This wasnt because Paul was insecure about his ministry, but because he had many enemies in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-6 and 17:13) who discredited him in his absence, especially because of his hurried departure from Thessalonica. They acted under the consideration of God's omniscience, as in the sight of him who tries our hearts. 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. Their fierce opposition was due to the fact that Christian missionaries offered salvation to Gentiles without demanding that they first become Jews. (Hiebert), ii. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. Gods Word works, it doesnt only bring information or produce feelings. "Exhorting" is the general term for animating address: comp. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1 Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole The word of man isnt worth suffering for, but a true message from God is worth it. It was not many years after this that Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Jewish nation cut off by the Romans. This is the kind of life that draws others to follow Jesus for themselves. And further, when he shall come, all must appear in his presence, or before him. This is the way to win people. Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. This has been variously interpreted, "so soon after my exhortation," or "so soon after my departure from Thessalonica," or "so soon after your reception of the gospel," or "so soon after this opinion of the imminence of . Pauline Epistles ( 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5) The integrity of Paul's message in Thessalonica. He was able to say, "For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile." He and his companions were perfectly open about everything. In this city, you would find the worship of the gods of the Olympian pantheon, especially Apollo, Athena, and Hercules. Paul denied his rights and took a higher standard upon himself. 1. And he comforted them also, endeavouring to cheer and support their spirits under the difficulties and discouragements they might meet with. This exclusive attitude filled up the measure of their sins. In the chapter's opening, Paul explains his reason for writing. i. Paul didnt seek glory from men because his needs for security and acceptance were met primarily in Jesus. Paul means by the phrase, night and day, that he started work before dawn; the usage is regular and frequent. 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. The Greek intellectual and philosophical traditions were also represented. 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. iii. Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. The Gospels There should be no corrupt mixtures therewith; and, as the matter of the apostle's exhortation was thus true and pure, the manner of his speaking was without guile. a. For a short time means that Paul knew it would only be a short time until the roadblock was overcome. He did not come making demands as an apostle. His design was not to set up a faction, to draw men over to a party, but to promote pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father. c. And they do not please God and are contrary to all men: Paul also comforted the Thessalonian Christians with the awareness that they were right, that they are the ones pleasing God. There is a valid debate as to if 1 Thessalonians 2:7 should read gentle or babes. b. 1 Thessalonians 2:10. i. Paul didnt seek glory from men because his needs for security and acceptance were met primarily in Jesus. The word wrought effectually in them, not only to be examples unto others in faith and good works (which he had mentioned before), but also in constancy and patience under sufferings and trials for the sake of the gospel: You became followers of the churches of God, and have suffered like things as they have done (v. 14), and with like courage and constancy, with like patience and hope. 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. i. Holly Hearon. The word of God is pure. This expression also denotes the affectionate and compassionate counsels and consolations which this apostle used. i. 1 Thessalonians 1:2 Commentaries: We give thanks to God always for all There is a valid debate as to if 1 Thessalonians 2:7 should read gentle or babes. 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. Why Does God Compare Our Relationship with Him to That of a Bride and Groom? 1 Thessalonians 2 - Clarke's Commentary - StudyLight.org 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. 1 Thessalonians 2King James Version. d. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Paul wrote here in a personal manner, but this really wasnt a personal issue for Paul. Men possessed with the devil are called energumeni. i. See Acts 16:23, c. and the notes there.. With much contention. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point What Every Christian Should Know about the Protestant Reformation. It has been said that people dont care how much you know until they know how much you care. 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). Book of First Thessalonians Overview - Insight for Living Ministries Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. By the most affectionate desire of their welfare: Being affectionately desirous of you, v. 8. i. For you are our glory and joy. The apostle was inspired with a holy boldness, nor was he discouraged at the afflictions he met with, or the opposition that was made against him. He is very much part of them, and he sorrows for their fate. (Morris). He did something about the hindrance. That you have not perceived spiritual things is true; but it is no proof that there are none to perceive. 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. Paul means by the phrase, night and day, that he started work before dawn; the usage is regular and frequent. Many scholars believe that 1 Thessalonians was Pauls earliest letter written as an apostle to a church. It is not to be named with any of the words proper to religions in general [of that day]. (Morris). 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Commentaries: but after we had already suffered and 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. Your partnership makes all we do possible. He pleaded that he was not guilty, and wished to establish his innocence by producing forty persons who did not see him do it. 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. Pauls statement of defense falls into two parts, a negative and a positive It is his practice first to sweep away the false, and then with the ground cleared to set forth the positive presentation of the truth. (Hiebert). 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. For you also suffered the same things: When the Thessalonians responded to the Gospel, they became the targets of persecution. And where the word is believed and received as the word of God, there it has this energy, or worketh effectually, so as to promote love, repentance, self-denial, mortification, comfort, and peace. (Poole). These are the two sources from which stems the corruption of the whole of the ministry. (Calvin), iv. Upon himself and fellow-labourers. i. 1 Thessalonians: An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary. 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. iii. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. i. The force of this is that Christianity is not just another religion. Thessalonica was also an important port and a melting pot city with cultures from all over the world. The words not only signify, with intense labour and earnestness, but may here mean, exposed to the . It was that Satan hindered Paul and his associates. Verse 2. c. But we were gentle among you: Paul was like a nursing mother, who only looks to give to her child. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point His coming was not empty or hollow, as if he were a mere salesman or marketer. c. Satan hindered us: Paul, in all his apostolic ministry and authority, could still be blocked by Satan. Please see Blue Letter Bible's Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Wisdom Literature General Epistles Major Prophets 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. 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). His coming was not empty or hollow, as if he were a mere salesman or marketer. b. 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6. In the second place it demonstrated that all the facts required for his vindication were facts of common knowledge. (Morris). a. He no doubt began so early in order to be able to devote some part of the day to preaching. (Moffatt quoting Ramsay), ii. Their design was to please God and not men. Though honour and esteem was their due from men, yet they did not seek it. The subject-matter of the apostle's preaching was not vain and idle speculations about useless niceties and foolish questions, but sound and solid truth, such as was most likely to profit his hearers. 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). 2 Thessalonians 2 Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole 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. 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. Historical Books (6.) 1 Thessalonians 2 - Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Bible But Paul did not use the flattering words that often are a cloak for covetousness. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-5) The integrity of Pauls message in Thessalonica. Most preachers, on reading it conscientiously, will either give up their place to others, or purpose to do the work of the Lord more fervently for the future. (Clarke), 2018 David Guzik No distribution beyond personal use without permission. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. c. But we were gentle among you: Paul was like a nursing mother, who only looks to give to her child. When you received the word of God: Paul earnestly believed and taught others that God had spoken to man and that we have recorded this word of God. Churches is the ancient Greek word ekklesia; it was not a specifically religious word. 1 Thessalonians 2 Commentary Verses 1-4 - Explaining The Book We are not to suppose that the apostle spent the whole night and day in bodily labour, or work, to supply the necessities of his body; for then he would have had no time for the work of the ministry. Look to Jesus. Paul wanted people to look to Jesus, but he could also tell them to look at his life, because the power of Jesus was real in his life. b. A good example this is, to be imitated by all the ministers of the gospel. Most of these religions were missionary minded and sought to spread their faith using itinerant evangelists and preachers. 1 Thessalonians 2:2. (2.) Christians passed over many Greek words that were commonly used for religious brotherhoods.