1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians is among Paul's earliest letters, written to a young church he had been forced to leave abruptly. Warm and affectionate, it commends their faith under persecution and gently instructs them in holy living, brotherly love and honest work.

Its most distinctive theme is the return of Christ: Paul comforts believers grieving those who have died with the assurance that the dead in Christ will rise and all will be gathered to the Lord (4:13–18). The letter breathes hope, encouraging a persecuted people to live ready for their Lord's coming.