During Paul's second missionary journey, from which city did he write 1 Thessalonians?

• A. Athens
• B. Corinth
• C. Rome
• D. Jerusalem

Answer: (B)

The question tests your ability to place Paul’s writing of 1 Thessalonians in the timeline of his second missionary journey by using clues in the text itself and the Acts narrative.

Paul’s second journey took him through Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, then Athens, and finally Corinth. In Corinth he stayed for an extended period with Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18). Importantly, the letter to the Thessalonians contains references that point to events occurring while Paul was in Corinth. In 1 Thessalonians 3:2–6, Paul explains that he sent Timothy to establish and encourage the Thessalonians and that Timothy had just returned with good news of their faith and love. That report from Thessalonica to Paul fits the situation if Paul was then in Corinth, receiving news from Thessalonica through Timothy. Additionally, 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 expresses Paul’s desire to visit them soon, which aligns with the ongoing interaction between Paul in Corinth and the Thessalonian believers.

Dating this letter around 50–51 AD also fits the broader sequence of Acts 18, where Paul’s lengthy stay in Corinth occurred after his time in Thessalonica and Athens. The other cities don’t fit as well with these internal clues: Athens marks the earlier leg of the journey, and writing from Jerusalem or Rome would require different situational cues and timing not present in the Thessalonian correspondence.

So, the best explanation is that 1 Thessalonians was written from Corinth, during Paul’s stay there on the second missionary journey, while he was receiving Timothy’s report from Thessalonica.