Growing Faith Through Knowledge

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus,

unto the church of the Thessalonians

which is in God the Father and in 

the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be

uto you, and peace, from God our Father 

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Thessalonians 1:1

     As I do before writing on the letters written to various churches and people some historical background is necessary to get a fuller understanding of why the letter was necessary. Thessalonica an old city with a history that shows that it became an important city. Thessalonica was large and important city, and became the capital city of Roman Macedonia. If you remember it was the land from where Alexander the Great was born as his father Philip was the king and after the death of Alexander (321 B.C.) many battles took place until the Romans captured Macedonia along with Thessalonica. Thessalonica is situated at the head of the Thermatic gulf, and north of Corinth between Philippi a city north of it, and Berea, a city just south of it, and Corinth a bit further south. Cassander became ruler and captured the city and needed to claim the throne as king of Alexander's homeland, and this he did by marrying the only surviving member of the Royal Bloodline, a daughter of Philip the Great, and half sister to Alexander the Great. Her name was Thessalonke and the marriage took place 316 B.C. Cassander built Thessalonica onthe sity of the ancient Thracian city called Theme which means "hot." Thessalonica was especially valuable because of several features. The land of Thessalonica located strategically had a natural harbor that was deep at the shoreline a place where ships could come with goods to be traded. Thessalonica as well had land of forests and good farming land so the city grew in importance and prospered. When the Romans took over the land and finally occupied all of Greece they noticed that Thessalonica was a perfect location and harbor and made Thessalonica the capital of their new province.

     This peace that came with the Romans allowed the city to grow in size and in prosperity. Italians, Jews, and Macedonians, Egyptians, all moved to Thessalonica to share in the opportunities there, and in the wealth that came to Thessalonica. When Paul and Silas managed to turn the city upside down and this during the three months. Unfortunately Paul and Silas had to leave the city but had left behind an amazing change. Christianity had taken hold of the city. Thessalonica was like most Grecian cities full of idols and many gods. The moral standards of the Thessalonians did not differ much from that of other Grecian cities as well, they were idolaters. Some though were displeased with religion that existed and sought other religions and another religous experience and joined with the local synagogue. To give an idea of the importance of this city an edict of importance must shown:

On February 27, 380, by the Edict of Thessalonica, also known as Cunctos populos, Roman Emperors Theodosius I, Gratian, and Valentinian II made Nicene Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire, stating that all their subjects should profess the faith of the bishops of Rome and Alexandria. The edict was issued shortly after Theodosius had suffered a severe illness in Thessalonica (Thessaloniki), and was baptized by Acholius, the bishop of that city. 

     With this history we can now in the next blogs begin our exegetical examination of what, why, when, Paul wrote and how what the Holy Spirit inspired him to write applies to us. I do hope this will give to you the background of this letter and will aid your growth in knowledge so you can answer anyone who might question your faith. 

The LORD is righteous:

     he hath cut assunder 

the cords of the wicked.

     Let them all be confounded

and turned back that hate Zion.

                Psalm 129:4-5

Add to your virtue knowledge

Richard L. Crumb