he knows not Christ; and how can he preach him? (Clarke). He pleaded that he was not guilty, and wished to establish his innocence by producing forty persons who did not see him do it. If he couldnt be there in person, his letter will go for him and teach and encourage them in his absence. Poetical Books i. "The Thessalonian letters present the first literary evidence for . See here the manner of Paul's preaching. b. Prophets b. iv. i. In these words the apostle reminds the Thessalonians of the manner of his conversation among them. Pentateuch For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 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. He earnestly desired and endeavoured to see them again: We endeavoured more abundantly to see your face with great desire, v. 17. 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. Of what use would that have been? Free shipping for many products! 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. This shows that in the few weeks he was there, Paul taught the Thessalonians much about Satan and spiritual warfare. They acted under the consideration of God's omniscience, as in the sight of him who tries our hearts. The Jews themselves were vigorously engaged in this period of their history in actively proselyting Gentiles. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point b. He not only longs to return but wonders about the future of the believers. 2. He avoided covetousness. For you also suffered the same things: When the Thessalonians responded to the Gospel, they became the targets of persecution. c. Satan hindered us: Paul, in all his apostolic ministry and authority, could still be blocked by Satan. Second, Paul had faith. The force of this is that Christianity is not just another religion. Paul not only disavows the teaching, but reminds the Thessalonians what he had earlier taught them. The Old Testament Timotheus was sent to Thessalonica, to enquire after their welfare and to establish them in the faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2), and, returning to Paul while he tarried at Athens, was sent again, together with Silas, . 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. The matter of the apostle's thanksgiving and glorying on behalf of the Thessalonians was, (1.) Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. a. They persecuted them, and drove and chased them from place to place: and no marvel, if they killed the Lord Jesus, that they persecuted his followers. Pauline Epistles 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. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 AV 1873 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. 1:2-10) 4. The Lord Jesus faced persecution, and the Christians in Judea faced it first. I have but one piece of advice, and that is, go on, hindrance or no hindrance, in the path of duty as God the Holy Ghost enables you. (Spurgeon). There it was that he and Silas were shamefully treated, being put in the stocks; yet no sooner were they set at liberty than they went to Thessalonica, and preached the gospel with as much boldness as ever. The apostle expressed his thankfulness to God so often upon this account that he seemed to think he never could be sufficiently thankful that God had counted him faithful, and put him into the ministry, and made his ministrations successful. 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? What is our great gospel dutythat we walk worthy of God, that the temper of our minds and tenour of our lives be answerable to this call and suitable to this privilege. This exclusive attitude filled up the measure of their sins. 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. Gods Word works, it doesnt only bring information or produce feelings. It does good to those that walk uprightly, and by its wonderful effects evidences itself to be the word of God. Note, Bitter zeal and fiery persecution will set countrymen at variance, and break through all the bonds of nature, as well as contradict all the rules of religion. 1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed Therefore we wanted to come to youeven I, Paul, time and againbut Satan hindered us. 5. Four witnesses saw him commit a murder. Christians passed over many Greek words that were commonly used for religious brotherhoods. 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit . In 1 Thessalonians 2:3 the apostle mentioned the holiness of life that should characterize the one who proclaims the message of God. Though he was absent in body, yet he was present in heart. Upon them. He had no fear they would succumb to the propaganda being put before them. i. He denied himself the liberty he had of taking wages from the churches. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. Additionally, Paul and his associates were also persecuted. a. iii. A Compelling Example for Ministry ( 1 Thess. I think it is helpful to press the point that Paul is not working alone here; he has co-workers. These are expressions of great and endeared affection, and high estimation. Those are also to blame who, in hearing the word, look no further than to the ministry of men, who are only, or chiefly, pleased with the elegance of the style, or the beauty of the composition, or the voice and manner in which the word is preached, and expect to receive their advantage herein. That their faith grew exceedingly, v. 3. We learn from the Book of Acts that during Paul's stay in the city of Thessalonica, he preached in a Jewish synagogue on three successive Sabbath days. i. Affectionately longing for you: Is from an extremely rare verb of obscure origin. i. Verse 2. This self-revelation is not being made because the Thessalonian believers themselves were suspicious or doubtful about the missionaries. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. Timothy's Visit 3:1-5 3. They were his hope, and joy, and crown of rejoicing; his glory and joy. Minor Prophets For the sake of these things wrath has come upon them to the uttermost; that is, wrath was determined against them, and would soon overtake them. The whole case is like that of the Irishman who tried to upset evidence by non-evidence. Prophets ( 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10) The coming day of judgment for both the persecuted and their persecutors. 