1 Thessalonians Introduction

Apart from the inconclusiveness of the arguments against 2 Thessalonians, there is the inability of a forgery hypothesis to suggest a historically credible situation capable of explaining why a forged letter might have been written, what its relationship to 1 Thessalonians was, and how it came to be accepted as part of the body of Paul’s letters. Pauline authorship remains the least problematic solution.

Thessalonica, Macedonia’s largest and most important city, was a wealthy commercial center at the intersection of major transportation routes. Religiously, the traditional Greek cults and philosophies and various Egyptian and mystery religions were well represented, and there was a Jewish community and synagogue (Ac 17:1), in the city. In addition, city leaders fostered local devotion to the imperial cult in order to solidify good relations with Rome and to the local Cabirus cult to foster civic unity. To attack either cult was virtually to attack the city itself. In such an environment, preaching the gospel (which proclaimed allegiance to Jesus as Lord and King) was tantamount to treason.

In AD 49 Paul, Silas, and Timothy came to Thessalonica. Paul’s proclamation about Jesus the Messiah attracted “some of [the Jews],” some “God-fearing Greeks” (Gentiles attracted to Judaism who attended synagogue services but stopped short of full conversion), and “a number of the leading women” (Ac 17:2-4). Other converts came to faith directly from paganism (1Th 1:9). These new believers soon encountered hostility (1Th 1:6; 2:14). The conversion of leading women of the community inevitably brought the new teaching to the attention of civic leaders. Charges were soon brought against the converts, and Paul, Silas, and Timothy had little choice but to leave town for the sake of the new congregation.

In these circumstances two concerns weighed on Paul’s mind: that the young congregation might collapse in the face of hostile pressures and that his behavior might be misunderstood, to the detriment of the gospel. Paul therefore tried to return to Thessalonica quickly, but that proved impossible (1Th 2:18). So Paul sent Timothy back instead to strengthen and encourage them (1Th 3:1-2). When Timothy returned to Paul, who was by then in Corinth, he brought welcome news: the congregation was not only standing fast and faithful in spite of persecution but was even growing in faith and love (1Th 3:6-7). This is the setting of 1 Thessalonians.

In contrast, we know little about the setting of 2 Thessalonians. The similar language and structure of the letter indicate it was written shortly after the first letter. Our best clues are the three main topics Paul addressed in the letter: (1) persecution the church was experiencing (2Th 1:3-12); (2) a misunderstanding about the “day of the Lord” (2Th 2:1-12); and (3) disruptive behavior on the part of some members of the congregation (2Th 3:6-15).

Together, the two letters suggest that one of Paul’s major challenges was resocialization—helping new believers to learn, understand, and live by the very different social and ethical code of early Christianity.