1 and 2 Thessalonians1 and 2 Thessalonians

1. The City1. The City

Located in MacedoniaLocated in Macedonia Capital Capital Ignatian Way passed through cityIgnatian Way passed through city Paul came on 2Paul came on 2ndnd Journey Journey

2. Authorship2. Authorship

For Paul – 1 Thess.For Paul – 1 Thess. External evidence – traditionExternal evidence – tradition Claim of epistleClaim of epistle Primitive church situationPrimitive church situation Harmonizes with ActsHarmonizes with Acts

For Paul – 2 Thess.For Paul – 2 Thess. External evidenceExternal evidence Claim of authorClaim of author

3. Date And Occasion3. Date And Occasion

Paul was waiting in Corinth for news from Paul was waiting in Corinth for news from church after he had been forced to leavechurch after he had been forced to leave

Timothy and Silas return with report and Timothy and Silas return with report and questions in response to which the letters questions in response to which the letters were writtenwere written

1 Thess. – 50-51 AD1 Thess. – 50-51 AD 2 Thess. – shortly after first, 51 AD2 Thess. – shortly after first, 51 AD

4. Purposes4. Purposes

1 Thess.1 Thess. To express relief at firm standTo express relief at firm stand To encourage to endure persecutionTo encourage to endure persecution To rebuke idlenessTo rebuke idleness To explain 2To explain 2ndnd coming coming

2 Thess.2 Thess. To encourage them to endure persecutionTo encourage them to endure persecution To correct idea regarding return of LordTo correct idea regarding return of Lord To command church to discipline idlersTo command church to discipline idlers

7. Theme7. Theme

A connection exists between the 2A connection exists between the 2ndnd coming of Christ and practical Christian coming of Christ and practical Christian living.living.