Paul and the Thessalonians

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Paul and the Thessalonians

September 8, 2012 by William Higgins

1. The Path to Thessalonica

Paul decided to see how the believers were from his first missionary journey. Paul chose Silas as his partner in this endeavor.
They went through the Roman provinces of Syria and Cilicia strengthening existing churches – Acts 15:41.
Then they went through Derbe and Lystra (Galatia). Here Paul chose Timothy to come with them. These churches were strengthened and grew – Acts 16:1-5.
They were forbidden by God to start work in the Roman provinces of Asia and Bithynia, so they went to Troas on the coast – Acts 16:6-8.
Paul had a vision in which a man from Macedonia said, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” – Acts 16:9-10.
In Troas they picked up Luke as a traveling companion (the “we,” “us” language) – Acts 16:10-16.
They took a ship to the island of Samothrace, and then sailed to Neapolis, a port city – Acts 16:11.
From Neapolis they went by road to Philippi – Acts 16:12.
They stayed in Philippi for a time and established a church. They were also persecuted, then apologized to, then asked to leave – Acts 16:12-40; 1 Thessalonians 2:2.
They went on through Amphipolis and Apollonia on the Via Egnatia to Thessalonica, about 100 miles from Philippi. Luke stayed behind. – Acts 17:1

2. Ministry in Thessalonica

They came around 50 AD.
Paul preached for three Sabbaths in the Jewish synagogue – Acts 17:2-3.
There were a number of conversions – a few Jews, a number of God-fearers, a number of prominent women and many idol worshippers – Acts 17:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:9.
They stayed in Jason’s house – Acts 17:5-6.
They supported themselves – 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8.
The Philippians gave them financial gifts to support their ministry – Philippians 4:16.
Some from the Synagogue stirred up a mob against Paul and Silas – Acts 17:5. Jews were in a precarious situation politically and socially. They probably thought Paul’s radical message would bring down the authorities on them.
The mob couldn’t find Paul and company, but they arrested Jason and other church members and charged that Paul was fomenting revolution against Caesar by preaching Jesus as Lord – Acts 17:6-8.
Jason and the others were released on payment of money. Then they sent Paul and company out of town at night – Acts 17:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:17.

3. After leaving Thessalonica

They went to Berea and ministered there – Acts 17:10-12.
But some opponents from Thessalonica came to Berea and stirred up trouble – Acts 17:13-14.
The believers sent Paul off to Athens, but Silas and Timothy stayed behind. They were to join Paul as soon as possible in Athens – Acts 17:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 3:1.
Paul ministered in Athens, speaking at the Areopagus– Acts 17:16-34.
Persecutions continued in Thessalonica – 1 Thessalonians 3:3.
Silas and Timothy came to Paul in Athens – 1 Thessalonians 3:1.
Paul felt unable to return to Thessalonica – 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18.
Paul sent Timothy back to check on the Thessalonians – 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 5. (Possibly Silas was sent somewhere in Macedonia as well – Acts 18:5).
Paul went on to Corinth and began ministering there – Acts 18:1.
Silas and Timothy met up with Paul in Corinth – Acts 18:5.
Paul heard Timothy’s report concerning the Thessalonians – 1 Thessalonians 3:6.
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians around 50-51 AD in response to this, a few months after his visit there.

Named believers from Thessalonica

Jason: Acts 17:5-9 – a Jewish Christian. Paul stayed with him when he ministered in Thessalonica. He was arrested and then released by the authorities. Romans 16:21 – this Jason is most likely the same as the one from Thessalonica. If this is true then Jason is named here as a relative of Paul.

Aristarchus: Acts 20:4 –he traveled with Paul (Acts 27:2). Acts 19:29 – he was caught up in a riot in Ephesus against Paul’s preaching. Colossians 4:10 – he also spent time in prison with Paul. Philemon 24 – he is named as a fellow-worker of Paul (Colossians 4:11). He was a Jewish Christian – Colossians 4:11.

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