ii. Some people like to say that there is a word of God, but that we cant be sure of what He says. Pauls emphatic calling of the Thessalonians to witness did two things. He assures them of his affection and high esteem for them, though he was not able, as yet, to be present with them according to his desire. If he couldnt be there in person, his letter will go for him and teach and encourage them in his absence. This meant that he didnt spend his life trying to seek and earn the acceptance of man. He did not flatter them with fain hopes, nor indulge them in any evil work or way, promising them life, and so daubing with untempered mortar. But Paul knew well that the Jews of Judea were not the only ones responsible for the murder of Jesus. 2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. There can be no doubt that there was some worthy and particular motive which induced him to refrain from claiming his rights, for in other churches he exercised the privilege accorded to him as the others had done. (Calvin). The apostle here puts the Thessalonians in mind that though he could not come to them as yet, and though he should never be able to come to them, yet our Lord Jesus Christ will come, nothing shall hinder this. The Commendation and Thanksgiving ( 1 Thess. Paul wrote here in a personal manner, but this really wasnt a personal issue for Paul. He denied himself the liberty he had of taking wages from the churches. He believed, and therefore he spoke. For a short time means that Paul knew it would only be a short time until the roadblock was overcome. And we should not only be good as to our general calling as Christians, but in our particular callings and relations. They were outraged that Gentiles could be saved without first becoming Jews. Honour is to follow men, men not to follow it. (Poole). 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. Paul desired to clear them up in his letter. Verse 2. Paul gave both his care and his knowledge to the Thessalonians. Or do ye enter into the priesthood for a morsel of bread, or for what is ominously and impiously called a living, a benefice? Is God witness that, in all these things, ye have no cloak of covetousness? But wo to that man who enters into the labour for the sake of the hire! You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe: It is impressive that Paul could freely appeal to his own life as an example. These are the two sources from which stems the corruption of the whole of the ministry. (Calvin), iv. The word of God is pure. He did not pretend one thing and intend another. The Old Testament They naturally thought that this would be much better. "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS" Chapter Two OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER 1) To glean from Paul's example how preachers should conduct themselves among brethren with whom they labor 2) To appreciate how the thought of seeing each other at the coming of Jesus should affect our attitude towards one another SUMMARY Having reflected As we have been approved by God: Paul used a word here that was associated with approving someone as being fit for public service. But the time of persecution would not last. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. c. Even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts: Paul knew his Gospel wouldnt always please men, but he knew that it was pleasing to God. There were a staggering variety of religions and religious professionals in Thessalonica. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. He pleaded that he was not guilty, and wished to establish his innocence by producing forty persons who did not see him do it. The apostle had a most affectionate love to their persons, and sought them, not theirs; themselves, not their goods; and to gain them, not to be a gainer by them, or to make a merchandise of them: it was their spiritual and eternal welfare and salvation that he was earnestly desirous of. It means the place of contest, and then the contest itself a race, a struggle, a battle. i. He could see that it effectively works in those who believe. The context seems to suggest more of a uncleanness of motive or spirit, while the word itself more indicates moral and especially sexual uncleanness (it often appears in lists with the term fornication). (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20) Paul explains his absence from the Thessalonians. Nor did we seek glory from men: When Paul ministered among the Thessalonians, he was unconcerned for his personal glory. Such a conflict always involves intense exertion and strenuous, persistent effort to overcome the determined opposition or the dangerous antagonist. (Hiebert). Concerning this also he could appeal to them as witnesses. Letters of Paul to the Thessalonians, also called Epistles of St. Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians, abbreviation Thessalonians, two New Testament letters written by St. Paul the Apostle from Corinth, Achaea (now in . Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word | . We did not seek mens honour, high esteem, or applause; we sought them not in the inward bent of our thoughts, or the studies of our mind, not in outward course of our ministry and conversation, to form them so as to gain glory from men. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. Paul had the discernment to know. Their fierce opposition was due to the fact that Christian missionaries offered salvation to Gentiles without demanding that they first become Jews. (Hiebert), ii. In every city where the apostles went to preach the gospel the Jews stirred up the inhabitants against them. Though some among the Thessalonians had accused Paul of ministering out of self interest, but Paul simply asks the Christians in Thessalonica to remember the gentle character of his ministry among them. Note, When the measure of any man's iniquity is full, and he has sinned to the uttermost, then comes wrath, and that to the uttermost. However, it is in truth the word of God. I. d. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness: Paul understood that covetousness always has a cloak. Paul believed in a voice that speaks to mankind with the authority of eternity, and speaks above mere human opinion. III. The city of Thessalonica sat on the Egnatian Way, the famous highway that went east to west through Macedonia. There were shrines to many Egyptian gods: Isis, Sarapis, Anubis. Their design was to please God and not men. If Paul was in it for himself, he wasnt very smart about serving his own self-interest. He and his fellow-labourers preached Christ and him crucified, and did not aim to gain an interest in men's affections for themselves, by glorying, and fawning and wheedling them. If we can not know what God has spoken, then He may as well not have spoken at all. By the holiness of their conversation, concerning which he appeals not only to them, but to God also ( v. 10): You are witnesses, and God also. When Paul arrived in Thessalonica, the wounds on his back from Philippi were still fresh. : 1 and 2 Thess." Return to top. This is the kind of life that draws others to follow Jesus for themselves. This world is not a place where we are always, or long, to be together. It has been said that people dont care how much you know until they know how much you care. This gentleness and goodness the apostle expressed several ways. