“The greater part of this Epistle consists of exhortations. Paul had instructed the Thessalonians in the right faith. On hearing, however, that persecutions were raging there, he had sent Timothy with the view of animating them for the conflict, that they might not give way through fear, as human infirmity is apt to do. Having been afterwards informed by Timothy respecting their entire condition, he employs various arguments to confirm them in steadfastness of faith, as well as in patience, should they be called to endure anything for the testimony of the gospel.” – John Calvin
God has always called His people to holiness. The LORD told Israel they were to be holy as He is holy (Lev. 11:44; 20:8, 26). The same command is present in this letter. God has justified, redeemed and reconciled sinners to pursue holy lives (I Thess. 4:1-2).
Today begins a study of the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica (1:1). In the Greek New Testament (NT), 1 Thessalonians is listed literally as “To the Thessalonians.”
When was this letter written? The Apostle Paul identified himself as the author of this letter (1:1; 2:18). Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy (1:1; 3:2,6), were Paul’s traveling companions on the second missionary journey when the church was founded (Acts 17:1–9).
“Though Paul was the single inspired author, most of the first-person plural pronouns (we, us, our) refer to all three. However, during Timothy’s visit back to Thessalonica, they refer only to Paul and Silvanus (3:1–2, 6). Paul commonly used such editorial plurals because the letters came with the full support of his companions,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
“Paul’s authorship has not been questioned until recently by radical critics. Their attempts to undermine Pauline authorship have failed in light of the combined weight of evidence favoring Paul such as: 1) the direct assertions of Paul’s authorship (1:1; 2:18); 2) the letter’s perfect correlation with Paul’s travels in Acts 16–18; 3) the multitude of intimate details regarding Paul; and 4) the confirmation by multiple, early historical verifications starting with Marcion’s canon in A.D. 140.”
The first of Paul’s two letters written at Corinth to the church at Thessalonica was written approximately in A.D. 51. This date has been archeologically verified by an inscription in the temple of Apollos at Delphi (near Corinth), which dates Gallio’s service as proconsul in Achaia to A.D. 51–52 (Acts 18:12–17). Since Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia was probably written c. A.D. 49–50, this was his second piece of canonical correspondence.
What was the background and setting for Paul’s letter? Thessalonica (modern Salonica) was located near the ancient site of Therma on the Thermaic Gulf at the northern portion of the Aegean Sea. This city became the capital of Macedonia (c. 168 B.C.) and was a “free city,” ruled by its own citizens (Acts 17:6) under the Roman Empire. It was located on the main east-west highway, Via Egnatia, Thessalonica was the center of political and commercial activity in Macedonia, and became known as “the mother of all Macedonia.” The population in Paul’s day reached 200,000 people. It was slightly smaller in population comparison to the city of Fort Wayne, IN.
Paul had originally traveled 100 miles from Philippi via Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica on his second missionary journey (A.D. 50; Acts 16:1–18:22). As his custom, he went to the synagogue to teach the local Jews the gospel (Acts 17:1–2). He dialogued with them from the Old Testament concerning Christ’s death and resurrection in order to prove that Jesus of Nazareth was truly the promised Messiah (Acts 17:2–3).
Some Jews believed. Then, Hellenistic proselytes and some wealthy women of the community were converted (Acts 17:4). Mentioned among these new believers were Jason (Acts 17:5), Gaius (Acts 19:29), Aristarchus (Acts 20:4), and Segundus (Acts 20:4).
Because of their jealosy, the Jews evicted Paul and his team from the city (Acts 17:5–9). Therefore, the missionaries went south to evangelize Berea (Acts 17:10). Paul had a similar experience there with conversions followed by hostility. So, the believers sent Paul away.
He then headed for Athens, while Silvanus and Timothy remained in Berea (Acts 17:11–14). They eventually rejoined Paul in Athens (cf. Acts 17:15–16; 1 Thess. 3:1), until Timothy went back to Thessalonica (3:2). Silas then traveled from Athens to Philippi while Paul journeyed on alone to Corinth (Acts 18:1). It was after Timothy and Silvanus rejoined Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5), that he wrote 1 Thessalonians because of Timothy’s good report of the church.
What were Paul’s reasons for writing the letter? Some of Paul’s purposes were: 1) encouraging the church (1 Thess. 1:2–10); 2) answering false allegations (2:1–12); 3) comforting the persecuted flock (2:13–16); 4) expressing his joy in their faith (2:17–3:13); 5) reminding them of the importance of moral purity (4:1–8); 6) condemning the sluggard lifestyle (4:9–12); 7) correcting a wrong understanding of prophetic events (4:13–5:11); 8) defusing tensions within the flock (5:12–15); and 9) exhorting the flock in the basics of Christian living (5:16–22).
What are some predominant themes in I Thessalonians? Both letters to Thessalonica are referred to as “the eschatological epistles.” However, in light of their more extensive focus upon the church, they would better be identified as the church epistles. Five major themes are woven together in 1 Thessalonians: 1) an apologetic theme with the historical relationship between Acts and 1 Thessalonians; 2) an ecclesiastical theme with the portrayal of a healthy, growing church; 3) a pastoral theme with the example of shepherding activities and attitudes; 4) an eschatological theme with the focus on future events as the church’s hope; and 5) a missionary theme with the emphasis on gospel proclamation and church planting.
The primary challenge for understanding this epistle involves the sections that are eschatological in nature: 1) the coming wrath (1:10; 5:9); 2) Christ’s return (2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23); 3) the rapture of the church (4:13–18); and 4) the meaning and time of the day of the Lord (5:1–11).
Next time, we will examine the historical origin of the Thessalonian church. I encourage you to read Acts 17:1-9. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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