This attitude includes both boldness and confidence. (Morris), ii. He didnt need fancy introductions or lavish praise. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. 1 Thessalonians 1 - The Products from Faith, Hope, and Love "This letter is full of interest because it is certainly among the first of those which have been preserved for us from the pen of Paul. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. 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. Such was the rage of his persecutors. ii. b. He knew what it was like to speak boldly for the Lord even in much conflict. a. The word rendered conflict (agon) contains a metaphor drawn from the athletic games or the arena. Their fierce opposition was due to the fact that Christian missionaries offered salvation to Gentiles without demanding that they first become Jews. (Hiebert), ii. 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. This self-revelation is not being made because the Thessalonian believers themselves were suspicious or doubtful about the missionaries. His inability to visit should never be taken as a lack of love towards the Thessalonians. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. In the meantime, let the Christian world treat them with humanity and mercy. (Clarke), ii. 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. "Encouraging" (as in ch. i. "Exhorting" is the general term for animating address: comp. 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. 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. The Old Testament So that the apostle at least intended his absence should be but for a short time. 1 Thessalonians Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible Henry's Complete. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. 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). And this he did not only publicly, but privately also, and from house to house (Acts 20 20), and charged every one of them by personal addresses: this, some think, is intended by the similitude of a father's charging his children. The word of man isnt worth suffering for, but a true message from God is worth it. iv. When we appeal to the Bible, they like to reply, Thats just your interpretation. There are certainly some places where the word of God is hard to precisely interpret, but there are not many such places. He no doubt began so early in order to be able to devote some part of the day to preaching. (Moffatt quoting Ramsay), ii. Here we have an account of Paul's manner of preaching, and his comfortable reflection upon his entrance in among the Thessalonians. He was well pleased to do it because Paul was affectionately longing for the Thessalonians because they had become dear to Paul and his associates. In these words the apostle apologizes for his absence. 1. a. Also present were the Roman State cults that deified the political heroes of Rome. Honour is to follow men, men not to follow it. (Poole). Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. "The Thessalonian letters present the first literary evidence for . Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 Meaning d. Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins: Here Paul revealed what offended the religious persecutors of the Thessalonians so much. b. You can check these in your browser security settings. When Satan saw the great work God did through these letters, he regretted that he ever hindered Paul at all. 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. 1. Luke-Acts Paul never compromised issues like mans need, Gods Savior, the cross, the resurrection, and the new life. The Gospels i. Affectionately longing for you: Is from an extremely rare verb of obscure origin. 3. And we should not only be good as to our general calling as Christians, but in our particular callings and relations. Perhaps Paul would say that he didnt need a crown in heaven because these precious ones were his crown of victory. This exclusive attitude filled up the measure of their sins. He had no sinister and secular aims and views, but was in reality what he seemed to be. 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. It grows out of complete disinterest in the rights of others an attitude foreign to Paul and his helpers., iii. c. Which also effectively works in you who believe: Pauls confidence in the word of God wasnt a matter of wishful thinking or blind faith. Their design was to please God and not men. Paul presented it not as the word of men, and the Thessalonians received it as the word of God. Nevertheless, Whichever version is preferred, however, there can be no doubt that Paul is describing his voluntary submission to them. (Calvin), ii. 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 is the way to win people. You welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God: The Thessalonians received the word of God as it is in truth. You welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God: The Thessalonians received the word of God as it is in truth. And as a nursing mother bears with frowardness in a child, and condescends to mean offices for its good, and draws out her breast, cherishing it in her bosom, so in like manner should the ministers of Christ behave towards their people. Such behaviour greatly recommends religion, and is most agreeable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel. i. a. d. Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins: Here Paul revealed what offended the religious persecutors of the Thessalonians so much. The New Testament 3. It means the place of contest, and then the contest itself a race, a struggle, a battle. Paul believed in a voice that speaks to mankind with the authority of eternity, and speaks above mere human opinion. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 , John 11:19 ; John 11:31 ; rendered uniformly in A.V., "comforting") is the calming and consoling side of exhortation, as addressed to the afflicted or the weak. Acts 20:1-5 describes Pauls eventual return to Thessalonica and to other churches in the area. 2:2 ). 1 Thessalonians 2:10. 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. Yet Paul assured them that the reason was not a lack of love or desire on his part. a. The apostle here puts the Thessalonians in mind that though he could not come to them as yet, and though he should never be able to come to them, yet our Lord Jesus Christ will come, nothing shall hinder this. The Whole Bible By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. 1 Thessalonians 2 - Clarke's Commentary - StudyLight.org 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. First, Paul understood that this was Satanic hindrance. Concerning this also he could appeal to them as witnesses. Because it was evident to everyone that Pauls ministry in Thessalonica was a success, it is better to see it as a reference to the character of Pauls ministry. 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. Or do ye enter into the priesthood for a morsel of bread, or for what is ominously and impiously called a living, a benefice? Is God witness that, in all these things, ye have no cloak of covetousness? But wo to that man who enters into the labour for the sake of the hire! This exclusive attitude filled up the measure of their sins. he knows not Christ; and how can he preach him? (Clarke). God is a God of truth, and requires truth in the inward parts; and, if sincerity be wanting, all that we do cannot please God. The Old Testament He did not come making demands as an apostle. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . He repeated the same idea in passages like Philippians 3:17 and 1 Corinthians 11:1. ii. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2 - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland How holily and justly and unblamably; "holily" denoting the apostle's conduct to God, "justly . 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. III. Paul had the discernment to know. ii. i. If we can not know what God has spoken, then He may as well not have spoken at all. Second, Paul had faith. General Epistles It was the sincere and uncorrupted gospel that he preached and exhorted them to believe and obey. Thessalonica was also an important port and a melting pot city with cultures from all over the world. Yet Paul assured them that the reason was not a lack of love or desire on his part. True grace is of a most masculine, disengaged, noble nature, and remits nothing of its diligence either for fear of a frown or hope of a reward. (Trapp). In the meantime, let the Christian world treat them with humanity and mercy. (Clarke), ii. 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. The New Testament With courage and resolution: We were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God, v. 2. Additionally, Paul and his associates were also persecuted. 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. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Poetical Books 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. (6.) 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. We wanted to come to you but Satan hindered us: It wasnt that Paul did not want to visit the Thessalonians. Paul had the discernment to know. He had no sinister or worldly design in his preaching, which he puts them in mind to have been. i. He and his fellow-labourers preached Christ and him crucified, and did not aim to gain an interest in men's affections for themselves, by glorying, and fawning and wheedling them.
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