There has been much speculation about what the Judean churches suffered from the Jews. Is Paul here referring to the persecution of Acts 8:1, or a more recent persecution, or something else? In all honesty, it is impossible to say. The impact of his statement on the Thessalonians is nevertheless clear: Paul was encouraging them so stand firm by reminding them that they were not alone in their suffering; that, in fact, suffering is to be expected as a normal part of the Christian life (1 Thessalonians 3:4) and is no indication that it is wrong to follow Christ.
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,