1 Thessalonians, introduction

You can read about the 1st letter to the Thessalonians at the embedded link. This is generally considered to be a genuine Pauline letter, except for a couple of passages that appear to have been added. It is possibly Paul's first letter, maybe making it the oldest and first book of the New Testament, circa 52 CE.

The letter opens with a greeting from Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians. The church would have been in the city of Thessaloniki, currently the capital of Greek Macedonia. There is the usual prayers and flattery in the greeting. The author knows the church there was chosen by god because the gospel came to them with power and deep conviction. They felt the holy spirit, it had to be true.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy had live with the Thessalonian church, who learned to imitate them, "in spite of severe suffering." This very early days of the church what kind of suffering were they experiencing? It doesn't say yet. Nevertheless, the Thessalonians welcomed the message with joy and "became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia." Their faith in god became known everywhere and others tell the story of how the Thessalonians "turned from idols to serve the one true god and to wait for his son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath." I'm guessing the suffering may have been a direct economic consequence of the Thessalonians giving up idol worship.

So, the Thessalonians were waiting for Jesus to come back and save them. I don't think that worked out for them.

Till next time.