Paul's first epistle to the church at Thessalonica, written from Corinth around AD 50-51 shortly after the Macedonian missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9). Among the earliest of Paul's letters. The Thessalonian church had been planted briefly (probably three Sabbaths of preaching plus subsequent informal work) before Paul was forced out by hostile mob. He wrote to a young church facing persecution, encouraging their faith, addressing concerns about deceased fellow-Christians, and unveiling the doctrine of Christ's return. The five chapters cover: (1) the apostolic testimony of the Thessalonians' reception of the gospel; (2) Paul's pastoral heart and his missionary co-laborers; (3) Timothy's recent return with news from the church; (4) living-faithfully instructions including the famous passage on Christ's return and the dead in Christ rising first (4:13-18 — the canonical NT passage on the rapture / resurrection); (5) further exhortations including pray without ceasing (5:17), in everything give thanks (5:18), and quench not the Spirit (5:19).