Thessalonians

The city of Thessalonica was the capital and the largest city of Macedonia. It had been founded by Cassander, the top military officer of Alexander the Great, after Alexander had died.  At its height, the city reached a population of 200,000. The city had a natural harbor, but the primary factor contributing to the city’s greatness was that it lay right on the Roman road, the Egnatian Way. The great road, stretching all the way from the Adriatic Sea to the Middle East, ran right through Thessalonica. It was the main street of the city. Because of the city’s strategic location and commercial importance, the Holy Spirit would spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the continent of Europe.

Paul was in Corinth when he wrote the letter to the Thessalonians. The church at Thessalonica was founded on Paul’s second missionary journey where we know that he preached in the synagogue for only three Sabbaths before he was forced by the Jews to leave the synagogue.  Because the church was so young and lacking in finances, they were not in a position to support his ministry at that time, which is why we read that he worked at a secular job, most likely tent making, while ministering there. Paul did however receive financial help at least two times from the church at Philippi where he had been ministering just before coming to Thessalonica.

God blessed the ministry of the Word in this area with so much success that the Jews eventually attacked and forced him to flee for his life. He took Silas and Timothy and proceeded to Berea for a brief ministry, but the Jews pursued him there and he was forced to leave Berea for Athens. However, he was able to leave Silas and Timothy behind to continue the ministry. While in Athens, he sent for Timothy, but dispatched him right back to Thessalonica.

Paul himself went on to Corinth where he was soon joined by Silas and Timothy with good news from the Thessalonian church. His heart was so warmed by this report that he sat down and wrote the Thessalonian letter.   Historically, the letters to the Thessalonians is listed in the Marcion Canon (about A.D. 140) and referred to in the Muratorian Fragment. It is quoted by Irenaeus (about A.D. 180).  It was one of the earliest epistles and was written around  A.D. 50-52. It should be noted that even though Paul was in Thessalonica for 3 weeks, the importance of the coming of the Lord in mentioned in every chapter. Maranatha! The Lord Jesus is coming!