1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:1
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

Paul continues the conversation from the last chapter. There, he explained how proud he was of the Thessalonians. In this chapter, Paul will discuss how he, Silas, and Timothy came to them honestly and openly.

The word “entrance” here is the same Greek word used in 1 Thessalonians 1:9 being “entering.” The point is, Paul, Silas, and Timothy came with an open heart, not in vain as we’ll learn.

Their purpose?

To accomplish the will of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:2
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

Scripture is so very complete.

This account is recorded in Acts 16:19-24. Paul and Silas were certainly “shamefully entreated” while they were in Philippi. In fact, they were drug before the “rulers” and “magistrates” who had them beat with “many stripes,” and “they cast them into prison.”

Their crime?

Casting a “spirit of divination” out of a young damsel.

As it turns out, the young possessed damsel was a slave, and the “spirit of divination” provided the masters with great monetary gain. So once the spirit was cast out of the damsel, so was their gain. The masters of this girl cared more about money, then the soul of an innocent child.

When we look at our world today, not much has changed.

Presenting Scripture Honestly

1 Thessalonians 2:3
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

The “exhortation” of Paul, Silas, and Timothy was their “intreaty” for the Thessalonians to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was not done through deceit, it did not include uncleanness, nor was their message founded in “guile,” which is a ‘subtle trick.’

Instead, these apostles came to the Thessalonians honestly, to provide them with the message of hope.

Unfortunately, there are Christian teachers who do bring the Gospel to people through deceit. Building up false doctrine in order to make the Bible sound more interesting. Yet, you cannot build strong Christians when their foundation is built upon a lie.

1 Thessalonians 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

This tells us, God allowed these apostles to carry forward our faith. It was placed into their trust. Today, the Word of God has been placed into our trust, to ensure it spreads and carries forward to the next generation.

Pay close attention, we have a fantastic lesson coming up.

Trusted With The Gospel

1 Thessalonians 2:5-6
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

When these apostles brought forward the Word of God, they didn’t use “flattering words.” Simply stated, they didn’t butter people up in order for them to accept Jesus Christ. Instead, they did “the will of God from the heart,” (Ephesians 6:6-7). They just said it how it was.

These apostles didn’t speak to please the Thessalonians or any other men. They only spoke to please Almighty God, while revealing the truth to the Thessalonians. Paul was reminding the them of this important aspect.

So I will remind you…

When you share the Word of God, you are doing God’s work. Your goal is not to become popular with other Christians or people. Your goal is to diligently and honestly bring forward God’s Word to the world, from there, He will make it grow.

I also want you to apply this concept to your daily life…

Your boss at work, or your client has trusted you with a task. Ensure you diligently and honestly perform it everyday to the best of your ability. When someone trusts you, never, ever let them down, especially our Heavenly Father.

1 Thessalonians 2:7
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

Instead of buttering people up and telling them what they wanted to hear, these apostles spoke truthfully and conducted themselves mildly and gently.

That’s our example to follow.

1 Thessalonians 2:8
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

In essence, I feel Paul was echoing the sentiment of Jesus found in John 15:13.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Jesus Christ

These apostles had developed a close relationship with the Thessalonians. Paul witnessed them convert from being idol worshippers to ambassadors of God. This is why Paul wrote, we are “affectionately desirous of you.”

The Thessalonians heard the Word, accepted the Word, and spread the Word.

These apostles were very proud of the Thessalonians, and Paul wanted them to know it. It’s a fantastic thing when you have people in your life that love and care about you. It builds your character, makes you feel appreciated, and helps you flourish.

1 Thessalonians 2:9
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Paul was actually a tent-maker by trade, (Acts 18:3). His point here is, not only did he preach the Gospel to them, but he also worked his trade so the young church in Thessalonica would not have to support him.

Therefore, he makes the added point, that his sole purpose in preaching the Gospel to them was to redeem their souls, and not for any personal gain of his own. This statement comes on the heels of Paul saying, their intensions were always honest and well pleasing to God, in order to promote His Word.

Just And Unblamable

1 Thessalonians 2:10
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

Paul continues to remind the Thessalonians how these apostles conducted themselves. Their intensions were honest and true, and Paul wanted them to remember that.

There’s no doubt in my mind, Paul made these statements as many false prophets and much deceit ruled during that time. This is evident for what Paul would write in Colossians 2:8.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Paul was making it extremely clear, his actions in no way could be construed to be those of someone seeking to amplify themselves. Instead, his actions were honest and true in order to help the Thessalonians and ultimately, expand God’s Kingdom.

