데살로니가전서
Summary First Thessalonians is a letter that exhorts believers in the midst of affliction to keep the faith as they live. Paul commends their faith and love and stresses that they should live holy lives. He also explains the second coming of Jesus Christ and tells believers to live watchfully in hope.
- Date written
- AD 50-51
- Historical period
- Early church era
Background
The author is the apostle Paul, who wrote together with Silas and Timothy. This letter was sent to the church in Thessalonica, which was founded during Paul’s second missionary journey. After a brief period of ministry Paul was forced to leave because of persecution, and later, concerned about the church’s situation, he wrote this letter. It is generally dated to around AD 50–51. At that time the church was under persecution, and there was also confusion in its understanding of the second coming.
Content
First Thessalonians 1–3 is the section in which Paul expresses his thanksgiving and love for the church in Thessalonica. He commends their faith, love, and hope and highlights how they received the gospel even in the midst of affliction. This shows that the gospel is not the word of men but belongs to God. Chapter 4 contains exhortations about the lives of believers. It speaks of living the holy life that pleases God and urges them to keep away from sexual immorality and to love one another. It also explains the resurrection of the dead and the second coming of Jesus Christ so that believers may live in hope. Chapter 5 explains the day of the Lord and a life of watchfulness. It says that the day of Jesus Christ will come suddenly and stresses that believers must live watchfully as children of light, not of darkness. This content shows that Scripture ultimately bears witness to Jesus Christ and calls believers to live lives of waiting for Him.