Sunday Sermons
So Fond an Affection
1 Thessalonians Chapter 2
For his own protection, the newly formed church in Thessalonica had sent Paul to Berea (Acts 17:10), yet because of this hurried departure those who wanted to undermine Paul’s influence had accused him of less than honest motives. In his chapter Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his pure motives and kindness (2:1-12), as well as how they had received his preaching, even in the midst of severe persecution and how he longed to be with them again, and why he had been unable thus far (2:13-20). “The brief mission in Thessalonica had been brought to an ignominious end. The public riot and the legal charges against the preachers were so serious that they were persuaded to make a humiliating night flight from the city. Paul's critics took full advantage of his sudden disappearance. In order to undermine his authority and his gospel, they determined to discredit him. So they launched a malicious smear campaign. By studying Paul's self-defense it is possible for us to reconstruct their slanders. ‘He ran away’, they sneered, ‘and hasn't been seen or heard of since. Obviously he's insincere, impelled by the basest motives. He's just one more of those many phony teachers who tramp up and down the Egnatian Way’. Paul also determined to reply to the charges which were being leveled at him, not out of pique or vanity, but because the truth of the gospel and the future of the church were at stake. First, he defends his conduct when he was in Thessalonica (2:1-16). Secondly, he explains his involuntary departure from the city, his subsequent inability to go back, and his determination to visit them again as soon as he can (2:17-3:13)” (Stott pp. 45-46).
2:1-2 In contrast to the rumors, the Thessalonians knew exactly what had happened, and his preaching in Thessalonica had been purposeful and successful, a flourishing congregation now existed! Neither was Paul a coward for leaving, for he continued to preach with boldness even though such had brought upon him suffering, shameful treatment, and imprisonment.
“Time servers would have been discouraged by such treatment. Not so the little band of preachers. The verb rendered ‘waxed bold’ is full of interest. It comes from two words meaning literally ‘all speech’. It denotes the state of mind when the words flow freely, the attitude of feeling quite at home. This attitude includes both boldness and confidence” (Morris p. 69). We need more of the attitude that says, “This is God’s world, I am God’s child, and I am going to speak God’s truth in it; no one is going to force or intimidate me in my own house!” (See Ephesians 6:19-20; Philippians 1:20; Acts 9:27; 18:26). 2:2 “In our God”: Confidence by itself never saved anyone. Robertson notes, “It was not wild fanaticism, but determined courage and confidence in God that spurred Paul to still greater boldness” (p. 16). Paul had to supply the confidence and courage, but it was not a confidence placed in natural ability, or a message of human origin. 2:3 “Our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit”: The motivation behind Paul’s preaching was not ambition, pride, greed, or lust. “Nor with any intentions of misleading you” (TCNT). “That is, there was nothing devious about their methods. They made no attempt to induce conversions, for example, either by concealing the cost of discipleship or by offering fraudulent blessings”(Stott p. 50). Such a verse should admonish the Christian that when they teach others, everything needs to be up front and in the open. The servant of Christ must not have any secret motives or requirements that he or she plans to spring on potential converts. The gospel message does not need any "tricks" to make it more effective in reaching hearts (Romans 1:16). Any method that we adopt to spread the gospel, must be ethical, honest, up front, and completely free from dishonesty and deception. 2:4 Paul was a man that God has “tested” and found him fit. The gospel is a message that was entrusted to him. He had not invented it (Galatians 1:11). “So we speak, not as pleasing men”: That is, not from the motivation of wanting to satisfy men. Robertson notes, “Few temptations assail the preacher more strongly than this one to please men, even if God is not pleased, though with the dim hope that God will after all condone or overlook. Nothing but experience will convince some preachers how fickle is popular favor and how often it is at the cost of failure to please God” (p. 17) (Isaiah 30:9-10). The aim is to please God (2 Corinthians 5:9), because if God is not pleased, then we really have not accomplished anything, have we? He is the only one whose approval matters in the end of the day. 2:4 “Who examines our hearts”: “The present continuous tense at the end of the verse is used, because the divine examination is never final. No secret of Christian ministry (service) is more important than its fundamental God-centeredness. On the one hand, this is a disconcerting fact, because God scrutinizes our hearts and their secrets and His standards are very high. On the other hand, it is marvelously liberating, since God is more knowledgeable, impartial, and merciful judge than any human being. To be accountable to Him is to be delivered from the tyranny of human criticism” (Stott pp. 50-51). 2:5 “For we never came with flattering words”: Never once did Paul try such tactics. “They had not descended to flattery in order to make the gospel acceptable” (Vincent p. 23). Paul knew that the gospel message did not need any enhancement, he rejected using smooth and flattering speech to convert others (1 Corinthians 2:1-4).
Fields notes, “Good-will gained through flattery will not stand the tests that brotherly love produced by conversion will stand(Proverbs 28:23)” (p. 57). “Paul's ministry in Thessalonica had been public. It was exercised in the open before God and human beings, for he had nothing whatever to hide. Happy are those Christian leaders today, who hate hypocrisy and love integrity, who have nothing to conceal or be ashamed of” (Stott p. 47). “Nor with a pretext for greed”: “The world of the Greeks was full of teachers and philosophers who traveled about lecturing and disputing, seeking to live by their wits. NoticeActs 13:6-12; 19:13-20” (Fields pp. 57-58). “Pretending to serve while in reality wishing to be served” (Stott p. 51). Paul did not see members as “giving units” or sources of potential revenue or earthly gain.
