Those are also to blame who, in hearing the word, look no further than to the ministry of men, who are only, or chiefly, pleased with the elegance of the style, or the beauty of the composition, or the voice and manner in which the word is preached, and expect to receive their advantage herein. But also our own lives: Pauls preaching was effective because he gave not only the Gospel, but himself as well (also our own lives), and he gave because of love (you had become dear to us). Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. Many scholars believe that 1 Thessalonians was Pauls earliest letter written as an apostle to a church. And where the word is believed and received as the word of God, there it has this energy, or worketh effectually, so as to promote love, repentance, self-denial, mortification, comfort, and peace. (Poole). 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 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. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. Those whom we bring to Jesus and disciple are a crown of victory for us. There were shrines to many Egyptian gods: Isis, Sarapis, Anubis. He was able to say, "For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile." He and his companions were perfectly open about everything. For what end God has preserved them distinct from all the people of the earth among whom they sojourn, we cannot pretend to say; but it must unquestionably be for an object of the very highest importance. It was, therefore, a work of God that, although Paul had suffered various misfortunes and indignity, he appeared unaffected, and did not hesitate to launch an assault on a large and wealthy city for the purpose of leading its people captive to Christ. (Calvin). Pauline Epistles They had quite lost all sense of religion, and due care to do their duty to God. As we have been approved by God: Paul used a word here that was associated with approving someone as being fit for public service. He did something about the hindrance. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. iii. Their persecuting spirit was a perverse spirit; contrary to the light of nature, and contrary to humanity, contrary to the welfare of all men, and contrary to the sentiments of all men not under the power of bigotry. 2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 1 Thessalonians 2 - Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Bible His design was not to enrich himself by preaching the gospel; so far from this, he did not stipulate with them for bread. This is a worthy goal for any Christian today; to live a life that declares how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among others. His inability to visit should never be taken as a lack of love towards the Thessalonians. He knew this was not a random circumstance, but a direct attack from Satan. Gods Word works, it doesnt only bring information or produce feelings. i. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. 1 Thessalonians 2King James Version. Perhaps Paul would say that he didnt need a crown in heaven because these precious ones were his crown of victory. Where note, (1.) So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 1:1) 3. Paul not only disavows the teaching, but reminds the Thessalonians what he had earlier taught them. Commentators divide as to if the uncleanness Paul defended himself against in 1 Thessalonians 2:3 was uncleanness of spirit or uncleanness of the flesh. i. Nor did we seek glory from men: When Paul ministered among the Thessalonians, he was unconcerned for his personal glory. Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1 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. And they were envious against the Gentiles, and angry that they should be admitted to share in the means of salvation. Where greed and ambition hold sway, innumerable corruptions follow, and the whole man turns to vanity. They were outraged that Gentiles could be saved without first becoming Jews. Since we do have this word of God, we have a true voice of authority. Would Someone Tell Me What 2 Thessalonians 2 Means?! He was well pleased to do it because Paul was affectionately longing for the Thessalonians because they had become dear to Paul and his associates. Who killed the Lord Jesus: Here Paul wrote that his own countrymen (the Judeans) had killed the Lord Jesus. I. That their faith grew exceedingly, v. 3. And this he did not only publicly, but privately also, and from house to house (Acts 20 20), and charged every one of them by personal addresses: this, some think, is intended by the similitude of a father's charging his children. Who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us: Paul comforted these suffering Christians with the assurance that they were not the first to suffer this way. And where the word is believed and received as the word of God, there it has this energy, or worketh effectually, so as to promote love, repentance, self-denial, mortification, comfort, and peace. (Poole). i. They had an implacable enmity to the Gentiles, and envied them the offers of the gospel: Forbidding the apostles to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved. Major Prophets We should receive the word of God as the word of God, with affections suitable to the holiness, wisdom, verity, and goodness, thereof. Even his bodily absence was but for a short time, the time of an hour. They killed the Lord Jesus, and impudently and presumptuously wished that his blood might be on them and their children. c. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil: Paul recognized his right to be supported by those he ministered to (1 Corinthians 9:14), but voluntarily gave up that right to set himself apart from missionaries of false religions. Timothy's Visit 3:1-5 3. 5. III. Holly Hearon. Luke-Acts i. Affectionately longing for you: Is from an extremely rare verb of obscure origin. 