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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself. My word is flawed the Bible is not!