ETB 1Thess 2:1-12

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Acts 17 tells us that Paul spent three weeks ministering to Jews in the synagogue of Thessalonica. In all likelihood, he also spent time during the week in the marketplace and other public arenas, talking with Gentiles and anyone else God brought along his path.

In the first chapter, Paul also encouraged them to continue standing strong in their faith. Despite the relative youth of the Thessalonian congregation, the members had established a reputation for persistence and faithfulness under difficult circumstances. Persecution had not slowed them down but had accelerated their efforts on behalf of the gospel. In fact, they had become an example for other Christians in Greece and around the Roman Empire. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2022]

The New Bible Commentary 2:1–16 The Behaviour of the Missionaries in Thessalonica

Missionaries, and indeed all Christian witnesses, are peculiarly vulnerable to criticism, and therefore must make all the more effort to live, and to be seen to live, in a way that is not open to criticism. Paul’s conduct as a missionary in Thessalonica seems to have been criticized in his absence, apparently by people outside the congregation, and he now defends himself from various possible accusations.

Explore the Text

1 Thessalonians 2:1–2 ESV

1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 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.

Chapter 2 appears to be a continuation of the thought started in Chapter 1. 2:1-12 seems to be an aside about "the reception" they received and the thankfulness in prayer picks back up in verse 13. That link is reinforced by the repetition of the unusual word eisodos, translated in verse 9 as “reception” and here as “coming”. [Understanding the Bible Commentary Series.]

The first use of the family relationship analogy in our passage comes with the word translated in the ESV as “brothers”. As siblings in Christ, we all answer to the Father for all our provisions and purposes. We are equal in rank as Christ is our first-born brother. We have a love for each other that is different than others as we are have the common bond of family that cannot be broken by laws or distance. Although we gentiles are all adopted into the family of God, our “paternal” brothers are Messianic Jews who were first born into the Chosen race, and then adopted into the family of Grace. Family ties cannot be undone, once you are in - you are in forever, and the same goes and more so with God’s family. Once you are accepted by grace, you are in His family forever and ever.

The reason for the visit was for the proclamation of gospel which was “received” well and was not in “vain.” Although the typical “meaningless” definition works in this context, the alternate “empty-handed” also works well as they came with the power of the gospel and worked to support themselves.

The lesson materials say this word “suffered” is more about the physical suffering that the men endured in Philippi but when I look at the other instances this word in Scripture, I see a mix. In Mat 17:15 the Lord is asked to have mercy on a son that has seizures and “suffers” terribly. The widow who had an issue of blood for many years “suffered much” by the physicians (Mk 5:26). These were definitely physical ailments, but the prolonged illness would undoubtedly cause mental anguish as well. Pilot’s wife however never met Jesus and was not physically impaired but tells her husband that, “I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” There is no physical component to this last use of the word as it is all mental and emotional torment. Jesus uses this word for suffering several times to describe his upcoming torment at his final days as “The Son of Man must suffer many things” (Luk 9:22, Mt 16:21, Mk 9:12). Jesus’ “suffering” encompasses all forms of torment so as to be able to comfort us and be an example to us in all things (1Pe 2:21). I think Paul used this word intentionally to emphasize the connection with Christ more than to describe what had happened to the missionaries.

Not only had the writer’s suffered but they were “shamefully treated.” Interestingly the single Greek word translated to “shamefully treated” in the ESV, is the word we get our modern word “hubris” from. It seems to indicate that we mistreat ourselves when we have an over inflated opinion of ourselves or are overconfident. The 5 times this word is used in Scripture it maintains its negative connotation and is translated as “insult” in Luke 11:45. The connection back to Christ comes with its use in Luke 18:32 as Jesus is given over the Gentiles to be “mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon.” Using this list and the alternate word of “insult” leads us to define our word as taking injury mentally, emotionally, and to one’s personal reputation or integrity. Again, the connection back to Christ’s suffering is the key as He is the one who did not deserve any of this kind of malignment as the perfect example of all God’s moral laws.

Despite these past and current maltreatments, the message of Christ continued to be spoken of with boldness. In contrast to the various forms of oppression in Philippi, the men had much freedom or frankness in Thessalonica to speak God’s truth. Persecution never invalidates the truth of the gospel, and it never provides an excuse for believers to stop sharing with those who need to hear. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2022]

It is difficult to tell from the context if the “midst” of conflict being referred to is about what they had overcome in Philippi or the persecution that Jason and others eventually suffered as a result of the Gospel being accepted into the hearts of some of the Thessalonians. Some of the cross-references for this verse point to the conflict of the apostles and how it followed them around (Phil 1:30). One commentary made a more definitive link and stated that, “Paul and Silas probably still had the scabs and sores on their backs from their beating in Philippi (Ac 16:22–23) when they walked into Thessalonica and nevertheless began to proclaim the good news again.” [The Moody Bible Commentary] Regardless Paul and his fellow messengers would accept the hardships as further proof of the Lord’s calling and a part of the “fellowship if His suffering” (Phil 3:10). The gospel of God seems to spread in conflict better than in ease which seems appropriate for the Lord himself did not have a ministry of ease as the writer Hebrews tells us Heb 12:2-3. Paul encourages the Thessalonians through example and directs us all to follow Christ’s example of completing the work God set before him even through the harshest of environments.

1 Thessalonians 2:3–4 ESV

3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 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.

Paul uses variations on this Greek word “paraklesis” throughout his letters. Here a request for action is being made, in this case to turn from sin to the Lord. Later in our passage the base word form is translated to “exhorted”. Although different in content and strength, there is still that request for change being made verbally. This is not like the popular “positive reinforcement” speech or having any lack of attributing of error, this is merely the “put on” part of sanctification. Paul would never only tell you what you were doing right without telling you how you do not measure up to Christ’s standards. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is help people see how off-track they are before showing them Christ’s way.

The men also are now bold about how they came to the new church without error, impurity, or deceit. All three of these are not boasts about the apostle’s eloquence but about the holiness of God’s truth and the reverence the men had for it. Error would be the opposite of truth or the “spirit of truth” (1Jn 4:6). Impurity or uncleanness would be not only a tainting of the words being presented but more about the motives of the presenter. An attempt to deceive would be about using less than pure methods for the persuasion or “cleverly devised myths” (2Pet 2:16). You may even take these three actions to the extreme ends and say that missionaries did not “lie, cheat, or steal” conversions from the Thessalonians. Paul has much to say about those that do use these false methods especially in his second letter to the same church. In the second letter to the Corinthians, he calls them “disgraceful, underhanded ways.” (2Cor 4:2) This may be why many non-believers are not interested in Christianity as they have been “swindled” enough and can immediately see through any inauthentic method or motive. In the journals of Jim Elliot compiled by his wife later, we read a similar observation.

Believer’s Bible Commentary B. Review of Paul’s Ministry, Message, and Conduct at Thessalonica (2:1–12)

In spiritual work, if nowhere else, the character of the worker decides the quality of his work. Shelley and Byron may be moral free-lancers and still write good poetry. Wagner may be lecherous and still produce fine music, but it cannot be so in any work for God. Paul could refer to his own character and manner of living for proof of what he was saying to the Thessalonians. Nine times over in this first epistle he says, “You know,” referring to the Thessalonians’ firsthand observation of Paul’s private as well as public life. Paul went to Thessalonica and lived a life that more than illustrated what he preached; it went beyond illustration to convincing proof. No wonder so much work in the Kingdom is shoddy; look at the moral character of the worker.

These men however had excellent character, their work revealed it, and God “approved” it. If Paul were writing this today, he would have probably used the word “vetted”. Is that concept as challenging to you as it is me? Can you emphatically state that God had “vetted” you and been found “approved”? I am like Paul in his letter to Timothy (1 Tim 1:11-13), and know the kind of past that I had and how blasphemous and insolent I was toward the gospel and sometimes have difficulty reconciling and understanding how God “approves” of me. Paul continues in that concept of vetting using both positive “proofs” of the testing and negative counterparts we are to remain watchful for.

Not only were the missionaries approved, but they were given stewardship of a great treasure which they were to freely distribute. Although our word “entrusted” fits the context of being approved, the word is more often translated as “believe”. Part of the apostle’s proof of being accepted by God for His work was their belief in Him and the gospel. Because they believe and trust in the saving work of Christ, they were able to “speak” it in purity and power. Because their motives were “clean” they spoke it to please God only and not to please themselves or other men.

The Gospel of Christ never “pleases” natural or sinful man. Natural, worldly man always opposes the Gospel. When we preach Christ, we must never try to please men; if we do, our “gospel” will be not the true Gospel but a false gospel. We must speak the truth boldly; we must speak out against sin and evil. We must not fear the opposition of men [The Applied New Testament Commentary]

The messengers also knew they were approved by God because they had passed God’s scrutiny. “Tests” is the same root that we had for “approved” making it a book end in the passage for the vetting process being completed. Unlike the process we go through for government approval or career validations, God “tests” our hearts. We hear echoes of the Psalms (Ps 44:21) and Jeremiah in this as he proclaimed Jer 11:20 “O Lord of hosts, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind.” There is no way around that test, and it cannot be faked or fooled. God’s test is always 100% accurate and eternally valid. This thought is what encouraged me after wondering about whether I was approved by God or not. God sees and approves me based on the completed work He sees now, but I will have to grow into. He sees and approves me in my maturest state even though today I am still a youngster in the faith. The image I have is God presenting me with the Gold Medal in a marathon, moments after I take my first steps as a toddler. His image of me is correct, regardless of my perceptions. He has tested our hearts in the fully mature state and approves us based on Christ’s completed work so we can confidently tell others about what He has done and will continue to do until He is finished (Phil 1:6).

