Thessalonica
Which country is Thessalonica in today? Greece's second city, Thessaloniki, where Paul founded a church that he later wrote two letters to.
- Today
- Thessaloniki, Greece
- Country
- Greece
- Status
- Major city: Early Christian and Byzantine monuments (UNESCO)
- Identification
- Certain
In Paul's day Thessalonica was the capital of the province of Macedonia and a busy port on the Via Egnatia. Paul came here after Philippi and for three Sabbaths reasoned in the synagogue from the Scriptures about the Messiah; some Jews, many Greeks and a number of leading women believed. Because of the uproar that followed, the believers sent him away by night to Berea. Soon afterwards Paul wrote two letters to this young church, encouraging it and answering its questions about the Lord's coming.
Read the chapters
- Acts 17
The chapter where Paul engages the varied beliefs and philosophies of Athens — a model of speaking with respect for the listener's culture yet with candor.
- 1 Thessalonians 1
- 2 Thessalonians 1
- Philippians 4
A chapter on joy and inner peace, teaching contentment in every situation, prayer instead of anxiety, and trust in God's peace.
- 2 Timothy 4
Related topics
Related people
- Paul
- Peter
- Barnabas
- Stephen
- Lydia
- Matthew
- Timothy
- John the Apostle
- Philip the Apostle
- Judas Iscariot
- Mark
- Luke
Related verse collections
- Bible Verses About Prayer
- Bible Verses About Fear and Anxiety
- Bible Verses About Thankfulness
- Bible Verses About Salvation
- Bible Verses About Courage
- Bible Verses About Repentance
- Bible Verses About Money and Contentment
- Bible Verses About Humility
- Bible Verses About Generosity
- Bible Verses About Jesus
- Bible Verses About Holiness
- Bible Verses About Faithfulness
- Bible Verses About Witness
- Bible Verses About New Beginnings
- Bible Verses About God's Protection
- Bible Verses About Joy
- Bible Verses About Strength
- Bible Verses About Peace and Rest
- Bible Verses About Work and Labor
- Bible Verses About Friendship
Reading plans
- The Bible for Beginners — 10 Days
- The Early Church Through Acts — 28 Days
- The Bible in a Year — 365 Days from Cover to Cover
- 30 Days with the Gospel — An Introduction to the New Testament
Books
Places in the Bible
Which country is Thessalonica in today?
Thessalonica is Thessaloniki in Greece today, the country's second-largest city and the centre of the region of Central Macedonia. In Türkiye it is also known as the birthplace of Atatürk. Paul explained from the Scriptures in the synagogue here that Jesus is the Messiah and founded a church (Acts 17:1-4), to which he later wrote two letters. The city's Early Christian and Byzantine monuments, including the Basilica of St Demetrius, are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How long did Paul stay in Thessalonica?
Acts says Paul reasoned from the Scriptures in the synagogue of Thessalonica for three Sabbaths (Acts 17:2) but gives no exact length of stay. Philippians 4:16 says he received help from Philippi more than once while he was there, which suggests he may have stayed longer than a few weeks.
What are the letters to the Thessalonians about?
1 and 2 Thessalonians are the letters Paul wrote to this church (1 Thessalonians 1:1). They encourage believers under pressure and describe the Lord's coming and the resurrection of those who have died in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).