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. We know that indignity and persecution weaken and indeed completely break mens minds. b. 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). How holily and justly and unblamably; "holily" denoting the apostle's conduct to God, "justly . Luke-Acts He tells them that they might have used greater authority as apostles, and expected greater esteem, and demanded maintenance, which is meant by the phrase of being burdensome, because perhaps some would have thought this too great a burden for them to bear. He did not come making demands as an apostle. 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. He had no sinister and secular aims and views, but was in reality what he seemed to be. But Paul knew well that the Jews of Judea were not the only ones responsible for the murder of Jesus. 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). You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. 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. a. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Thessalonica was also an important port and a melting pot city with cultures from all over the world. He was unwillingly sent away by night to Berea, Acts 17 10. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. Therefore we wanted to come to youeven I, Paul, time and againbut Satan hindered us. It was a constant cause of thankfulness: For this cause thank we God without ceasing, v. 13. i. Paul didnt seek glory from men because his needs for security and acceptance were met primarily in Jesus. Note, It is a great comfort to a minister to have his own conscience and the consciences of others witnessing for him that he set out well, with good designs and from good principles; and that his preaching was not in vain, or, as some read it, was not fain. For a short time means that Paul knew it would only be a short time until the roadblock was overcome. v. Supposing that we have ascertained that hindrances in our way really come from Satan, WHAT THEN? For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, 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. 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. They acted under the consideration of God's omniscience, as in the sight of him who tries our hearts. They were outraged that Gentiles could be saved without first becoming Jews. With courage and resolution: We were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God, v. 2. 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. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point Changes will take effect once you reload the page. It appears the Thessalonians had become unsettled by a teaching (allegedly Paul's) "that the day of the Lord has come" ( 2 Thess. 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. Paul never compromised issues like mans need, Gods Savior, the cross, the resurrection, and the new life. 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). He was not like the false apostles, who, through covetousness, with feigned words made merchandise of the people, 2 Pet 2 3. He didnt need fancy introductions or lavish praise. 1 Thessalonians 2 - Marks of Paul's Ministry A. Paul proves he was sincere and not a charlatan. 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. (2)That in their efforts to convert the Thessalonians they had used no deceit, corruption, or grille; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4. Such a Roman flogging was no light matter; it was an experience not soon forgotten. (Hiebert), ii. For you yourselves know: This begins a section where Paul defended his own character and ministry before the Thessalonians. iii. a. For what end God has preserved them distinct from all the people of the earth among whom they sojourn, we cannot pretend to say; but it must unquestionably be for an object of the very highest importance. ( 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10) The coming day of judgment for both the persecuted and their persecutors. He avoided covetousness. d. We were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict: Despite what some of Pauls accusers said, he did not only preach the Gospel when it was easy or convenient. Who killed the Lord Jesus: Here Paul wrote that his own countrymen (the Judeans) had killed the Lord Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 ESV So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. There is power in the word of God to change lives. He is very much part of them, and he sorrows for their fate. (Morris). The whole case is like that of the Irishman who tried to upset evidence by non-evidence. There were a staggering variety of religions and religious professionals in Thessalonica. a. Email / username or password was incorrect! What Does Colossians 2:6-7 Teach Us about Our Faith Walk? As seen in 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Paul was comfortable in the idea of other Christians following his example. It is a good effect of the gospel when we are enabled to suffer for its sake. A good example this is, to be imitated by all the ministers of the gospel. b. He tells them that Satan hindered his return (v. 18), that is, either some enemy or enemies, or the great enemy of mankind, who stirred up opposition to Paul, either in his return to Thessalonica, when he intended to return thither, or stirred up such contentions or dissensions in those places whether he went as made his presence necessary. The plural sins points to the aggregate of their separate evil acts, and not to the general abstract concept of sin. (Morris). They hated the apostles, and did them all the mischief they could. It was a most fatal mistake to think that they did God service by killing God's servants. ii. Historical Books (3.) 3. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, 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. i. At the same time we should notice that Pauls anger is the anger of a man with his own nation, with his own people. 1 Thessalonians: An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary. They killed their own prophets: so they had done all along; their fathers had done so: they had been a persecuting generation. Most of these religions were missionary minded and sought to spread their faith using itinerant evangelists and preachers. i. i. Through this, he made the point that he would not carry on in the face of beatings and conflict if he were in it only for himself. d. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Their crimes were great; to these their punishment is proportioned. He could see that it effectively works in those who believe. Proud member ii. . Most preachers, on reading it conscientiously, will either give up their place to others, or purpose to do the work of the Lord more fervently for the future. (Clarke), 2018 David Guzik No distribution beyond personal use without permission, The Whole Bible (3.) A Compelling Example for Ministry ( 1 Thess. The Old Testament He had met with ill usage at Philippi, as these Thessalonians well knew. The Commendation and Thanksgiving ( 1 Thess. b. The Greek intellectual and philosophical traditions were also represented. In the second place it demonstrated that all the facts required for his vindication were facts of common knowledge. (Morris). Pulpit Commentary Verse 2. The word rendered conflict (agon) contains a metaphor drawn from the athletic games or the arena. Paul did his endeavour, and he could do no more, v. 18. a. i. They expected neither people's purses nor their caps, neither to be enriched by them nor caressed, and adored, and called Rabbi by them. The city of Thessalonica sat on the Egnatian Way, the famous highway that went east to west through Macedonia. Hear this, ye that preach the Gospel! Honour is to follow men, men not to follow it. (Poole). 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. Yet when they do not receive it, it reflects upon them, not upon the message. For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. II. Both of them were likely written sometime around 51-52 B.C., and as such are probably the two earliest epistles in the New Testament. This meant that he didnt spend his life trying to seek and earn the acceptance of man. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. ii. i. If we can not know what God has spoken, then He may as well not have spoken at all. 1. We are not to suppose that the apostle spent the whole night and day in bodily labour, or work, to supply the necessities of his body; for then he would have had no time for the work of the ministry. Wisdom Literature Where greed and ambition hold sway, innumerable corruptions follow, and the whole man turns to vanity. i. Minor Prophets 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. He mentions the good effects which his successful preaching had. 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. 2. These are expressions of great and endeared affection, and high estimation. 1. In the first place it showed his confidence in them. 2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. Their design was to please God and not men. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? The word wrought effectually in them, not only to be examples unto others in faith and good works (which he had mentioned before), but also in constancy and patience under sufferings and trials for the sake of the gospel: You became followers of the churches of God, and have suffered like things as they have done (v. 14), and with like courage and constancy, with like patience and hope. At the same time we should notice that Pauls anger is the anger of a man with his own nation, with his own people. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. Ministers and people must all appear before him, and faithful people will be the glory and joy of faithful ministers in that great and glorious day. There is power in the word of God to change lives. The gospel of Christ, at its first setting out in the world, met with much opposition; and those who preached it preached it with contention, with great agony, which denoted either the apostles' striving in their preaching or their striving against the opposition they met with. i. a. But Paul did not use the flattering words that often are a cloak for covetousness. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Major Prophets 4. 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). 1. Historical Books 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). We should accommodate ourselves to the intention and design of the gospel, and live suitably to our profession and privileges, our hopes and expectations, as becomes those who are called with such a high and holy calling. The apostle makes mention of the success of his ministry among these Thessalonians (v. 13), which is expressed. And to these things this whole epistle exhorts the Thessalonians. Who killed the Lord Jesus: Here Paul wrote that his own countrymen (the Judeans) had killed the Lord Jesus. This was necessary assurance because they were persecuted by religious people and might wonder if these other religious people were in fact right before God in their persecuting. You can also change some of your preferences. 1, 2 Paul had to leave Thessalonica so quickly that there were many unfinished teachings he was not able to develop. He avoided ambition and vain-glory: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you nor yet of others, v. 6.
Meadow Branch Apartments Lumberton Nc Phone Number,
Try On At Home Mother Of The Bride Dresses,
Rutgers Blue Lot Parking Pass,
Articles OTHER
