ETB 1Thess 2:13-20

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Understand the Context

God had given Paul an open door into Greece, but this new opportunity did not come without struggle. Paul’s work in Philippi led to imprisonment (Acts 16:6-40), and trouble followed him to Thessalonica. There, Jews upset with Paul’s message, tried to turn Gentile leaders against him (17:5-9).

Acts 17:2-3 tells us Paul spent three Sabbaths sharing the gospel with Jews in the Thessalonian synagogue. But his ministry probably involved more than that. If his later work in Athens is any indication, he may have preached to Gentiles in public settings during the week (Acts 17:17). [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2022]

Our passage today picks up in the middle of chapter 2 where the writers shift back to the prayerful way they remember and think of the Thessalonians. There are also hints of responses to things that they heard in the report from Timothy which will study a little next week. The new church was growing in faith and the 3 missionaries wanted to encourage that growth regardless of their presence or surrounding situations.

Explore the Text

1 Thessalonians 2:13–14 ESV

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,

What we do with the gospel and with Jesus determines our eternal destiny. This is a truth we cannot avoid, and Paul expressed gratitude that the Thessalonians had embraced God’s plan. Their acceptance of the gospel demonstrated that the gospel was true and their faith was genuine. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2022]

One major thing that Paul and his associates were thankful for was the way the Thessalonians had not only accepted the men into their homes and lives but also the message of hope that they brought. Although the aorist tense makes this a single “receiving” the active voice makes its affect continue to the present. The word is more than just an acknowledgement but points more to “taking in” or “taking with”. The word of God was taken into their lives and continues to be affective as they go on in their daily activities. God’s word is not something that should put aside or forgotten while working but we allow it to permeate our work and it then becomes an act of worship. Only when we have truly “received the word of God” can we “do all thing unto the Lord.” (1Cor 10:31)

I like that Paul wrote “the word of God” instead of just referring to the gospel which many today correlate with salvation. The Thessalonians accepted “all” the word of God from these men and not just for salvation. The gospel does more than save, it transforms, it is the “sword of truth” and is “living and active” (Heb 4:12) within the person after the initial justification. The whole council of God is “good news” to those who love and accept His gift of eternal life. God uses His word to draw us into His Kingdom and keep us faithful in His work allowing us to “walk in a manner worth” of Him. (1Thes 2:12)

The gospel message did not appear in the air or come to the Thessalonians in a dream, they heard it from these brave men. Later Paul writes to the Romans that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Rom 10:17) And as we read last week, these three were not thwarted by the mistreatment they had received in the previous cities but came into town with the purpose of letting the inhabitants “hear” from God through His word.

This word “accepted” is also translated as “received” but different from the word earlier in the verse as it was “without necessarily signifying a favorable reception. [Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words] The Thessalonians were gracious and took God’s Word from these men as getting a gift from an unfamiliar person, but then as they realized what a grand gift they were being presented, they were very glad of having taken it. I like the example that the first “received” is being given food you have never tried before and graciously thanking the host, the second “accepted” is asking for seconds.

Part of the reason the Thessalonians accepted what these strangers were saying is because the Holy Spirit had enlightened them to what was being said. These men spoke more than “silly stories and strange myths” (1Tim 4:7, 1Tim 1:4) but were speaking with power and truth that only a righteous and holy God could produce. I like the way one of my commentaries stated this contrast of God and man’s word, “Man’s word forms a shaky foundation for faith. Only God can be fully trusted, and it is only when His word is trusted that results are produced in hearts and lives.” [Believer’s Bible Commentary]

We have it emphatically stated rather than just inferred that God’s Word works within believers. In his letter to the Romans, Paul calls it the gospel the “power of God” (Rom 1:16). The word “work” is in the present tense making it a continuous action. God is eternal and never sleeps (Psa 121:4), His word is equally eternal and active. Once God begins working within the believer, He will never stop using His Word and Spirit to continue to grow us until the day of completion (Phil 1:6). After being glorified, God’s Word may even continue to sustain us as our “bread” of life.

Earlier in the letter the Thessalonians were encouraged to be imitators of the missionaries and more importantly of Christ. Then they were commended for being examples to all the believers in their region. Paul now writes that they had also mimicked or “strived to resemble” the churches that were not much older than themselves which were found in Judea. By using the Greek and Roman name for the territory in Israel, Paul confirms that he is writing to the Gentile believers in Thessalonica. The real focus of the imitation is Christ, as there were synagogues which were churches or assemblies of “God”, but Christ Jesus separated these congregations from all the others. Christ’s work saved the church members and God’s word continues to sanctify them. This work and process is still active today.

