Introduction
When I was a teenager I remember having posters of famous pop stars on my bedroom wall and how they were such a role model for me, I would look at their lifestyle and think to myself ‘yes that’s what I want to be like, rich and famous’ mmmm. We all need good role models in our lives, people who inspire us, wise people who know how to handle difficult times and know how to rejoice in the good times, whether it is our parents or those who are spiritually mature within our congregations or other congregations.
It’s clear from 1 Thessalonians 1 that the church in Thessalonica was setting the example for other churches around them and beyond, and as we enter 1 Thessalonian 2:1-12 we’re going to see another example worth following, his name is the apostle Paul.
“For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn’t in vain, but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.” 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 WEB
It’s so uplifting when the Gospel is being preached and you can see the results. When Paul preached in Thessalonica it was very evident his preaching wasn’t a waste of time. In Acts 14:1-4 we see the fruit of his labour, there were some Jews, a great multitude of devout Greeks and many important women all coming to Christ.
We also know that it wasn’t easy for Paul and Silas, not just because of the persecution they received in Thessalonica 1 Thessalonians 2:2, but especially when they were in Philippi. They were taken to court, Acts 16:20, beaten and thrown in prison, Acts 16:22-23.
And where most men who wouldn’t be as strong in the faith would fail, Paul and Silas became stronger. Now we know that Paul experienced fear when he went into Corinth 1 Corinthians 2:3 but notice where Paul found his boldness!
‘In our God.’
The apostles were supermen; they experienced everything we experience today when it comes to being confident or bold in presenting the gospel to others.
Paul himself asked others to pray that God would give him boldness of speech in Ephesians 6:19-20. In fact, when you read through the Book of Acts you will see that when the gospel is being proclaimed it’s being proclaimed with boldness or confidence depending on your translation. Acts 4:13 / Acts 4:29 / Acts 4:31 / Acts 28:31. Remember the power is in the gospel 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and not in the preacher, although they need to be able to present the gospel clearly.
1 Thessalonians 2:2 in the KJV beings with the word ‘but’, this is being used in order to contrast what has just been said with what he is about to say. (Leon Morris, Commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians, p. 42) The Greek word for “but” is “alla”. It “is a strong adversative, putting the following words in emphatic contrast with the preceding.” In other words, their entrance to Thessalonica was quite the opposite of being a waste of time or in vain. Just as the persecution these saints experienced brought the opposite result the Jews or the devil expected.
“For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority”. 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6
Now not only was the Gospel presented boldly in Thessalonica, but it was also presented in truth and honesty. In truth means without any error and honesty means without any dodgy motives or trickery. 2 Corinthians 4:2. Now, this is important when it comes to sharing the Gospel, we need to tell people the truth but we must do it honestly with them whilst doing so 2 Corinthians 2:17.
When Jesus was being questioned by the high priest, He spoke the truth whilst being honest with them at the same time. John 18:19-21. When people speak the truth and are honest the less chance there will be of them being scrutinised or contradicting the message they are presenting as Paul himself writes in 2 Corinthians 11:1-15.
People-pleasing is very popular today in certain circles within the religious world, hence the Gospel is not presented in ‘total’ truth and certainly not honestly as with the ‘wealth and health gospel’.
When you look around today there are now hundreds of ways to become a Christian and a lot of different Gospels which are not found within the Scriptures.
There may be different reasons for this but at its core, you will find an element of ‘giving the people what the people want’, Isaiah 30:10 / Jeremiah 5:31.
When we become Christians pleasing God should be our aim in all aspects of our lives but especially when it comes to presenting the Gospel to the lost.
The apostle Paul knew all too well that it was God who entrusted him with the Gospel 1 Thessalonians 2:4, he was well aware that his conversion was a great expression of God’s grace Ephesians 3:8 and he knew he was a huge example of God’s mercy and patience to others today 1 Timothy 1:11-16.
And so, because of all these things Paul wasn’t interested in pleasing people or trying to be popular amongst them, he was only interested in pleasing God. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 / Proverbs 17:3. After all, God is the One he will ultimately give an account of his life too. Hebrews 4:12-13.
When the Gospel is presented truthfully and honestly there is no need to use flattery to win convert people 1 Thessalonians 2:5, Proverbs 29:5. Unlike those who present a gospel using flattery 2 Peter 2:18 the apostles didn’t have false motives. The Greek word for “flattery” is κολακεία kolakeia which involves the idea of selfish motives. Solomon gives us a lot of warning against such things. Proverbs 28:23 / Proverbs 29:5 / Proverbs 26:28.
They weren’t greedy for personal gain either like Peter also describes in 1 Peter 2:1-3, see also Titus 1:11. In fact, when you think about Paul and his ministry he was the opposite, he didn’t want to take advantage of anyone, especially for financial gain. Acts 20:33 / 2 Corinthians 11:9, 2 Corinthians 12:17. Yes, he wanted to win souls for Christ but he did that through the truth, not through flattery or for any monetary gain.
