by Peter Amsterdam

The New Testament Epistles 1 and 2 Thessalonians were written by the apostle Paul, probably sometime between AD 49–51. They are considered to be among Paul’s earliest letters. The book of Acts also touches on the events that Paul experienced in Thessalonica, which will also be covered within this series.

Thessalonica is known today as Thessaloniki and is a Greek port city on the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea. In Paul’s day, Thessalonica was heavily involved in pagan worship. Thessalonians converting to Christianity signified a radical break from the traditional religions of the city, which resulted in anger and resentment among the citizens. The apostle Paul commended the Thessalonian Christians, comparing them to the Christians who were in Judea and had also endured persecution.

The book of Acts tells us that when Paul and his companions came to Thessalonica, they visited the local synagogue on three successive Sabbath days. There was a strong backlash to the preaching of Paul and Silas, and it became dangerous for them to remain in the city, so the believers sent them to Berea.

It was from Corinth that he wrote his first epistle, 1 Thessalonians, and then sometime later 2 Thessalonians.

Read introduction to this series in full

1 Thessalonians

• 1 Thessalonians: Chapter 1
• 1 Thessalonians: Chapter 2 (Part 1)
• 1 Thessalonians: Chapter 2 (Part 2)
• 1 Thessalonians: Chapter 3
• 1 Thessalonians: Chapter 4 (Part 1)
• 1 Thessalonians: Chapter 4 (Part 2)
• 1 Thessalonians: Chapter 5 (Part 1)
• 1 Thessalonians: Chapter 5 (Part 2)

2 Thessalonians

• 2 Thessalonians: Chapter 1
• 2 Thessalonians: Chapter 2 (Part 1)
• 2 Thessalonians: Chapter 2 (Part 2)
• 2 Thessalonians: Chapter 3 (Part 1)
• 2 Thessalonians: Chapter 3 (Part 2)