1 Thessalonians 2
Bro David Petersen
In chapter 2 Paul compared his care for the Thessalonian church to the tenderness that a nurse has for her children. He encouraged and comforted the church in the way that a loving father encourages his own children.
Paul's Visit Not A Failure
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
Paul's preaching at Thessalonica bore much fruit. Believers came to the Lord and a new church was established that quickly stood up under persecution and demonstrated its love for all the brethren in the region of Macedonia even after Paul departed. See Acts Chapter 16,
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
Paul and Silas were whipped and thrown in jail at Phillipi before they came to Thessalonica. This did not deter them in the slightest though or sour their attitude. God entrusted them with the gospel and they took this responsibility seriously.
Paul Preached The Gospel With Pure Motives
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
When Paul and his missionary partners were establishing the church at Thessalonica, they did not live off of the Thessalonians. Instead they worked with their own hands and earned their own living.
They did not deceive the Thessalonians or take advantage of them but taught the the truth of the gospel in complete purity. Paul did not have any uterior motives in going to Thessalonica. He did not water down his message to please men. He did not just tell them what they wanted to hear because he had a deep sense of duty to God as one who had been approved to spread the gospel.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Christians should see it as a great honor and privilege that God has called them unto his kingdom and glory. That should motivate us to walk or live in a way worthy of that calling. A kingdom implies authority and service. God is the ruler of his kingdom and the saved are his servants who should be subject to his will for their lives.
The Energetic Word Of God
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Paul was thankful that the Thessalonians received the word he preached as the very word of God. God's word has the power to save. The writer of Hebrews described as sharper than any two-edged sword: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb 4:12).
The Greek word for "effectually" in verse 13 is "energeo." We get our English word "energy" from it. It means to put forth power, to work or to be intensely active. God's word will do its work. Not everyone chooses to be saved, but the word will accomplish the purpose to which God sends it forth.
Isaiah prophesied "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isa 55:11.
So the word of God is powerful and energetic in doing its work on the hearts of mankind. It will be effective and accomplish its purpose. The word will work on those who receive it and it will be a dynamic force in their lives.
Fellowship In Persecution
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
The young church had already endured persecution. In Acts Chapter 17, some Jews who were jealous of Paul rounded up a mob of gangsters and went looking for Paul at the home of one of Jason. When they could not find Paul, they dragged Jason and some of the other brothers out and made false accusations against them in court. Jason had to post bond. Paul compares this to the persecution that the churches in Judea had undergone.
Satan Tries To Hinder God's Work
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
Satan has always tried to hinder God's work. He deceived Eve in the garden. He corrupted the human race so that God destroyed all but eight souls of Noah's family in the great flood. Many times he tried to destroy God's people, the nation of Israel and he was behind the crucifixtion of Christ. Now he was trying to interfere with Paul's ministry of spreading the gospel to the gentile world. Even though Paul was prevented from going back to Thessalonica, the word of God was still exercising its dynamic power there. The Thessalonians were standing up in persecution and were demonstrating the love of God and were becoming an example for all the brethren in the region of Macedonia. See chapter 1 verse 8.
A Crown Of Rejoicing
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
As saved believers the things that we do to serve the Lord reap eternal benefits. If we lead someone to the Lord and they receive him then they have eternal life. That work will not fade or lessen in importance because those who benefit from it will go on forever and ever.
In contrast the endeavors of this world are fleeting and pass away quickly. It is likely that one-hundred years from now no one on this earth will remember anything about what you did in your lifetime. The Pharoh's built great pyramids to memorialize themselves but even those are crumbling under the weight of time. Everything of this earth will eventually end up in dust and ashes. "All is vanity" as Solomon said. Life is short and soon it will be past. It's only what you do for the Lord that will last.
1 Thessalonians
Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5