Now remember as apostles of Christ they could have easily tried to gain the approval of people, especially with the authority they had but they were very careful not to let that happen. Proverbs 25:27. Being a preacher or teacher of the Word isn’t a popularity contest, it’s about pleasing God and so when our motives are pure we can present the Gospel without seeking the glory of men, 1 Thessalonians 1:6.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 Paul says we didn’t have any hidden agendas but spoke in truth and honesty, he says our motives were pure with no fancy words to win people over. And so he goes on to say how they did go about presenting the Gospel to the Thessalonians.
“Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
What a contrast this is with the previous verses, these are beautiful words and bring great pictures to our imagination. He uses the Greek word τροφός ‘trophos’ for nursing which means ‘to give food to’. See also Luke 23:29. Here the apostle Paul says the Gospel was presented to them with gentleness and real affection, just like a mother nursing her children.
We can see very clearly that Paul genuinely loved the saints in Thessalonica; he was devoted to them and cared for them deeply as a mother does for her child. And it was because of that affection he had for them which encouraged him not only to share the Gospel with them but also with his own life. Philippians 1:8 tells us that Paul was a preacher who genuinely loved his brothers and sisters in Christ and he would with joy sacrifice his own life if he needed to for them, Philippians 2:17. There is nothing more comforting to know we have preachers who genuinely love us and care for us and want nothing but the best for us.
“Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.” 1 Thessalonians 2:9-10
It’s one thing saying something but another thing putting it into practice, Paul jogs their memories and casts their minds back to when they were amongst them in Thessalonica. They worked hard even amidst difficulties night and day. It is clear that Paul didn’t want to be a burden to them but a blessing to them, that’s why he worked to support himself. Acts 18:1-4. In other words, he would do whatever it took to share the gospel with others, no matter the cost, 1 Corinthians 9:16, apart from trying to please men of course! 1 Thessalonians 2:6.
Paul reminds them that not only were they their witnesses of how they conducted themselves whilst they were amongst them but God was also were witness.
They were holy which tells us the nature of their conduct, they were righteous or (just) which tells us of the way they dealt with people and they were blameless which tells us that they were careful in their conduct when dealing with others. In other words, no one could ever question their conduct whilst they were amongst the Thessalonians.
When we look at these three graces together we can see just how important they are because they all have an effect on our relationship with God, and with those around us and they go a long way in keeping our reputation pure.
“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
I don’t know about you but when I was being brought up it was always my father who was the one who gave out the discipline in the home, although he loved me and cared for me just like my mother did, he was always the one who tells me off and punish me when I deserved to be punished. But amongst all that he was always there to try and guide me through life, when I needed some guidance.
Paul said back in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 that he loved them and cared for them like a mother, he now goes on to use the concept of the father’s role in loving and caring for them. Paul says as a father he encouraged, comforted and urged or charged them as the KJV says. He is saying that he was like a spiritual father to the saints in Thessalonica in much the same way as he was like a spiritual father to the saints in Corinth. 1 Corinthians 4:15. And as we know sometimes disciple is needed, that’s why he was urging them to live right for God.
Why was he urging them to live the right lives for God? Well simply because as a father he was concerned about the way they were living as Christians. He wanted them to walk as they belonged to God; he wanted to encourage them and guide them on how to live right because of their calling. After all, it was God who called them into His kingdom and his glory.
The Greek word for ‘worthy’ is ἀξίως ‘axios’ which means appropriately also carries with it the idea ‘of equal weight.’ Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
It’s all about living a balanced life, God on one side and our walk as Christians on the other.
Let’s have a quick recap of 1 Thessalonians 2:3-12
The apostles were genuinely concerned for the brethren at Thessalonica as a father is for his children; they had real gentleness and affection for them just like a mother does for her children. They were bold, truthful and honest with them when they presented the Gospel to them and made it clear they were out to please God and not men; we see this because they didn’t use flattery, greed nor did they seek any kind of glory from people but worked hard night and day whilst living holy, righteously and blamelessly among them in order not to be a burden to them and to show that they practised what they preached.
“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
It’s quite clear that the saints who met in Thessalonica although very young in the faith started their Christian walk on the right foot. We saw from 1 Thessalonians 1:3-10 that they had the right kind of faith, love and hope because all three had legs attached and they had become a great example for other churches both in Macedonia and Achaia.
Part of the reason they had a great start was because of the way the Paul, Silas and Timothy had ministered to them with gentleness and care whilst they were with them, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. But the main reason they had become such an example to others around them was because of the way they received the Word of God in the first place.
