What Does 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Mean?

(1) “The founders of the Church of Thessalonica, who have so recently left it, greet the Church in the common Father in whom they are united.” **Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus.**—There was no need to add “Apostle” to the name of Paul, in writing to a Church with which his relations were so familiar and so cordial: it is probably omitted for the same reason in the Epistle to the Philippians and in that to Philemon. Some see in the omission a mark of the early date of the letter, before St. Paul had assumed the title; others think he omits it in courtesy to his companions, to whom it could not be given. Both theories are disproved by 1Thessalonians 2:6. Silas takes precedence of Timothy (comp. Acts 17:14-15; Acts 18:5; 2Thessalonians 1:1) as a man of higher standing. (See Acts 15:22, and 1Timothy 4:12.) **In God.**—Other Thessalonians were “in the world,” “in darkness,” “in their sins.” The distinctive mark of *these* was that they were re-united to the Father of all men; and more, re-united in Christ. The words following “peace” should be struck out, not being found in the best text.