The first epistle to the church at Thessalonica is possibly the earliest written document extant today which composes the canon of New Testament scripture. Most commentators fix the date at about 50 C.E. (Martin, 1978, p. 161; Morris, 1956, p. 15), basing this observation on the text itself, which testifies to the arrival of Silvanus and Timothy to be with Paul most probably at Corinth during his second missionary journey, as observed in the book of Acts (18:5). The authenticity of the epistle is largely unchallenged--it is included in virtually every important canonical list beginning with Marcion's (140 C.E.), and was "quoted by name by Irenaeus" about 180 C.E., and has essentially been universally accepted since that time (Morris, p. 16).
Thessalonica was the principal city of Macedonia and a key seaport on the Aegean Sea--specifically the Thermaic Gulf--established as the capital of the second district in 167 B.C.E., and later the "seat of provincial administration" when Macedonia became a province in 146 B.C.E. (Bruce, 1977, p. 223). Because the city had shown great allegiance to Rome in the aftermath of the assassination of Julius Caesar, it was appointed a "free city," allowing it to be governed by a popular assembly and council known as "politarchs" (Beare, 1962, p. 622). There was a flourishing Jewish community, complete with synagogue, to whom Paul had initially directed his missionary work (Acts 17:2), although it is apparent that more Gentiles and "not a few" of the wealthier [Jewish] women had been receptive to Paul's message (Acts 17:4).
As was frequently the case during Paul's ministry, his successful efforts at evangelism were met with much vehemence on the part of the Jewish leaders, who, at Thessalonica, decided that Paul had worn out his welcome in a matter of only three weeks. They later forced him to beat a hasty exodus to Beroea in the middle of the night after only a few additional weeks of mini...