The Book of 1 Thessalonians

Because Paul was forced to leave Thessalonia so suddenly, his young converts to Christianity were left with little support during a time of fierce opposition. Up to that point, they had received very little instruction about the Christian life. When Paul learned from Timothy about their present circumstances, he wrote this letter to express his joy over their strong faith and determination to remain strong against the persecution, to proved further instructions about spiritual growth, purity, discipline and godly living and to clarify certain beliefs, especially about what happens to Christians who die before Jesus returns.

Paul joyfully praises the Thessalonians for their enduring passion for Christ and their firm faith in the face of adversity. Paul responds to criticism by reminding the church of his pure motives in ministry, his sincere love and concern for the church and the integrity of his conduct while he was with them.

Paul stresses the importance and necessity of holiness and power in the Christian life. Jesus' followers must be holy, and the gospel must be accompanied by a genuine display of the Holy Spirit's fire. He was referring to the gift of prophecy.

A major theme in this letter is Christ's return to take His faithful followers to heaven and spare them from God's wrath that will come to the earth in the end times. Paul ends the letter with a prayer that God would continue to work in their lives - spirit, soul, and body - by developing, purifying and preparing them for God's purposes until Christ returns.

Four major features characterize this book. It is among the very first books written in the New Testament. It contains key passages about God raising the deceased Christians when Jesus returns and about "the day of the Lord." All five chapters contain some reference t Christ's return and its significance for His followers. It provides unique insight into the life of an enthusiastic but immature church in the mid-first century and into the quality of Paul's ministry as a pioneer of the gospel of forgiveness, spiritual salvation, a personal relationship with God and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.