The city of Thessalonica was situated on the famous Egnatian way and was a key city in Macedonia, being its chief port. It was therefore strategically and commercially important. Its population was mostly Gentile but a large company of Jews with their Synagogue exerted a strong influence upon the Gentiles. The gospel came to Thessalonica through the apostle Paul and his companions and some of the Jews and many of the Gentiles were saved. It is the firm conviction of Phillip Harding that just as the Thessalonian believers needed the grace of God to live for Him, so do we today.