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Paul - The Books of Thessalonians The First Of Thessalonians Place Written: Corinth Writing Completed: c. 50 C.E. It was about the year 50C.E. that the apostle Paul, during his second preaching tour, visited the Macedonian city of Thessalonica and there established a Christian congregation. Within a year, while in Corinth accompanied by Silvanus (Silas of the book of Acts) and Timothy, Paul was moved to write his first letter to the Thessalonians to comfort them and build them up in the faith. It was likely late in 50C.E. This letter apparently enjoys the distinction of being the first of Paul's writings to become part of the Bible canon and , with the probable exception of Matthew's gospel, the first book of the Christian Greek Scriptures to be put into writing. The evidence supporting the authenticity and integrity of the letter is overwhelming. Paul identifies himself by name as the writer, and the book is internally harmonious with the rest of the inspired Word. (1Thess. 1:1; 2:18) The epistle is mentioned by name in many of the earliest catalogues of the inspired Scriptures, including the Muratorian Fragment, (See chart, "Outstanding Early Catalogs of the Christian Greek Scriptures," pg. 303) First Thessalonians is either quoted or alluded to by many of the early ecclesiastical writers, including Irenaeus (2nd century C.E.), who mentions it by name. The Chester Beatty Papyrus No. 2(p46), of about 200 C.E., contains First Thessalonians, and another papyrus of the third century (p30), now in Ghent, Belgium, contains fragments of both First and Second Thessalonians. A glance at the brief history of the congregation at Thessalonica, prior to the writing of this letter, establishes the background for Paul's deep concern for the brothers in that city. From the very beginning, the congregation underwent severe persecution and opposition. In Acts 17, Luke reports the arrival of Paul and Silas at Thessalonica, "where there was a synagogue of the Jews." For three Sabbaths, Paul preached to them, reasoning with them from the Scriptures, and there are indications that he stayed there even longer than this, for he had time to set himself up in his trade and, above all, to establish and organize a congregation. (Acts 17:1; 1Thess. 2:9; 1:6+7) The record at Acts 17:4-7 graphically relates the effect of the apostle's preaching in Thessalonica. Jealous about the success of Paul's Christian ministry, the Jews organized a mob and threw the city into an uproar. They assaulted Jason's house and dragged him and other bothers to the city rulers, crying out: "These men that have overturned the inhabited earth are present here also, and Jason has received them both hospitality. And all these men act in opposition to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king, Jesus." Jason and the others were compelled to provide bond before they were released. For the sake of the brothers in the congregation, as well as for their own personal safety, Paul and Silas were dispatched by night to Beroea but the congregation at Thessalonica was now established. Fiery opposition from the Jews pursued Paul to Beroea and threatened to stop his preaching there. He then moved to Athens, in Greece. Still he longed to know how his brothers in Thessalonica were faring under tribulation. Twice he attempted to return to them, but each time 'satan cut across his path.' (1Thess. 2:17+18) Filled with concern for the young congregation and painfully aware of the tribulation they were undergoing, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to comfort the brothers and make them more firm in the faith. When Timothy returned with his heartwarming report, Paul was overjoyed with the news of their stalwart integrity amid violent persecution.Their record by now had become an example to believers throughout all Macedonia and Achaia. (1Thess. 1:6-8; 3:17) Paul was thankful to Jehovah God for their faithful endurance, but he also realized that as they continued to grow to maturity, they would need further guidance and counsel. Therefore, while in Corinth in the company of Timothy and Silvanus, Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Second Of Thessalonians Place Written: Corinth Writing Completed: c. 51 C.E. The apostle Paul's second letter to the Thessalonicans closely followed the first one. We know that it was written shortly after the first letter, and also from the same city of Corinth, for the same brothers, Silvanus and Timothy, again join with Paul in greeting the congregation at Thessalonica. They were all travelling servants of the early Christian congregation, and there is no record that all three came together again after this association in Corinth. (2Thess. 1:1; Acts 18:5, 18) The subject matter and nature of the discussion indicate that Paul felt an urgent need to correct the congregation promptly with regard to an error into which it had fallen. The letter's authenticity is just as well attested as the authenticity of the First Thessalonians. It also is quoted by Iranaeus (2nd century C.E.) as well as by other early writers, including Justin Martyr (also of the 2nd century C.E.), who apparently refers to 2 Thessalonians 2:3 when writing of "the man of lawlessness (sin)." It appears in the same early catalogues as First Thessalonians. Though it is now missing from the Chester Beatty Papyrus No. 2(p46), it was almost certainly contained in the first two of seven leaves that are missing after First Thessalonians. What was the purpose of this letter? From the counsel that Paul offered the Thessalonians, we learn that some in the congregation were contending that the presence of the Lord was imminent, that these speculators were actively preaching this theory of theirs, and that they were creating no little stir in the congregation. It appears that some were even using this as an excuse for not working to provide for themselves. (2Thess. 3:11) In his first letter, Paul had made references to the presence of the Lord, and no doubt when these speculators heard the letter read, they were quick to twist Paul's words and read into them meanings that were never intended. It is also possible that a letter wrongly attributed to Paul was interpreted as indicating that "the day of Jehovah is here." (2Thess 2:1+2) It seems that Paul had received a report on this condition, probably from the person who delivered his first letter to the congregation, and he would therefore be very anxious to correct the thinking of his brothers for whom he had such great affection. So in the year 51C.E., Paul, in association with his two companions, sent a letter from Corinth to the congregation in Thessalonica. In addition to correcting the wrong viewpoint on Christ's presence, Paul gives warm encouragement to stand firm in the truth.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I hope you have been able to add to your understanding of Scriptural context by these short summations of the circumstances surrounding these two inspiring letters. Yours Katidid. |
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