The Story of Thessalonians

Background

Thessalonica was an extremely important Greek city.

It was a major metropolis of Macedonia. Since it was located on a major highway, and was also a port city, it was a central hub in Macedonia.

Thessalonica was also very loyal to the Roman empire.

They chose to support the Roman King at various times in their history and became what is known as a “Free City” in Rome.

This meant that they could rule themselves according to their own law, and that they did not have to pay taxes.

In response, they had to maintain intense loyalty to Caesar. They participated in worshipping the emperor as God.

The Thessalonians were very proud of their status as a free city. There are inscriptions and coins that highlight their status as a free city.

Client/Patron Relationship in Thessalonica

Thessalonica was also a city that heavily relied on the client/patron relationship.

Here’s how this worked.

A wealthy patron would provide food, clothing, and legal protection to a lower-class person, or a client. In exchange, the client would publicly honor their patron and provide political support.

Here’s what this would look like.

The client would show up at the patron’s home early in the morning to greet him. They would also follow the patron around town like an entourage. This makes the patron look important. As payment, the client would be taken care of.

Paul’s History with Thessalonica

This is the environment that Paul enters when he travels to Thessalonica.

Acts 17:1-4.

Acts 17:1–4 CSB

1 After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” 4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.

Paul goes to teach in the synagogue. Some of the Jews were converted by the Gospel, but a large number of gentiles were converted, and the Jews become jealous.

Acts 17:5-10.

Acts 17:5–10 CSB

5 But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason’s house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly. 6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, 7 and Jason has welcomed them. They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king—Jesus.” 8 The crowd and city officials who heard these things were upset. 9 After taking a security bond from Jason and the others, they released them. 10 As soon as it was night, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Upon arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

They accuse Paul, and this new group of Christians, of disrupting Roman Peace. This is a city that wants to maintain its status as a free city, so they deal with this problem, and Paul is forced out.

The Problem

So, here’s the problem…

You have a very new church that has just been taught the gospel by Paul and Silas but now these men are forced to flee the city. This new church has lost its spiritual leadership.

In the midst of all of this, this new church is suffering immense persecution because they are disrupting Roman peace, and claiming to serve a new king.

So, if you’re Paul, you are worried about these brethren.

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5, 10.

1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:5 CSB

17 But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. 18 So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 Indeed you are our glory and joy! 1 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. 2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.

1 Thessalonians 3:10 CSB

10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

Paul is worried that this new church would be drawn away by the tempter. Paul only spent a short time with them, and there’s more that they need to know.

However, Timothy responds with a good report. 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10.

1 Thessalonians 3:6–10 CSB

6 But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, 10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

So, this letter is written by Paul, Silas, and Timothy, and it’s written to help the Thessalonians in their absence. Here’s what the Thessalonians need to know.

God is in charge, and Jesus is coming.

This fact is something that comes up at key points of the letter.

We see it in Paul’s introduction. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10.  

1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 CSB

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. 2 We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers. 3 We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you for your benefit, 6 and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. 7 As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Paul writes that these Christians turned from idols. They were serving false gods. They were serving the emperor. They turned from idols to the true and living God who is in charge.

Paul also writes about how these Christians are waiting for the risen Christ to return. It’s interesting that these people have a faith that isn’t fully mature, but they have what’s important.

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20.

1 Thessalonians 2:17–20 CSB

17 But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. 18 So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 Indeed you are our glory and joy!

As Paul is writing about his true desire and love for these brethren, he mentions the return of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13.

1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 CSB

11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you. 13 May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.

As Paul prays for the Christians, he again mentions how God is in charge, and how Christ is going to return. The word used is Parousia. It’s a word that’s used to describe the arrival of a king or general into a city.

These Christians may not know everything. They may not understand all the ins and outs of God’s sovereignty or how justification works, but they do know what’s important.

This Affects Your Life…

Paul’s point is that this reality should have an impact on your life.

A Holy and Sanctified Life

The rest of the ancient world uses religion as an excuse for immorality. They would go to the temple to commit immorality with the temple prostitutes.

Paul says that the Christians should be different. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.

1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 CSB

1 Additionally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God—as you are doing—do this even more. 2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, 4 that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God. 6 This means one must not transgress against and take advantage of a brother or sister in this manner, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses, as we also previously told and warned you. 7 For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness. 8 Consequently, anyone who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

He tells that Christians must not be immoral in this way, and that they shouldn’t take advantage of their brethren.

Loving, Peaceful, and Working.

If you remember, this city participated in the client/patron culture. Clients would be provided for if they would remain loyal to their patron. This could involve idol worship, so Paul gives advice.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12.

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 CSB

9 About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. 10 In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers and sisters in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to do this even more, 11 to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.

Paul encourages them not to participate in that culture. Instead, they should work to provide for themselves and not be dependent on unbelievers.

Further, he tells them to live a peaceful life. Being a Christian in that culture would cause enough trouble, so don’t seek it out.

This letter teaches us that the facts of the gospel aren’t just information to be stored in our heads. It’s fuel that drives our hands. It changes our actions; it changes the way that he live.

And Your Death.

There was a problem that these Christians were facing. Paul made sure that they understood the risen Jesus would return, but it seems that there was a misunderstanding on this point.

It seems that they believed that the dead saints would miss out on the return and kingdom of Jesus.

So, Paul tells them that those who have died won’t miss anything. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 CSB

13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Paul says that the Christians who have died have the best seats to the show.

Paul goes on to write that when Jesus returns, it’s not just that the dead will be raised, but the wicked will be taken care of. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4.

1 Thessalonians 5:1–4 CSB

1 About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.

Paul is referencing the non-believers of the city. The same non-believers who worship the emperor. The same non-believers who praise Pax Romana (Roman Peace).

Paul says there is no peace or safety for these people. They will not escape, while the believers will be with the Lord. So, don’t fall for the lie that Rome is trying to sell you.

The Good News of Jesus The Messiah

This letter is like most if not all of Paul’s letters. Its focus is on the good news of Jesus.

Again, the good news is not just information for the heads. It’s fuel for the hands and warmth for the heart. The gospel is not just a message that requires mental assent. It requires our entire being.

The Thessalonians were to be peaceful, but different. Everyone would know who they were, and that’s why they were being persecuted. Paul tells them to keep doing what they were doing.

Are we peaceful, but different?