When was 1 Thessalonians written?
When was 1 Thessalonians written?
Answer
Many believers in first-century Thessalonica had participated in pagan worship before their conversion to Christianity (1 Thessalonians 1:9). When they abandoned the spiritual beliefs and practices of their culture to follow Jesus Christ, they faced persecution. The apostle Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to encourage these believers, whom he had previously visited, to remain faithful to Jesus (Acts 17:1–9). He wrote the letter during his second missionary journey, around AD 50—51.
Internal evidence in the letter points to Paul’s authorship and helps pinpoint when he wrote it. The apostle identifies himself in the first verse: “Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you” (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Paul’s references to Silas and Timothy lend support to the conclusion that he wrote the letter on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1–15).
Paul mentions himself again later in the letter: “For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way” (1 Thessalonians 2:18). The book of Acts does not mention Satan’s interference directly; however, it records the opposition and persecution that forced Paul to leave Thessalonica (Acts 17:5–10) and prevented his return. These references also help place the letter within the timeline of Paul’s second missionary journey.
In addition, Paul refers to his firsth and experiences with the Thessalonian church throughout the letter. This includes his desire to return to them and his awareness of the persecution they faced (1 Thessalonians 2:17—3:5). He explains that he wrote to encourage them, “so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them” (1 Thessalonians 3:3). These personal comments reveal Paul’s deep concern for the church as they suffered for their faith.
Paul likely wrote the letter from Corinth, where he stayed for an extended period. As Luke records in Acts, “So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God” (Acts 18:11). This aligns with 1 Thessalonians 3:6, where Paul writes, “But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love.” Timothy’s report likely reached Paul while he was in Corinth.
Archaeological findings also support the AD 50 to 51 date. An inscription found at the temple of Apollo in Delphi dates Gallio’s governorship in Achaia to AD 51 to 52. As Acts says, “While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment” (Acts 18:12). Since Paul appeared before Gallio during his time in Corinth, scholars can date Paul’s stay there with remarkable precision.
The believers in Thessalonica had not been Christians for long, but they had come a long way in their faith. Paul highlighted their growth when he wrote, “They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10). Through this letter, Paul offers the church encouragement and hope as they live out their faith in a hostile environment while waiting for Jesus’ return.