As a Christian, remember that as well. In everything you do, do it to glorify God.

Walk Worthy Of God

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Just as a father leads and directs his children to walk the narrow path to eternal life. Paul was leading and directing the Thessalonians, so they “would walk worthy of God” who called them, and yourselves into “His Kingdom and glory.”

You know what’s the most fantastic thing about that?

It doesn’t cost you a dime.

You simply have to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and live according to the Book.

1 Thessalonians 2:13
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Always thank God for everything you have, and “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Thessalonians did that, and when they heard the Word of God, they accepted it as the Word of God. That means they lived it, it became a part of there daily life.

Suffering For Our Faith

1 Thessalonians 2:14
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

Once you accept Jesus Christ, that makes you an enemy of the world.

That’s what Paul is explaining here.

It happened to the Thessalonians, who once worshipped idols, but now had come to accept Jesus. In essence, this is Satan’s way of trying to subvert your faith. People will turn their back on you, and even consider you an enemy for accepting Jesus.

In the last chapter, we learned the Thessalonians had a good reputation as they imitated the demeanor of Paul. Yet, the world didn’t care, so the world of the Thessalonians punished them for their faith, just as those in Judaea were punished for theirs.

Now, what’s this bit about “the Jews?”

Let’s continue to find out.

1 Thessalonians 2:15
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

Paul is speaking of the “Jews,” or better said the Judeans who opposed Jesus. Specifically, this included the Jews of the synagogue: the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and the chief elders. What we are being told here is nothing new.

In fact, Jesus once said,

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

Matthew 23:37

Who specifically were these people?

Peter tells us in the book of Acts.

“Ye men of Judaea… Ye men of Israel… Jesus of Nazareth… ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain… house of Israel… that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Acts 2:14, 22-23, 36

God’s Word clearly explained, it was the Israelites who killed their own prophets, and their King, being Jesus Christ, (Neh 9:26, 1 Ki 19:10, 2 Ch 24:20-21, 36:16).

Peter would later explain, they killed Jesus “through ignorance… as did also your rulers.” Nevertheless, they had essentially fulfilled the will of God, (Acts 3:17-18).

Let’s have the next verse.

1 Thessalonians 2:16
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

It was the religious sect of the Judeans who tried to prevent Paul and the Apostles from preaching to the Gentiles. This is well recorded in Scripture, and a fine example can be found in Acts 5:17-42.

Though the Jews of the synagogue tried to prevent people from hearing about Jesus Christ, they failed in their wicked mission. Instead, Christianity took root not just in the Levant, but around the entire world!

We can thank God for that, including His faithful workers, like Paul and the Apostles. We can thank converts like the Thessalonians, and so many more who endured: trouble, pain, suffering, and death, to bring you God’s Word, today.

1 Thessalonians 2:17
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

Again, we find such completeness within Scripture.

This no doubt refers to Acts 17:10 which reads,

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.”

“The brethren” were actually the Thessalonians who sent Paul and Silas to Berea for safety.

You see, in Acts 17:1, we learn there was a “synagogue of the Jews” in Thessalonica. Paul went into that synagogue, and for “three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,” (Acts 17:2).

Thankfully, “some of them believed.”

“But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.”

Acts 17:5

That’s why the Thessalonians sent Paul and Silas into Berea, and that’s how Paul and Silas were “taken” from the Thessalonians.

Satan Hinders Our Faith

1 Thessalonians 2:18
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

Paul empathically tells them, we tried to see you several times since then, but Satan prevented us. How exactly, we are not told. From what we learned in the prior verse, it was likely the Jews of the synagogue who continually stirred up the people against the Apostles, (Acts 17:13).

However, that is only a guess. It may have been a direct assault by Satan, just as he assaulted Jesus Christ, (Matthew 4:1-11).

I want to make it clear, Satan is not some symbolic gesture.

Satan is a real entity. Satan is the arch enemy of God and his children. Satan is the Devil, he is the tempter who seeks our destruction. Satan does perform evil, and he is the god of this world who subverts it. He will use anything and anyone to accomplish this deceitful task, (1 Pet 5:8, 1 Thes 3:5, 2 Cor 4:4, Rev 12:9).

Never forget that.

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

Paul explains, his joy and crown of accomplishment is founded in the Thessalonians, who were once lost souls, but are now saved in Jesus Christ. What a reflection that will be for him and those who share the Gospel come judgement day.