1 Thessalonians
Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia, in which St. Paul, having preached the Gospel, converted some Jews and a great number of the Gentiles: but the unbelieving Jews, envying his success, raised such a commotion against him that he, and his companion, Sylvanus were obliged to quit the city. Afterwards he went to Athens, where he heard that the converts in Thessalonica were under a severe persecution, ever since his departure; and lest they should lose their fortitude, he sent Timothy to strengthen and comfort them in their sufferings. In the meantime St. Paul came to Corinth, where he wrote this first Epistle, and also the second to the Thessalonians, both in the same year, being the nineteenth after our Lord's Ascension. These are the first of his Epistles in the order of time.
He gives thanks for the grace bestowed on the Thessalonians.
The sincerity of the apostle's preaching the gospel to them and of their receiving it.
The apostle's concern and love for the Thessalonians.
He exhorts them to purity and mutual charity. He treats of the resurrection of the dead.
The day of the Lord shall come when least expected. Exhortations to several duties.