Thessalonians

Thessalonians refers to the two New Testament letters addressed to the church in Thessalonica, a Christian community in the city of Thessalonica in Macedonia. Traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, these letters are among the earliest writings of the Christian church. They were likely composed during Paul’s early missionary activity in the Aegean region, with 1 Thessalonians generally dated around 49–51 CE and 2 Thessalonians shortly afterward, around 51–52 CE. Thessalonica was a major urban center on the Via Egnatia, and the community included both Jewish and Gentile converts.

1 Thessalonians presents the church’s reception of the gospel, commending faith, love, and steadfast hope in the face of persecution. It offers encouragement to live morally and industriously, outlines ethical directives, and emphasizes the hope of Christ’s return, including guidance on the resurrection of the dead and the coming of the Lord. The letter also includes exhortations to holiness, prayer, and communal encouragement.

2 Thessalonians addresses misunderstandings about the day of the Lord and provides further instruction to the community. It cautions against idleness, urges believers to work and support themselves, and warns against deceptive reports concerning eschatological events. The letter contains the memorable reference to the man of lawlessness and urges steadfastness in the face of persecution and pressure.

Authorship and date: Most scholars attribute both letters to Paul, though some question 2 Thessalonians’ authorship or propose a later, composite origin. Together they are valued for early Christian teaching on eschatology, ethics, and church life. Canonically, they occupy a central place in the Pauline corpus and in Western Christian tradition.