Chapter 2

(1 Thessalonians 2) "For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: {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. {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. {5} For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:

All these statements are defensive, and they all go to motivation. We don’t know specifically what prompted them, but we can guess. The Thessalonians were under enormous pressure. And it is only natural when you are under pressure that you look for a way out–and for another way to explain things.

When you think about it, many of those in the fledgling church had lost jobs or businesses because of the Gospel. Some had even been killed for the faith. Is it possible that people who had been Christians such a short time and under such pressure, might waver?  "Maybe there isn’t a God. Maybe Paul was not sincere. Maybe he was just doing as he was told by other men. Maybe he was trying to make money off of us...yes, that’s it...religion is always after money."

And so Paul repeated and calmly reminds them of what they know to be true.

{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. {7} But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

And the Thessalonians, hearing this read, must have blushed a little and said to themselves, "Yes, we know that to be true."

{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. {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. {10} Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: {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. {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. {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:

The sense in which Paul speaks of being followers is conveyed by the Greek word which means to imitate. It does not convey any idea of following authority, but of following an example.

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

So, Paul now asks, what is our motivation? What is that we want from you? This is what this letter is all about up to this point.

{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."

 

 

Painting: St. Paul by Rembrandt van Rijn

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