Heidegger's Bible Handbook: 1 Thessalonians: Argument of the Epistle

3. The argument.

Of course, the Apostle does this, so that he, stroking the Thessalonians with praises on account of their known faith and charity, and giving thanks to God, and pouring forth his prayers for them, might exhort them to constancy and patience, and teach to them the various duties worthy of a Christian man.