Thessalonica was founded after the triumph of Macedonia and had a
position in world affairs. It became one of the chief cities because it
was situated at the junction of the main land route from Italy to the
eastern countries, and was one of the busiest ports of the Aegean.
Thessalonica remains a major city of Greece to this day.
The church of the Thessalonians was taught the good-message, the gospel,
regarding God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, by Paul together with
Silas and Timothy, as noted in Acts 17:1-9. Although some of the Judeans
believed, mainly the church in Thessalonica comprised of Gentiles who
had believed what Paul and those with him taught, and thus became
holy-people/Christians - they became children of the only true God.
These Thessalonian holy-people/Christians, who had received the Word of
God which Paul and those with him taught them, became examples to
Christians in many surrounding areas manifesting-forth God's Word during
the everyday living of their lives.
The epistle/letter of I Thessalonians, which is one of the writings of
the Apostle Paul, is said to have been sent-out from Corinth about the
end of 52 or the beginning of 53 AD (see Acts 18:11). Some people hold
that, of all the Books of the Gospels and New Covenant (Testament), this
was the first written. The epistle/letter of II Thessalonians is said to
also have been written from Corinth shortly after I Thessalonians was
written, as both Silas and Timothy were still with Paul.
Together, the Books of I and II Thessalonians expound the great hope of
the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and information about what will
occur during and after that time, plus they teach us many truths on how
to live today as we await his return from heaven.