1 thessalonians 2 explained

The first letter 1 Thessalonians was written to a community of believers who had been Christians for only a short period of time, probably no more than a few months. ii. His design was not to enrich himself by preaching the gospel; so far from this, he did not stipulate with them for bread. Directions for Growth 4:1-12 B. 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. For our exhortation That is, our preaching, a part being put for the whole; was not of deceit With a design to seduce or corrupt any one by false doctrine; or, we preach not a lie, but the truth of God; nor of uncleanness Tending to encourage men in their impure course of life; nor in guile To procure esteem or any worldly advantage to ourselves, under . Finally, God brought the victory. There is a valid debate as to if 1 Thessalonians 2:7 should read gentle or babes. i. Upon himself and fellow-labourers. However, it is in truth the word of God. Such behaviour greatly recommends religion, and is most agreeable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel. In 1 Thessalonians 2:3 the apostle mentioned the holiness of life that should characterize the one who proclaims the message of God. Men possessed with the devil are called energumeni. Commentators divide as to if the uncleanness Paul defended himself against in 1 Thessalonians 2:3 was uncleanness of spirit or uncleanness of the flesh. Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? Such a conflict always involves intense exertion and strenuous, persistent effort to overcome the determined opposition or the dangerous antagonist. (Hiebert). GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point It means the place of contest, and then the contest itself a race, a struggle, a battle. Such was the word the apostles preached by divine inspiration, and such is that which is left upon record, written in the scriptures by divine inspiration; and such is that word which in our days is preached, being either contained, or evidently founded on, or deduced from, these sacred oracles. 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. As we have been approved by God: Paul used a word here that was associated with approving someone as being fit for public service. ii. 2. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Men possessed with the devil are called energumeni. Where greed and ambition hold sway, innumerable corruptions follow, and the whole man turns to vanity. And to these things this whole epistle exhorts the Thessalonians. Johannine Writings v. Supposing that we have ascertained that hindrances in our way really come from Satan, WHAT THEN? The Greek intellectual and philosophical traditions were also represented. If we can not know what God has spoken, then He may as well not have spoken at all. Yet when they do not receive it, it reflects upon them, not upon the message. The reasons are contained, v. 4. Paul presented it not as the word of men, and the Thessalonians received it as the word of God. i. Such a Roman flogging was no light matter; it was an experience not soon forgotten. (Hiebert), ii. (2.) iv. 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6. What is our great gospel privilegethat God has called us to his kingdom and glory. Far and away the largest theological contribution of both 1 and 2 Thessalonians lies in what they say about eschatology. This is the vilest way of imposing upon a people, and to deal unfaithfully. They acted under the consideration of God's omniscience, as in the sight of him who tries our hearts. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. They were contrary to all men. The Salutation ( 1 Thess. 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. Third, Paul was committed to fight against the roadblock any way he could. Herein, said this apostle, do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men, Acts 24 16. The means of salvation had long been confined to the Jews. 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. The Jews themselves were vigorously engaged in this period of their history in actively proselyting Gentiles. Who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us: Paul comforted these suffering Christians with the assurance that they were not the first to suffer this way. He was willing to run hazards, and venture his soul, or life, in preaching the gospel. That you have not perceived spiritual things is true; but it is no proof that there are none to perceive. Where greed and ambition hold sway, innumerable corruptions follow, and the whole man turns to vanity. He is very much part of them, and he sorrows for their fate. (Morris). b. He did not come making demands as an apostle. I. 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. Those whom we bring to Jesus and disciple are a crown of victory for us. i. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? c. But we were gentle among you: Paul was like a nursing mother, who only looks to give to her child. 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. The Old Testament Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. This gentleness and goodness the apostle expressed several ways. See Acts 16:23, c. and the notes there.. With much contention. (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. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point Prophets 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. When Satan saw the great work God did through these letters, he regretted that he ever hindered Paul at all. If we can not know what God has spoken, then He may as well not have spoken at all. i. Date of Writing: The Book of 1 Thessalonians was written in approximately A.D. 50. This shows that in the few weeks he was there, Paul taught the Thessalonians much about Satan and spiritual warfare. This world is not a place where we are always, or long, to be together. At the same time we should notice that Pauls anger is the anger of a man with his own nation, with his own people. 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. i. 