Religion and Theology

The historical background of Thessalonica was originally an ancient town named Thermani, meaning Hot Springs.  In due course, it became a city with a significant role because of its strategic location. Cassander, the Macedonian king, established the city in 315 B.C. and named it after his wife, who was the half-sister of Alexander the Great. By the time of the Roman Empire, it became the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia, and it stood on the Via Egnatia, the Roman highway heading eastward. During Pauls time, it was an autonomous community with enough Jews in residence to warrant the construction of a synagogue (Acts 171).

This place was one of Pauls major missionary activity when was instrumental in establishing a Christian community there on his second missionary journey (Acts 171-9 New American Bible).  However the creation of this community caused some trouble among the Jews and in order to keep the peace, he and his companion, Silas, agreed to leave the city (Acts 1710). However, he revisited the community on his third visit and even though he had not done so subsequently relied on his friend Timothy to keep him apprised of the situation and based on the latters report, Paul started writing his letter to the Thessalonians in two series.

In the first letter, Paul tried to address one of the issues that appeared to be causing some problems with the Christian community in Thessalonica, which was the apparent immorality going on there when he heard that the people there were being very promiscuous and committing other acts not pleasing to the Lord. He exhorted them to greater care in carrying out the gospel precepts, particularly those pertaining to right sexual conduct

It is Gods will that you grow in holiness that you abstain from immorality, each of you guarding his member in sanctity and honor, not in passionate desire as do the Gentiles who know not God and that each refrain from overreaching and cheating his brother in the matter at hand for the Lord is an avenger of all such things, as we once indicated to you by our testimony. God has not called us to immortality but to holiness hence, whoever rejects these instructions rejects not man, but God who sends His Holy Spirit upon you (1 Gal 41-8).

It can be inferred here that the Thessalonians had not completely let go of their former lifestyle prior to their conversion to Christianity where they would freely engage in sexual activities which would include of all things, orgies and even spouse-swapping and such things were considered immoral to God and it was apparent here that the Thessalonians were still trying to seek pleasure in worldly ways (Morris, 1959, pp.117-119).  What Paul was trying to do was to rectify this error of thinking by exhorting the Thessalonians to adhere to the highest moral standards by pleasing God first rather than ones own desires and it would be quite a struggle to do so but to those who would heed Gods will, the rewards would be greater in the sense that the gratification they would receive from God would be greater than what they would enjoy from their earthly life.

Paul next focuses on the most serious problem which Timothys report highlighted, and it was the Thessalonians excessive sorrow over the death of their loved ones, because they assumed that they would be deprived of the satisfaction of the second coming of the Christ or parousia.  Paul spelled it out this way

(No) The Lord Himself will come down from heaven at the word of command, at the sound of the archangels voice and Gods trumpet and those who have died in Christ will rise first. Then we, the living, the survivors, will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thenceforth we shall be with the Lord unceasingly. Console one another with this message (1 Thes 416-17).

Paul maintained that the resurrection of the dead would occur before the parousia, so that Christians living at the time would not have any undue advantage over those who had died. He reminded them that Christ had already conquered death by dying on the cross and he assured them that the dead will rise again and so there was no need for mourning and grieving or dwelling too much on the passing of their loved ones (Morris, 1959, pp. 135-136).

He further reminded them of the words of Christ exhorted the need of constant spiritual readiness for it when he said

We who live by faith must be alert, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope for salvation as a helmet. God has not destined us for wrath but for acquiring salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us, that all of us, whether awake or asleep, together might live with Him.  Therefore, comfort and upbuild one another, as indeed you are doing (1 Thes 58-11).

What Paul meant here was that they show the proper attitude toward one another in true Christian spirit by way of preparing for this.  If one were to draw a conclusion to the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians, Paul was trying to help set things straight among them.  To ensure they live morally upright lives by adhering to the highest moral standards and he corrected their views of life and death, stating that the dead are not exactly dead but are asleep and will one day awaken before the parousia where along with the living, will live happily under Gods graces.