Because of this steadfast stance they took whilst with them, they had attracted many enemies amongst the Jews and other unbelievers there that were trying to discredit them and their authority to preach the Gospel. Their effective preaching had provoked these people to jealousy, and they in turn had stirred up “evil men”, mostly layabouts and thugs from the marketplace, to slander their name – see Acts 17:5-8.
Paul’s concern here was not that he was worried about their character being slandered but that the gospel and the name of Jesus would be slandered! If the unbelievers could discredit Paul and his companions, then they could discredit the gospel. In Chapter 2 Paul, counteracts the lies of the Jews and other unbelievers by confirming to them that their preaching and actions were approved by God.
Note: In the body on this article the verses from 1 Thessalonians 2 are in italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in straight text with additional scriptures shown in bold italics.
Paul’s Conduct
1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
In the first three verses of this chapter Paul reminds the Thessalonians that his and his companions coming to Thessalonica and their teaching of the gospel to them was not in vain as they themselves (the Thessalonian Church) through the change that had come upon their physical lives, was evident for all to see! They were a good example of a true Christian church.
This is clear evidence that when we are living life in the Spirit in obedience to God’s Word, people notice and our faithful lifestyle becomes a testimony to others that we are born again! But if we are not living in obedience to the Word then we are no different to non-believers and no good example to the world!
Even in our suffering we are to keep our eyes on Jesus and remain faithful to Him so that we maintain our Christian witness to the world in all integrity. Troubles will come our way but In Christ Jesus we overcome adversity and in Him we find peace, the peace that passes all human understanding!
John 16:33 |(NKJV)
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Not People Pleasers
4 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. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
In verses 4-6, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that he, Silvanus and Timothy were entrusted and approved by God to preach the gospel to them, and they did not come to them to be people pleasers but rather to challenge them to accept the gospel and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Their preaching was not done in a manner that would just make the Thessalonians feel good about themselves by flattering them with meaningless words. Nor did they preach it on the pretext of getting money out of them, nor to get the adoration of men and nor did they demand anything from them. They came to them in obedience to God and in the love of Christ expecting nothing in return.
My dear Readers, this is how the gospel should still be preached today!
But what do we get today? In many Churches and by many “celebrity preachers” and other such charlatans we get, ear ticklers, liars, money driven wolves in sheep’s clothing! Run from these Churches – the prosperity preachers, the “make me feel good preachers”, the entertainment centered churches – their lies and distortion of the true gospel will lead you to hell! Have nothing to do with them!
Matthew 7:15 (NKJV)
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 (NKJV)
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
In everything we do let’s be like Paul and his fellow missionaries, let’s not seek the praises and favour of men, but speak the truth of the Bible in love and give all glory, honour and praise to Jesus!
Sharing lives in fellowship with each other
7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 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. 9 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.
In verses 7-9 Paul not only shows how he and his companions loved and cherished the Thessalonians whilst they were with them but also how they worked amongst them physically so that they would not be a burden to them. Just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children!
This also shows us today how we should be amongst our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should be gentle and loving and carry each others burden in times of trouble.
The meaning of the word cherish, when expanded from the Greek word “thalpó” from which it comes is: to warm somebody by nourishing them (feeding them the Word), by nurturing them (mentoring them in the Word) and comforting them through the Word. Living life in the Spirit so that we can glorify the name of Jesus! Let’s put the needs of others before our own!
Spiritual Fathers
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
In verses 7-9 Paul mentions how they cared for the Thessalonians as nursing mothers would care for their children. In verses 10-12 he flips the coin and tells them how they became spiritual fathers to them.
Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Philippians 2:1-4 (NKJV)
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
In verses 7-9 Paul mentions how they cared for the Thessalonians as nursing mothers would care for their children. In verses 10-12 he flips the coin and tells them how they became spiritual fathers to them.
