{2}1 LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS{/}

In the year 50, Paul arrived in Thessalonica, a major city and the capital of the province of Macedonia (see [Acts_17,1]). Here, after being rejected by the Jews, he addressed his preaching to the pagans and succeeded in forming a community. After barely three months, a riot caused by the Jews forced him to leave.
What is going to happen to these recent converts to whom Paul taught the mere basics of Christian life?
Paul is quite concerned, so he sends Timothy to see them and to strengthen their church. Timothy comes back with an optimistic report and Paul, reassured, sends this letter at the beginning of 51.
This is the oldest writing of the New Testament.

{2}2 LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS{/}

The First Letter to the Thessalonians taught us the importance that looking forward to the coming of Christ had in Paul's preaching.
The hope for the Day of Christ was a powerful incentive for preserving the faith of the first Christians. Yet it could lead to an unhealthy nervousness. The Church of Thessalonica was the first example of those minorities and persecuted groups in whom the expectation of the end of the world distorts the normal development of Christian life.
In this letter, written a few months after the first one, Paul tries to reassure the community.
