During the Apostle Paul's residence at Corinth, news reached him which disturbed for a time the continuance of his preaching ministry in that city. The bearer of these tidings was Timothy, who arrived from Macedonia in or about the year 51 a. d., and informed him concerning the situation of the church in Thessalonica. Since it was at once evident to Paul that here was a group requiring both counsel and encouragement, he composed what we know as his first epistle to the Thessalonians—the earliest letter of the apostle now extant.
The letter itself provides clear evidence of the dangerous situation which prompted it. "Our exhortation," writes the apostle, "was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile" (I Thess. 2:3). Those who had thus accused a Christian apostle were not only damaging his character, but also impugning the sincerity of his gospel, so we cannot wonder that Paul insists that he invariably preached "in truth, the word of God." "God hath not called us unto uncleanness," he affirms, "but unto holiness" (4:7); and he warns them not to be touched by the immorality of their pagan neighbors. As the letter proceeds, Paul expresses gratitude for the steadfastness of the Thessalonians in times of persecution, and a further basic theme is the vexed question of the "second coming" of the Messiah. While Paul seems to have shared the belief of those who expected this advent within their own lifetime (4:17). yet he insists that the Thessalonians must not idly await this anticipated consummation. They must express activity as he himself did. It may come suddenly, "as a thief" by night, but they must be awake to what is happening. "Let us not sleep as others do," he cries, literally, "let us be alert and sensible" (5:6); while in the concluding section he commends joy, prayer, and gratitude.
Timothy, who had brought the news from Thessalonica, was entrusted with Paul's reply, and, following its dispatch, the apostle resumed his work at Corinth. Within a few weeks, however, Timothy returned, explaining that during his absence conditions at Thessalonica had by no means improved. Persecution was as bitter as ever; while in their tense anticipation of the immediate approach of the second advent, the Thessalonians were neglecting their rightful conduct as Christians and as citizens, and would scarcely listen to the sane counsel of Paul's first epistle, while still less would they follow it.
