d missionary journey to
Thessalonica, having also Silas and Timothy with him (Acts 17:1-5). He
spent three Sabbaths there, but on account of the persecution of the
Jews, went from there to Berea, then to Athens, and then to Corinth
where he spent 18 months. The first letter bears testimony to the
splendid Christian character of these new converts from heathenism.
First Thessalonians.

This is probably the first epistle written by Paul and perhaps the
first written document of the Christian religion. It is not doctrinal,
has no element of controversy and is one of the most gentle and
affectionate of Paul's letters. It is notable for its special
salutations and refers to their expectations of the immediate return
of Jesus. Its main idea is _consolation_ (4:17-18), its keynote
_hope_ and its leading words _affliction and advent_. Its purpose was:
(1) to send affectionate greetings, (2) to console them in their
afflictions, (3) to correct their wrong, their mistaken views of
Christ's second coming, (4) to exhort then to proper living as against
certain immoral tendencies.

Date. From Corinth A. D. 53.

Analysis

I. The Spiritual Condition of the Church, Ch. 1.

1. Introduction. 1.

2. Their faith, love and hope, 2-3.

3. The cause of these, 4-5.

4. The result of these, 6-10.

II. Paul's Character and Conduct While With Them, 2:1-16.

1. How he brought them the gospel, 1-12.

2. How they received it, 13-16.

III. Paul's Interest in the Church Since Leaving Them. 2:17-3 end.

1. Desired to visit them, 2:17 end.

2. He sent Timothy to them and rejoices in his report of them, 3:1-
10.

3. Benediction upon them, 3:11 end.

IV. Exhortation for the Future, 4:1-5:11.

1. To purity, 4:1-8.

2. To brotherly love, 4:9-10.

3. To honest industry, 4:11-12.

4. To be comforted in the loss of their dead in Christ, 4:13-5:11.

Conclusion, 5:12.

For Study and Discussion. (1) Things in the church for which Paul is
thankful, 1:2-6. (2) What is said about how the gospel was preached to
them, 2:1-16. (3) Paul's longing to know about them, 3:1-9. (4) The
duties enjoined, 4:1-12. (5) The second coming of Christ and the
resurrection, 4:13-18. (6) How we are prepared for the great day of
his coming, 5:3-10. (7) The several exhortations in 5:12-22. (8) The
human elements or explanation of Paul's power as a preacher Ch. 2. (9)
The deity of Jesus seen in the book.

Second