Thessalonica: Thessaloni'ca. (θεσσαλονίκη, in classical writers also θεσσαλονικεία and θετταλονίκη); In Paul's time, Thessalonica was a large and important town of Macedonia = a prominent seaport with commercial success, and the Capital of Macedonia with roughly 200,000 in population; visited by Paul on several occasions, and the seat of a Church to which two of his letters were addressed. This prosperous city was located on the Via Ignatia, the main road from Rome to the East, within sight of Mount Olympus, legendary home of the Greek pantheon.
Thessalonica location.
Thessalonica has a sizable Jewish population, and the ethical monotheism of Judaism attracted many Gentiles who has become disenchanted with Greek paganism.
Paul had many pleasant memories of the days he spent with the infant Thessalonian Church. Their faith, hope, love, and perseverance in the face of persecution were exemplary (serving as a pattern, worthy of imitation).
Paul's labor as a spiritual parent to the fledgling church had been richly rewarded, and his affection is visible in every line of his letter to them.
Paul encourages them to excel in their new-found Faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to rejoice, pray, and give thanks always. He closes his letter with instruction regarding the return of the Lord, Whose advent signifies hope and comfort for Believers both living and dead.
Thessalonica survives today under the shortened name Salonika.
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1 Thessalonians ~ Chapter 1/Thursday Bible Study
Greetings & Thanksgiving
“From Paul, ^Silvanus, and ^^Timothy, to the Church of the Thessalonians, in Elohim the Father and the *Lord Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. Grace and peace be to you from Elohim and the Lord Yeshua Ha’Mashiach.
We thank **Elohim for all of you at all times and we make mention of you in our prayers. We cannot forget, as we appear before Elohim our Father, how your work came from your faith, how your toil came from your love, and your endurance came from your hope in the ***Lord Jesus Christ.
Brethren, we know that Elohim loves you and that He has chosen you. We brought the #Gospel to you, not in mere (this and that, and nothing more; simple, absolute, entire) words, but also with power – with the ****Ruach HaKo’desh and with full conviction (strong belief, state of being sensible), and you know how we conducted (personal behavior, management) ourselves among you for your sakes. And you, in turn, followed our example (a sample, pattern, model, precedent/going before, instance) and the example of the Lord. You not only accepted the Word, but you met persecution (unjust harassment, continued annoyance) in so doing, holding out in the Ruach HaKo’desh with much joy (pleasure, delight, expectation of good).
In that way, you became examples to all ^^^Believers throughout ##Macedonia and ###Greece, but not only that – the story of your faith has gone out in every direction so that people know, and we need not say another word. For people now tell us how we came to you, and how you left your idols and turned to *****Elohei Ha’Elohim and are now serving (to work for and obey) the true and living God. And they tell that you are now awaiting the return from Heaven of His Son, Yeshua, Whom Elohim raised from the dead, Who will deliver us from the coming wrath.” (vv. 1 thru 10)
^Silvanus = also, Silas: Paul’s companion on the second missionary journey, Silas was originally part of the early congregation at Jerusalem. He was one of the party bringing greetings and the decision of the Jerusalem Council to the Christians at Antioch. He returned to Jerusalem, then came back to Antioch in time to join Paul on the second journey. Like Paul, he was a roman citizen which, undoubtedly, saved his life during some of the troubles in the towns in Asia Minor and Macedonia. Silas stayed in Berea for a time, preaching, before joining Paul again in Corinth. Silas was with Paul when the letters were written from Corinth to Thessalonica. It seems, however, that Silas did not stay in Corinth during the year and half that Paul lived there. The next mention in the New Covenant of Silas is in the Book of 1 Peter – where he is described as the man carrying Peter’s letter from Rome to the churches in Asia Minor. Silas was probably associated with Peter after leaving Paul at Corinth. There was no hint of animosity however, between Silas and Paul. Acts 15 thru 18; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; & 1 Peter 5:12
^^Timothy = son of the devout Jewish woman, Eunice, and a Greek father, Timothy became a follower of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach when Apostle Paul preached the Gospel in Lystra, Timothy’s hometown. Paul invited the young convert to accompany him on his second missionary journey; and was sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the fellowship there. After another journey with Paul, Timothy was sent to Corinth to straighten out some problems upsetting the fellowship there.
Timothy later looked after Paul during Paul’s imprisonment. Timothy subsequently was asked to go to Ephesus to represent Paul, and received the two letters from Paul that bear Timothy’s Name. Timothy – these letters reveal, was like a son to Paul. The last word in the New Covenant
About this sensitive, sickly, but faithful young helper was that he was imprisoned but finally released. Acts 16:1, 17:14-15, 18:5, 19:22 & 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4;17 & 16:10; 2 Corinthians1:1 & 19; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3:2, & 6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 & 2 Timothy; Philemon 1; and Hebrews 13:23.
^^^Believers: worshiper; worshippers.
*Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.
**Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, Romanized: Elohim: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.
***Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.
The word “Lord” has a wide range of uses; it can be a simple respectful “Sir” or a more formal, “Master.” But the New Testament also uses “Lord” of God. The word “Christ” is the anglicized form of the Greek word meaning “anointed one” or “Messiah.” “Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us that Jesus is both the promised Messiah and our God.
Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.
****Ruach HaKo’desh: In Hebrew, the Holy Spirit (רוח הקודש, Roo-ahk hah-Koh-desh) refers to the divine force, quality, and influence (aka, power) of God.
The Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16 & 11:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Titus 3:5; and Jude 1:20), is referred to more than 90 times in the Brit Chadashah.
*****Elohei Ha’Elohim (Hebrew word: אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים) = God of gods; above all gods.
#Gospel = teaching or revelation of Christ.
##Macedonia: Macedonia has a long, rich history dating back to biblical times. In fact, Macedonia is mentioned at least 23 times in seven books of the Holy Bible. The Macedonian region, located in south-central Balkans, is comprised of northern Greece, southwestern Bulgaria, and the independent Republic of North Macedonia.
###Greece: What was Greece called in biblical times? Also serving as the Hebrew name for Greece or Greeks in general, יָוָן Yavan or Yāwān has long been considered cognate with the name of the eastern Greeks, the Ionians (Greek Ἴωνες Iōnes, Homeric Greek Ἰάονες Iáones; Mycenaean Greek *Ιαϝονες Iawones).
**Colossians 3 & 4: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/01/colossians-chapters-3-bible-study.html
