You can learn of the background of this book by reading Acts 17:1-9. In the first letter (Epistle) we are constantly struck with the freshness of the hope these new believers had in Christ. And at the same time, they were being persecuted terribly. Does it seem strange that these two things, joyful hope and persecutions could be had at the same time? Paul himself constantly had both, and rarely was without them. So he shared their joys.
V.2-4 Faith, love and hope. A glorious life we have, happy we are if we live in them.
V.5-10 But the Christian life isn’t just contemplation — it is living it out! The faithful way in which these believers were living was known in many places.
V.9-10 Positive change had come into their life. There are 3 things here: (1) they had turned to God from idols. (2) They were waiting for His Son from heaven. (3) He had saved them from God’s anger and judgment which is to come on this world. Doesn’t that make all our difficulties and sorrows seem so small?