The apostles were thankful to God, why? Because of the way the Thessalonians’ received the Word. The Greek word for received is δέχομαι ‘dechomai’, it carries with it the idea of welcoming it, as well as receiving it. In other words, the saints at Thessalonica came to understand the value of the Gospel and welcomed it into their lives.
Now again notice where the power of the Gospel lays, not in the preacher but the Word itself. When you read the Bible how do you read it? As a reference book for knowledge?
Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that the Word of God is not a dead book with empty meaningless words, but it’s alive, powerful and able to discern. It’s the living Word that changes people from the inside out because it produces faith and so as we hear it or read it, it starts to develop faith in our hearts as Romans 10:17 reminds us.
Because it contains the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it’s the living Word that has the power to save souls as Romans 1:16-17 and James 1:21 remind us. It’s the living Word that prompts us to do what it says to be saved as James 1:18 and 1 Peter 1:22-23 tell us.
The great call of the New Testament is for Christians to grow spiritually by reading, listening and studying the living Word for themselves to become mature Christians, 1 Peter 2:2, but sadly as we know not all Christians do grow. Years ago a woman called Amy Grant sang a song called “Fat Baby.” Copy and paste the following link on your web browser and watch and listen to the words of her song. You can watch it here, if you haven’t got access to a PC then simply just read the words below.
I know a man, maybe you know him too, you never can tell, he might even be you,
He knelt at the altar and that was the end, he’s saved and that’s all that matters to him,
His spiritual tummy, it can’t take too much, one day a week, he gets his spiritual lunch.
On Sunday he puts on his spiritual best and gives his language a spiritual rest.
He’s just a fat little baby, he wants his bottle and he doesn’t mean maybe,
He’s sampled solid food once or twice, but he says doctrine leaves him cold as ice.
He’s been baptised, sanctified, redeemed by the blood, but he says his daily devotions are down in the mud,
He knows the books of the Bible and John 3:16, he’s got the biggest King James you’ve ever seen.
I’ve always wondered if he’ll grow up someday, he’s mama’s boy, and he likes it that way,
If you happen to see him, tell him I said, he’ll never grow, if he never gets fed, He’s just a fat little boy; He’s just a fat little boy.
It’s the living, powerful Word of God that changes our lives and produces faith in us which prompts us to be saved and continues to help us grow spiritually where we can become more Christ-like in every department of our lives. It’s the living, powerful Word of God that helps us overcome Satan and prompts us to live holy lives for God.
“For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.” 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
Here Paul tells us that the Thessalonian Christians suffered persecution (remember 1 Thessalonians 1:6 too) which we know was done by their own countrymen Acts 17:5-10, it’s in this way they became imitators of the churches in Judea because they too suffered persecution by the hands of their own countrymen. Acts 8:1 / Acts 12:1-4.
Now, remember that Paul deeply loved his Jewish brethren as Romans 9:1-5 and Romans 10:1-22 remind us and he knew and understood that the Gospel was for all as Romans 3 teaches. Romans 1 teaches us about how the Gentiles need the Gospel and Romans 2 teaches us about how the Jews need the Gospel. And so the apostle goes on to remind the church in Thessalonica about the Judean persecution and lists some Jewish sins.
And notice the first sin which is mentioned! They killed the Lord Jesus. This was a theme that was going to run through the early chapters in the Book of Acts, as time and time again the Jews were reminded that they killed Jesus. Acts 2:23 / Acts 2:36 / Acts 3:14-15 / Acts 4:10 / Acts 5:30, see also Matthew 27:25. They not only killed the Lord Jesus but they also killed their own prophets as Jesus reminds us in the parable of the wicked tenants, Mark 12:1-12.
So they killed the Lord Jesus, they killed the prophets and because of their rebellious hearts they ‘didn’t please God’ either, they weren’t long out of Egypt when they rebelled as a nation, Deuteronomy 9:7 and they continued to rebel as a nation throughout the Old Testament, Ezekiel 2:3.
In fact, it got to the point that Paul says they were ‘hostile to everyone’. Now the word ‘hostile’ is a very strong word but it perfectly describes the condition of the hearts of the Jewish nation at this time. Diodorus Sicuhs describes them as “those alone among all the nations who were unwilling to have any intermingling with any other nation, and who regarded all others as enemies” Barnes in his commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:15.
And one of the reasons they were so hostile to everyone was because they didn’t want the Gentiles to have what they thought they had, God was their God and exclusively for them alone and everyone else didn’t have a right to any of it! And because of that heart attitude they didn’t want the apostles speaking to the Gentiles. This is what happened in Acts 13:42-51 at Antioch of Pisidia.
A Jew would never agree to have a Gentile as a part of ‘their’ people, Acts 22:21-22. We also know from Acts 15:5 that even some of the Jewish Christians were demanding that these Gentiles be circumcised and they must keep the Law of Moses if they wanted to be saved.
