Paul's Letters to Thessalonica

The New Testament preserves two of Paul's letters to Thessalonica.  These letters are possibly the earliest writings of the New Testament, probably written in 52 CE, just two decades after the death and resurrection of Christ.  These letters compete with the letter to the Galatians as the first New Testament book.

Wikipedia has an article on First Thessalonians. I think that article, along with the one on Second Thessalonians, is reasonably well-balanced, giving weight to both traditional and secular views of these letters.

The city of Thessalonica, now called Thessaloniki, was -- and still is -- a major city in Greece. (Wikipedia also has an article on the modern city of Thessaloniki.)

Shortly after visiting Thessalonica on his second missionary journey (see Acts 17:1-9), Paul is attacked by rabble-rousers and forced to leave town, moving on to the Greek cities of Berea, Athens and Corinth.  In Athens or Corinth, anxious about the new church in Thessalonica, Paul sends Timothy back to check on the young believers he has left behind. Timothy returns with a report that the Thessalonians, although persecuted and attacked, are continuing to grow and mature in their faith. Paul's letter is in response to Timothy's good report.

The first half of the letter is personal and intimate, more concerned with spiritual growth than doctrine or theology.  The theology of the letter emphasizes the reality of the resurrection and the second coming of Jesus.  Paul commends the people for their faith and growth, claiming they are a model for the rest of Macedonia and Achaia and encourages them to be steady and stable in the faith.

There is a nice article on the letter at OverviewBible.

In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul responds to some more serious questions about the second advent of Jesus, including apparent claims that Jesus has already returned.  The entire second chapter is a description of the second coming of Christ.  The third and final chapter encourages steady and consistent work and life by those who patiently await their Savior.  (OverviewBible.com also has a nice summary of II Thessalonians.)