So here we get the picture of how important is the spiritual parenting of new converts. Something that today’s Church should be doing as well – mentoring new converts until they are mature enough to become spiritual mothers and fathers themselves. Our strength lies in Christ Jesus being manifest in our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you are reading this and you are a Pastor or leader in your local Church, I encourage you to put this into practice in your congregation and you will see within a short period of time how strong the congregation becomes in Christ Jesus – living as the family of God in the unity of the Spirit and to the glory of Jesus. Amen! The kingdom of God has come upon you! Let’s imitate Paul as he imitated Christ!
Let us hear the Lord’s voice and let others hear the Lord’s voice through us, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s us build each other up to reach the whole measure of the fulness of Christ in our Christian walk.
If you are reading this and you are a Pastor or leader in your local Church, I encourage you to put this into practice in your congregation and you will see within a short period of time how strong the congregation becomes in Christ Jesus – living as the family of God in the unity of the Spirit and to the glory of Jesus. Amen! The kingdom of God has come upon you! Let’s imitate Paul as he imitated Christ!
1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
John 10:27-30 (NKJV)
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Let us hear the Lord’s voice and let others hear the Lord’s voice through us, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s us build each other up to reach the whole measure of the fulness of Christ in our Christian walk.
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NKJV)
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Thanksgiving
13 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.
In verse 13, as in many of his letters, Paul says that he thanks God without ceasing because the Thessalonian Church had received the gospel as the Word of God and not as the word of men. The Thessalonians recognized the truth of the Word that was being preached to them as they recognized the effective work it was doing in them in their daily lives.
Church let’s give thanks to the Lord as often as we meet, for our own salvation and for the salvation of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!
Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Facing opposition
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary (hostile) to all men, 16 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.
In verse 14-16 Paul commends the Thessalonians for standing firm when they faced opposition and persecution from the Jews and other unbelievers, just as the churches did in Judea, as he and his companions did and indeed just as Jesus did to the point of death on a cross.
When we become born again Christians we must expect persecution from unbelievers. The Lord never promised us a trouble-free life once we became His children. We must expect persecution and suffering but in Christ Jesus we have overcome the world, and we have the victory. Stand firm in the face of suffering, persecution and opposition. We are in the world but not of the world! Apart from Christ we cannot do this and nor can we do it without the help of our brothers and sister in Christ moving in the unity and power of the Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us in all truth!!
John 16:33 (NKJV)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 15:18-23 (NKJV)
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well.
John 6:13-14 (NKJV)
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
Paul assures us in verse 16 that God’s wrath will come upon those that persecute the Church. We need not worry or seek vengeance as it is God Himself who fights for us and will bring judgement upon all unrepentant sinners!
Our duty is to love our enemies and pray for those that persecute us in obedience to His Word! When we do this, we prove to the world that we are indeed different to them and are true followers of Christ and are the children of God. When we react to the world in the opposite spirit, the love of God, we reveal Jesus to them!
Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Longing to See Them
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.
In verses 17 and 18 Paul assures the Thessalonians that even though he is not physically present with them, his heart is with them, and he still eagerly desires to come to them. He explains his reason for not being with them – it was Satan who hindered him. We are in a battle not against flesh and blood but against Satan and his evil spirits!
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
This is a similar situation to that which the prophet Daniel faced when he was waiting for an answer to prayer. God will make a way – be patient and trust in Him alone.
Daniel 10:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
Hope in Christ Jesus alone
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Paul ends this chapter in verses 19 and 20 by turning their eyes, and ours today, to Jesus who alone is our hope of future glory in heaven and when we build up and edify each other in the power of the Holy Spirit our joy, righteousness and peace in Christ Jesus will become even greater!
The kingdom of God is Spiritual it is not about the things that the flesh desire, not even eating and drinking, it is the spiritual things that are pleasing to God! What is pleasing to God receives human approval! It's not about us it's all about Christ in us the hope of glory.
Romans 14:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
Colossians 1:27 (NKJV)
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Prayer
Dear Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to ever keep my eyes on Jesus and to be a good example in Christian lifestyle to my brothers and sisters in Christ and help me to be a good and faithful servant within my local congregation and to spread the gospel to others and let my lifestyle reflect Jesus and help me to faithfully stand against persecution! Amen!
To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!
Jesus the Name above all names!
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!
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