even in Thessalonica "Even when I wasthere." Thessalonica was just 100 Roman miles (about 92 English) from Philippi, on the Via Egnatia. Amphipolis and Apollonia were the two intermediate road-stations, about 30 miles from each other, and apparently Paul and Silas passed only a night at each, hastening to Thessalonica, where probably they spent some weeks, or even months (Acts 17:1-9; and cp. Conybeare and Howson, Life and Epistles&c., ch. 9; Lewin, L. and E. &c., vol. 1. chap. 11). Thus Thessalonica was practically the Apostle's first pause after leaving Philippi; and it was in Macedonia.

once and again Within a short stay at the longest. In Acts 17 only "three sabbaths" are mentioned; but the Epistles to Thessalonica seem to imply that he stayed somewhat longer, by their allusions to the impression made at Thessalonica by his and his companions" life and example. See 1Th 2:1-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8.

my necessity The profits of his hard manual labour at Thessalonica (see 1 and 2 Thess. just quoted) evidently left him still very poor. He would take nothing of the Thessalonians, while still actually introducingthe Gospel to them.

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