Daily Writing

Sunday, 2 July 2017

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 Thessalonians 2:8

These words tie back to the simile of the mother nursing and caring for her children of the previous verse. The Greek word translated as “So” is even stronger in intent. It means, “Because of this,” or “Along with this.” What he says is following along in the same train of thought. In this state, and as a nursing mother to those at Thessalonica, Paul says he, and those with him, were “affectionately longing for you.”

They had come to Thessalonica and had developed such a closeness with them that there was a yearning to share in life with them. This was so much the case that, as he says, they “were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives.”

As nursing mothers, Paul and those with him not only imparted the spiritual milk of the word of life, the gospel, but they also were willing to expend themselves completely. Just as a mother would tirelessly give her all for her children, so were they also willing to do. They were prepared to exhaust themselves, or even lay down their lives, for their beloved church in Thessalonica. This was, as he continues, “because you had become dear to us.”

The bond of affection which had grown in their hearts was so close and personal that they were united as a family – parents caring for children and expending their lives for them. Paul will continue to explain this in the next verses.

Life application: When you lead someone to the Lord, do you consider it as something that is done and over with, or do you consider it as a first step in their new lives? It is good to offer your phone number or email address and to express to them that you will make the necessary time available to them to instruct them in this new life which they have received. In so doing, you will be ensuring that their life in Christ will develop properly. Try to remember to do this if you are honored enough to lead someone to acceptance of the gospel message.

Lord God, it’s a new day, and a new chance for us to go out and tell people about Your wonderful goodness. Help us to open our mouths and share the marvelous story of redemption which is found in the giving of Your Son. Help us not to be timid, but to be bold and willing to speak. Who cares if people are offended? Better offended in life than remorseful at the end of it. Grant us the fortitude to speak! Amen.

Saturday, 1 July 2017

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 1 Thessalonians 2:7

For the past two verses, Paul has explained how he and those with him did not act towards those at Thessalonica. They didn’t use flattering words, they didn’t seek to be glorified by their hearers, etc. Now he tells them how they did act by starting with the contrasting word, “But.” In this, he is ensuring that they see a difference in their approach than others who may have come to them with other religious beliefs. Instead, he says they “were gentle among you.” There was nothing overbearing in their nature, nothing demanding, and nothing which would indicate expecting payment or special attention to their needs.

It must be noted that he could not have written this if it were not true. If the Thessalonians received a letter which did not match what really occurred, they would have laughed, torn up the letter, and tossed it in the fire. Instead, it has been carefully maintained for 2000 years, testifying to the truth of the words it contains. And so, Paul continues. Not only were they gentle, but it was “just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.”

The word for “nursing” is trophos, a word unique to the Bible. It signifies a care-giver who sustains someone by nourishing and tending to them like a nurse. It can mean a mother or any other such care-giver. However, in this case, the added word “mother” is probably correct. One reason is that the thought of a mother caring for her children is one of an especially close bond. But another particular reason is that Paul will return to the parent symbolism in verse 11 when he says, “as a father.”

Their care of those in Thessalonica was displayed in different ways in order to obtain different outcomes. One was as a mother, one was as a father, and at other times, it is as brothers. In the case of their gentleness among the church, they cared for them even as closely and as tenderly as a mother would care for and nurse her own children. The metaphor is heart-warming and touching. And again, he could not have written this in a letter back to the church if it was not so. The words themselves confirm the truth of the claim.

Life application: How willing are you to act in a gentle and humble manner towards those who have less understanding of the Lord than you? It is true that there are plenty of people who are not well-versed in Scripture, and yet they act as if they are the finest of biblical scholars. Plenty of them, plus. Just ignore those folks. Don’t get into debates with them as you will only waste your time. But for those who are truly seeking to know the truth, if you possess it, pass it on to them in a kind and gentle manner.

Lord God, thank You for those kind and gentle teachers of the word who carefully explain what You are telling us, and who are willing to repeat things, even many times, until it sinks into our heads. Keep us from know-it-alls who know nothing and who just want to hear themselves speak. Instead, direct us to the right teachers who will lead us down the proper path of Your precious word. Amen.

Friday, 30 June 2017

Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 2:6

Paul continues on with the things they did not do when they came to Thessalonica. In the previous verse, it was seen that they didn’t use flattering words, and they didn’t wear a cloak for covetousness. Now, he says, “Nor did we seek glory from men.” Despite their bringing the good news of Christ, and having made converts of those he is now writing to, they never claimed some type of special recognition because of it. There was no need to give them praise or applause, as if they were somehow special in some way.

Today, titles such as “apostle” and “bishop” precede some people’s names on their social media profiles. People like this are looking for glory from men. They desire to be recognized as bearing a special position which entitles them to honor and accolades. Stating an official title to someone while he is conducting his official duties may be a mark of respect, but to simply claim a title for all the world to see at all times is not exalting of Christ, but of self. Paul is telling those in Thessalonica that he, and those with them, shunned such glory “either from you or from others.”

Not only did they not look for such glory there, but it was their standard way of dealing with all people. They simply came as men with a message greater than themselves, humbly telling of the glory of Christ. However, despite coming in this way, he does acknowledge that “we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”

The Greek here literally says, “to be in weight.” It is a term unique to the Bible, and it means to be burdensome. As apostles, or sent ones, they could have expected to be paid for their services. Paul writes about this elsewhere, noting that those who minister in the gospel should be recompensed for their efforts, but these men did not ask for pay, lodging, or anything else. They let go of the rights which they were due in order to not be a burden on their hearers.

