UNROLL
A plain wooden table in a small Corinthian workshop at dawn: a rolled papyrus letter tied with cord, a reed pen and clay inkpot, and a folded length of dark goat-hair tent cloth, in soft light from an open window.

The Book of

1 Thessalonians Intro

A letter to a young church, holding on until the Lord comes.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min5 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

Paul is driven out of Thessalonica by night.

He leaves behind a brand-new church.

Timothy goes back, and brings good news.

Paul writes: thank God, stand firm, live holy.

And keep watching: the Lord is coming.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Who wrote it

Paul

Apostle, writing to a church he had to leave

  • Paul writes with Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, his partners in Thessalonica.1 Thessalonians 1:1
  • Written from Corinth soon after Timothy came back with news, probably about AD 50–51.1 Thessalonians 3:6
  • To a young church of mostly Gentile believers who had turned from idols.1 Thessalonians 1:9
  • Very widely accepted as Paul’s, and probably among his earliest letters.Most scholars

How it’s built

Looking back, looking ahead

Thank God1 · faith, love andhopeAmong you2:1–16 · like amother, a fatherTorn away2:17–3:13 ·Timothy’s good newsPlease God4:1–12 · holy,loving, quietUntil He comes4:13–5:28 · hope andreadiness

Whiteboard

Chapters 1–3 look back on how the church began. Chapters 4–5 look ahead: how to live until the Lord comes.

Big themes

Four threads to follow

Where it was written

MacedoniaAchaiaPhilippiThessalonicaBereaAthensCorinth

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

From Thessalonica to Corinth

Sent away by night, Paul went on to Berea, Athens and Corinth. From Corinth his letter went back north to the young church.

Meet the cast

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Watch for

turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await His Son from heaven

1 Thessalonians 1:9–10

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Question

Quick question

The church in Thessalonica began in the middle of trouble.

How did Paul and Silas leave Thessalonica?

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