1 Thessalonians 2:5–6 ESV

5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

The words flattery, pretext, and greed although different in intent correlate with our words earlier of error, impurity, and deceit. The first grouping was under the context of an appeal or request for action, these words all seem to have a more forceful or coerced response. Before the negative tactics would have drawn on their guilt or shamed them into a response, these negative actions are more like extortion and blackmail. We are not able to judge the hearts of those presenting their message like God can but we can see and hear the responses and their lasting effects on the “converts.”

The men also had another proof of their sincerity - God. The first example God is the judge and declares the apostles worthy, here He is on the “witness” stand for the defense and testifies that they are righteous of heart and motive, seeking the Thessalonians’ best interests and not their own. The writers are trusting God to reveal the truth of what they said and did in their brief time together. God does the same for us today as we read His word and He enlightens our minds to truths we had not seen or were not yet ready to see, He testifies that we are a part of His kingdom and one of His heirs. (1John 5:9-12)

This phrase “nor did we seek glory from people” appears to have a more coercive connotation than merely speaking to please men as in verse 4. In its correct form this is the glory of God that we are to strive to be a part of (1Thes 2:12). Here however God’s glory is swapped for the praise and accolades of man. Paul knew that any glory pursued apart from God’s was actually self-seeking (John 7:18). This is another way we can spot false teachers by looking at who or what is getting the most praise, if it God or something else. We must also be careful when sharing the gospel with others that we do not over emphasize the sins that “we” overcame but constantly point our listener toward the cross and the power of God through it so that He gets all the credit for the work done.

1 Thessalonians 2:7–8 ESV

7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 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.

Interestingly the word we have translated as “gentle” is more often translated into child or infant. Probably making an intentional connection between the mother imagery later in the verse and a contrast to the coercive tactics described earlier. A young child, although manipulative does not have the cognitive or language skills to exert extortionist tactics upon others. The three men were “gentle as infants,” which is how some English translations render the phrase, compared to the other false teachers that “exploit you with false words.” (2 Peter 2:3)

Godly mothers do not extort their children for personal gain but cherish and nurture them. This second family relationship in out passage today helps the writers convey they personal care and concern for the young church congregates. Never withholding what is needed, giving ample supply of sustaining milk, constantly wrapping, and holding the child close to her heart for warmth and love. The writers bathe the church in prayer and send encouraging words of truth to help the believers grow up in the Lord so as to be able to stand firm in the faith. A nursing mother literally gives a part of herself to grow the child and the missionaries were willing to do the same for the growth of these new believers.

This instructive illustration provides a good example for all who are responsible for the care of new believers. If a nursing mother does not feed herself, she cannot feed her baby. If she eats certain foods, her baby will get sick. Similarly the spiritual diet of a parent Christian is vitally important to the health of a newer Christian. [The Bible Knowledge Commentary]

1 Thessalonians 2:9–12 ESV

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Paul uses this “labor and toil” pair of words 3 times in his letters. The second in the pair is closer to the meaning that we think of as “work” and is the more common word for “labor” in Paul’s day. The first word speaks more toward the weariness cause by exertion of the second. He then uses another word that describes the type of “labor and toil” that he did. We might use the word “career” or “profession”. I might say, “You remember how we wore ourselves ragged working long hours at our job so that we would have the money we needed without taking anything away from your families”. For the sake of the gospel Paul did not hesitate to do manual labor, which Greek culture considered only for slaves. [The Open Bible: New King James Version]

All of this was in addition to the ministry “work” they did speaking the gospel to all who would listen to these tentmakers. The conflict, labor, and toil did not prevent the message of truth from going out because the writer’s focus was not on the tasks at hand but on ensuring the gospel was spread and proclaimed. Although the men benefited from the work, the real value of the time with the Thessalonians came from the ministry. Paul spoke similarly to the Ephesians saying, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)

In verse 4, God and the Thessalonians are called on to remember how the writers did not act. Here we have the opposite triad of “holy, righteous and blameless” and the witnesses are called to testify about how the writers did act. They are asked to remember how they were “faithful in the performance of the ordinances, versus hágios (40), referring to the holiness of character. [The complete word study dictionary: New Testament]. They were righteous and honest about their intentions and above reproach in their business and ministry work among the now church members.

The final family relationship example is the one the God uses Himself in relating His “children”. Fathers in that day were schoolmaster, disciplinarian, and protector. Sons usually learned their future trade from them or another male relative but also the Scripture and social expectations. There is love but of a different nature than the nurturing motherly type, more of a character-building counsel and wisdom for life in the world outside the family home and becoming parents. Paul uses a similar example to the Corinthians as he does not want to “shame” them into being godly but rather “admonishes” them or encourages the correct behavior for God’s glory. (1 Cor 4:14) This same building up of character and godliness is what all three writers now want to see happen in the spiritual lives of the Thessalonian believers. They desire to hear of mature Christians reproducing more faithful followers and ask them to remember how they displayed and spoke truth into their lives when present and continue in those godly patterns now while they are away.

Paul starts another triplet this time about their instructions in the faith. He starts with the same “appealing” tone as he did in the beginning of our passage. Sometimes this word “exhort” is translated “beseech” which is a little more than begging but not as coercive as demanding. This is the reminder you tell the child as they are leaving, “Be nice” or “Be safe.” God through the writers is telling us when we go out and we interact with others, “Remember whose child you are.”

The second part of our final triplet today is “we encouraged you.” There is more of a comforting connotation in this word maybe an uplifting word or comment for those a little disheartened. Later in chapter 5 Paul uses this word in his closing imperative statements to the believers that should “admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, and help the weak.” (1Thes 5:14) This the cheering up and cheering on of those that have slowed down or started to slide away from the path for one reason or another. Sometimes it involves correction, but more of building back up after God’s corrective hand has been acknowledged and the perceived failure is being slowly overcome. A good father knows their children and understands whether a slight push of exhortation or a helping hand of encouragement is needed. And we have the Perfect Father, and Ultimate Big-Brother who always gives us just the right words at the perfect time.

The last of triplet “charged” is probably the most difficult to obey. The word is more often translated as “testify” and we get our modern word “martyr” from it. The first parts of the triplet spoke to build up within the person, this one speaks to the actions to be taken. Earlier God and the Thessalonians were called as “witnesses” to the works of the apostles, now the believers are being charged to be witnesses to others about God’s work in their lives.

The reason for all the exhorting, encouraging, and testifying was to produce within the new believers a lifestyle that reflects the character and love of the Christ who saves and the God who redeems and adopts us into His kingdom. More literally the expression means ‘to walk worthily of God’, where the metaphor of walking (as often in the New Testament) gives the idea of steady, if unspectacular, progress. There is nothing static about being a Christian. [1 and 2 Thessalonians: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries] There many sermons and entire books dedicated to expounding on the meaning of this phrase. Paul himself explains a little of it himself in a later letter to the Colossians (Col 1:10). All our lives can be dedicated to living out this one phrase and we would have to study all of Scripture carefully to grasp even portion of its depth and encompassing principles. This is Our Father not only challenging us to “remember whose child you are” but also daring us to “tell others whose child you are.”

Apply the Text

Sharing the gospel with others for salvation, comfort, encouragement, or correction is not easy. Sometimes like the with the Thessalonians time is short so boldness is required to quickly speak as God directs. Other times a relationship can be built up first and then as God reveals through discernment, we can gauge how to speak truth into the person’s life as either an equal sibling, nurturing mother, or a guiding father. It is never our work but always God’s and we must rely on Him to speak His truths and be faithful in His timing. The message of the gospel should be a pattern of life and not just something we do on occasion. It is also not accidental but takes effort. I close with an illustration that I had heard parts of before.

The good St. Francis of Assisi once stepped down into the cloisters of his monastery, and laying his hand on the shoulder of a young monk, said, “Brother, let us go down into the town and preach.” So they went forth, the venerable father and the young man. And they walked along upon their way, conversing as they went. They wound their way down the principal streets, round the lowly alleys and lanes, and even to the outskirts of the town, and to the village beyond, till they found themselves back at the monastery again. Then said the young monk, “Father, when shall we begin to preach?” And the father looked kindly down upon his son, and said, “My child, we have been preaching; we were preaching while we were walking. We have been seen, looked at; our behaviour has been remarked; and so we have delivered a morning sermon. Ah! my son, it is of no use that we walk anywhere to preach unless we preach as we walk.” [The Biblical Illustrator: Thessalonians]