1 Thessalonians 

WRITER, The apostle Paul.

DATE. Time and place is uncertain. It is generally thought that this was the earliest of Paul's epistles and was probably written from Corinth between 49 and 54 A.D.

THE CHURCH, was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey. He met with violent opposition in his work, but he succeeded in winning some Jews and a multitude of Greeks which enabled him to establish a faithful church. SEE  Ac 17:1-10

HISTORICAL OCCASION. Paul had sent Timothy to encourage and strengthen the church. On his return, the report that he gave apparently inspired the apostle to write the epistle.
 1Th 3:6

MAIN THEMES. This is one of the most personal of all of Paul's epistles. It is not so doctrinal or polemical as some of the others. The body of the epistle consists chiefly of commendations, personal reminiscences, counsels, and exhortations. The central truth which is especially emphasized, is the future hope of the advent of Christ.

SYNOPSIS. The epistle made be divided into five parts. 

PART I. The Commendatory Section.
Ch. 1.
(1) The salutation
 1Th 1:1
(2) The commendation of the church
For its faith and loving service
 1Th 1:2-4
for spiritual receptivity
 1Th 1:5-6
for exemplary influence
 1Th 1:7-8
for abandonment of idolatry and for spiritual hope
 1Th 1:9,10

PART II. The Reminiscence Section.
Paul reminds them of the characteristics of his ministry.

Ch. 2.
(1) As courageous, sincere, God-fearing, truthful and unselfish
 1Th 2:2-5

(2) As humble, gentle, affectionate, industrious, irreproachable, and paternal
 1Th 2:6-12

(3) He refers to the teachableness and sufferings of the church
 1Th 2:13,14

(4) References to the apostle's desire to visit the church, and his glorying in them as his crown of rejoicing
 1Th 2:17-20

PART III. The messenger Section.

Ch. 3.
(1) The sending of Timothy to strengthen the church
 1Th 3:1-5

(2) The favourable report of his messenger and its comforting and joyful result
 1Th 3:6-9

(3) Paul's earnest prayer that he might visit the church and aid them in their spiritual development
 1Th 3:10-13

PART IV. The Hortatory Section.

Ch. 4.
(1) Exhortations concerning personal and social purity
 1Th 4:1-8

(2) Exhortations in respect to brotherly love and industry
 1Th 4:9-12

PART V. The Future Hope Section.

Ch. 4. The Lord's Coming.
(1) The comforting hope for the bereaved
 1Th 4:13,14

(2) The order of the resurrections
 1Th 4:15

(3) The manner, and accompanying events of Christ's appearance
 1Th 4:16-18
Ch. 5.

(4) The time of the Advent unknown
 1Th 5:1,2
--SEE 1345

(5) Unexpected by unbelievers
 1Th 5:3

(6) Children of the light should be ready for
 1Th 5:4-8
--SEE 1348

(7) Safety of believers at
 1Th 5:9-11

PART VI. The Duty Section.
(1) Exhortations concerning the practical duties of the Christian life
 1Th 5:12-22

(2) The closing charge and benediction
 1Th 5:23-28

CHOICE SELECTIONS.
The second Coming of Christ.
 1Th 4:13 - 5:11
Practical duties
 1Th 5:12-22
This is a companion passage to the 12th chapter of Romans.
 Ro 12:1

(Outline from Thompson’s Chain Reference Bible)

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