MPV Commentary

At Thessalonica the Success of Paul's Preaching Endangering

When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, a city about thirty-seven miles due west from Apollonia at the head of the Thermaic Gulf. This was an appropriate place for the Gospel to take root in Europe, as Paul would later remind the Thessalonians: "From you, the word of the Lord sounded forth like a trumpet, not only in Macedonia and Achaia but in every place" (1Th 1:8).

In Thessalonica, there was a synagogue of the Jews. Paul, following his usual practice, went to them first. He began by explaining that Christ must suffer and rise from the dead, as predicted in the Old Testament Scriptures. This Messiah was none other than Jesus of Nazareth.

Paul's message met with acceptance among the Jewish leaders and some prominent women who were Greeks and men of high social standing. These converts were mostly Gentiles, including those who had previously been idolaters (1Th 1:9-10). During his stay in Thessalonica, Paul supported himself through hard work while receiving occasional financial support from the Philippians.

However, not everyone was pleased with Paul's success. The Jews, seeing their influence undermined by this stranger, became jealous and hostile. They gathered a mob of idle and worthless people to assault Jason's house, where Paul and Silas were staying. Jason was one of Paul's relatives (Ro 16:21) and a Hellenistic Jew.

When the mob found that Paul and Silas were not at home, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city magistrates, accusing them of turning the world upside down. The Jews claimed that Paul and his companions were acting against Caesar's decrees by proclaiming another king, Jesus (Joh 19:12).

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, a town about fifty or sixty miles southwest of Thessalonica. This decision was likely made because it would have been futile to continue preaching in Thessalonica at that time.

In Berea, the Jews received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to verify whether Paul's teachings were true. As a result, many of them believed, including some prominent women and men who were Greeks. These converts were notable for their noble character, as they heard the message without prejudice and with eager interest.

However, the Jews from Thessalonica soon followed Paul to Berea, intent on disrupting his ministry. The brethren in Berea sent Paul away again, this time to Athens. Silas and Timothy remained behind to continue building up the church in Berea and to provide support during its trials and persecutions.

Paul waited for Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens, where he intended to address the new and great sphere of influence. It is likely that they eventually arrived, as Paul had sent Timothy back to Thessalonica from Athens (1Th 3:1-2).