5. 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. We were bold in our God to speak: It comes from two words meaning literally all speech. It denotes the state of mind when the words flow freely, the attitude of feeling quite at home with no sense of stress or strain. He mentions their faithful discharge of the work and office of the ministry, v. 11, 12. He mentions the gentleness of their behaviour: We were gentle among you, v. 7. It was the sincere and uncorrupted gospel that he preached and exhorted them to believe and obey. 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. Most of these religions were missionary minded and sought to spread their faith using itinerant evangelists and preachers. In these words the apostle apologizes for his absence. Even his bodily absence was but for a short time, the time of an hour. 4. 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. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Yet Paul assured them that the reason was not a lack of love or desire on his part. First, Paul understood that this was Satanic hindrance. It is always concealed by a noble sounding goal. They were outraged that Gentiles could be saved without first becoming Jews. He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. Where greed and ambition hold sway, innumerable corruptions follow, and the whole man turns to vanity. v. Supposing that we have ascertained that hindrances in our way really come from Satan, WHAT THEN? The growth of their faith appeared by the works of faith; and, where faith . Note, The cross is the Christian's mark: if we are called to suffer we are called only to be followers of the churches of God; so persecuted they the prophets that were before you, Matt 5 12. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. His satisfaction came from his relationship with Jesus, not from the praise of people. 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. Satan Hinders Paul 2:17-20 2. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, Poetical Books Time is short, all our time on earth is short and uncertain, whether we are present with our friends or absent from them. 3. If Paul was discredited, then the Gospel message itself would be discredited. Nothing provoked them more than our Saviour's speaking to them at any time concerning this matter; this enraged the Jews at Jerusalem, when, in his defence, Paul told them, he was sent unto the Gentiles, Acts 22 21. Wisdom Literature So that the apostle at least intended his absence should be but for a short time. Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? Finally, God brought the victory. He repeated the same idea in passages like Philippians 3:17 and 1 Corinthians 11:1. ii. They must not dare to corrupt the word of God: they must diligently make use of what is entrusted with them, so as God hath allowed and commanded, knowing they shall be called to an account, when they must be no longer stewards. They were stewards, put in trust with the gospel: and it is required of a steward that he be faithful. i. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. This expression also denotes the affectionate and compassionate counsels and consolations which this apostle used. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year. (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16) The Thessalonians welcomed suffering when they welcomed the Word, yet they stood steadfast. i. Affectionately longing for you: Is from an extremely rare verb of obscure origin. The gospel calls us into the kingdom and state of grace here and unto the kingdom and state of glory hereafter, to heaven and happiness as our end and to holiness as the way to that end. Third, Paul was committed to fight against the roadblock any way he could. 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. The Salutation ( 1 Thess. Just as Athenians were tested for their fitness before they were allowed to assume public office, so the missionaries were tested before they were commissioned as Gods messengers. (Hiebert). For you also suffered the same things: When the Thessalonians responded to the Gospel, they became the targets of persecution. Paul gave both his care and his knowledge to the Thessalonians. The word of man isnt worth suffering for, but a true message from God is worth it. Johannine Writings First, Paul understood that this was Satanic hindrance. The Thessalonians were mostly Gentile converts, yet when Paul mentioned Satan here, he gave no further explanation. The gospel he preached was without deceit, it was true and faithful; it was not fallacious, nor a cunningly-devised fable. 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. Cookie Notice: 2. 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. i. 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. 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. Historical Books 2:2 ). i. This is the vilest way of imposing upon a people, and to deal unfaithfully. a. (1) An example of proper Christian rejoicing, by which also we learn, that those who have great gifts in them, are in two ways governed: first, if they consider that they have received all from God, and second, that continuance must be desired at his hands. He no doubt began so early in order to be able to devote some part of the day to preaching. (Moffatt quoting Ramsay), ii. c. But we were gentle among you: Paul was like a nursing mother, who only looks to give to her child. a. It has been said that people dont care how much you know until they know how much you care. Thomas on covetousness: Pleonexia is self-seeking of all types, a quest for anything that brings self-satisfaction. Historical Books Paul presented it not as the word of men, and the Thessalonians received it as the word of God. The reasons are contained, v. 4. v. Supposing that we have ascertained that hindrances in our way really come from Satan, WHAT THEN? Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. There has probably never been such a variety of religious cults and philosophic systems as in Pauls day Holy men of all creeds and countries, popular philosophers, magicians, astrologers, crack-pots, and cranks; the sincere and the spurious, the righteous and the rogue, swindlers and saints, jostled and clamoured for the attention of the believing and the skeptical. (Neil, cited in Morris). 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. 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. For a short time means that Paul knew it would only be a short time until the roadblock was overcome. As seen in 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Paul was comfortable in the idea of other Christians following his example. 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. 1, 2 Paul had to leave Thessalonica so quickly that there were many unfinished teachings he was not able to develop. It is not to be named with any of the words proper to religions in general [of that day]. (Morris). What Does Colossians 2:6-7 Teach Us about Our Faith Walk? For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? The Romans had their full share of guilt, so both Jew and Gentile were guilty. 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. The Romans had their full share of guilt, so both Jew and Gentile were guilty. 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. Many scholars believe that 1 Thessalonians was Pauls earliest letter written as an apostle to a church. Thus did the Jews fill up their sins; and nothing tends more to any person or people's filling up the measure of their sins than opposing the gospel, obstructing the progress of it, and hindering the salvation of precious souls. Where note, (1.) 1. 1 Thessalonians 2 - Marks of Paul's Ministry A. Paul proves he was sincere and not a charlatan. Luke-Acts And it is happy when ministers and people have such mutual affection and esteem of each other, and especially if they shall thus rejoice, if those that sow and those that reap shall rejoice together, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming. Honour is to follow men, men not to follow it. (Poole). 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. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point Johannine Writings Pauline Epistles He could see that it effectively works in those who believe. 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. Paul means by the phrase, night and day, that he started work before dawn; the usage is regular and frequent. And they were envious against the Gentiles, and angry that they should be admitted to share in the means of salvation. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. e. But wrath has come upon them to the uttermost: Paul comforted the Thessalonians by assuring them that God would indeed take care of their persecutors. i. i. Paul didnt seek glory from men because his needs for security and acceptance were met primarily in Jesus. Therefore we wanted to come to youeven I, Paul, time and againbut 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. For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. Of what use would that have been? The Thessalonians were familiar with the pretensions, deceit and gross immorality which marked the pagan worship throughout the world of those days, especially among the Gentiles; and it is the contrast with paganism, not Paul's defense of himself from slander, which shines in a passage like this. How we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you that you would walk worthy of God: Paul himself lived justly and blamelessly, but he also told the Thessalonians they should live the same way. Where greed and ambition hold sway, innumerable corruptions follow, and the whole man turns to vanity. Barclay saw the following false charges against Paul, evident from the way Paul explained himself in this chapter: b. Honour is to follow men, men not to follow it. (Poole). He could say to these Thessalonians what he told the Corinthians (2 Cor 4 2): We have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully. Gods Word works, it doesnt only bring information or produce feelings. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. But also our own lives: Pauls preaching was effective because he gave not only the Gospel, but himself as well (also our own lives), and he gave because of love (you had become dear to us). He knew this was not a random circumstance, but a direct attack from Satan. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. Those are greatly to blame who give out their own fancies or injunctions for the word of God. The words of men are frail and perishing, like themselves, and sometimes false, foolish, and fickle: but God's word is holy, wise, just, and faithful; and, like its author, lives and abides for ever. b. (6.) 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. There were shrines to many Egyptian gods: Isis, Sarapis, Anubis. He did not come making demands as an apostle. The Birth and Growth of a Church. They were observers of their outward conversation in public before men, and God was witness not only of their behaviour in secret, but of the inward principles from which they acted. 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. These are the two sources from which stems the corruption of the whole of the ministry. (Calvin), iv. This world is not a place where we are always, or long, to be together. His inability to visit should never be taken as a lack of love towards the Thessalonians. We wanted to come to you but Satan hindered us: It wasnt that Paul did not want to visit the Thessalonians. Let us accordingly receive and regard it. The apostle mentions the sufferings of the churches of God, which in Judea were in Christ Jesus. John Schultz This attitude includes both boldness and confidence. (Morris), ii. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousnessGod is witness. i. If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ, Gal 1 10. Pentateuch 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).

Usps Arrow Key Template, Harry Potter Fanfiction Harry Talks To Walburga Black Portrait, Articles OTHER