1 Thessalonians 2 Footnotes

2:14-16 The accusation that Paul was guilty of anti-Semitism (because he accused “the Jews” of killing Jesus) misunderstands the text. Paul—a Jew himself—was not speaking of all Jews but only of that small minority in Judea involved in anti-Christian persecution. Furthermore, logically Paul could not have meant “all Jews,” because many of those who followed Jesus (including himself) were Jews. Paul taught that our sins are the reason Jesus died; we all share responsibility in his death (Rm 4:25; 1Co 15:3; Gl 1:4; 1Tm 1:15).

2:17–3:6 The remarkable correlation between 2:17–3:6 and Ac 17:1-16 with 18:1-5 confirms the historical value of Acts, which adds detail to Paul’s comments. Paul and his companions came to Thessalonica from Philippi (Ac 17:1; see 1Th 2:2). Forced out of Thessalonica (Ac 17:5-10; see 1Th 2:17-18), they went to Berea (Ac 17:10). From there Paul went on alone to Athens (Ac 17:14-16; see 1Th 3:1), leaving instructions for Silas and Timothy (Ac 17:16; see 1Th 3:2-3), and eventually traveled to Corinth (Ac 18:1), where his companions rejoined him (Ac 18:5; see 1Th 3:6).