Paul and Silas in Thessalonica; Acts 17:1 – 9 Part 2

Church History: Date: A.D. 49-52
Paul went on with his work, notwithstanding the ill treatment he had received at Philippi; he did not fail, nor was he discouraged. He takes notice of this in his first epistle to the church here (1Thessalonians 2:2): After we were shamefully treated at Philippi, yet we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God. The opposition and persecution that he met with made him more resolute. He could never have held out, and held on, as he did, if he had not been animated by a spirit of power from on high. He passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, the former a city near Philippi, the latter near Thessalonica; he was undoubtedly under divine direction, and was told by the Holy Spirit what places he should pass through, and what he should rest in. Apollonia was a city of Illyricum, which, some think, illustrates that of Paul, that he had preached the gospel from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum (Romans 15:19), that is, to the borders of Illyricum where he now was; and we may suppose though he is said only to pass through these cities, yet that he staid so long in them as to publish the gospel there, and to prepare the way for the entrance of other ministers among them, whom he would later send.

He found a synagogue of the Jews there, which intimates that one reason why he passed through those other cities mentioned, and did not continue long in them, was because there were no synagogues in them. But, finding one in Thessalonica, he began his teaching there. It was always his manner to begin with the Jews, to make them the first offer of the gospel, and not to turn to the Gentiles till they had refused it, that their mouths might be stopped from clamoring against him because he preached to the Gentiles; for if they received the gospel they would cheerfully embrace the new converts; if they refused it, they might thank themselves if the apostles carried it to those that would bid it welcome. That command of beginning at Jerusalem was justly construed as a direction, wherever they came, to begin with the Jews. He met them in their synagogue on their Sabbath day, in their place and at their time of meeting, and thus he would pay respect to both. Sabbaths and solemn assemblies are always very precious to those to whom Christ is precious, (Psalms 84:10). It is good being in the house of the Lord on his day. This was Christ's manner, and Paul's manner, and has been the manner of all the saints, the good old way which they have walked in.