The Teaching of 1 Thessalonians

by J. C. Gibson (Scotland)

Paper 1: Acts 17.1 - 15 - The Missionaries at Thessalonica

In this introductory study we shall consider the following matters:

            1. THE SETTING:
            2. THE SERVANTS:
            3. THEIR SCRIPTURAL ORDER
            4. THE SAINTS:
            5. THE SCRIBE:
            6. THE STRIFE:

The Setting

There is much to learn from the city of Thessalonica itself, the stage upon which the drama unfolds. Established in 315 BC by Cassander, brother-in-law to Alexander the Great, it was an historical city with a heritage of which it could be proud. The apostle Paul brought the new and invigorating message of the gospel to this old city, because no matter what a man’s age, pedigree or family background, he still needs to hear the gospel of Christ. In 168 BC after the battle of Pydna, the Romans divided the conquered territory into four districts, and Thessalonica was named the capital of the second. Furthermore, in 146 BC Macedonia was united into one Roman province and Thessalonica became the supreme capital, so making it politically influential. This teeming metropolis was the largest of the Macedonian cities, Harrison estimating that during the time of Paul its population might have been as many as 200,000. Nevertheless, the missionaries were unafraid to come to a centre of such importance and preach the good news from heaven. Thessalonica was declared a free city by Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus, as a reward for help given during the second Roman civil war against Brutus and Cassius. It enjoyed local autonomy being governed by a board of magistrates, yet political freedom does not stimulate an interest in the things of God. The city had a commercially advantageous position on two accounts. Firstly, the Via Egnatia, a Roman highway passing through Macedonia from East to West went through the city, and secondly, it had an excellent harbour allowing ships from all over the Roman world to dock and sell their wares. The city had prospered materially and was extremely wealthy. It does not matter how wealthy a person appears to be, he still needs salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. It may well be that the Jews at Berea were not as affluent as those at Thessalonica, and because of this showed a greater interest in the gospel, since ‘how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God,’ Lk.18.24. Thessalonica has been described as ‘the key to the whole of Macedonia’ (Lightfoot), thus strategically it was an ideal centre to begin preaching the gospel. With the vast numbers of merchants passing through, one can imagine the rapidity with which the news of the gospel could be widely propagated, 1Thess.1.8. In such a cosmopolitan population gathered from all over the Roman world it is no surprise to discover that Thessalonica was extremely immoral. Paul’s enemies falsely accused him of immorality and he had to remind his readers to remove themselves far from it, 1Thess.4.3 and as believers we too must separate ourselves from the wickedness that surrounds us. These deeply immoral people needed to hear about the Lord Jesus Christ and the full forgiveness He alone offers. Having said this, it was a religious city with numerous pagan religions and also ‘a synagogue of the Jews,’ v1. A number of the inhabitants, disenchanted and appalled by the immorality of the pagan religions, had turned to the synagogue to hear of a religion with high moral standards.

The Servants

Paul, Silas and Timothy were faithful servants despite adversity. Despite marked opposition and intense suffering in Thessalonica for the sake of the gospel, they continued steadfastly to preach the gospel in Berea, which is also part of Macedonia. This was in obedience to the vision they were given in Acts 16.9,10. Often it is when we are in the place where the Lord wants us to be that we feel the most intense oppression and opposition as though we were in the very heat of battle. These missionaries were wise in relation to time and energy, v1. There is no indication in the text that any preaching was done for example, in Amphipolis or Apollonia. Paul recognised that Thessalonica held a strategically important position as the key to the evangelisation of the whole of Macedonia, and he was eager to begin preaching there. It was not that he despised small things, but that with limited time and energy he sought to use them to the greatest impact in the spread of the gospel. Paul’s strategic plan was to go to major population centres and so enable widespread dissemination of the message. Although Paul lived in a special time period at the very beginning of the church age, the principle is the same for us. We should think carefully through every decision we have to make, perhaps with regard to our jobs, families, holidays and hobbies so that in our short lives we maximise our influence for the Lord Jesus. They prioritised preaching to the Jews, v2. This was done for at least four reasons.

Firstly, it was the Lord’s mind that the Jew hear the gospel first: ‘and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea...’ Acts 1.8. Undoubtedly this was one reason why Paul first went to the synagogues.

Secondly, he would instantly find both Jews and Gentiles with a leaning toward spiritual things, since in the synagogue there was a ready gathered company interested in what he had to say. Thirdly, Paul was a Jew himself and therefore could easily relate to them. The Lord trains and moulds each of us so that we are specially suited to reaching particular people. It is, of course, by no means exclusive but we should bear it in mind.

Finally, Paul had a special affection for them because they were his own people, Rom.9.1-3, and we too have a special responsibility to those who are close to us, Lk.8.38-39.

They were discerning in choosing their preaching style. To the Jewish audience they preached completely differently from the way that they addressed the gathering of academic heathen at Athens. We must bear in mind the understanding and background of the people to whom we speak and vary our style accordingly, 1Cor.9.19-22. Paul reasoned with the Thessalonian Jews out of their own Scriptures in relation to the promises of the coming Messiah, whereas with Athenian philosophers he used their pagan writings as a means of persuasion, ‘as certain also of your own poets have said,’ Acts 17.28. This takes a great deal of skill and experience, and of course the message stands unchanged and undiluted no matter to whom we preach. They were knowledgeable concerning God’s Word. They ‘reasoned with them out of the Scriptures,’ v2. This reasoning was with Jews who would have been hearing the Scriptures from childhood and knew them well. Through many years of hard and diligent study Paul had accumulated a vast wealth of understanding in relation to the Holy Scriptures. Indeed, Festus said, ‘much learning doth make thee mad,’ Acts 26.24. An essential preparation for any servant of the Lord Jesus Christ is gradually over years of study to become familiar and fondly acquainted with the Scriptures of truth. This must surely be one of the chief priorities in the believer’s life, to get to grips with the Word of God. Of how much more value is this than getting ahead in the world of business, Ps.19.10. God’s Word should grip our souls, overwhelm and consume us.

— to be continued (D.V.)