The epistle of 1 Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul, probably around AD 50–51, to the young Christian church in Thessalonica, which was part of the region of Macedonia, and it today is part of Greece. Paul writes to encourage believers who were facing persecution, strengthen their faith, and teach them how to live while waiting for the return of Jesus Christ. The church at Thessalonica had its beginnings in Acts 17 on Paul's second missionary journey.
Paul starts chapter 1 thanking God for the church at Thessalonica's "work produced by faith... labour prompted by love... and endurance inspired by hope". He then goes on to say that "the gospel came to them in the power of the Holy Spirit with deep conviction... and you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit... and you became a model for the believers in Macedonia and Achaia... and your faith has become known everywhere... for you turned from idols to serve the living and true God... and to wait for his son from heaven".
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