Words for the Wise, The Messenger of Salvation, 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Paul’s Ministry

2 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our [a]coming to you was not in vain, 2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much [b]opposition. 3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or [c]by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who [d]examines our hearts. 5 For we never came [e]with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— 6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ [f]we might have [g]asserted our authority. 7 But we [h]proved to be [i]gentle [j]among you, as a nursing mother [k]tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own [l]lives, because you had become [m]very dear to us.

9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we [n]behaved toward you [o]believers; 11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and [p]imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and [q]drove us out. [r]They are not pleasing to God, [s]but hostile to all men, 16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them [t]to the utmost.

17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a [u]short while—in [v]person, not in [w]spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. 18 [x]For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, [y]more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His [z]coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Footnotes:

1 Thessalonians 2:1 Lit entrance

1 Thessalonians 2:2 Or struggle, conflict

1 Thessalonians 2:3 Lit in deceit

1 Thessalonians 2:4 Or approves

1 Thessalonians 2:5 Lit in a word of flattery

1 Thessalonians 2:6 Lit being able to

1 Thessalonians 2:6 Or be burdensome

1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or became gentle

1 Thessalonians 2:7 Three early mss read babes

1 Thessalonians 2:7 Lit in the midst of you

1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or cherishes

1 Thessalonians 2:8 Or souls

1 Thessalonians 2:8 Lit beloved

1 Thessalonians 2:10 Lit became

1 Thessalonians 2:10 Or who believe

1 Thessalonians 2:11 Or testifying to

1 Thessalonians 2:15 Or persecuted us

1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and

1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and

1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or forever or altogether; lit to the end

1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit occasion of an hour

1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit face

1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit heart

1 Thessalonians 2:18 Or Because

1 Thessalonians 2:18 Lit both once and twice

1 Thessalonians 2:19 Or presence

The Bible Panorama

1 Thessalonians 2

V 1–3: PROBLEMS Paul reminds them of the problems he suffered at Philippi, which involved cruel and spiteful treatment by others. That, however, has not stopped his boldness in the gospel.

 V 4–5: PLEASINGPaul reiterates that his aim is not to please men but rather, by taking seriously the gospel entrusted to him, to please God who tests the heart. At no time does he flatter men or misuse his position as a preacher of the gospel.

 V 6–9: PREACHING Paul’s preaching is characterised by seeking glory for God, gentleness with his hearers, concern for those who hear in the church, labour and toil, and being on duty twenty-four hours a day for the gospel. He earns his own living so as not to be financially burdensome to them.

 V 10–12: PARENTAL His attitude is parental to the children of God in Thessalonica. He longs to see his children walking with God and can point to his devout, just, and blameless witness to encourage them in this.

 V 13–14a: POWERFUL It is the gospel of God working in their hearts that causes the Thessalonians to imitate the churches of God that follow Christ. There is power in the truth of God.

 V 14b–16: PERSECUTED They, too, have suffered persecution by those who want to forbid them to share the gospel with Gentiles, in case they should be saved. God’s wrath is upon such people, who not only sin, but try to prevent the spread of the gospel. 

V 17–20: PASSIONATE Paul has a passion to see them again, but has been hindered by Satan. They are his ‘glory and joy’ through the gospel and he looks forward to the day when he will be with them in the presence of Christ.

The Bible Panorama. Copyright © 2005 Day One Publications.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary

1. They were stewards, put in trust with the gospel: and it is required of a steward that he be faithful. The gospel which Paul preached was not his own, but the gospel of God. Note, Ministers have a great favour shown them, and honour put upon them, and trust committed to them. They must not dare to corrupt the word of God: they must diligently make use of what is entrusted with them, so as God hath allowed and commanded, knowing they shall be called to an account, when they must be no longer stewards.

2. Their design was to please God and not men. God is a God of truth, and requires truth in the inward parts; and, if sincerity be wanting, all that we do cannot please God. The gospel of Christ is not accommodated to the fain fancies and lusts of men, to gratify their appetites and passions; but, on the contrary, it was designed for the mortifying of their corrupt affections, and delivering them from the power of fancy, that they might be brought under the power of faith. If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ, Gal. 1:10.

3. They acted under the consideration of God’s omniscience, as in the sight of him who tries our hearts. This is indeed the great motive to sincerity, to consider that God not only seeth all that we do, but knoweth our thoughts afar off, and searcheth the heart. He is well acquainted with all our aims and designs, as well as our actions. And it is from this God who trieth our hearts that we must receive our reward. The evidences of the apostle’s sincerity follow; and they are these:—(1.) He avoided flattery:Neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, 1 Thess. 2:5.

 He and his fellow-labourers preached Christ and him crucified, and did not aim to gain an interest in men’s affections for themselves, by glorying, and fawning and wheedling them. No, he was far from this; nor did he flatter men in their sins; nor tell them, if they would be of his party, they might live as they listed. He did not flatter them with fain hopes, nor indulge them in any evil work or way, promising them life, and so daubing with untempered mortar. 

(2.) He avoided covetousness. He did not make the ministry a cloak, or a covering, forcovetousness, as God was witness, 1 Thess. 2:5. His design was not to enrich himself by preaching the gospel; so far from this, he did not stipulate with them for bread. He was not like the false apostles, who, through covetousness, with feigned words made merchandise of the people, 2 Pet. 2:3.

 (3.) He avoided ambition and vain-glory: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you nor yet of others, 1 Thess. 2:6. They expected neither people’s purses nor their caps, neither to be enriched by them nor caressed, and adored, and called Rabbi by them. This apostle exhorts the Galatians (Gal. 5:26) not to be desirous of vain glory; his ambition was to obtain that honour which comes from God, John 5:44. He tells them that they might have used greater authority as apostles, and expected greater esteem, and demanded maintenance, which is meant by the phrase of being burdensome, because perhaps some would have thought this too great a burden for them to bear.