Encouragement for Troubled Times: A Study of I & II Thessalonians

Summary: The Apostle Paul wrote 2 letters to his beloved congregation on at the great city of Thessalonica. We know those letters as I & II Thessalonians.

    • Paul, Silas, and Timothy first went to the Macedonian port city of Thessalonica on the second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-14).
    • This was the second place the gospel was preached in Europe, Philippi being the first.
    • Because the preaching of the gospel depleted the ranks of the synagogue, the Jews charged Paul’s host Jason, with harboring traitors to Caesar.
    • The rulers of the city took Jason as security (like a peace bond) and let the missionaries leave the city.
    • When they arrived in Athens, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica (I Thess. 3:1-2, 5) to encourage the believers and then report back on the condition of the church there.
    • Timothy rejoined Paul in Corinth (3:6), where the two Thessalonian letters were written (A.D. 51).
    • Some feel that Paul was in Thessalonica less than a month (only three Sabbaths are mentioned in Acts 17:2).
    • He must, however, have had an extended ministry outside the synagogue and the Jewish community, since the church was largely Gentile.

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Key Verse

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
I Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NASB)

About Thessalonica

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