Saul was one of “the Jews” that persecuted the church even “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” before being confronted by Christ on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:1) Now he was rejoicing over the work God was doing in and through the Thessalonians as the Word of God continued to work in them and its hope was being heard throughout the region.

Frequently when Christians suffer persecution they are tempted to think God’s blessing has departed. Paul countered this lie of Satan by reminding his readers that their experience duplicated that of their elder brothers and sisters in the faith [The Bible Knowledge Commentary]

One of the ways the new church imitated those in Judea was not by their own actions but by those that oppose the gospel of Christ. In Judea it was the Jewish presence that instigated the persecution of the believers, but in Thessalonica it appears to be cause by Gentiles, or at the very least those living in the area and not the group that had followed the three men from Philippi (Acts 17:5). This suffering would also be another way that the church was imitating Christ’s example and growing in the knowledge of him. (Phil 3:10)

The exact identity of the persecutors is not as important as the faithfulness of Christians standing in harm’s way and enduring various degrees of persecution.

Most likely, the Thessalonian believers did not know about the Judean suffering firsthand, but Paul was emphasizing that such oppression was a part of the Christian life. He was thankful that opposition did not stop the gospel in either Judea or Macedonia. Instead, believers in both places developed boldness and continued their work for the kingdom. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2022]

Paul now writes down some of the ways that the Jewish leaders in Judea had made the believers suffer, starting with the person whom they blamed for all those turning away from “their” faith.

1 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV

15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind

Those who interpret this passage through an anti-Semitic lens misunderstand Paul’s message, and Paul’s heart for his own people. The apostasy of the Jews is set in contrast to the faithfulness of the Thessalonians. God’s pleasing plan is for “all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth” (1Tim 2:3-4). By going against this plan, they were against all men fulfilling God’s desires for everyone. (Eze 18:23, 32)

Later this word is used without the negative participle to describe how the men “wanted” to return to be with the congregation. Here the negative indicates that God does not “approve” of the actions of the Jewish persecutors as a contrast to the men whom God had tested and approved earlier in the chapter.

1 Thessalonians 2:16 ESV

16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

The writers use the word translated to “hindered” and not “prevented” because try as the may the Jewish resistors could not stop Paul and his associates from speaking God’s word of truth and Christ’s message of redemption. Jesus uses the same word when speaking to those who were opposing him. Luke records him as speaking about the kingdom of heaven to them “You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” They may not have been able to stop the preaching of God’s Word, but they could sow seeds of doubt and fear in those listening preventing them from making a decision for Christ. They would definitely add to God’s displeasure as they are working directly against God’s desires for all to be saved.

The phrase “might be saved” may be the best our English language can translate but the connotations to the modern hearer convey the possibility of “not being saved.” Vincent comments, “Not, to speak to the Gentiles in order that they might be saved, but to tell the Gentiles that they might be saved.” The possibility of salvation and sanctification is not what is being hindered but the hearing and presentation of the gospel that could lead those listening to eternal life.

Just as Christ came to redeemed us from all our sins even those that we have yet to commit before being glorified, those that are in sin have not “completed” all the sins before the final punishment of sin is to commence. Jesus uses the same language and concept in his seventh “woe” upon the pharisees in Matt 23:32. This mentally first is seen in the Old Testament when God says that Abram descendants will have the land from those who were currently living there, but not yet because the “iniquity of the Amorites” was not finished accumulating before God’s judgement. (Gen 15:16).

