1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians is the earliest known letter of Paul.

The relationship between Paul and Thessalonica can be found in Acts 17. In Acts 17, Paul and Silas were readily received by the people in Thessalonica.  For a whole month, they preached in the city leading to many Jewish and Greek people turning to Jesus. The rapid growth of the church, however, led to suspicion from the Roman government. The Roman government started to oppose Christianity, leading to the arrest of Paul and Silas. Despite all the oppressions, the church continued to grow. Paul wrote the letter in order to maintain his connection with the church. 
   
1 Thessalonians can be divided into two parts: 

1. Chapter 1-3: Paul appreciated the faith of the Thessalonian believers. Even under oppression, they still hold on to their faith.
2. Chapter 4-5: Paul encouraged the believers to grow. 

Paul affirmed the Thessalonian believers about the price they paid for the gospel.  He emphasized that he treated the believers as his own family, he loved them deeply. Paul encouraged the oppressed believers that, through their sufferings, they were participating in Jesus’s ministry in a different way.
  
Themes of 1 Thessalonians:

1. Holy living: Thessalonica was a city under the heavy influence of contemporary culture, especially in their open and chaotic sexual relationships. Paul reminded the believers to live a holy life that is worthy of their identity in Christ, particularly in sexual relationships. To be holy sexually, for Paul, was to confine one’s sexual relationship within marriage. 
   
   
2. Serving with Love: Paul encouraged the believers to witness Jesus by working hard, so people would see them as a hardworking and reliable group.  Besides, working hard was not just to earn a living, but also to be able to share generously with the poor. 
   
   
3. Hope in the Future: There were believers who had passed away, with some dying due to oppression. Their families and some believers began to worry about their hope in the future. Paul assured them that, though it was a difficult time, no power nor death could separate them from the love of Christ. When the Lord returns, they will receive Jesus, like people receiving their king returning from victory.  Therefore, believers should stay alert and live in the light of the Lord, instead of staying in the darkness of the world. They should live their life on earth as if in the kingdom of God.