返回Preface
Preface
Preface
Thessalonica (the modern Greek city of Thessaloniki) was the most important commercial port of the Roman Empire. The Apostle Paul, together with Silas, visited there during his second missionary journey. Despite the violent hostility of the Jews, which forced Paul and Silas to leave Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul managed to lay the foundations of a Christian community in the city.
1 Thessalonians is one of Paul's earliest epistles. The co-authors of the letter are Silas and Timothy. It was written after Paul's visit to Athens (1 Thess. 3:1) and after Timothy's return from an inspection trip to Thessalonica to the local Christian community (1 Thess. 3:6), with which Paul was pleased. The author is generous in his praise of the community, which consisted of former pagans (1 Thess. 1:9). He calls it a "model" (Greek τύπους) for all believers in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thess. 1:7), and its members children of light (1 Thess. 5:5).
The epistle was known to the ancient Church Fathers; it is mentioned by Irenaeus of Lyon, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian.
Thessalonica (the modern Greek city of Thessaloniki) was the most important commercial port of the Roman Empire. The Apostle Paul, together with Silas, visited there during his second missionary journey. Despite the violent hostility of the Jews, which forced Paul and Silas to leave Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul managed to lay the foundations of a Christian community in the city.
1 Thessalonians is one of Paul's earliest epistles. The co-authors of the letter are Silas and Timothy. It was written after Paul's visit to Athens (1 Thess. 3:1) and after Timothy's return from an inspection trip to Thessalonica to the local Christian community (1 Thess. 3:6), with which Paul was pleased. The author is generous in his praise of the community, which consisted of former pagans (1 Thess. 1:9). He calls it a "model" (Greek τύπους) for all believers in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thess. 1:7), and its members children of light (1 Thess. 5:5).
The epistle was known to the ancient Church Fathers; it is mentioned by Irenaeus of Lyon, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian.