Small Group Discussion — 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
Passage:
Introduction:
Historical and Cultural Background
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
Paul tried to help the believers realize how much it hurt him to leave them when he knew they needed teaching and encouragement.
To Paul, nothing took the place of personal contact with those converted under his ministry. The love of Christ that made him reach out to lost sinners made him reach out even more to them once they had believed.
Paul was not saying here that he was looking for some reward for winning the Thessalonians to the Lord. The very fact that they had accepted Christ filled Paul and his companions with joy. Just to see these believers stand in the presence of the Lord at His coming would fulfill the apostles’ hope and would be all the glory and joy they wanted. They were like parents who rejoice to see their children have good success. They were like teachers who feel rewarded when their students go on to live a worthwhile life.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Paul’s concern for the Thessalonians weighed heavily upon him. Even though he had no news from Thessalonica, he knew very well that the unbelievers who had pursued him to Beroea (Acts 17:13) would not cease putting pressure on the Christians in their own city
Paul therefore sent Timothy to establish, confirm, and strengthen them by thoroughly grounding them in the Word of God. He was also to comfort, encourage, and challenge them to strengthen their faith.
Timothy’s purpose was to strengthen them so none of them would be moved (shaken, disturbed) by those afflictions (troubles, tribulation, persecution) Paul knew they were enduring. In fact, the Thessalonian believers themselves already well knew that followers of Christ are appointed (destined, set) to suffer for the Lord’s sake
Paul recognized that while a peril existed, apostasy was not inevitable. The will of the believer was the determining factor. He knew, however, there was a definite danger that the tempter (Satan) might use their persecutions and troubles to tempt them to fall away. Should the tempter succeed, all the work Paul and his company had done in Thessalonica would go for nothing. Paul did not really expect this, yet he could not bear the thought. For this cause he sent Timothy to find out the state of their faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
The verb used here of bringing good news (euangelisamenou) is the one used almost everywhere else in the New Testament of proclaiming good news concerning Jesus. Except for the angelic announcements of the birth of Jesus, it is used everywhere for the proclaiming or preaching of the gospel.
Before Timothy returned, Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth, where more opposition and difficulty awaited him (Acts 18:6, 12).
Joyfully, he recognized what God had done and cried out, “What thanks can we render to God?” In other words, any thanks believers give Him is totally inadequate to express what is really due Him.
The joy and good news did not lessen Paul’s concern for these new converts, however. It only increased it.
Paul simply recognized that the new converts needed further teaching. While rejoicing in what God had done, he knew God had much more for them. “Perfect that which is lacking” was a phrase often used in those days for the supplying of an army with provisions. Paul wanted to provide these new believers with spiritual food that would help them march on to greater and greater victories. The good food of God’s Word would bring further spiritual growth.
Paul’s prayer was primarily for the believers. He could teach them, but only God through Christ could cause them to increase and abound (excel and overflow) in love.
The overflow of love is also the key to spiritual advancement and holiness. Creeds, doctrines, and rules may have a place and may be good in themselves, just as the law of Moses was holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12). Yet, they become deadly without superabundant love. Only as Christians love one another with Calvary love and reach out in that love to unlovely, rebellious sinners does the Lord establish their hearts (strengthening and confirming the purposes of their hearts) so they will stand blameless “in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” “Holiness” here is holy dedication to the will and service of the Lord.