1 and 2 Thessalonians He repeated the same idea in passages like Philippians 3:17 and 1 Corinthians 11:1. ii. Nevertheless, Whichever version is preferred, however, there can be no doubt that Paul is describing his voluntary submission to them. (Calvin), ii. He did something about the hindrance. Purpose of Writing: In the church of Thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of Christ. Hear this, ye that preach the Gospel! Not everyone receives this message as the word of God. They were the ringleaders of persecution in all places; so in particular it was at Thessalonica: Acts 17 5, The Jews that believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city in an uproar. The word of man isnt worth suffering for, but a true message from God is worth it. What does 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 mean? | BibleRef.com John 3:16, Jesus faith love), Select a Beginning Point He was not like the false apostles, who, through covetousness, with feigned words made merchandise of the people, 2 Pet 2 3. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. The Old Testament "Exhorting" is the general term for animating address: comp. 2. Paul never compromised issues like mans need, Gods Savior, the cross, the resurrection, and the new life. Though some among the Thessalonians had accused Paul of ministering out of self interest, but Paul simply asks the Christians in Thessalonica to remember the gentle character of his ministry among them. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point c. Even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi: Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his sufferings in the ministry. The growth of their faith appeared by the works of faith; and, where faith . Salvation is of the Jews, says our Saviour. 3. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. Thessalonica was also an important port and a melting pot city with cultures from all over the world. When we appeal to the Bible, they like to reply, Thats just your interpretation. There are certainly some places where the word of God is hard to precisely interpret, but there are not many such places. 1 Thessalonians: An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary. 1 Thessalonians 2 Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Paul didnt have to say, Please dont look at my life. It is always concealed by a noble sounding goal. It means the place of contest, and then the contest itself a race, a struggle, a battle. Their crimes were great; to these their punishment is proportioned. He knew this was not a random circumstance, but a direct attack from Satan. 1 Thessalonians 3:2. The Greek intellectual and philosophical traditions were also represented. It is a good effect of the gospel when we are enabled to suffer for its sake. (5.) Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Yet Paul assured them that the reason was not a lack of love or desire on his part. Free shipping for many products! he knows not Christ; and how can he preach him? (Clarke). Their fierce opposition was due to the fact that Christian missionaries offered salvation to Gentiles without demanding that they first become Jews. (Hiebert), ii. Paul longs to comfort . Upon himself and fellow-labourers. They were contrary to all men. Here observe, 1. Of what use would that have been? i. Such a Roman flogging was no light matter; it was an experience not soon forgotten. (Hiebert), ii. Acts 16:23-24 records that the suffering included a public flogging and having their feet in stocks while confined in the citys inner prison. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. a. Though he was absent in body, yet he was present in heart. 1 Thessalonians Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible Henry's Complete. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point v. Supposing that we have ascertained that hindrances in our way really come from Satan, WHAT THEN? The Whole Bible Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. 2. Four witnesses saw him commit a murder. 2:1-12) Paul gave both his care and his knowledge to the Thessalonians. He no doubt began so early in order to be able to devote some part of the day to preaching. (Moffatt quoting Ramsay), ii. There can be no doubt that there was some worthy and particular motive which induced him to refrain from claiming his rights, for in other churches he exercised the privilege accorded to him as the others had done. (Calvin). If Paul was in it for himself, he wasnt very smart about serving his own self-interest. Nevertheless, Whichever version is preferred, however, there can be no doubt that Paul is describing his voluntary submission to them. (Calvin), ii. Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). i. 3. Many scholars believe that 1 Thessalonians was Pauls earliest letter written as an apostle to a church. 1 Thessalonians 2:10. 5 26) not to be desirous of vain glory; his ambition was to obtain that honour which comes from God, John 5 44. i. Such a conflict always involves intense exertion and strenuous, persistent effort to overcome the determined opposition or the dangerous antagonist. (Hiebert). Most of these missionaries were opportunists, who took everything they could from their listeners, and then moved on to find someone else to support them. There is a valid debate as to if 1 Thessalonians 2:7 should read gentle or babes. Verse 2. The apostle mentions the sufferings of the churches of God, which in Judea were in Christ Jesus. Some people like to say that there is a word of God, but that we cant be sure of what He says. What does 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 mean? | BibleRef.com The Salutation ( 1 Thess. Yet when they do not receive it, it reflects upon them, not upon the message. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Most of these religions were missionary minded and sought to spread their faith using itinerant evangelists and preachers. Upon them. This world is not a place where we are always, or long, to be together. i. e. But wrath has come upon them to the uttermost: Paul comforted the Thessalonians by assuring them that God would indeed take care of their persecutors. Shamefully entreated - at Philippi There Paul and Silas had been beaten with many stripes, shut up in the inner prison, and their feet made fast in the stocks. Pauls statement of defense falls into two parts, a negative and a positive It is his practice first to sweep away the false, and then with the ground cleared to set forth the positive presentation of the truth. (Hiebert).