As I mentioned in the Introduction, Paul is writing a letter to the believers in Thessalonica. Paul spent a little less than a month (Acts 17) with these new believers, and Silas and Timothy stayed back in that part of the region to continue to share the gospel. They were the pastors of the churches in those areas. Apparently, they were not on the hit list like Paul was. Paul, like many times before, had to run to flee death from the Jewish people.
Silas and Timothy finally made it back to brother Paul, who was in Corinth at the time (probably one of the most wicked cities of that time), to share what was going on not only with the church of Thessalonica but all of the other churches that Paul had started. So, you can imagine Paul’s heart was encouraged by the news of the newly formed and growing churches.
It is essential to see in the first verse, “Paul, Silvanus (or Silas), and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Silas and Timothy were the pastors of the church in the regions of Thessalonica. They were unable to provide the brothers and sisters in Christ an answer to a specific question. This is the main reason for Paul’s first and second letters to the Thessalonians. Paul attached Silas and Timothy to the letter to show that all three brothers in Christ were in agreement with each other on the specific issue. Silas and Timothy returned to Paul when he (Paul) was in Corinth; see Acts 18:5. The main question that the church of Thessalonica was struggling with (in the first letter) was the rapture of the believers, and did they miss it? How scary would that be? Paul will go over this in a few chapters, but this is the primary purpose of this letter, to answer their questions.
Before we get to the question of the rapture of the Church, Paul wants to encourage the church in how they proclaim the gospel and how they are transforming people’s lives. Paul hasn’t been to Thessalonica in about two years. The report he got from Timothy and Silas was tremendous. Paul writes in verse 6, paraphrased, “you are imitating us, Paul, Timothy, Silas and of course our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The people know that Paul had come to them because his life was in danger. Why was Paul in danger? Because he shares the gospel of Jesus Christ. Going back to the letter to the church, Paul says that they (Thessalonians) are also being persecuted for the gospel. The news is spreading like wildfire to the other parts of the country (verse 7).
When you surrender your life to Jesus and put your faith in Him, you will have life change. You will have the Holy Spirit directing and guiding your path. God never asks us to change our life, then follow Him. He says, follow me, and I will make your path straight. This is exactly what the church in Thessalonica did.
The Roman culture was huge on many gods and worshipping man-made pieces of metal, stone, or images. Remember, Thessolanica is in the Roman Empire. Ceaser makes his own rules and wants the whole world to follow his word. Not the word of God. The church of Thessalonica turned away from all that, living for self, or doing what Ceaser calls good. That is what we call transformation, or repentance, to turn from your way and make Jesus the leader of your life. The Thessalonians’ lives were in danger daily. Many of the brothers and sisters were dying for their faith in the gospel, and the ones still alive were patiently and fervently waiting on Jesus to deliver them. This ends chapter 1.
When Chapter Two opens up, Paul refreshes their memory of where they (Paul, Silas, and Timothy) came from before landing in Thessalonica.