WRITER, The Apostle Paul.

DATE. Time and place is uncertain. It is generally thought that this was the earliest of Paul’s epistles and was probably written from Corinth between 49 and 54 A.D.

THE CHURCH, was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey. He met with violent opposition in his work, but he succeeded in winning some Jews and a multitude of Greeks which enabled him to establish a faithful church. SEE # Ac 17:1-10

HISTORICAL OCCASION. Paul had sent Timothy to encourage and strengthen the church. On his return, the report that he gave apparently inspired the apostle to write the epistle. # 1Th 3:6

MAIN THEMES. This is one of the most personal of all of Paul’s epistles. It is not so doctrinal or polemical as some of the others. The body of the epistle consists chiefly of commendations, personal reminiscences, counsels, and exhortations. The central truth which is especially emphasized, is the future hope of the advent of Christ.

SYNOPSIS. The epistle made be divided into five parts.

PART I. The Commendatory Section.

Ch. 1.
(1) The salutation # 1Th 1:1
(2) The commendation of the church
For its faith and loving service # 1Th 1:2-4
for spiritual receptivity # 1Th 1:5-6
for exemplary influence # 1Th 1:7-8
for abandonment of idolatry and for spiritual hope # 1Th 1:9,10

PART II. The Reminiscence Section.
Paul reminds them of the characteristics of his ministry.

Ch. 2.
(1) As courageous, sincere, God-fearing, truthful and unselfish  # 1Th 2:2-5

(2) As humble, gentle, affectionate, industrious, irreproachable, and paternal # 1Th 2:6-12

(3) He refers to the teachableness and sufferings of the church # 1Th 2:13,14

(4) References to the apostle’s desire to visit the church, and his glorying in them as his crown of rejoicing # 1Th 2:17-20

PART III. The messenger Section.

Ch. 3.
(1) The sending of Timothy to strengthen the church # 1Th 3:1-5

(2) The favourable report of his messenger and its comforting and joyful result  # 1Th 3:6-9

(3) Paul’s earnest prayer that he might visit the church and aid them in their spiritual development # 1Th 3:10-13

PART IV. The Hortatory Section.

Ch. 4.
(1) Exhortations concerning personal and social purity  # 1Th 4:1-8

(2) Exhortations in respect to brotherly love and industry # 1Th 4:9-12

PART V. The Future Hope Section.

Ch. 4. The Lord’s Coming.
(1) The comforting hope for the bereaved # 1Th 4:13,14

(2) The order of the resurrections # 1Th 4:15

(3) The manner, and accompanying events of Christ’s appearance # 1Th 4:16-18
Ch. 5.

(4) The time of the Advent unknown # 1Th 5:1,2

(5) Unexpected by unbelievers # 1Th 5:3

(6) Children of the light should be ready for # 1Th 5:4-8

(7) Safety of believers at # 1Th 5:9-11

PART VI. The Duty Section.
(1) Exhortations concerning the practical duties of the Christian life # 1Th 5:12-22

(2) The closing charge and benediction # 1Th 5:23-28

CHOICE SELECTIONS.
The second Coming of Christ. # 1Th 4:13 – 5:11
Practical duties # 1Th 5:12-22
This is a companion passage to the 12th chapter of Romans.# Ro 12:1