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Glite Dictionary
I Thessalonians

I Thessalonians

8.9
A New Testament letter by Paul to Christians in Thessalonica
  • proper noun
  • /aɪ θɛsəˈloʊniənz/
  • Literature
translation icon : I Tesalonicenses
  • Many scholars believe that I Thessalonians was Paul's earliest letter to a Christian community.

Examples

  • In I Thessalonians, Paul addresses the early Christian community.

  • The message of hope in I Thessalonians has inspired many believers throughout the centuries.

  • During the Bible study, we read several passages from I Thessalonians.

  • Have you read I Thessalonians this week?

  • During the Bible study, we read several passages from I Thessalonians.

  • Many scholars believe that I Thessalonians was Paul's earliest letter to a Christian community.

  • The message of hope in I Thessalonians has inspired many believers throughout the centuries.

Synonyms

First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians
vsI Thessalonians
9.9

A New Testament book that contains Paul's first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica

is the common book title for that Pauline letter
First Epistle to the Thessalonians
vsI Thessalonians
9.9

A letter in the New Testament written by Paul to Christians in Thessalonica

is the established book title rather than a counting description

Surface Forms

I Thessalonians main

Morphology

I + Thessalonian

The phrase combines 'I' (a numeral meaning 'first') with 'Thessalonians' (people from Thessalonica), so the parts directly suggest 'the first [letter/book] to the Thessalonians'. However, understanding this as the title of a New Testament book requires knowledge of biblical naming conventions and Roman numerals; without that genre-specific convention a B1 learner may not interpret the phrase correctly.

Etymology

I Thessalonians gets its name from being the 'first' letter to the people of Thessalonica: I means 'first' and Thessalonians are the people from Thessalonica, so the title shows it is the first letter sent by Paul to that group.