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. "Encouraging" (as in ch. ii. There were shrines to many Egyptian gods: Isis, Sarapis, Anubis. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. But men of business are not masters of their own time. More to explore : Bibles Nonfiction . Historical Books 1 Thessalonians 2:2. Paul didnt have to say, Please dont look at my life. b. The Bibles Tab is found in the Tools feature on Bible pages: Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. Their design was to please God and not men. By great readiness to do them good, willingly imparting to them, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, v. 8. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, and patient, 2 Tim 2 24. 3. He pleaded that he was not guilty, and wished to establish his innocence by producing forty persons who did not see him do it. 1. ii. See Acts 16:23, c. and the notes there.. With much contention. We wanted to come to you but Satan hindered us: It wasnt that Paul did not want to visit the Thessalonians. Hear this, ye that preach the Gospel! Even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, We were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict, For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, Even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts, For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness, When we might have made demands as apostles of Christ, We were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil, You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among, How we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you that you would walk worthy of God, You welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, Which also effectively works in you who believe, Who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, And they do not please God and are contrary to all men, Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins, But wrath has come upon them to the uttermost, Away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face, We wanted to come to you but Satan hindered us. The whole case is like that of the Irishman who tried to upset evidence by non-evidence. First, Paul understood that this was Satanic hindrance. His inability to visit should never be taken as a lack of love towards the Thessalonians. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. Pauline Epistles And to these things this whole epistle exhorts the Thessalonians. Upon this occasion, the apostle gives a character of the unbelieving Jews (v. 15), enough to justify their final rejection and the ruin of their place, and church, and nation, which was now approaching. Paul not only disavows the teaching, but reminds the Thessalonians what he had earlier taught them. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. The context seems to suggest more of a uncleanness of motive or spirit, while the word itself more indicates moral and especially sexual uncleanness (it often appears in lists with the term fornication). Note, Suffering in a good cause should rather sharpen than blunt the edge of holy resolution. He knew what it was like to speak boldly for the Lord even in much conflict. There were the native Greek mystery religions, celebrating Dionysis and the sex and drinking cult. The matter of the apostle's thanksgiving and glorying on behalf of the Thessalonians was, (1.) i. Paul believed in a voice that speaks to mankind with the authority of eternity, and speaks above mere human opinion. ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2) Paul's comfort to the troubled Thessalonians and their question. 2. 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. When you received the word of God: Paul earnestly believed and taught others that God had spoken to man and that we have recorded this word of God. Paul never compromised issues like mans need, Gods Savior, the cross, the resurrection, and the new life. 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2 Bible Options | + Text Size 1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 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. This meant that he didnt spend his life trying to seek and earn the acceptance of man. (2)That in their efforts to convert the Thessalonians they had used no deceit, corruption, or grille; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4. We know that indignity and persecution weaken and indeed completely break mens minds. By the manner of their receiving the word of God: When you received the word of God, which you heard of us, you received it, not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God. - Ye are witnesses, and God also; ye of the outward conduct, and God of the motives which actuated us. Shamefully entreated - at Philippi There Paul and Silas had been beaten with many stripes, shut up in the inner prison, and their feet made fast in the stocks. The powerful working of God is usually expressed by this word, Ephesians 1:19; Philippians 2:13; and the working of Satan also, Ephesians 2:2. John 3:16, Jesus faith love), Select a Beginning Point 1 Thessalonians: An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. i. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 There is a valid debate as to if 1 Thessalonians 2:7 should read gentle or babes. When we might have made demands as apostles of Christ: Paul was among the Thessalonians to give something to them, not to take something from them. b. He was unwillingly sent away by night to Berea, Acts 17 10. To the labour of the ministry he added that of his calling, as a tent-maker, that he might get his own bread. For you are our glory and joy. 1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. He had no fear they would succumb to the propaganda being put before them. It was that Satan hindered Paul and his associates. They were his hope, and joy, and crown of rejoicing; his glory and joy. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. This exclusive attitude filled up the measure of their sins. 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. As he had the testimony of his own conscience witnessing to his integrity, so he could appeal to the Thessalonians how faithful he, and Silas, and Timotheus, his helpers in the work of the Lord, had discharged their office: You yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point i. This is the kind of life that draws others to follow Jesus for themselves. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. A good example this is, to be imitated by all the ministers of the gospel. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. Nevertheless, Whichever version is preferred, however, there can be no doubt that Paul is describing his voluntary submission to them. (Calvin), ii. His design was not to enrich himself by preaching the gospel; so far from this, he did not stipulate with them for bread. 1. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. Wohlenberg conjectured that it was a term of endearment derived from the language of the nursery. Whatever its origin, it denotes the warm affection and tender yearning that the missionaries felt for their spiritual babes at Thessalonica. (Hiebert). There were also the Jewish people and the God-fearing Gentiles. The dead in Christ shall rise first, while those still living will follow close behind. Perhaps Paul would say that he didnt need a crown in heaven because these precious ones were his crown of victory. The New Testament This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. Our coming to you was not in vain: The word vain here can refer either to the result of the ministry, or the character of the ministry. i. Herein, said this apostle, do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men, Acts 24 16. iii. . The Romans had their full share of guilt, so both Jew and Gentile were guilty. Four witnesses saw him commit a murder. This exclusive attitude filled up the measure of their sins. The New Testament A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. It was the sincere and uncorrupted gospel that he preached and exhorted them to believe and obey. In these words the apostle reminds the Thessalonians of the manner of his conversation among them. He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. The Greek term has rather the idea of using fair words as a means of gaining ones own ends., ii. By bodily labour to prevent their charge, or that his ministry might not be expensive and burdensome to them: You remember our labour and travail; for, labouring night and day, etc., v. 9. b. Wohlenberg conjectured that it was a term of endearment derived from the language of the nursery. Whatever its origin, it denotes the warm affection and tender yearning that the missionaries felt for their spiritual babes at Thessalonica. (Hiebert). His desire and endeavour were to return again very soon to Thessalonica. Can ye call God to witness that in preaching it ye have no end in view by your ministry but his glory in the salvation of souls? You can also change some of your preferences. Who killed the Lord Jesus: Here Paul wrote that his own countrymen (the Judeans) had killed the Lord Jesus. Therefore we wanted to come to youeven I, Paul, time and againbut Satan hindered us. c. Which also effectively works in you who believe: Pauls confidence in the word of God wasnt a matter of wishful thinking or blind faith. Biblical Commentary (Bible Study) 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: We would do well to stop occasionally to remind ourselves that chapter and verse markers were not part of the original text, but were added later to help us navigate the scriptures. He spared no pains therein. ii. True grace is of a most masculine, disengaged, noble nature, and remits nothing of its diligence either for fear of a frown or hope of a reward. (Trapp). General Epistles Those whom we bring to Jesus and disciple are a crown of victory for us. b. a. Where greed and ambition hold sway, innumerable corruptions follow, and the whole man turns to vanity. 1 Thessalonians 1 - The Products from Faith, Hope, and Love "This letter is full of interest because it is certainly among the first of those which have been preserved for us from the pen of Paul. He is very much part of them, and he sorrows for their fate. (Morris). (5.) Paul means by the phrase, night and day, that he started work before dawn; the usage is regular and frequent. When Christians forget this, they often disgrace and curse themselves by returning persecution for persecution towards others. (1-2) The integrity of Paul's ministry in Thessalonica. i. notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:3, and ch. i. It was, therefore, a work of God that, although Paul had suffered various misfortunes and indignity, he appeared unaffected, and did not hesitate to launch an assault on a large and wealthy city for the purpose of leading its people captive to Christ. (Calvin). The Jews opposition to the work of the missionaries among the Gentiles was not due to the fact that they were seeking to win Gentiles. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians, not only informing them in their duty, but exciting and quickening them to the performance of it, by proper motives and arguments. 20 For ye are our glory and joy. I. The whole case is like that of the Irishman who tried to upset evidence by non-evidence. They acted under the consideration of God's omniscience, as in the sight of him who tries our hearts. In this chapter the apostle puts the Thessalonians in mind of the manner of his preaching among them, ver 1-6. See More Details about "Understanding the Bible Commentary Ser. The apostle assures the Thessalonians that the Lord would consume and destroy him; the consuming of him precedes his final destruction, and that is by the Spirit of his mouth, by his word of command; the pure word of God, accompanied with the Spirit of God, will discover this mystery of iniquity, and make the power of antichrist to consume and He did not make the ministry a cloak, or a covering, for covetousness, as God was witness, v. 5. b. Second, Paul had faith. Minor Prophets In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, if forty people declare that there is no power of the Holy Ghost going with the word, this only proves that the forty people do not know what others do know. (Spurgeon). The words not only signify, with intense labour and earnestness, but may here mean, exposed to the . i. Many scholars believe that 1 Thessalonians was Pauls earliest letter written as an apostle to a church. It was that Satan hindered Paul and his associates. Those are greatly to blame who give out their own fancies or injunctions for the word of God. of The plural sins points to the aggregate of their separate evil acts, and not to the general abstract concept of sin. (Morris). There were also the Jewish people and the God-fearing Gentiles. It does good to those that walk uprightly, and by its wonderful effects evidences itself to be the word of God. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? This was Paul's comfort; he was neither daunted in his work, nor driven from it. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Paul denied his rights and took a higher standard upon himself. (2.) GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. Yet Paul assured them that the reason was not a lack of love or desire on his part.
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