I & II Thessalonians

An Outline

1.Background.

    * Thessalonica was the capital of the province of Macedonia.
   * It was a cosmopolitan city with a very important commercial port.
    * There was a large Jewish population.

2.Paul's visit. Acts 17:1-15

* Arrived at Thessalonica after leaving Philippi. II Thess.2:1-2
    * There Paul received a gift from the believers at Philippi Phil. 4:16
    * He spent three sabbaths preaching from the scriptures.
    * Those that believed not stirred up the people forcing Paul and Silas to leave.
    * Paul went to Berea, Athens and then to Corinth, where it is believed Paul wrote these two epistles. cmp. Acts 18:5
    * Timothy was sent to Thessalonica I Thess.3:1-2; 6-7

3. Purpose of the epistle

    * The second coming of Jesus is the central theme of both these letters
    * From I Thess. 3;1-8 and II Thess.2: 1-2 it would appear that Paul's teaching was based on the reports Timothy gave.
    * Each of the eight chapters has themes related to the second coming of Jesus

4. Chapter outline

Jesus our returning Saviour

I Thessalonians
1	a hope that inspires the newly converted ( vv. 9 -10)
2	a hope that encourages the servant of God ( vv19-20)
3:1-4:12	a hope that purifies the believer ( 3:12-13)
4:13-18	a hope that comforts bereaved saints ( vv13-18)
5	a hope that rouses the sleepy believer( vv 1-10)

II Thessalonians
1	a comfort to the persecuted , a terror to the ungodly (vv 3-10)
2	an opportunity to stand fast in the midst of wickedness ( vv 15-16)
3	an opportunity for service and not disorder (vv 5-10)