Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: “You became imitators, brothers, of the congregations of God that are in Judea in union with Christ Jesus, because you also began suffering at the hands of your own countrymen the same things as they also are suffering at the hands of the Jews. ” ​ — 1 Thessalonians 2: 14.
Ka teiste viletsuses vastupidajate eeskuju oli julgustav. Paulus kirjutas tessalooniklastele: „Teie, vennad, olete saanud nende Kristuses Jeesuses olevate Jumala koguduste järgijaiks, mis on Judeas, sest ka teie olete saanud sedasama kannatada oma suguvendade poolt, nõnda nagu nemadki juutide poolt ”.