2:6 “Nor did we seek glory from men”: The esteem, praise, or applaud from men. “In this verse he denies the motive of ambition, as he denied the motive of covetousness in verse five” (Fields p. 58). “Hunger for compliments” (Stott p. 51). This is another temptation that preachers and teachers are faced with (John 5:41; 12:42-43). “It is the preacher's, and the teacher's, constant danger that he should seek to display himself and not the message” (Barclay p. 221) (Luke 6:26). “Their aim had never been to seek human fame and this in spite of the fact that they were in a position to make weighty claims with respect to themselves, being Christ's apostles” (Hendriksen p. 64). Faithful Christians do not seek human glory, even though they are very important to God. 2:7 “We proved to be gentle among you”: “Easy to speak to” (p. 64). Paul lived in their very midst. He did not elevate himself or hold himself aloof. “As a nursing mother”: “It is a strong expression for the extreme lengths to which they went to meet the needs of the hearers” (p. 78). “A mother fondling her children comes down to their level, uses their language, and plays their games” (Stott p. 52). “The real power of a man is seen not in how violent he can get, but in what he can endure with gentleness” (Fields p. 60) (2 Tim. 2:24). 2:8 “Having so fond an affection for you”: “Loved you dearly” (Tay). “What a powerful combination: here is the true gospel combined with the most affectionate presentation! It is very well possible that there is a bit of irony in this expression, as if Paul wanted to say, ‘Those who slander us are saying that we were out to get you; well, they are right, we were indeed yearning for you, but the purpose was not to take something from you but to share something with you’ “ (Hendriksen pp. 64-65). Here we learn why Paul and his companions were so successful in teaching. They took a genuine interest in those they spoke to and converted. If you are going to be successful at reaching people with the gospel, then you must love the people you preach to--more than loving to preach to people. Evangelism starts with unselfish service placing the needs of others ahead of your own, and genuinely loving people. 2:8 “We were well-pleased”:
“The turn of phrase points us to what was actually done rather than contemplated. The verb is in the imperfect, a continuous sense, and the implication is that this was no passing whim. Throughout their stay at Thessalonica they had been happy continually to be giving to their hearers” (Morris p. 79). “But also our own lives”: Again, we see that really preaching and teaching the gospel, true evangelism requires the complete dedication of the whole individual. You must be willing to give of your time, talents--your whole self. The gospel is such a priceless message, that the teacher must be willing to go to great lengths to share it. Something is wrong when brethren are no longer dear to us (1 John 4:20). 2:9 “So as not to be a burden”: A preacher must view himself as a physician, that is, “do no harm”. 2:10 They had demonstrated reverence towards God, fairness in their dealings with others, and all the accusations against them were false. “Were pure, and upright, and beyond reproach” (TCNT). Whatever other people might think of the apostles, the Thessalonian church had reason for a good opinion of them, there was nothing to complain about in the way he and his companions had conducted themselves” (Morris p. 83). Notice how Paul had confidence in the Thessalonians. He believed that people could be objective, they could be honest and they could believe the truth in contrast to slander. 2:12 “So that you would walk in a manner worthy”: To live in such a way that brings honor to God (Matthew 5:16; Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:27; Col. 1:10). “If Paul could be tender and considerate, he yet never lost sight of the high demands Christ makes on His followers. Nothing less can be offered to Him who gave His Son for us than all that we have and all that we are” (Morris p. 85). Fields notes that the word "worthy", means of "equal weight". Hence Paul is saying, “live your lives in a way that demonstrates that you value, have properly weighed the significance and importance of what God has done for you. “And glory”:
What an inspiring thought! God actually wants us to share His glory, to share in His victory, to enjoy the quality of life that He experiences, to dwell in a place surrounded by His eternal splendor and magnificence! Now, what was your excuse for not being motivated to serve God? (Romans 5:2; 8:18) This glory includes a glorious resurrected body (Phil. 3:20-21). “They have been saved by such a wonderful God. They face a glorious future. Let them so live here and now as to be worthy of such a God!” (Morris p. 86).In summing up this section, Marshall notes: “It is doubtless the case that false or evil messages can be put over by attractive personalities. A messenger's pleasant and sincere manner is not necessarily a proof of the truth of his word. But it is equally the case that the Christian gospel will make little or no impression if it cannot be verified in the lives of its messengers. They cannot do too much in putting themselves entirely at the service of the Lord and of the people to whom they bring the message” (pp. 75-76).
The Thessalonians’ reception of the Gospel: This section of Scripture should remind everyone that the teacher or preacher can only do so much. The hearer or listener also has a great obligation, that is, to meet the teacher halfway and to have a honest and good heart. 2:13 “But for what it really is”: “Paul does not rebuke the Thessalonians for regarding his message too highly” (Stott p. 54). What a contrast with certain "professed Christians" today who ridicule the idea that the Bible is the inspired Word of God or that Paul wrote by inspiration. Some people might be confused concerning the Bible's inspiration, but its human authors were not (1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Peter 1:20-21). The only correct view of Paul’s writings is that they are Scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16). “Which also performs its work in you”: “The word of God is not some dead philosophy or speculation, but is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). It is like good seed which springs up when it is planted Luke 8:11” (Fields p. 66). “You who believe”: Faith is a choice, and the gospel can only change a person if that same person is willing to believe (Hebrews 4:1-2). 2:15 Preventing people from hearing the truth is concrete evidence that a person does not love mankind. 2:18 Satan may hinder Paul’s movements but he cannot stop the gospel (2 Timothy 2:9). 2:19 Do we prize fellow Christians as Paul prized these new converts? In the end, what is the most important achievement? A saved mate, saved children and saved brethren! Am I treating such people as a “crown of exultation?”
