thessalonians to abstain?
4. To what are Christians not called? To what are they called?
5. What had the Thessalonians been taught by God concerning brotherly
love?
6. What did Paul urge the Thessalonians to do in regard to brotherly love?
7. In verse 11, what three things did Paul command the Thessalonians to
do?
8. What two things would the Thessalonians accomplish by doing the
three things commanded in verse 11?
9. What is meant by the phrase fallen asleep as it is used in verse 13?
10. According to verse 14, what will happen to those who sleep in Jesus?
11. Will those who are alive when Jesus comes again precede those who are
asleep?
12. With what will the Lord descend from heaven when He comes again?
13. Who will rise first when the Lord comes again?
14. Where will those who are alive meet the Lord when He comes again?
15. Where will Christians always be after the Lords return?
True - False
T F 1. No one should take advantage of his brother or defraud him.
T F 2. A person rejects God when he rejects Gods word.
T F 3. We are taught by God to love one another.
T F 4. Christians are to mind their own business.
T F 5. The teaching of this chapter was intended to make the
Thessalonians uncomfortable.
Discussion Question
Discuss some ways in which brotherly love is displayed by Christians.
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First Thessalonians Chapter Five
Keys to This Chapter
Key Passage: Verse 2
For you yourselves know perfectly
that the day of the Lord so comes as
a thief in the night.
Key Words
Times and seasons
Thief in the night
Sons of light
Sons of the day
Edify
Unruly
Quench
Key Lesson
Questions on the Text
1. About what did Paul not need to write to the Thessalonians?
2. How will the day of the Lord come?
3. According to verse six, instead of giving themselves to sleep, what
should Christians be doing?
4. According to verse eight, what are Christians to put on?
5. Who were the Thessalonians to recognize? Why?
6. Who, in verse 14, did Paul exhort the Thessalonians to warn?
7. Instead of rendering evil for evil, what are Christians to do?
8. What are Christians to test? To what are Christians to hold fast?
9. From what are Christians to abstain?
10. How were the Christians at Thessalonica to greet one another?
Matching
____ 1. Pray A. What is good.
____ 2. Do not quench B. All things.
____ 3. Test C. Without ceasing.
____ 4. Abstain from D. The Spirit.
____ 5. Hold fast to E. Every form of evil.
True - False
T F 1. Brethren are in darkness.
T F 2. God appointed us to obtain salvation through Jesus Christ.
T F 3. Jesus Christ died for us.
T F 4. Brethren are not to edify one another.
T F 5. This epistle was to be read by all the unholy brethren.
Discussion Question
Why do you think God does not want us to render evil for evil?
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