Intro to Thessalonians - 1 Thess 1:1

September 20, 2026

Introduction to Thessalonians #

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Introduction

We are going to jump back into our series on Pauline Epistles. I have covered some of the longer Pauline Epistles, (Romans, Cointhians), as well as Ephesians and Galatians. So we are going to start a series on 1 Thessalonians. While it is not a lengthy book, there is a lot in it.

Tonight, we will only cover some introductory information, which will help us set a backdrop to the book.

This one verses contains a lot of background information that will be helpful to us to understand.

I. Penman of the Letter #

  • Obviously Paul is the primary penman. Only 5/14 books were solo. 9 Paul + team

A. Situation with Paul #

i. Travels #

    • Paul had planted many churches. That is no easy task.
    • Paul maintained a good working relationship with all the churches he started.

ii. Backdrop (Acts 16) #

  • Turn to Acts 17.

  • Acts 16 - Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into jail for preaching. A miraculous earthquake caused the doors to open and shackles to fall off, not one jailer escaped! The Philippian jailor and his house was saved! Paul makes the magistrates come get him out of jail!

  • Read Acts 17:1-10

    • (Acts 17:1-2) Synagogues – Similarities – only had OT.

    • (Acts 17:3) - - Savior - His argument was about the diety of Jesus.

    • (Acts 17:4) – Some were Saved

      • Some Jews

        • consorted – these Jews didn’t just believe…
        • Consorted – A companion, partner, much like instruments playing together – involved!

      • Greeks – influence by Jews had renounced idolatry, believed in one true God – allowed in the synagogue.

      • Chief women would be women of prominent standing in the city – Mayor’s wife, prominent businessmen’s wifes etc.

    • (Acts 17:5) – Devout Jews – found lewd – wicked men – raided Jason’s house

    • (Acts 17:6-10) – Paul sent away. – rough time there (all this took at least a month)

B. Silvanus #

  • Silvanus is the latin form of the Greek name Silas (which we would know better).

    • Luke in the book of Acts always uses Silas
    • Paul in his letters always uses Silvanus

i. Silvanus was with jailed with Paul in Acts 16… faithful partner of Paul. #

ii. Serving the Lord with others, knits your heart with them! #

C. Son in Faith Timotheus #

  • Timothy is mentioned in the introduction of 6 of the 14 books, and 2 were to Timothy, 1 (Gal) he may have been there. Almost half the books involved Timothy.

i. Pauls son in the Faith – (Acts 16:1-5) #

  • It seems as though Timothy was recently saved, and added to the team!

II. Participants of the Letter “unto the church” #

A. Saved #

“in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ”

  • To be a part of the church, you must be saved, and baptized!

i. Salvation again defined as through the Lord Jesus Christ! #

B. Significance #

i. As we go through the book, it is important to remember Paul is writing saved people! #

  • If you write a letter to someone, you write it to them.
  • Everything you deal with in the letter, will pertain to them.
  • God inspired Paul in writing these letters, and they apply to us all!

2 Timothy 3:16 — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

III. Pleasantries of the Letter (1 Thess 1:1-3) #

“….Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

A. God’s Blessing (1) #

i. Grace be unto you #

  • Grace – favor or good will … from God.
  • Paul is telling them, we want God’s richest blessing on you.
  • It is a complimentary, and kind thing to wish on someone.

ii. Peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ #

  • There wasn’t peace in the beginning! There was persecution.
  • If you have ever had persecution like they had gone through, peace is not something to be taken for granted.

B. Gratitude (2-3) #

i. Thanking the Lord for their faith and faithfulness! (2) #

  • It is a tremendous blessing to see people faithful over the years.
  • I have long been blessed in our church by so many people now in their 70s, 80s, 90s who have ben in church for a long time! – You are a blessing!! I’m grateful for your faithfulness!

ii. Praying for them! (2) #

  • They were not forgotten!
  • Absence… Paul was not there, but he cared about them, and had not forgotten about them!

iii. Remembering without ceasing – lasting impression was made! (3) #

  • Remembering their Work – investment in the ministry!
  • Remembering their labour of love – how they had invested, sacrificed
  • Remembering their patience – It is hard to be patient in conflict!

Do you reflect that kind of a christian? Do others think of you like that?