Paul...to the Thessalonians Series: Maintaining this Hope Paul, along with Silvanus [Silas] and Timothy were the ones who evangalized Thessalonica. The area was quite hostile to the Gospel, yet those who received the message were nearly immediately willing to endure persecution for the sake of the God they had come to know in the Good news. These people were coming immediately out of idol worship to serve the only true God and they were passionate about Him from the beginning. Paul, Silas and Timothy had to leave the area not long after they had established a Christian presence in that town and they longed to return to these precious young believers for some time before they were able to send Timonthy. When Timothy returned from his visit with these people, he confirmed that they were steadfast in their faith. Paul then wrote the first letter to them which we are now studying in which he praised them for their work of faith, labors of love, their enduring hope and their Joy in the Holy Spirit. This church is very special in that Paul had to offer them no real correction, no reproof...only encouragement! Blessings!