1 Thessalonians 1:1 – the ecclesia in Thessalonica

1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the ecclesia of the Thessalonians…

The three names with which this letter begins take us directly to the book of Acts. Silvanus is the same person as Silas, who accompanied Paul on his second journey, around AD 50/51. After they had been flogged and imprisoned in Philippi, they traveled on and came to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1). There Paul reasoned for three Sabbaths in the synagogue from the Scriptures that the Christ had to suffer and rise from among the dead.

The message found a hearing. Some of the Jews were persuaded, and a large multitude of the God-fearing Greeks also joined Paul and Silas. But almost immediately fierce opposition arose as well. A mob was organized, and eventually the brethren saw no choice but to send Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. The ecclesia in Thessalonica was therefore born under pressure and affliction.

Not long afterward, Paul writes this letter. By then he has arrived in Corinth via Berea and Athens (1 Thess. 3:1; Acts 18:5, 11). Timothy, who had been sent back to Thessalonica, brings him good news concerning the faith and love of the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 3:6). Against that background we read this letter: addressed to a young ecclesia that Paul was forced to leave early, but that stood firm despite all opposition. His stay there had been only brief; all the more remarkable is what had already grown among them.

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