Introduction to I Thessalonians

1. The first mention of the town of Thessalonica is in Acts 17:1 where Paul and Silas traveled to on Paul’s second missionary journey.

A. THESSALONICA - The name of modern Thessaloniki, given to the city about 315 B.C. by Cassander, a general of Alexander the Great. He founded the city in that year, naming it after his wife who was the daughter of Philip II and half sister of Alexander. Located on the Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of Salonika) with an excellent harbor--and at the termination of a major trade route from the Danube--it became, with Corinth, one of the two most important commercial centers in Greece. In the Roman period, it retained its Greek cultural orientation and functioned as the capital of Macedonia after 146 B.C.¹

B. Thessalonica - The chief city and principal port of Macedonia, located on the Egnatian Way, at the N tip of the Thermaic Gulf. The city was given its freedom for its support of Antony and Octavian during the civil war that followed Julius Caesar's death. This gave the city the right to self-government, among other things.^{2, 3}

C. It is very interesting to note that some Bible “scholars” had decided that the account of the city of Thessalonica in the book of Acts was in error.

1. In Acts 17:6, the original Greek word “politarches”, translated “rulers” in the King James, actually means Roman rulers.⁴

a. These scholars would discount the Bible because their research didn’t show any history of Roman rulers in Thessalonica.

b. However, a Roman arch at the western end of ancient Vardar Street contained an inscription from before A.D. 100 which began, "In the time of the Politarchs."

c. This proved once again that the Bible was true and man’s history untrue.

D. The city is mentioned only 9 times in the entire Bible.

1. Acts 17:1 - Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

2. Acts 17:11 - These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

3. Acts 17:13 - But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

4. Acts 20:4 - And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

5. Acts 27:2 - And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

6. Phil. 4:16 - For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

7. I Thess 1:1 - Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8. II Thess 2:1 - Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

9. II Timothy 4:10 - For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

E. It may not have been mentioned very many times, but it is very apparent that the people that lived there, the people that had been saved and baptized and became members of that local church were very important to Paul and God.

1. A very quick reading of the above verses from the King James Bible reveals something of the beginnings of the church in that city, the trials they had suffered, and their enduring faithful to Paul and God until the very end.

2. At this point, I went through Acts 17:1-9 showing the trials at the beginning of the church at Thessalonica, and their faithfulness then and through the remainder of their lives.

III. A General Outline of Study for the book of I Thessalonians.⁵

A. Writer. The epistle is the Apostle Paul.

B. Date. The date and time is uncertain. It is generally thought that this was the earliest of Paul’s epistles and was probably written from Corinth between 49 and 54 A.D.

C. The church, was founded by Paul on his second missionary. He met with violent opposition in his work, but he succeeded in winning some Jews and a multitude of Greeks which enabled him to establish a faithful church. See Acts 17:1-10.

D. Historical Occasion. Paul had sent Timothy to encourage and strengthen the church. On his return, the report that he gave apparently inspired the apostle to write the epistle. Chapter 3:6.

E. Main themes. This is one of the most personal of all of Paul’s epistles. It is not so doctrinal or polemical (argumentative) as some of the others. The body of the epistle consists chiefly of commendations, personal reminiscences, counsels, and exhortations.

6. The central truth which is especially emphasized, is the future hope of the advent of Christ.

7. An outline of the book might be as follows:

8. Chapter 1 - Paul commends the church for faithfulness.

9. Chapter 2 - Paul reminiscences about the good times he had with the church.

10. Chapter 3 - Paul discusses the reasons for Timothy’s visit and his subsequent letter.

11. Chapter 4:1-12 - Paul exhorts the people to personal and social purity, and to respect each other.

12. Chapter 4:13-18 & chapter 5:1-11 - The future hope of Christ’s return and exhortations to be ready for that day.

13. Chapter 5:12-22 - Exhortations to Christian duties and closing.

Jason - Name found in Acts 17:5, 6, 7, 9, and Rom. 16:21.

Romans 16:21 - Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

Aristarchus -

Acts 20:4 - And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. Paul is on his third missionary journey when Aristarchus travels with him.

Acts 27:2 - And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. Paul is going to Rome and Aristarchus travels with him.