1 Thessalonians
Thessalonica was a port city and commercial center located a hundred miles from Philippi. The Egnatian Way linking Rome to Byzantium passed through the city making it one of the wealthiest trade centers in the Roman Empire. Because of this strategic location, Thessalonica became a base for the spread of the gospel in Macedonia and Greece. Paul writes his first letter to the church at Thessalonica somewhere around AD 51-52 from the city of Corinth. This church was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey which is recorded in Acts 16:1-18:22. Acts 17:1-4 reveals that as Paul entered the city of Thessalonica, he immediately went to the synagogue of the Jews and preached Jesus to them. Although some of the people were persuaded (some devout Greeks and leading women), the Jews became angry at Paul’s message and forced him out of the city (Acts 17:5-10). After Paul’s removal from Thessalonica, he fled to Berea where he also faced persecution and was eventually thrown out of the city (Acts 17:11-14). Leaving Timothy and Silas in Berea, Paul went to Athens and was rejoined by them at a later time (Acts 17:15-16). From Athens, Timothy was sent back to Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:2) and Paul traveled to Corinth alone (Acts 18:1). Timothy and Silas eventually joined Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5) and from the good report of Timothy about the church, Paul wrote this letter to the church at Thessalonica.
Paul wrote as a proud father who rejoiced in the faithfulness of his children. Paul also knew they were experiencing persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ and for this reason he wrote to encourage them and remind them of their hope in Christ. Evidently the return of Christ was central to Paul's message here because he answers many questions about the second coming of Christ. He also addresses sexual purity which was an ongoing problem for the early church. Pagan religions often condoned sexual encounters as part of their rites, and ancient Roman culture itself had few sexual boundaries. Paul urges the Thessalonians not to participate in sexual activity outside of marriage. Reminding them that the body was God's temple and should be kept holy.
Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica is one of encouragement and comfort as well as a reminder to be faithful to God. His words are just as relevant today as they were 2000 years ago as believers are tempted to lose heart in the midst of hardship. Paul challenges the follower of Christ to endure trials and look forward to the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians
Reports had come to Paul of continued progress in the Thessalonian church and their faithfulness to the gospel. But some doctrinal problems had also arisen. False teachers had begun to tell the believers that the day of the Lord was already at hand. They misunderstood Paul's words that the day of the Lord would come suddenly. Some believers had even stopped working and were just waiting for the Lord. They were losing hope. In this letter Paul reminded them that they had been called by God and saved through Christ's work. He exhorted them to stand firm in Christ and to work hard waiting for Jesus' return.
Today this message remains just important for believers in Jesus. We live in a culture so focused on the material that Christians often forget the spiritual realities that should dictate our lives. We must resist the gradual slip into increased self-centeredness. As you read the words of 2 Thessalonians, allow them to rekindle your hope and fan into flame your desire to live in God-honoring, spiritually productive ways.
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