To begin our study in 1 Thessalonians, it's only appropriate that we begin by getting some background information on the city that we're dealing with. Just like you wouldn't move to a new city without first finding out some pertinent information, you shouldn't begin studying a book of the Bible without first getting yourself oriented to the geography, culture, and people that the author is writing to or about. If you don't have that basic information, it becomes very easy to put your own spin on the text and completely lose the author's original intention for writing said letter. So, with that in mind, let's begin with some basic history and information.
Our study of Thessalonica (Θεσσαλονίκη) begins with some geography. This city is a Macedonian city, located on the Thermaic Gulf (in the northern part of the Aegean Sea). A major port city, Thessalonica, presently known as Thessaloniki or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and is also the capital of Macedonia, the nation's largest region. According to the 2001 census, the city boasts a population of over 360,000. At present, Thessalonica is the second major economic, industrial, commercial and political center of Greece, and a major transportation hub for the rest of southeastern Europe.
The city of Thessalonica was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, a general in Alexander the Great's army; the city was named in honor of his wife, Thessalonikeia, the daughter of Philip II and the half-sister of Alexander. This new city was comprised of many surrounding towns, including ancient Therma. In 167 BC, Macedonia was divided into four districts, and Thessalonica became the capital of the second division (Macedonia), which later became a Roman province, thus making it the center for Roman administration. As a result of their loyalty to Antony and Ocatavian during the second civil war between Caesar and Pompey (42 BC), Thessalonica was privileged with the status of a free city, meaning that it was ruled by its own governing officials under the Roman Empire. This shred of truth is evidenced in Acts 17:6-8 when we find Luke using the term "politarch," which has been found in an inscription on the Vardar Gate and other inscriptions from the area.
We mentioned that Thessalonica was, and still is, a major port city, but they were also a part of the Egnatian Way. The Egnatian Way was an overland route from Italy to the East, and it ran right through the city. This provided the city with a great deal of traffic from travelers, as it was a popular stopping point along the way for merchant both merchant and religious activities. The Egnatian Way would become an integral part of the ministry that would pour forth from this city after the founding of its church by Paul. And, just as a means of making the picture clearer, it was estimated that anywhere between 100,000-200,000 people lived in and around Thessalonica during the first century.
That pretty much covers the geographic and political status of the city, but we don't want to forget about the religious situation that existed, especially during the time that Paul visited and wrote this letter. Thessalonica was a city with a wide variety of religious activity going on. Not only did it house Jewish and Samaritan synagogues, but it was also a place of worship for many other pagan religions. In particular, there is evidence that the cult of Cabiri, the cult of the god Serapis, as well as a cult associated with the goddess Isis. There was also significant worship of Greek gods such as Zeus (who was represented in their coins), Aphrodite, Dionysus, and others. To sum up the Thessalonian religious experience, it was a hodgepodge of beliefs trying to co-exist together, much like we see in America today. It is this religious system that Paul was facing when he entered the city, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Now that we have an understanding of the geographic, political, and religious background of Thessalonica, we are now ready to move forward in our study. Next time we'll begin looking at the circumstances that surrounded the writing of this letter, including beginning a brief study of Acts 17, which details Paul's time in the city. Until then, read through the epistle in its entirety and keep your armor on. God bless!
Map of Thessalonica
Map: Copyright © 2005 BibleWorks, LLC
BibliographyAchtemeier, Paul J., Publishers Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature. Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.
Elwell, Walter A. and Philip Wesley Comfort. Tyndale Bible Dictionary. Tyndale reference library. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.
Thessaloniki. (2009, May 6). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:12, May 6, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thessaloniki&oldid=288327794
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