According to Acts 17, it appears that Paul and Silas were only in Thessalonica for three or four weeks before they were escorted out of town to protect them from a mob. This happened on Paul’s second missionary journey. With only a few weeks of teaching, the church would naturally have questions after Paul left. Paul’s letter to them from Corinth was a response to their questions.
In chapter 1, Paul commends the church because they were actively sharing their new found faith in Jesus Christ with people they encountered in Macedonia. In chapter 2, Paul deals with the problem of persecution. The church who had received the message of hope so readily could not understand why the rest of the people in their community rejected the message and turned on them. Paul uses his own example to show them that this was a natural reaction for the lost and they should not be discouraged because of it. In chapter 3, Paul describes his sending Timothy to see how the church was doing and Timothy’s glowing report of the church. Evidently the church has a question about loving others, and, in chapter 4, Paul told them that did not include physical lust and sex. Then he answers a question about what happens to believers if they die before Christ returns. In chapter 5, Paul uses his words to instruct and encourage the church.
Theme:
Key verse: