Thessalonians background

The Apostle Paul wrote the letters to the believers in Thessalonians not too long after he had left there, around AD 50.   The letters were probably written in response to the report he received from Timothy, who was sent there while Paul was in Athens, 1 Thess 3.1.-3.  Acts chapter 17 gives the account of Paul and Co.'s first encounter with the Thessalonians.  He had some positive response from his speaking in the synagogue of the Jews.  Luke does not record much of the time in the city, for Acts 17.5 says the Jews who were not persuaded became envious and caused trouble, so as to probably not be a problem for the new believers, Paul and Silas moved on to Berea where they had success as well in the synagogue, but Jews from Thessalonica came and stirred up the crowds against them.  So, Paul was moved along to Athens while Silas and Tim. remained behind.  After they came, Tim and Silas were sent back to Thessalonica.  Paul would move onto Corinth.  It was there that Tim and Silas would return with news from Thessalonica, Acts 18.5.  This was during the time of the proconsul Gallio, around AD50, and it was during this time the letter to Thessalonica was written in response to the report of Tim and Silas.   Paul was concerned about these young believers, because they had to face persecution from the jealous unbelieving Jews, who had lost gentiles to the Way, and they would be under affliction and temptation by their own people.  Paul must have spent more than a few days at Thessalonica, because Acts only records his impact on the Synagogue attendees, while his first letter speaks of those who turned to God from idols, which reveals an evangelistic ministry to those on the outside.  The letter also indicates his primary audience is gentile:  1:9; 2:14; 4:3-5.  His letter also addresses issue about the coming of Christ and the events leading up to it, which would indicate some time was spent on teaching such things.  This reveals that such topics should be taught even among younger believers.  Paul writes in response of the report from Tim.  He writes to encourage them by his cognition and approval of their conduct and to address the problem of persecution and the need to endure it.  He also addresses issues of prophecy and conduct becoming a child of God.