Why was 1 Thessalonians written?
Paul wanted to greet the Thessalonians and thank them for their faithfulness. He also wanted to let them know that he intended to come and see them again (3:11). Apparently some of the Thessalonian followers had questions about what would happen to followers who had died before Christ came back again (sometimes called the “Second Coming”), so Paul included an answer to this question (4:13-18). He followed up his advice by reminding them to be on the lookout for Christ’s return at all times (5:1-11). As in most of his letters, Paul offers advice about how to live in a way that pleases God (4:1-12). Scholars debate whether or to what extent Paul is writing to defend himself, perhaps against accusations that he was profiting from his ministry and neglecting the congregations he had established (see e.g., 2:3, 5,6). When one takes into account the complex rhetorical techniques of ancient letter-writers, however, it seems unlikely that this would have been Paul’s primary concern. Regardless
