Study Guide:  1 Thessalonians

The Thessalonians experienced some kind of difficulty or persecution after Paul, Timothy, and Silvanus left:
and we sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions.  (3:1-3)
The nature of this "persecution" is uncertain:  Paul does not name it.  What possibilities does Ehrman offer in p.. 284-86?

Timothy reports back to Paul, and Paul writes 1 Thess to answer their questions.   (3:6 ff.)

The Thessalonian church is comprised of former Gentiles (NOT Jews!):
For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God... (1:9)
 
 

• who is "living" and "true"
• who sent his son, Jesus, down to earth
• whose raised his son from the dead
• whose son will return to earth from heaven

For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the deadóJesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.  (1:9-10)

Belief in this God and the death and resurrection of his son, Jesus Christ, will bring salvation in a coming life or afterlife:
For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.  (5:9-10)
 

For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the deadóJesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming. (1:9-10)

In fact, Paul seems to be writing this letter because some of the Thessalonians are concerned that members of their church have died before the parousia:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died....Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air.... (4:13-17)

See also the apocalyptic imagery in 5:1-11.
 

For permission to otherwise use, reproduce, or distribute this study guide, contact Caroline T. Schroeder

The sale of this study guide is prohibited.

Bibliography
Ehrman, Bart D.  The New Testament:  A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. 2d ed.  New York:  Oxford University Press, 2000.
Duling, Dennis C., and Norman Perrin.  The New Testament:  Proclamation and Paranesis, Myth and History.  3rd ed.  Fort Worth:  Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1994.
Meeks, Wayne A., ed.  The HarperCollins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version.  New York:  HarperCollins, 1993.

Copyright 2001 by Caroline T. Schroeder