Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians Part 1

Context

1 Thessalonians 1:5–6 (ESV)

...You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Paul made clear that the Thessalonians knew his character. They knew what kind of men Paul, Timothy & Silas were… that they were the real deal, and not like many of the teachers and philosophers of the day who were looking out for their own interests.

As we move into chapter 2, Paul outlines in detail their character. Remember that one of the issues in play in this church is that since Paul’s departure from Thessalonica, there were those among the church that called Paul’s integrity into question. Suggesting that he made the efforts he did to plant the church for personal gain. So again, as we move into chapter 2, Paul takes up the issue of his character with the church, not just to defend himself, but really to help the Thessalonians be certain about the gospel, and the God-given purpose as a church.

So the “for” points us back to what Paul said in v.5 about his and his team’s integrity:

1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 ESV

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 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. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

A Bold Proclamation of the Gospel (1-2)

Their coming was not in vain.

Their presence did not lack advantages. Their presence in the city of Thessalonica was productive.

Paul’s description of their productive ministry

Suffering was not a deterrent

“already suffered”: only here in the NT

“shamefully treated”: disrespected

Philippi: slave girl incident in Acts 16:16-24

Question: How would the accusation that Paul and co.’s in Thessalonica were selfishly motivated be refuted in their declaration of the gospel after suffering in Philippi?

Bold declaration

“boldness in our God”: speaking the full truth without hesitation

Question: The claim is that they had boldness in God to declare the gospel. He could have said they boldly declared the gospel. What does he mean by having boldness in God to declare the gospel?

Question: We know from Acts 17, that many in that city professed Christ. Was that type of response the substance of the productivity of their ministry? What made their ministry productive?

Pure motives

bold declaration

A Ministry of Integrity (3-6)

Pure Motives & Methodology (4)

“appeal”: exhortation - referring to the preaching they did in the city

“not from error, impurity or any attempt to deceive”

not from a motive to deceive (error), to corrupt (impure)

and not done with a shrewd or deceptive approach (any attempt to deceive)

Question: Why should we not interpret Paul’s efforts to clarify his honorable motives and methodologies as being obsessed with what people think about him. Why are our motives and methodologies so important (at work, home, retirement etc.)?

Trustworthy Credentials (4)

“approved by God”: prove or examine to determine the quality of something or in this case, someone. Approved is used at the end of v. 4 - who tests our hearts.

“entrusted with the gospel”: placed in our care

The grammar of approved by God suggests that there was a time of testing prior to being entrusted with the Gospel.

“so we speak”: referring to their gospel proclamation

“not to please men but to please God”

Question: Why is being motivated to do anything (our jobs, function as husbands and fathers, serve in the church etc.) with a desire to please (bring delight to, impress) people incompatible with being motivated to please God?

Authenticity (5-6)

“flattery” & “pretext for greed”: attempting to manipulate people for personal gain.

The Letters to the Thessalonians 1. “Our Visit”—The Apostolic Entrance (2.1–12)

Eupolis gives voice to the flatterer’s intentions, saying, “And when I catch sight of a man who is rich and thick, I at once get my hooks into him. If this moneybags happens to say anything, I praise him vehemently and express my amazement, pretending to find delight in his words.”

Question: If gaining something from the people, including their approval and applause was not what motivate Paul and co. to proclaim the gospel to them, what was their motivation? How would possessing this same motivation impact our lives?

No seeking praise from people

Not using position of authority for selfish gain

Question: There is a sense of freedom that comes when we are burdened to gain the applause of people. Describe that freedom, and why does the absence of that burden result in freedom?

A Gentle Approach (7-8)

Gentle (7)

“Nursing Mother”: woman contacted to breast feed by another. Also hired to tend to the overall care of the child.

“taking care of her own”: emphasizes the personal connection

Question: What is this imagery meant to convey about Paul’s ministry among the Thessalonians?

Sacrificial (8)

“affectionately desirous”: only here in the NT, but used outside of the bible to express the longing parents has for their deceased child.

Question: Paul made clear that he was not seeking the approval or applause of anyone as a result of doing his ministry. How is it possible for that to be true but also to love the people to whom we minister with such intensity at the same time?

“but also our own selves”: our whole person

Question: What does it mean to give our own selves and what might that look like?