Following his practice of going first to the Jews, and then to the Gentiles, the apostle, upon arriving into Thessalonica, went to the Jewish synagogue, spending three Sabbaths reasoning with them in the Scriptures. He spoke about the death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. From this preaching he had a good response with a considerable number of Jews, along with Gentiles, who embraced the message regarding Jesus upon coming to Thessalonica (1:4).
However, after this time some unbelieving Jews aroused Gentiles against the apostle and his followers, including Jason, who had been housing Paul and Silas.
Site Study
| Hershel Wayne House | Thessalonica
Thessalonica, today known as Thessaloniki, received two letters from the Apostle Paul. Unlike many ancient cities, Thessalonica survived the centuries, and has become the second largest city in modern Greece.
When the Apostle came to the city, he befriended a Jew named Jason (Jesus in Hebrew) and worked at his trade of tent-cloth making. Paul’s strategy of spending time in the important trade centers of his day was once again demonstrated in Thessalonica. The city was a bustling hub of mercantilism, with the important Via Egnatia trade road running through the city and a busy harbor shipping goods all over the Mediterranean.
Unlike nearby Philippi, there was a large Jewish population in the city (which continues to this day), which may have necessitated the three consecutive Sabbath visits Paul made to the synagogue when he came to Thessalonica.
Because the city has been continuously inhabited for almost 2500 years, and is to this day built on the same site it has occupied for its whole history, archaeological investigation in Thessalonica has been sparse. However, archaeological finds at Thessalonica have exonerated Luke’s accuracy. At one time scholars disparaged Luke’s use of the word “πολιτάρχης” (“politarches,” - ruler or chief magistrate) because the word was not found in Greek literature. However, archaeological finds in Thessalonica have found nearly twenty inscriptions with the word in them, including inscribed on a still extant arch over a street, known as the Vardar Gate.
1I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching. 3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts, 4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables. 5But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 8From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
9Be diligent to come to me soon, 10for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. 14Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15Beware of him, for he greatly opposed our words.
16At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. 21Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.