I Thessalonians 1:1-10
Our second of Paul’s epistles, this one to his converts from Thessalonica. Presumably Paul wrote this letter and a second (II Thessalonians) while he was in Corinth. Just yesterday we were reading in Acts 18 about Paul’s 18-month stay in Corinth. Very likely, through Silas and Timothy Paul stayed in communication with this new church. One item about this letter – you may recall that Paul was “run out of town” by the Jews and Gentiles so that he could escape a possible charge of treason against the Roman Empire. So while Paul is writing these letters he is also likely remembering his abrupt departure and thanking God for his safety.
One issue that we will see in both Thessalonian letters is Jesus’ second coming. My Study Bible pointed out that every chapter in this epistle ends with a reference to Jesus’ second coming. We see that today in verse 10: …and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
See also: April 3 / I Thess.1:1-10