#085 Welcome to Episode #085 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our fifth of eight episodes in our eleventh mini-series entitled, Mystery of Christ | Galatians to 2 Thessalonians. On this episode, In View of His Return, we’re going to overview the book of 1 Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians is likely Paul’s earliest epistle he wrote. It is believed to have been written in 51 AD while Paul was in Athens or in Corinth on his second missionary journey. Thessalonica was a Roman colony of great importance to the Empire being the chief city of Macedonia.
Paul was in the city less than a month teaching in a synagogue there on three successive Sabbath days. Acts 17:2-4 – He reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. Jealous Jews gathered with some wicked men and formed an angry mob. Paul and Silas, at the urging of the brothers, were sent away by night to Berea.
His departure occurred during and as a result of turmoil and persecution of the church he’d just started. Later in his missionary travels, Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica to check on the condition of the church. Paul was so encouraged by Timothy’s good report upon his return that Thessalonica became a model church he would suggest others to follow.
1 Thessalonians is five short chapters in which Paul ties his commendations and instructions to the anticipated return of Christ. The first three chapters address Paul’s reflections and commendations to the Thessalonians. His instructions for the church are included in the last two chapters. At the end of every chapter Paul mentions the return of Christ. A topic familiar to the church and likely emphasized by Paul during his ministry there.
With all that as a little bit of background, let’s get into the text.
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