1 Thessalonians (written)

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.

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 1 Thessalonians 2:3

The word “For” is based upon the words of the previous verse. Paul and his associates were bold in speaking the gospel. It was an exhortation based in the truth of God. The word exhortation, paraklésis, is “a personal exhortation that delivers the ‘evidence that stands up in God’s court” (HELPS Word Studies). Paul knew this. Therefore, the words of the gospel message they proclaimed, having been pronounced because they are God’s plan of salvation, “did not come from error or uncleanness.” The preposition he uses, ek, gives the sense of “from” or “out of.”

If they are of God, then there could be nothing of error in them, nor could there be anything profane in them. The word for “error” gives the sense of deception which causes one to wander into sin. Obviously, if God’s plan is to bring man out of the bondage of sin, then His message will be completely free of such error.

The second word, translated as “uncleanness,” gives the sense of ritual impurity. This can come about by leprosy, an open infection, child birth, touching a corpse, and so forth. Each of these was something described in the book of Leviticus. If such uncleanness required a sin-offering when it was over, then obviously it speaks of the general sin-nature of man evidenced in such uncleanness. Again, the gospel is God’s plan to bring man out of sin, and therefore the gospel is – in itself – completely free of uncleanness, and it is what makes complete cleansing possible.

Paul then changes the preposition for his last noun. Instead of ek, he uses en. It means “in.” Their message did not stem from personal deceit, as if they were trying to bait their audience. Here the word used is dolos. It gives the sense of using a decoy to snare people through deception in order to exploit them in their naive state. Paul is saying that the motives of himself, and those with him, were pure and without any cunning. Instead, they genuinely presented the gospel from their hearts, knowing that it is the one thing that can remove from them the emotional pain of a fallen life.

Elsewhere, Paul speaks of people who present false gospels, and also people who present the true gospel, but in deceit. The first he warns against in the most vehement terms. We are never to allow a false gospel to be presented without challenging it, and we are to have a sound enough knowledge of the real gospel to be able to do the challenging when necessary. For the second category, Paul shows little care. If the true gospel is being proclaimed, even if it is by someone who simply hopes to profit off the message, he knew that God would deal with such a person. His words concerning this are found in Philippians 1:15-18 –

“Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: ¹⁶ The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; ¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”

Life application: Let us be fully versed on the true gospel, and also let us be ready and willing to defend against any false gospel. The soundness of the gospel message is far more important than trying to determine the heart of the person presenting the message. The Lord will deal with those whose hearts are not right with Him, but we have an obligation to deal with those whose message is not in accord with His word. Be prepared; know your Bible.

Lord God, how can we determine if the gospel we have heard is true or not unless we check it out? And how can we we defend against a false message unless we study and know Your word? Grant us wisdom enough to simply pick up the Bible, read it and study it, and then apply its truths to our lives. And help us to warn those who are being misled by false words. Help us to follow through with this, to Your honor and glory. Amen.

Monday, 26 June 2017

But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 1 Thessalonians 2:2

Paul had just said that his arrival, along with his associates, was not vain. Now, building on that, he says, “But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know…”

What this is saying is that such treatment would have caused most people to just give up. The spiteful treatment at Philippi that he is referring to is recorded in Acts 16:6-40. It included a public beating and imprisonment. After this, they next went along their mission route, arriving at Thessalonica. This is recorded in Acts 17:1-10. Despite this truly shameful treatment at Philippi, these men were not deterred in continuing on with their missionary work.

The words “as you know” are written as much for us as they are for those at Thessalonica. If what he said wasn’t true, then any person who knew it could have simply said as much. But history bears out that the account occurred, and those at Thessalonica were fully aware of it. In other words, they knew what had occurred in Philippi, and it only more poignantly demonstrated the high caliber of Paul and his associates. They had no idea what type of reception they would receive as they proceeded, and yet they boldly continued on where no Christian missionary had gone before.

