1Thessalonians
Overview
Theme: Second Coming of Christ in Comfort Faith 12 times; Joy 7 times; Love 6 times; Comfort 6 times Key Scripture: 4:3 Time of Writing: 50-51 A.D.
Chapters 1-3: Congratulations for their Notorious Faith Chapters 4-5: Teaching on Sanctification and Christ’s Return
Purposes:
- To correct mistaken views and establish the doctrine of the second coming of Christ
- To exhort the believer to display the three chief Godly virtues: faith, hope, and love
- To confirm the purity of Paul’s ministry among the Thessalonians
Messages:
- The coming of Christ for his people is a comfort to those who look and patiently wait for him.
- The doctrine of the second coming is a great incentive to holiness.
- The Lord’s return will be as a thief in the night to those that are in darkness, not to those that are in the light.
Paul’s memory of the Thessalonians encourages him since he remembered the testimonies coming from their church and how God encountered and sustained them despite severe suffering.