[This page is still under construction. More will be added soon.]

Introduction:

• The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians within the NT Canon
• The Epistolary Structure of 1 and 2 Thessalonians
• A Literary and Historical Overview of 1 Thessalonians
• A Literary and Historical Overview of 2 Thessalonians
• NAB Introduction and Full Text of 1 Thessalonians (from USCCB)
• NAB Introduction and Full Text of 2 Thessalonians (from USCCB)

Outlines of the First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians:
 

1 THESSALONIANS

2 THESSALONIANS

Letter Opening (1:1-10) Sender & Recipients (1:1ab) Formulaic Greeting (1:1c) Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' faith, hope and love (1:2-10) Letter Body (2:1—5:24) The example set by Paul's ministry (2:1-12) Condemnation of those unbelievers who persecuted Christians and hinder the spread of the gospel (2:13-16) Paul's desire to visit Thessalonica again has been thwarted (2:17-20) Timothy's visit and glowing report about the Thessalonians (3:1-13) Exhortation: Live a life of holiness (4:1-12) Exhortation: Resurrection of dead Christians at the parousia so that all will be with the Lord (4:13-18) Exhortation: Be watchful, since we do not know when the Lord will return (5:1-11) Letter Conclusion (5:12-28) Final Exhortations (5:12-22, 15, 17) Greetings to the community (5:26) Concluding Prayers and Blessings (5:23-24, 28)

Letter Opening (1:1-12) Sender & Recipients (1:1) Formulaic Greeting (1:2) Thanksgiving for the faith and love which saves Christians at the parousia (1:3-12) Letter Body (2:1—3:15) What must happen before the parousia (2:1-12) God has chosen Christians for salvation (2:13-17) Prayer for the apostles and the steadfastness of Christians (3:1-5) Exhortation: Christians are to follow Paul's example by working, living, quietly and doing good to others (3:14-15) Exhortation: How Christians should treat someone who will not follow Paul's words (3:14-15) Letter Conclusion (3:16-18) Personal Postscript: Final Blessing (3:16-18)

Major Issues and Themes: 

Paul's Eschatology in 1 Thess

• (coming soon)

The Eschatology of 2 Thess

• (coming soon)

Other Similarites & Differences between 1 Thess & 2 Thess

• (coming soon)

Questions for Review and Discussion:

• (coming soon)

For Further Reading and Study:  

• Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, 1997. - "First Letter to the Thessalonians" (pp. 456-466); "Second Letter to the Thessalonians" (590-598).
   
• Malherbe, Abraham J. The Letters to the Thessalonians. Anchor Bible, 32B. New York: Doubleday, 2002.
• Richard, Earl J. First and Second Thessalonians. Sacra Pagina, 11. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1995.
• Marshall, I. Howard. 1 and 2 Thessalonians. New Century Bible Commentary. Wilmington: Michael Glazier, 1979.
• Best, Ernest. A Commentary on the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians. Harper New Testament Commentary. New York: Haper and Row, 1972.