Silas in Thessalonica

Abstract

In 1 Thessalonians Paul frequently reminds the Thessalonians that he discussed the points in the letter while he was with them during the brief mission. These are: the need to keep working, the Parousia in the near future, the desirability of marriage, and his own integrity. Parallels with 1 Corinthians and so forth suggest that all these points are related, via a counter-teaching that the kingdom of god had already begun. Hence converts gave up work and sex and were grief-stricken when a fellow- Christian died. A similar situation seems to underlie 2 Thessalonians, where false doctrines appear to have made ground—that the day of the Lord has come, and that one should cease working, with more reminders of what Paul said in his mission. So the false teaching probably comes from Silas—he was there, a Jerusalem man, he was treated rather coolly and he suddenly vanishes from the scene.