1 Thessalonians 3-5

It took about 10 minutes for me to read this passage. Beginning in chapter 4 verse 13 Paul carrys on a brief discussion of the resurrection of the dead in Christ. In various other places in this letter he mentions the persecution that the Christians in Thessalon were facing. I wonder if Paul's concern for their faith was based upon the deaths of some new believers under recent persecution? If Paul had heard such news his concern would have indeed been well founded. But the encouraging words that Timothy brought back are evidence of the powerful hope that is at work in the lives od Christians.
Stuart