It seems to be generally admitted that this was the first of all
Paul's inspired epistles to be written. If any desire confirmation of
this they will do well to read the third chapter of the Epistle and
then compare it with Acts 17. The Epistle was written just after
Timothy had returned from his visit to Thessalonica, paid while Paul
was at Athens; and hence when he wrote it the Apostle's labours at
Corinth had barely begun and he had not even visited Ephesus. In any
event read the early verses of Acts 17 for the historic details there
found give much point to various details in the Epistle.
The fact that the Thessalonians were believers of not many months
standing-just young converts-imparts a peculiar interest to this
epistle. It is most encouraging to see how many things are true of even
the youngest believers in Christ, and also how much grace and
devotedness may mark them if their simplicity be unspoiled.
Paul's labours at Thessalonica were very brief; at the end of about
three weeks they were cut short by a riot. Very solid work was done
however, as this first chapter bears witness. We may take it as certain
that intense Satanic opposition is always a sign that a real work of
God is proceeding. The rioters called Paul and his friends, "These that
have turned the world upside down," and this designation was not far
from the truth. The truth was that the world itself was completely
upside down, and the labours of Paul and others were setting men right
side up before God. The world itself was left in its upside down
condition, but many in Thessalonica were converted out of the world and
set in right relations with God. These converts became the church, or
assembly, of the Thessalonians.