The phrase “wrath has come upon them at last” took a little more study for me. Paul may mean (1) the Judean famine in a.d. 44–47, (2) the riot and massacre in Jerusalem in 48–49, (3) the expulsion of Jews from Rome in 49; or, most likely, (4) an unspecified future event that is certain or has already begun. [ESV Global Study Bible]

The last option fits into “already but not yet” mentality that Paul often uses. The wrath had not happened or been meted out upon the Jews yet, but neither had it come upon the Gentiles either, both of these would come after Jesus’ return. In the first chapter the Thessalonians were commended for worshipping Christ “who delivers from the wrath to come.” (1Thes 1:10) Paul is expressing his joy of both God’s judgement and salvation through the wrath and is accepting God’s timing of His vengeance on the Jewish opposition. This is also a theological contrast with those being saved as Mark 16:16 tells us that whoever believes will be saved but those who do not are condemned to wrath. Although Paul seems to focus only on the judgment of Jews here, elsewhere he stresses that God’s judgment will come upon all unrepentant people regardless of their ethnicity (e.g., Rom 2:9–10). [Faithlife Study Bible]. This may also have been quite encouraging to the believers in the new church because if Paul a Jew by birth and training was able to release the judgement of wrath against his own people into God’s hands, then the Thessalonians would be able to imitate this behavior towards their own countrymen.

God’s wrath is not like human anger. It does not result from selfish motives or emotional outbursts. God’s vengeance is reserved for those who choose to reject His offer of salvation in Christ. It is a natural outcome of His holy righteousness and justice. Paul was not implying that the Jews—or any sinners—had passed a point of no return. But if they continued standing against God and his messengers, He would eventually deal with them, either during their lives or during the final judgment. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2022]

1 Thessalonians 2:17–18 ESV

17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.

The letter now shifts from what the Jews had done in opposition to the gospel in past to what was happening now in the hearts of the Paul and his associates. There is also a contrast between the hindrance of the gospel and the desire to spread it and a connection between the work being prevented first by the Jews but ultimately the Adversary.

Several word study materials say the imagery of the verb “torn” is like what we have been seeing on the TV of the Ukrainian children being “torn away” from the fathers as they are sent to safety in another country. Many of the children will become orphans as both parents stay to fight for their country. That connotation is the closest to the most literal translation “to make an orphan.” The word speaks of the deep personal connection that the writers have to the readers and the sorrow of being separated.

The writer “heaps together” a series of comparatives like he did at the beginning of the letter with the “always and constantly” of prayer. [Word Studies in the New Testament] Here this expression is “eagerly eager with great eagerliness” to come and be with the new congregation again in person. This emphasis of desire, the word choice of being “torn away” and last week’s fatherly reference show the deep concern and love that Paul and his associates had for these believers. They all want to get back together like most loving families do.

A different word is used for Satan’s hindering than was used earlier for the Jewish of the gospel. The lesson materials say that “the same Greek wording was also used to describe roads that are destroyed or made impassible.” From the other definitions that I read I get the sense the Jews were more like a detour and another way had to be determined, here there seems to be a temporary halt to the progress like the waiting for the drawbridge to come back down. It seems Paul and his colleagues were being stopped from coming back to the Thessalonians as a group, but they eventually found an “alternate method” to come and speak to them in the form of this letter.

Daily life is a matter of spiritual warfare for Christians. While we are not to obsess over a defeated enemy, we are challenged to recognize his existence and to stand against his attempts to derail kingdom work. As we learn to view obstacles through this spiritual lens, we can lean into Christ and place our absolute dependence on Him. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2022]

1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 ESV

19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Vine’s defines hope as “favorable and confident expectation”, and Zodhiates says joy is, “the cause, ground, or occasion for gladness.” The word for crown is the typical “victor’s wreath” that is place on the head of the winning athlete. It is also the most varied phrase between the ten English translations I read. NASB “crown of exultation”; KJV “crown of rejoicing”; NJB “crown of honour”; NLT “proud reward and crown”; and finally the GNB “reason for boasting of our victory.”

In effect he asked what would be the greatest blessing he could possibly receive at the judgment seat of Christ. They were! [The Bible Knowledge Commentary]

Paul’s hope was rooted in the promised return of Christ. The Thessalonians would prove Paul’s efforts were worthwhile when the time came to stand before Jesus. Joy is the result of faithfulness in the midst of suffering. The Thessalonians’ commitment to the gospel brought Paul joy even in suffering. [LifeWay Adults (2021). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2022]

This boasting and joy will go both ways as the three men with rejoice over the Thessalonians being in the presence of Christ, the church members with rejoice in the fact that God sent the three to come and tell them the good news of redemption. (2 Cor 1:14)

Although the church at Thessalonica was a testament to the work of God through Paul and his colleagues and they are accredited as founding the church and “converting” the idol worshipers, like all other earthly accolades they will be given over to Christ as He is worthy of all honor and all praise. Anything good that we do, it is because of His life within us, and He should get all the credit. Paul is writing similarly that yes, they are proud to be a part of the work God is doing in the church and it give them great cause for assurance, gladness and praise, but it all goes to Jesus in the end.

