First Thessalonians: An Introduction
Today we are beginning a new blog series. We will spend the next few weeks, combing our way through one of Paul’s earliest letters 1 : First Thessalonians. This letter is fascinating on a host of levels, not the least of which is Paul’s discussion of things eschatological in chapters four and five. For this post, we will simply look at some introductory matters such as general background on Thessalonica and the context for Paul’s writing. Then we will briefly look at verse one.
General Background of Thessalonica2
Thessalonica has been recognized by many as having a strategic role in the advancement of the gospel in the first century. It was considered somewhat of a hub in the Roman Empire that would become the heart of Christian missions that pumped the gospel to all parts of Macedonia. With its nearness to the sea and being the intersection for important trade routes, few places gave such an advantage for gospel expansion (see map below). Evangelists would find themselves rubbing shoulders with businessmen, government officials and other travelers that would spiral out to other parts of the empire. The book of Acts gives us an image of the Thessalonian church as one that is on the move and far-reaching, thoroughly involved in the mission of the Church.
The people of Thessalonica were very religious. Like many cities in the ancient world, there was no lack of false gods and false worship. You could probably find any god for any situation to tickle your fancy. And their “religion” was woven through all aspects of their lives, whether political, economical or personal. They viewed their relationship with the gods as one of “making a deal.” They would do something for their god and their god, in return, would do something for them. Because of the plethora of gods to seek, their worldview might best be described as confused.
It is interesting to consider that though, on the surface, there are great differences between Thessalonica and the world we live in today, the worldview of many in our society is not too different. Today, there is a bowing to various gods, albeit, in a much more subtle way. There is great confusion about life, and inconsistency and tension abounds within one’s worldview. And often the relationship with the “god” they may serve is one of trading favors.
The call of the gospel to the Thessolonians was one that required abandoning their false gods, but at the same time, the gospel was the answer to their deepest longings that had continued to go unfulfilled. Maybe our society is not that much different from theirs. Certainly, the gospel call and promise of fulfillment are the same!
Context for Paul’s Letter
If we trace Paul’s second missionary journey, we see him and Silas enter Thessalonica in Acts 17. 3 They proclaim the gospel at the synagogues and some came to faith in Christ. It is here that First Reformed Thessalonica was founded. While this may have been a joyous time for some, there are others who were jealous and made life difficult for men like Jason. Sharing in the sufferings of Christ, Jason and others, were falsely accused, mocked and threatened. The gospel was turning things upside down in Thessalonica, but those who are perishing have no taste for the good news (1 Cor 1:18). Paul and Silas’ stay in Thessalonica may have been a few weeks to a few months, but they are eventually forced to leave.
They move on from town to town and would sometimes be hounded by the Jews from Thessalonica. In Athens, Paul cannot bear not knowing what has become of the ones he loves in the new church plant (1 Thess 3:1-2). He has been away from them for only a few months and he is wondering how they are doing. He has a great love for them. He desires to be with them and to encourage them in the word. This sounds like pastors in our situation today. We are aching to be with our people, wondering how they are doing, and seeking to encourage them in the word. Paul can’t call, send an email or post a blog. In many ways, what he does is better. He sends Timothy. He sends him to encourage them and bring back a report.
Meanwhile, Paul moves on to Corinth and is met there by Silas. Timothy returns from Thessalonica to Paul in Corinth with his update and Paul sits down to write his letter we now call First Thessalonians. It has probably only been a few months since he has seen them. The year is 50AD, about twenty years after the death and resurrection of Christ.
First Thessalonians 1:1
Now, with some of that introductory information setting the foundation, we can look at Paul’s opening in verse one:
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
The opening to the letter is typical for the world he lived in. And for any reader of the Bible, we see a similar beginning to most letters in the New Testament. All three men are named here, 4 but Paul is considered the primary author.
When Paul wrote, “to the church,” I wonder if he didn’t set down his pen in amazement. Just a few months before, there was no church in Thessalonica. The gospel had not yet penetrated the hearts of those who came to faith. But now, Paul can write to these new creations and call them a church. And how about when the readers first read that! We are a church! We have been counted as part of the people of God. Not too long ago, we were a people far from God, but now we have been brought near to him by the blood of Jesus Christ!
How near have they been brought? They are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is, of course, akin to Paul’s favorite designation for Christians: in Christ. But here he expresses the truth that they are in the Father as well. This is reminiscent of Jesus’ comment that he is in the Father and we are in him (John 14:20). And Paul will say this a bit differently later in Colossians, “Your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3).
The Thessalonians have been brought into a new existence. They have been brought into the love fellowship of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. They are now in him. They may be surrounded by all types of gods, who they were once in bondage to, but now, they have been set free by the true and living God. The temples around them that would have been used to house the false gods have been eclipsed by the the new temple that God is making out of them. He dwells within them now!
Paul ends his opening with a blessing of grace and peace. And perhaps this would have reminded them of the day that grace walked into town in the form of Paul and Silas, who taught about the grace of God in Christ. In some ways, he is saying, “Grace and peace are yours now.” They are recipients of grace and are at peace with God. Peace would be so important because, as we will see, there seems to be a lack of peace for the Thessalonian Christians. Ever since they came to know Christ, suffering seems to have followed them. So Paul begins his letter with a pithy reminder of the gospel that has saved them, is saving them, and will save them.
This is not fiction. These are real people, whom we will meet one day and with whom we will spend eternity. We will get to know more about them in our study. But for now, we know some things we share in common. They were saved by the same gospel that we are. They lived out their lives in the Father and the Son, just as we do. Christ, by his Spirit, spoke to them through Paul’s letter, and he still speaks to us in this same letter. Paul wrote to encourage and strengthen their faith, to bring them peace and joy in Jesus. I pray the Lord uses our time in this epistle to do the same for us.
1Galatians is often considered Paul’s earliest letter (48AD) and 1 Thessalonians is the second earliest (around 50AD).
2For furthering reading on bacgkround issues, see Gene Green, TPNTC, The Letters to the Thessalonians, 1-46. It was very helpful in constructing this background.
3I recommend reading Acts 17-18:5 for a fuller understanding.
4Silvanus is Silas.