Life of Paul - Paul's Ministry to Thessalonica
Possible Date:
- 1 Thessalonians 50 A. D. Written from Corinth during Paul's second missionary journey.
- 2 Thessalonians 51 A. D. Written from Corinth during the second missionary journey.
Scripture: 1 & 2 Thessalonians
NOTE:
#Paul
NOTE:
#Apostle Paul
Paul continues his writing ministry. While I believe Paul wrote Galatians before the 2nd missionary trip, these letters to Thessalonica would be the next inspired correspondence he penned. 1 Thessalonians seems to have been written during this time, somewhere around A. D. 51. It seems likely that Paul writes two letters to the Christians in Thessalonica, through which Paul passed on his way to Corinth. At some point, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica in order to establish more fully the Thessalonians' faith and to exhort them to steadfastness in the face of persecution. Paul's letter takes on the same purpose. Although Luke's historic record of Paul's visit to Thessalonica mentions only 3 weeks of confrontation with the Jews in the synagogue, Paul's letter clearly addresses Gentile Christians, probably Greeks, who had been converted from paganism. Paul reminds these new Converts that they have turned from idols to worship the true and living God, and he exhorts them to continue in purity, love, and labor for the Lord. He also answers questions that have arisen in their minds regarding the second coming of Christ. As a basis for his many exhortations, Paul begins his letter by referring to Timothy, Silas, and himself as examples of sacrifice and suffering.
Paul's first letter seemingly causes some misunderstanding among the Thessalonians, many of whom interpreted it as saying that the second coming would be taking place right away. Because of the need for clarification, Paul quickly writes again and sends a second letter (2 Thessalonians) to clarify this misunderstanding. He points to some of the events which will proceed the second coming in the admonishes them to continue working both for their own support and for the Lord.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy came to Thessalonica on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 17:1–9). Paul’s stay at Thessalonica was brief, at most only a few months. From there he went to Berea (17:10), on to Athens (17:15), and then to Corinth (18:1). From Athens Paul sent Timothy to encourage the Thessalonians, and when Timothy returned to him at Corinth, the apostle was overjoyed at the news of the strong faith of the Thessalonians. From Corinth he wrote the first Thessalonian letter in late A.D. 50 or early 51. First Thessalonians is one of the earliest of Paul’s letters, and thus also one of the first books in the New Testament to be written.
Thessalonica, now called Salonika, was an ancient Greek city, the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. Paul began his ministry there in the Jewish synagogue; however, the church that resulted included not only Jews, but also a number of devout Greeks and many leading women. Many Jews of Thessalonica did not become believers, and the synagogue rulers eventually rejected Paul and drove him from the town (Acts 17:10).
Paul had not had time in Thessalonica to instruct his converts as thoroughly as he would have liked. Thus, in this letter he wanted to express his joy at their steadfastness, encourage them in the midst of suffering, and correct misconceptions about the Lord’s return.
It is important to look at these writings in this context. While this remains a concern for people today in regards to the return of Chirst. The bottom line is, we must urgently proclaim the good news of Jesus.
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