As a note of doctrine, the term “apostles of Christ” does not necessarily mean that they were all designated to the apostolic office as Paul was. Instead, it is being used of Silvanus and Timothy in connection with Paul. He uses the plural to speak of all of them, while he is the only official “Apostle” by designation. Even if the title is spoken of all three of them, as some assume, it is only in the sense of being a messenger of Christ (as the term means), but without the authority of the true apostolic office, of which Paul alone, among the three of them, possessed. There is no definite article in front of “apostles,” and so the rendering of the King James Version, “the apostles of Christ,” is incorrect. It leads to a faulty view of the status of Silvanus and Timothy.

Life application: In the last chapter of Hebrews, the writer twice encourages his readers to acknowledge the spiritual leaders among them. He says to remember them and consider their conduct, and also to obey them and be submissive to them. This is good and proper, but it must also be mixed with discernment. If a ruler does not display the biblical character of a leader then that person obviously doesn’t deserve the respect of the office he holds. Be discerning first, and then grant to your spiritual leaders respect and submission. Assuredly, they get a lot of grief in the office they hold, and so deal gently with them in regards to their position.

Lord God, how good and wonderful it is to share in the fellowship of Christ our Lord with other believers. There are faithful followers in every nation, who speak every language imaginable, and yet we are united through our faith in His work. Help us to put aside divisions which should not exist, and to come to you as brothers and sisters united through the common bond of what He has done for us. All glory to Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thursday, 29 June 2017

For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 1 Thessalonians 2:5

Paul has been defending his presentation of the gospel message, and the sincerity of himself and those with him as well. He continues with this by saying, “For.” He had just said that they spoke, not as pleasing men, but as tested by God. The word “For” builds upon this by saying, “For neither at any time did we use flattering words.” The word translated as “flattering,” kolakeias, is not found anywhere else in Scripture.

There was no flattering, or buttering up, of the those they talked to. They didn’t tell them how smart they were, or note anyone who lived a lavish lifestyle, as if fawning over them. Instead, they came without any pretense at all, and they simply presented the gospel. It was probably a presentation similar to that made in Acts 17 when Paul spoke to those in Athens. While there at the Areopagus, he told them their state, he told them of their need for Jesus, and he explained to them in their common language how they could be saved. At the end of his discourse, it says that many rejected him, but some believed.

He continues on in this verse by saying, “as you know.” They were fully aware of how he dealt with them, and so his words in the letter are to remind them of this, not to convince them of something they were previously unaware of. After this, he says, “nor a cloak for covetousness.”

The word he uses for “cloak” gives the idea of that which is evident to anyone who sees. In other words, if they had a cloak for covetousness, their true state would be hidden under a false covering of piousness, but underneath would be greedy hearts of covetousness. Rather than this, their outward appearance matched what lay below in their hearts.

He then finishes up the verse with “God is witness.” He can only expect those in Thessalonica to accept his testimony at face value in matters which concerned them. Any other places they went to evangelize, and their attitude towards those people, would be unknown to the Thessalonians. Therefore, Paul calls God as his witness to confirm that what he says is true. His words are reliable, and his testimony is sound.

Life application: It should be that our lives are lived in such a way that we are always the epitome of integrity. We should never have a false cloak which covers up hearts which are covetous or deceitful. Let us remember that we live in the Lord’s presence at all times, and that we are accountable to Him for how we live out our lives.

Lord God, You are always with us, and you always see our deeds. You search our hearts, and You test our ways. Because of this, help us live in fear of being displeasing to you. Help our hearts not to be covetous or deceitful. Instead, help us to be faithful followers of You at all times. May we stand accepted and approved concerning our deeds when we stand before You and receive our fair and impartial judgment. Help us in this Lord. Amen.

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Paul, on several occasions, completely disregards the opinions of others concerning his doctrine. For example, in 1 Corinthians 4:3,4, he says –

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.”

Again in Galatians 1:10, he says –

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”

This is his same train of thought here in 1 Thessalonians 2:4. He begins with “But.” That is given as a contrast to the thought of the previous verse. He, and those with him, did not proclaim the gospel from error or uncleanness, nor did they proclaim it in deceit. Instead, he says, “But we have been approved by God.” The words of verse 2 were given to show how fallen man conducts his affairs. But Paul shows the contrast in how he and those with him conducted theirs. They were approved by God, being led by the Spirit and having been examined and found faithful in their proclamation, as the Greek word translated as “approved” implies. They had passed the necessary test of God by holding fast to His message, and thus they were “entrusted with the gospel.”

The gospel is God’s message of redemption to the people of the world. Its source is from God, and the message which Paul proclaimed was fully in line with that divine source. He did not deviate as others were prone to do. He makes this evident by saying, “even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” While others had fallen, human reasons for proclaiming salvation messages, Paul and those with him completely rejected such things. Pleasing men was of no value to them when they knew that it is “God who tests our hearts.” In these words, he repeats the same word which was just translated as “approved.” God had tested them, and they had passed His most stringent examination.

Life application: Time and time again, the Bible says that God searches the hearts and minds of humanity. As He is omnipresent, this is an obvious truth. Do you consider this as you conduct your life’s affairs? There is nothing unknown to Him; even your darkest secrets are fully exposed to Him. Remember this as you go about your life. Consider your ways, and align them with what is pleasing to God. That alone is a mark of faith worthy of rewards.

Lord God, though we know that you are all-knowing and all-present, we often don’t consider that. We try to hide our secret faults and sins from You. But this is a futile effort indeed. Help us to be people of faith who constantly consider that You are with us, watching us, and evaluating us. In this, we will be more mindful of doing the things which are pleasing to You, and avoiding those things which You find wrong. Yes, be with us in this, O God. Amen.