1 Thessalonians
New Testament · translated from the Greek
Paul encourages a young, persecuted assembly: he gives thanks for their faith, calls them to a holy life and comforts them with the hope of the Lord’s coming and the resurrection of the dead in the Messiah.
How it is laid out
Key verses
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 — The Lord himself will descend from heaven
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16 — Rejoice always
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 — Pray unceasingly
Who wrote it
Paul, with Silvanus and Timothy (1:1).
When it was written
Around AD 50–51, probably from Corinth (Acts 18:5). It is probably the oldest writing in the New Testament.
For whom, and in what situation
The assembly in Thessalonica, in Macedonia, founded shortly before by Paul, who had to leave because of persecution (Acts 17:1-10). Timothy brought good news about them (3:6); they had questions about those who had died (4:13-18).
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