(Here’s a quick note. Pr Will Weedon was teaching 1 Thessalonians this weekend and pointed this out to us. Thanks, Will.)
Remember that 1 Thessalonians is the first New Testament book written. Here’s the thumbnail history of what led up to the decision of Paul to put pen to parchment:
- Paul is on his second missionary journey (49-51 AD, Acts 16:1-18:22). He is with Silas, and picks up Luke and Timothy along the way.
- It looks to me like Paul desperately wants to go to Ephesus, but the Holy Spirit hinders him, and he is given the vision of the man from Macedonia, “Come help!” (Acts 16:9).
- Paul goes to Neapolis, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth, in each city encountering opposition and trouble.
- Paul stays in Thessalonica for a few weeks and is hastily sent away to save his life (Acts 17:1-10). Paul is full of worry for the believers there. He’s worried they might fall away from the faith, that he didn’t finish the work of catechizing them.
- Paul travels south to Athens. He sends Timothy to them to check on the Thessalonians, and he returns with mixed news, some good and some bad.
- Paul travels on to Corinth. (I think. Pr Weedon thinks that 1 Thessalonians is written from Athens.) He wants to go back to Thessalonica to check on the believers, but is prevented, so he writes a letter instead, and the New Testament is born.
- But what prevented him from returning north? Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20:
But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.
Satan prevents Paul from returning. The consequence? Paul starts writing.
This reminds us of Jacob:
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. Genesis 50:20
…of Romans:
We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
… and even of the cross, where the devil seems to be orchestrating the overthrow of his own kingdom.
God be praised!
-PrBW
