The Letters to the Thessalonians
These letters were written to a fledgling church in the bustling seaport of Thessalonica.
The apostle Paul founded this church on his second missionary journey, but could not stay long enough to see it properly established. Some say he was there as little as 21 days while others say as long as six months. Still, regardless of the amount of time Paul invested in this church, he was forced to leave the city much earlier than he desired.
The length of Paul’s stay is significant because false teachers invaded the church almost immediately after Paul was forced to leave. Thus, Paul uses these letters to reinforce the doctrines he had already taught them, particularly the truth about the second coming of Jesus Christ.
As a result, first and second Thessalonians are ideal books for those new in the faith as well as those looking for truth which will ground them and strengthen them during times of trouble.