Consequently, paul had to not only consider the very safety of his own life, but the church in thessalonica as well, forcing him to flee. We can see the book of acts developing in a way that follows the geographical sequence of acts 1. The letters called epistles from paul to thessalonica, which included i thessalonians and ii thessalonians were probably two of the earliest letters paul had written which was around a. At thessalonica there were only some of them that believed, but at berea, where they heard with unprejudiced minds, many believed, many more jews than at thessalonica. So the berean brethren sent paul to athens, but paul left silas and timothy behind 17. Joseph a alexander acts commentary 1857, 1866 over pages. At various times, up to 36 of them were in the city. While there he spoke in the synagogue, persuading some jews and even more godfearing gentiles that jesus was the promised messiah. Summary of the book of 1 thessalonians story of the. Luke describes the jews as becoming jealous and stirring up trouble against paul acts 17. This narrative recounts pauls work in the city of thessalonica during his second missionary journey. We are not told in the book of acts that paul asked them to return to thessalonica to check on the progress of the young converts there, but we learn from 1 thessalonians 3 that when paul went on to athens, he sent timothy to thessalonica. The ancient city of thessalonica is the same city, which is now called thessaloniki.
There are a number of helpful commentaries on the thessalonian epistles. Luke reports that they originated from thessalonica. Acts 17 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. This was the beginning of spreading the gospel from the continent of asia to the continent of europe. Jason of thessalonica was a jewish convert and early christian believer mentioned in the new testament in acts 17. Thessalonica was a city actually of many synagogues. In preaching to the thessalonians, paul appealed to the old testament prophecies concerning the messiah. His feast day is july 12 in the roman catholic church, april 28 in the slavic christian. Paul had founded the church in thessalonica during his second missionary journey acts 17 and he and his companions often desired to return to thessalonica but were unable 1 thess. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early christian tradition uniformly affirmed that luke composed this book as well as the gospel of luke. The king named the city after his wife thessalonike, who was alexander the greats halfsister thessalonica was an autonomous part of the kingdom of macedon until 168 b.
In 42 bc, after the battle at philippi, thessalonica was made a free city. Why did the tumult in thessalonica fail to hinder the establishment of the church a. In 168 bc it became the capital of the second district of macedonia and later it was made the capital and major port of the whole roman province of macedonia 146 bc. Thessalonicas location and use as a port made it a prominent city.
In acts, luke recorded that paul preached for three sabbath days to the jews in the local synagogue acts 17. Because of pauls conduct as a preacher of the word 1th 2. Acts 17 new international version niv in thessalonica. Acts 17 is the seventeenth chapter of the acts of the apostles in the new testament of the christian bible.
There paul had a similar experience to thessalonica with conversions followed by hostility, so the believers sent paul away. Thessalonica thessaloniki was founded around 315 b. Most can be obtained from a good religious bookstore. Going to thessalonica transferred the ministry of the gospel to western civilization. All three may have been together when the gospel was first introduced to thessalonica. The historical context of pauls epistles to the thessalonians is found in acts 17. Though absolute monarchies hold sway over very few peoples today, many still live under totalitarian rule.
Certainly, timothy knew the brethren since paul had sent him to check on their status 1 thessalonians 3. Acts of the apostles online commentary america magazine. Note, god gives grace to those whom he first inclines to make a diligent use of the means of grace, and particularly to search the scriptures. It may possibly mean that a message was despatched to him at ber. Acts 17 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. Despite his persecution in philippi, the conflict in thessalonica 1th 2. Constable historical background thessalonica was originally an ancient town named thermai, meaning hot springs. Acts 17 contains the description of the evangelistic efforts of paul and silas and timothy in three cities. This is the first entry in the bible junkies online commentary on the acts of the apostles this will be a. The church was established in the midst of turmoil and problems in the city. The spread of the gospel begins at jerusalem, spreads to judea and samaria, and then expands to the other nations of the world. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons.
These verses describe pauls experiences and work in thessalonica and berea during his second missionary journey. The evangelization of thessalonica and berea acts 17. This is currently the second largest and second most important city in greece. A good multivolume commentary will generally provide an indepth outline of each book of the bible. The apostles escaped, and got to berea, where they began anew their important evangelical labors. Their reception of the gospel was confirmed by the living of their faith. Acts 17 niv in thessalonica when paul and his bible.
Of the religious proselytes, indeed, a great multitude were converted, among whom were many. Later he sent timothy to encourage the believers there with sound doctrine, and to report back to paul regarding their spiritual condition 1 thess. A good study bible we recommend the following features. He headed for athens, while silvanus and timothy remained in berea acts 17. We do not recommend loose translations or oneman translations. After paul started the church in thessalonica, he wrote this first letter to the believers there within just a few months of leaving. David guzik commentary on acts 17 continues describing the second missionary journey which takes paul into thessalonica, berea, and athens. Paul felt so eager a desire to return to his persecuted children.
And some of them believed notwithstanding pauls arguments were all taken out of the scriptures, his discourse did not make such an impression on the jews as might have been expected. Christ in his ministry had opened the minds of his disciples to these prophecies. According to tradition, jason is numbered among the seventy disciples. Macedonia was the former kingdom of alexander the great he wanted one world domination and enlightenment with the culture of greece. Polhill even describes pauls abrupt departure from the church in thessalonica due to the rise of the jealous jewish mob which directly correlates to the bond paid by jason in acts 17. The continuation of the second missionary tour is the theme of acts 17, in which luke relates the success of pauls mission in thessalonica acts 17. The town gave its name to the thermaic gulf of the aegean sea, on the shore of which it stood. This work, originally out in 1857, has proved helpful to many, though it is now far out of date as to literature commenting on acts. Acts chapter 17 matthew henry complete commentary on.
A free bible commentary on the first letter to the thessalonians in easyenglish. This letter is addressed to the church, or called out which would be the local body of. Timothy, apparently, did not at first leave thessalonica with st. While acts narrative purpose is fulfilled by describing a single episode of persecution in thessalonica, paul names in terms of ongoing suffering. This commentary draws on the text of the new international version and follows the major divisions made by the niv translators.
Check out this summary and commentary and the book of i thessalonians. When the christian gospel invades such an environment. Instead of taking a ship, most probably from cenchrea, the eastern port of corinth, to sail to syria, he decided to return through macedonia acts 20. I decided to take a look at how the expositors bible commentary breaks the chapter down. In time it became an important city because of its strategic location. Clearly dialegomai in pauls proclamation and defense of the gospel in the book of acts for luke records that paul reasoned in thessalonica acts 17. Preachers must avoid antisemitism in describing the persecution to which acts refers. It is generally supposed that pauls first epistle to the thessalonians is the first book of the new testament that was ever. The city of thessalonica the city received its name from cassander, king of macedon, who gave its title in honor of his wife, thessalonice.
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