And so because of that attitude towards God, His Son, His prophets, His apostles and the Gentiles that Paul says ‘they’ve always heaped their sins up to the limit’, in other words, they have pushed their luck, but now pushed it too far as Paul says ‘God’s wrath has come upon them’, which is a possible reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, Matthew 23:29-39.
Now please keep this in its proper context, Paul is not anti-Jew and saying there is no hope for the Jews because as we know many Jews became Christians including the apostle Paul himself who actually went all out to persecute the church and as we just read in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 there were churches in Judea.
Romans 11:23-24 tells us that the Jews would be grafted back in if they came to Christ, but more importantly, we need to remember not to have the same attitude towards those who aren’t Christians as the Jews had, because we can be just as bad at times, Romans 1:18-32.
The Thessalonians received the living Word of God with joy and great eagerness but the Jews constantly fought against God and His word which was seen in their attitude towards God, His Son, His prophets, His apostles and those on the outside of the Jewish Nation.
“But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
What are our hope, glory, and joy? The apostles ask. To us today we may thank that their biggest hope would be to be free from persecution and prisons, to roam around from city to city creating new Christians and to encourage faithful and struggling Christians to remain faithful bringing glory to God and joy to the soul without any satanic influences interrupting their calling to take the Gospel to the world.
Here the apostles remind the church in Thessalonica what their true hope, glory and joy were. Now, remember that Paul says here in 1 Thessalonians 2:17 that he had been taken away from them which we know happened as Acts 17:10 tells us. But he tells us this was a painful experience for him, this really hurt, even though it was only for a short time, how short we don’t know probably a few months, but it deeply moved him, it was like a child being taken away from their parents, that’s why he uses the word ‘orphaned’.
Because of this painful separation, made Paul was even more eager to see them again in person, or as the NIV says, ‘an intense longing’ to see them again, even though they were always in his thoughts. That’s why he sent Timothy to find out how they were getting on 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 / 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8.
There is a saying which says, ‘plan the plan but not the outcome’ which was something that Paul and the apostles could easily apply to their lives as missionaries. Paul had planned and planned again to return to the church in Thessalonica but according to 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Satan had prevented him from doing so.
We know that many unbelieving Jews were always making trouble for Paul, we know from Acts 17:5 / Acts 17:13 that they followed him everywhere he went causing trouble for him. We also know that Satan is ultimately behind every source of persecution the early church ever faced, 1 Peter 4:8-9 / Revelation 2:10.
But in what way did Satan prevent Paul from going back to this congregation? Imagine you’re at the Olympics competing in the great games and you win the gold medal, wow what a feeling that must be. In Greek times, there were no medals as such, no second or third place prizes either, in fact, there was only one prize for winning, and that was a laurel wreath simple placed on the victor’s head. This is what Paul means when he uses the word crown, στέφανος ‘stephanos’. It was a prize in the public games or a symbol of honour generally.
The reason the Thessalonians were Paul’s hope was because he hoped to see them at the coming of the Lord, they were his joy or crown because he longed to see them in the presence of Jesus Himself. 1 Thessalonians 2:19.
The apostles knew that if the Thessalonians had turned back to the world, then his hope and joy would simply disappear and that would hurt him even more. Notice how important it is to carry on studying and encouraging new Christians, Paul didn’t just help them become Christians and leave them to it, no!
His work involved not just converting people to Christianity but helping and encouraging them to get to heaven, he wasn’t truly happy until he helped them get right into the presence of Jesus when He returns and then and only then could Paul truly say his work with them was complete.
The church in Thessalonica was also the apostle’s glory and joy not just in the future tense but also in the present tense, hence he writes in 1 Thessalonians 2:20 ‘you are our glory and joy’. Do we feel that way about our brethren within the congregations we’re a part of? Do we feel it is a glory and joy to be associated with our brethren?
Surely our attitude should be like that of the apostles, especially Paul. Yes, we want to get to heaven ourselves and be in the presence of Jesus at His return but surely we want ALL our brothers and sisters in Christ to make it too! John 14:2. No wonder the songwriter Eliza E Hewitt writes, ‘When we ALL get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory’.
So, our glory is seeing each other in the presence of the Lord as we serve him faithfully today, tomorrow and all the days of our lives and when we all will be glorified when the Lord returns as the apostles already reminded us of in 1 Thessalonians 1:10-12. Our joy is the happiness that comes from working together in and for the Lord as the apostles are going to remind us of in 1 Thessalonians 3:6-9.
And notice that our hope, glory and joy are real because they are all eternal in nature, if our hope, glory and joy are in our homes, cars and jobs etc then we have misplaced confidence and missed the point of these words because all these things are temporary in nature. So, it’s important that we spend time with our brethren to love and encourage them to get to heaven as they do the same for us.
