Day 1 – Background for the Letter
Read: Acts 17:1 – 9; I Thessalonians Chapter 1 and 2
The city of Thessalonica was a large city (population about 200 thousand people) and was the chief shipping port in the Roman province of Macedonia (present day Greece). While it was part of the Roman empire, it was considered a “free city” which permitted residents to have self- rule. Paul and Silas (Paul’s travelling companion) had travelled there to share the gospel in response to a vision Paul had where God told him to share the gospel with Gentiles. The culture of Thessalonica was dominated by idol worship, sexual promiscuity, and evil of many types.
Paul’s stay in Thessalonica was short (only about three weeks) but very fruitful for the gospel. Many people responded to the claims of the gospel and turned to faith in Jesus. The Jewish leadership reacted angrily to this planting of the gospel and Paul and Silas were forced to flee the city without much explanation for those they were leaving behind.
Paul, Silas, and Timothy moved on to Berea and other cities as they continued their missionary journey to spread the good news wherever Jews and Gentiles would hear the gospel. After moving on from Thessalonica, Paul became concerned about the small group of believers that he was forced to leave behind. He sent Timothy to the city to meet with the new believers and bring back a report to see how they were holding up in the face of inevitable persecution for their faith. Timothy brought back a report that the small group of believers was holding strong and even flourishing in the midst of opposition and persecution from their oppressive culture.
Paul was encouraged and responded with a letter sent to encourage and admonish this small group of believers that he dearly loved. Many scholars believe this could have been the first of the epistles penned by the Apostle Paul and may have been written as early as AD 51.
Prayer time: Lord, I thank you so much for the gospel and all it has meant and can mean in my life. Because of the gospel, I no longer need to live in fear and uncertainty about the future. I want the power of the Holy Spirit to be evident in my life so I can be a worthy example of your grace to fellow Christ followers and others who have yet to say yes to Jesus. Give me power over temptation today so I can live the Holy life that you desire.
Final thought: Imagine the tremendous sacrifice that was required to say “Yes” to the gospel message and to live for Jesus in these pagan cultures of the Roman empire. Loss of friends and family, loss of income, persecution, and even loss of life was common for the early believers.