1 Thessalonians 1
About 1 ThessaloniansWritten by AI
First Thessalonians is likely one of the earliest letters Paul wrote, around AD 50 or 51, and may be the oldest book in the New Testament. Paul, Silas, and Timothy are named as senders. They had planted the church in Thessalonica, a busy port city in northern Greece, but were forced to leave after only a short time.
Worried about the young believers facing pressure without them, Paul sent Timothy back to check on them. Timothy returned with good news, and this letter is Paul's relieved and affectionate reply. He encourages them to keep going, answers questions about how to live, and comforts them about believers who have died.
The first three chapters are personal, full of thanks and memories. The last two teach. Watch for how each chapter ends with the Lord's coming, and how that hope is meant to bring comfort, not fear.
Before you read 1 Thessalonians 1Written by AI
Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians' work of faith, labor of love, and steadfast hope. The gospel came to them with power and the Holy Spirit, and they welcomed it even in suffering. They turned to God from idols, and word of their faith has spread far beyond their city. Now they wait for God's Son from heaven.
Greetings to the Thessalonians
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.
We always thank God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Brothers who are beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.
As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. For not only did the message of the Lord ring out from you to Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that we have no need to say anything more. For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.