Kress Biblical Resources :: Introductory Matters

Introductory Matters of 1 Thessalonians

The Coming of Christ for His Church Calls Us to Excel Still More in Holiness, Hope, and Love

1. The author (1Th 1:1a)
   1. The human author and his associates (1Th 1:1a)
      1. Paul¹
      2. Silvanus²
      3. Timothy³
   2. The divine Author (2Ti 3:16-17; 2Pe 1:12-21; 2Pe 3:15-16; cf. Col 4:16; 1Th 2:13; 1Th 5:27; 2Th 3:1-4; cf. 1Ti 5:18 in which Paul quotes Luke alongside Deu 25:4 and calls them “Scripture”)
2. The audience (1Th 1:1b)
   1. The original audience (1Th 1:1b; Act 17:1-13)
      1. The church of the Thessalonians
      2. The context in which they lived
      3. Their consecrated position
   2. The current audience (cf. 2Pe 3:15-16)
3. The aim
   1. To express Paul’s joy after Timothy’s report of the church’s steadfastness—in spite of great affliction (1Th 1:2-10; 1Th 3:1-10)
      1. This would bring assurance and encouragement to the church (1Th 1:2-10; 1Th 3:1-10)
      2. This would bring comfort in the midst of persecution (cf. 1Th 2:14-16)
   2. To defend Paul and his associates’ ministry and integrity in Thessalonica—against some who were questioning God’s work through them there (1Th 2)
      — This reveals a model for pastoral ministry and integrity
   3. To instruct the faithful, but fledgling church on how to better live out their new faith in Christ (1Th 4; 1Th 5; cf. especially 1Th 4:1, 4:9-10; 1Th 5:11—excel still more)
      1. Instruction concerning sexual purity (1Th 4:3-8)
      2. Instruction concerning laziness (1Th 4:11-12)
      3. Instruction concerning the future and how it relates to life now (1Th 4:13-18; 1Th 5:1-11)
      4. Instruction concerning church relationships (1Th 5:12-27)
   4. Summary theme: Encouragement to remaining steadfast in the faith no matter the afflictions we may face, and excel still more in our walk with God (1Th 3:1-8; 1Th 4:1, 10; 1Th 5:11)

¹For a biblical biography of the Apostle Paul see Act 7:58; Act 8:1; Act 9:1-30; Act 11:25-30; Act 12:25-28:31; 1Co 15:30-32; 2Co 6:4-5; 2Co 11:23-30; Gal 1:13-2:16; Phl 3:4-14; 2Th 3:8

²2Co 1:19; 1Pe 5:12; cf. Act 15:22-17:15; Act 18:5

³For a biblical biography of Timothy see Act 16:1; Act 17:14-15; Act 18:5; 1Co 4:17; Act 16:10; Phl 2:19-23; 1Th 3:2, 6; 1Ti 1:2; 1Ti 5:23; Heb 13:23