Letters To Thessalonica Analysis

Thessalonians 1 & 2

Paul wrote his letters to the church in Thessalonica circa A.D. 51-52, possibly even as early as A.D. 50. Regardless, the Thessalonian letters are considered two of his earliest. Also, there is a question as to which letter was written first, but they were likely written within months of each other.

Even though Paul spent little time in Thessalonica during his second mission, possibly a few weeks to a few months, he displayed a “parental love” toward this new church. The Jewish ideologues that infected the congregation, and strongly opposed the teachings of Paul after his departure, almost destroyed what he and Timothy had put in place. It is possible that men who rose up against Paul and the new church

He ended chapters with the reminder that the Lord was coming back.

Paul reminded the church, Christ’s advent signals hope and comfort for all believers, living and dead. The fact that Paul emphasized the Lord’s return to a young church ‘just getting up-and running’ should perhaps suggest the importance of teaching the doctrine of the Second Coming in a “practical way” so to lay a foundation for a mature Christian faith.

After the arrival of the first Thessalonian letter, additional seeds of false doctrine were being sown among the church members, causing them to waver in their faith. Paul responded by writing a second Thessalonian letter and clarifying the doctrinal issues that were causing distress in the minds of the new believers.

Paul begins the second letter by commending the believers on their faithfulness in the midst of persecution and encouraging them. Their present suffering will be repaid in far greater measure with the future glory. Therefore, even in the midst of their terrible trials, the congregation should live confidently and with hopeful expectations of a bright