Quizzing the New Testament : 1 Thessalonians

Answer: Silas and Timothy

Paul visited Thessalonica, which was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia, on his second missionary journey. He had journeyed there after dreaming of a man who pleaded with him to cross over into Europe. Acts records his speaking at the synagogue on three Sabbath days before opposition from the local Jewish community forced Paul and his companions to leave (Acts 17 v. 1-9).

This disruptive element even followed them to Berea where further trouble was caused (Acts 17 v. 13).

Answer: The earliest book of the New Testament to be written

Dating of the letter depends on how you tie in its writing with the evidence of Acts. There, Luke records that, having visited Thessalonica and Berea, Paul went on to Athens leaving Silas and Timothy behind (Acts 17 v. 14). Silas and Timothy then rejoined Paul (Acts 18 v. 4), only for Timothy to be sent back to Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3 v. 2). The letter was written after Timothy subsequently reported to Paul.

From Athens, Paul moved on to Corinth and was there when Gallio was proconsul (51-52 AD) (Acts 18 v. 12). Most scholars consider the letter to have been sent at this time although an earlier dating, whilst Paul was still in Athens, is possible. Some of the gospel stories may have been written down by then, but it is generally held that 1 Thessalonians was the first New Testament book to reach its final written form.

Answer: He was beaten and imprisoned

"The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully." (Acts 16 v. 22-23)

At Philippi, Paul and Silas were imprisoned after exorcising a slave girl. During the night, an earthquake devastated the prison but none of the prisoners escaped. This was to the considerable relief of the jailor, who converted to Christianity as a result (Acts 16 v. 16-34).

Answer: His sole desire was to prove the Jews wrong.

"For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. ... You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed - God is our witness." (1 Thessalonians 2 v. 3, 5)

Paul often ended up defending himself from criticism. In his other letters, this was usually from "Jewish" Christians who accused him of teaching false doctrine. Here, though, he is writing to what appears to be a largely Gentile church and, reading between the lines, has been accused of being a freeloading charlatan.

Answer: That it was accompanied with power and conviction

"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." (1 Thessalonians 1 v. 4-5)

It seems to have been the early church's expectation that, when the gospel was preached, it would be accompanied by the miraculous. This was clearly the case on the day of Pentecost and is evidenced again when Luke writes about Paul and Barnabas in Iconium:
"So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders." (Acts 14 v. 3)

Answer: Satan

"For we wanted to come to you - certainly I, Paul, did, again and again - but Satan stopped us." (1 Thessalonians 2 v. 18)

Paul does not expand on what he means by this statement and he does not appear to have been in prison between preaching in Thessalonica and writing to them. He is probably, therefore, referring to the violence that marred his earlier visit. It is also unusual for Paul to see the devil as a direct obstacle to his plans. Everywhere else in his letters, he speaks of the devil's ability to affect human behaviour but not to act directly. This reinforces the view that he is thinking of the mob and sees them as having been stirred up by Satan.

Answer: Good news about their faith and love

"But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you." (1 Thessalonians 3 v. 6)

This is one of those rare epistles where Paul does not have to restore proper order in the church or correct faulty beliefs. Instead, his time is mostly taken up with advice on Christian lifestyle.

Answer: Their bodies

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable..." (1 Thessalonians 4 v. 3-4)

Paul's advice is strikingly similar to words he would later write to another "Gentile" church at Corinth, which is also the probable place from which he wrote to the Thessalonians:
"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6 v. 18-20)

In biblical terms, "holy" means "belonging to God" and to sanctify something was to make it holy, to set it apart for God's purposes. The temple in which God "lived", therefore, was holy because it was set apart for God. Here, Paul is saying that Christians are holy not just because of being dedicated to God but also through the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is interesting to note that Paul, the ex-Pharisee, has so tuned into his Gentile audience that this is the basis for his argument against sexual immorality, rather than an appeal to Jewish law and practice.

Answer: Jesus will come like a thief in the night.

"Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." (1 Thessalonians 5 v. 1-2)

This was clearly a well-used analogy among the early Christians as it also appears in Peter's second letter and in Revelation. The quote may well go back to Jesus who is quoted as saying something very similar in content:
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back ..." (Mark 13 v. 32-34).

Answer: Strive against the devil's hand within you

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5 v. 16-18)

It's a fitting note on which to finish as these serve as great words of advice to all Christians, at all times and in all places.