“At His coming.” There are three principal Greek words used in the NT with reference to Christ’s return:

parousia (pa-roo-SEE-ah): coming and subsequent presence

apokalupsis (apo-KAL-yoop-sis): unveiling, revelation

epiphaneia (epi-FAHN-ee-ah): manifestation

The word most commonly used is parousia. It means a presence or a coming alongside. Vine says it denotes both an arrival and a consequent presence. When we think of the Lord’s coming, we should think of it not only as a momentary event but as a period of time.[Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments]

This is the third of nine times that Paul pens this concept in the short epistle but the first occurrence of this specific word. Could be coming, presence, or advent but my personal favorite is “arrival.” The neighbor’s dog or cat comes over in your yard, but grandmas and dignitaries “arrive.”

This was what the letter writers were trying to get their readers to focus on. Jesus’ coming would resolve all the hardships from their countrymen and in the not to distant future the government. But when we are confident in and wholly trust in Christ for our salvation in all things then we are more able to wait for His timing and resolution - either now or at the eventual “end of all things.”

Paul finishes the chapter with a short verse and another one that I had to research a little more. If God is to get all the glory, what did the writers mean by “you are our glory?” The imagery of others being our joy is not unbiblical as the Preacher in Proverbs tells us that, “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.” (Prov 17:6) Therefore they are writing not that “you are why we have joy” or take glory in but “because of you” we can glorify and joyous worship Christ more fully.

Earlier this week I read in my devotional what you could consider opposite to this verse in Psalm 69:6 “Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.” The writers knew that they had nothing to be ashamed about and all their actions were honorable when in Thessalonica, and now the believers there are continuing to grow and reproduce believers further adding to Paul, Timothy, & Silas’ joy in the Lord and for the growing church.

Spurgeon tells of a personal experience in which he experienced joy on behalf of one of his congregates.

Thessalonians Vers. 19, 20

I do not know when I ever felt more gratified than on one occasion, when sitting at a Church meeting, having to report the death of a young brother who was in the service of an eminent employer, a little note came from him to say, “My servant, Edward——is dead. I send you word at once, that you may send me another young man; for if your members are such as he was, I never wish to have better servants around me.” I read the letter at the Church meeting, and another was soon found. It is a cheering thing for the Christian minister to know that his converts are held in repute. Of another member of my Church an ungodly employer said, “I do not think anything of him; he is of no use to anybody; he cannot tell a lie!” (C. H. Spurgeon.)

He makes another good contrast between believers who accepts His Word and those that oppose Him.

Apply the Text

Focusing on those who accept the gospel motivates believers to continue sharing.

The three men were writing back to the believers in Thessalonian and encouraging them to stay focused on the ultimate goal of being before Christ in eternity. They would face opposition, but that was to be expected. But regardless, Christ calls us to present the message to all and allow them to make that choice. Rejoice if they accept, pray and leave them in God’s hands if they do not. Be encouraged and quickened by God’s Word so that it has its work within people but not to be discourage by other’s sinful nature refusing the truth. We also want people to hear God’s Word of truth and not ours for it is not as effective.

Thessalonians Ver. 13

A lady who was present at the dispensation of the Lord’s Supper, where the Rev. Ebenezer Erskine was assisting, was much impressed by his discourse. Having been informed who he was, she went next Sabbath to his own place of worship rehear him. But she felt none of those strong impressions she experienced on the former occasion. Wondering at this, she called on Mr. E., and stating the case, asked what might be the reason of such a difference in her feelings. He replied, Madam, the reason is this, last Sabbath, you went to hear Jesus Christ, but to-day you have come to hear Ebenezer Erskine.

People who receive the gospel message become imitators of Jesus.

The gospel is transformative when it is accepted. It justifies (salvation in Christ), it sanctifies (growth in Christ), and eventually glorifies (presence of Christ). As believers we strive to be more and more like Christ so that in the end, we have the victor’s crown of Christ telling us “Well done.”

AMG Bible Illustrations To Win a Crown

The Reverend H. W. Webb-Peploe once said, “You must take possession of Christ for salvation, but to win a crown Christ must take possession of you.”