First Epistle to the Thessalonians facts for kids

The First Epistle to the Thessalonians is the fifty-second book in the Christian Bible. It is the thirteenth book found in the New Testament.

This book is believed to be a letter from the Apostle Paul. He wrote it to a church in Thessalonica, a city in modern-day Greece. This letter is probably the first of Paul's letters. It was likely written around the year AD 52. Some experts think another letter, the Epistle to Galatians, might have been written a bit earlier, around AD 48.

What the Letter Is About

Most experts believe Paul wrote this letter from a city called Corinth. A big part of the letter shares personal messages from Paul. Only the last two chapters teach important things about what Christians should believe.

Paul's Main Message

Paul's main goal was to encourage and reassure the Christians in Thessalonica. He told them to keep working quietly. He also encouraged them to wait with hope for the return of Christ.

About Life and Hope

Paul also taught about the resurrection. He explained that those who have died will be brought back to life first. Then, those who are still living will join them. Both groups will meet Jesus in the air. These verses are often read at funerals for Christians. They help comfort the families who are sad.

Different from Other Letters

This letter is different from Paul's other letters. It does not focus on topics like faith alone. It also doesn't talk much about how Jewish and Gentile (non-Jewish) people relate within the Christian community. Paul covered these topics in all his other letters. Many experts believe this shows that 1 Thessalonians was written before the Epistle to the Galatians. In that letter, Paul shared more of his teachings on these matters.

Images for kids

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  Papyrus 65, an old copy from the 3rd or 4th century.

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  The first page of the letter in Minuscule 699. It says "To the Thessalonians."