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. range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed Observe, 1. If this is the case, then Satans roadblock got Paul started on writing letters to the churches. No, he was far from this; nor did he flatter men in their sins; nor tell them, if they would be of his party, they might live as they listed. Upon them. The apostle mentions the sufferings of the churches of God, which in Judea were in Christ Jesus. Their fierce opposition was due to the fact that Christian missionaries offered salvation to Gentiles without demanding that they first become Jews. (Hiebert), ii. And further, when he shall come, all must appear in his presence, or before him. 1. We wanted to come to you but Satan hindered us: It wasnt that Paul did not want to visit the Thessalonians. 2. i. Morris on flattering words: We can use this English term of remarks which, though insincere, are directed to the pleasure of the person being flattered. Perhaps Paul would say that he didnt need a crown in heaven because these precious ones were his crown of victory. I. c. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil: Paul recognized his right to be supported by those he ministered to (1 Corinthians 9:14), but voluntarily gave up that right to set himself apart from missionaries of false religions. This is a worthy goal for any Christian today; to live a life that declares how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among others. He was willing to spend and be spent in the service of men's souls; and, as those who give bread to the hungry from a charitable principle are said to impart their souls in what they give (Isa 18 10), so did the apostles in giving forth the bread of life; so dear were these Thessalonians in particular to this apostle, and so great was his love to them. Holly Hearon. 2. v. Supposing that we have ascertained that hindrances in our way really come from Satan, WHAT THEN? The words not only signify, with intense labour and earnestness, but may here mean, exposed to the . The word rendered conflict (agon) contains a metaphor drawn from the athletic games or the arena. Verse 1 Thessalonians 2:2. 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. The Old Testament . GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, (Hebrew/Greek Search by English Definition), * 'Number Delimiters' only apply to 'Paragraph Order', Search verses, phrases, and topics (e.g. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. The Greek term has rather the idea of using fair words as a means of gaining ones own ends., ii. Who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us: Paul comforted these suffering Christians with the assurance that they were not the first to suffer this way. Pauline Epistles The whole case is like that of the Irishman who tried to upset evidence by non-evidence. Paul assured the Thessalonians that he desired to be with them, but he was hindered by Satan, and that this happened time and again. The apostle here comforts himself either in the success of his ministry, that it was not fruitless or in vain (according to our translation), or as others think, reflecting upon the sincerity of his preaching, that it was not vain and empty, or deceitful and treacherous. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? i. 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. He had no sinister and secular aims and views, but was in reality what he seemed to be. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. iv. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. It was not many years after this that Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Jewish nation cut off by the Romans. It was the sincere and uncorrupted gospel that he preached and exhorted them to believe and obey. Of what use would that have been? b. Barclay saw the following false charges against Paul, evident from the way Paul explained himself in this chapter: b. 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). 4. It is not to be named with any of the words proper to religions in general [of that day]. (Morris). But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. i. Murder and persecution are most hateful to God and cannot be justified on any pretence; they are so contrary to natural religion that no zeal for any true or only pretended institution of religion can ever excuse them. The Whole Bible b. They were his hope, and joy, and crown of rejoicing; his glory and joy. 14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Juda are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. Major Prophets If this is the case, then Satans roadblock got Paul started on writing letters to the churches. 2. He denied himself the liberty he had of taking wages from the churches. When Christians forget this, they often disgrace and curse themselves by returning persecution for persecution towards others. Paul presented it not as the word of men, and the Thessalonians received it as the word of God. Hear this, ye that preach the Gospel! The New Testament 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. Concerning this also he could appeal to them as witnesses. 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. Nor did we seek glory from men: When Paul ministered among the Thessalonians, he was unconcerned for his personal glory. Thomas on covetousness: Pleonexia is self-seeking of all types, a quest for anything that brings self-satisfaction. 1. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. It was, therefore, a work of God that, although Paul had suffered various misfortunes and indignity, he appeared unaffected, and did not hesitate to launch an assault on a large and wealthy city for the purpose of leading its people captive to Christ. (Calvin). 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. Though honour and esteem was their due from men, yet they did not seek it. 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. This meant that he didnt spend his life trying to seek and earn the acceptance of man. Salvation is of the Jews, says our Saviour. a. Pauls enemies said he left town quickly because he was a self-serving coward. He knew this was not a random circumstance, but a direct attack from Satan. The Romans had their full share of guilt, so both Jew and Gentile were guilty. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. of Our coming to you was not in vain: The word vain here can refer either to the result of the ministry, or the character of the ministry. i. 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). You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. He avoided flattery: Neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, v. 5. 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.

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