Book of First Thessalonians

Paul has many pleasant memories of the days he spent with the infant Thessalonian church. Their faith, hope, love, and perserverance in the face of persecution are exemplary. Paul's labors as a spiritual parent to the fledgling church have been richly rewarded, and his affection is visible in every line of his letter.

Paul encourages them to excel in their newfound faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to rejoice, pray, and give thanks always. He closes his letter with instruction regarding the return of the Lord, whose advent signifies hope and comfort for believers both living and dead.

Because this is the first of Paul's two canonical letter's to the church at Thessalonica, it received the title Pros Thessalonikeis A, the "First to the Thessalonians."