Yearning for the Thessalonians part 2

Timothy’s Arrival (6a)

the letter was penned right after Timothy’s arrival

As we noted before, it was fairly common practice that Paul would send Timothy on missions to churches and then he would wait to hear the report about the congregations.

This particular mission seemed to be charged with emotion for Paul (see v. 8)

Timothy brought good news (6b)

This was a relief to Paul because he had feared the worst (see v. 5)

brought us good news in v. 6 means announce good news or proclaim good news.

often used to as an announcement of the gospel (see Rom 1:15; 10:15; 1 Cor. 1:17)

Here it is used to convey news that is joyful

The good news comes in 2 parts

The Thessalonians’ faith and love

Throughout this epistle, Paul referenced these virtues to characterize the Thessalonian church (see 1:3,4,11; 2:13 and others)

Faith & Love as Distinctive Characteristics of the Redeemed

I want to take a few moments to consider these qualities of faith & love. Paul eagerly waited for this report from Timothy, and it was after receiving this report that Paul wrote this letter. And the way Paul summarized Timothy’s report was to say that the good news he heard about their faith and love.

As we consider faith and love, I want to ask a question now and again after we look at faith in love in the context of another church that Paul planted.

Question: What is necessary to be true of us to be a church that is known for our faith and love?

Galatians 5:2–6 ESV

Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

What problem was Paul addressing?

Not circumcision itself but the Galatians’ belief that circumcision was necessary for justification.

There is an inclination that we have towards self-reliance.

Question: What does Paul state as the consequence of this faulty belief?

Christ will be of no advantage to you

Question: What does Paul mean that Christ will be of no advantage to them if they accept circumcision as necessary for justification?

I suggest that it is a condition… the worst condition. Being alienated from Christ. When we approach our lives with a love that is on our own terms and uninformed by faith in Christ. When we approach our lives with self-reliance instead of faith in the promises of God, Christ is of no benefit to us. Instead of enjoying intimacy with Christ, we re alienated from Christ.

Remember, Paul worked among both groups of people… both the Galatian church and the Thessalonian church. He preached the same gospel which points them to the same Savior.

We need to remember that the Galatians were contending with false teachers, but the Thessalonians faced some of those challenges as well.

Question: What is necessary to be true of us to be a church that is known for our faith and love?

Enduring Affection

Despite the efforts of some to spread slander about Paul

Despite their sudden departure from the city

Despite their inability to be in each other’s company

Question: There was no report that the Thessalonians had unpleasant memories of Paul’s ministry among them, but unpleasant things happened. How is it that the unpleasant experiences did not eclipse the good ones?

The Balm of Others’ Faith (7-8)

Before Timothy brought Paul the good news

Acts 16:22–24 ESV

The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Acts 17:10–14 (ESV)

...But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.

Acts 17:32 ESV

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”

Comfort & Relief

Standing firm

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (ESV)

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Question: Despite the fact the Paul and the Thessalonians were not sharing experiences, they were still a source of encouragement for one another by means of their experiences of serving Christ. During the week, we all have varying experiences, but what can we learn from Paul and the Thessalonians in order to be an encouragement to one another despite our different lives?

Thank you God (9-10)

Credit where credit is due

Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians is not to be misunderstood as crediting them for the fruit that brought him the encouragement. The source of the fruit was God.

A good debt

Reciprocity: the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit

The Letters to the Thessalonians (5. “But Timothy Has Just Now Come to Us”—Thanksgiving to God for the Thessalonians (3.6–10))

The principle of reciprocity was part of the fabric of Greek and Roman culture. Reciprocity placed a strong social obligation on those who received benefits to demonstrate their gratitude. Seneca (philosopher in Ancient Rome) said, “Not to return gratitude for benefits is a disgrace, and the whole world counts it as such.”

Thanksgiving was understood as a debt that one owed to one’s benefactor, and this principle was at the heart of Paul’s words here.

Question: What is Paul conveying by expressing his Thanksgiving to God in terms of repayment?