With their fortitude evident, he says that they “were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.” With a full trust in God that they were meant to continue the mission trip through Macedonia, they proceeded onward. Paul knew this to be true because of what it says in Acts 16:9, 10 –

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

The Lord would not prompt them to go on such a mission if He were not going to be with them. The spiteful treatment at Philippi turned out to be exactly what was needed anyway. It bolstered confidence of those there who believed, it continued to confirm the legal proclamation of the gospel, and it brought salvation to the jailer who was given charge over Paul and Silas (Silvanus).

Rather than being negatively affected and weakened by what occurred, Paul and those with him, understood that these things were divinely orchestrated. Thus, they were further emboldened. This was despite “much conflict.”

The Greek word translated as “conflict” is agōni. As you can see, it is where our modern word “agony” is derived. It indicates a contest or a struggle. In secular Greek, which his audience would have been thinking of, it speaks of a gathering to the Greek games such as the Olympiads. It is a great struggle as if they were in a battle or a wrestling match against the spiritual foes of the church, fighting for the precious saints that they were called to minister to. And yet, despite this struggle, they continued on, emboldened by God.

Life application: The book is written, the future is set, and we have an absolute surety that Christ is in complete control of our destiny. No matter what happens in this earthly life, we are safe and secure in His capable hands. As this is so, why would we be timid in our proclamation of Christ Jesus, or why should we care about what could happen because of it? Get up, go out, and speak! Jesus. It is all about Jesus!

Lord God, Christ Jesus died for our sins, and He was raised to eternal life. This is what we believe. And we believe that we too will be raised in the same fashion. And so why on earth should we be timid concerning what people think when we speak about Him? How silly. They can kill the body, but Christ already possesses our soul! Grant us the fortitude to stand up and speak! Jesus… it is all about Jesus. Why should we keep that precious news quiet? Help us in this, O Lord. Amen.

Sunday, 25 June 2017

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 1 Thessalonians 2:1

The word “For” here is referring back to verses 1:5 and 1:9. In both of those verses, Paul spoke of himself, and those with him, and the results that came about because of their ministry. Now, to confirm what he has spoken and as a lead-in to his comments of verses 2:2-12, he will give his words of this verse. His note of confirmation comes from the words “For you yourselves know…”

There was nothing hidden in their coming, and the believers at Thessalonica saw everything that occurred, as well as all that resulted from it. Because of this, they were fully aware of what Paul is referring to. Next he says, “brethren.” In more modern translations, the masculine is being dropped for political correctness, but that is a silly way of translating Scripture. The masculine is used, just as it is in English, when speaking of the whole. It includes females if they are present. If only females are present, or if females only are being spoken to, then the words will be so addressed.

He then finishes the verse with, “that our coming to you was not in vain.” Charles Ellicott notes that the words “not in vain” draw a bit too much attention to the result of their coming. Rather, it should be translated, “not vain.” It then appropriately gives the sense of “not purposeless.” Their coming was not powerless, but rather it was effectual in bearing fruit as was hoped for by any missionary who has the desire and intent of obtaining converts.

As noted above, Paul will spend the next verses explaining to them the conduct that he and his associates demonstrated among them, thus setting themselves as examples to be emulated.

Life application: When one wants to obtain certain conduct from others, it can be with a heavy hand, as if a bully, or it can be as one who sets an example for others to follow. Paul chose the latter when he came among a new group of people. He explained the gospel, and he lived out how one converted by the gospel should act. Rather than dictating to others what they should do, we should follow Paul’s lead and act in accord with being a true saint, in a gentle manner and caring for those we minister to.

Lord God, help each of us to display a caring, gentle, and loving attitude towards those we encounter. Help us to not be bold and direct unless the situation demands it. There are, of course, times when we need to speak firm words of correction for those who are obstinate or dull, but until they demonstrate such qualities, help us to be gracious and kind. It isn’t always easy when we face our own limitations, and so give us strength and wisdom in this, O Lord. Amen.

Saturday, 24 June 2017

…and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10

This verse is a continuation of the previous one. Together they read –

“For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

The verbs “serve” and “wait” are both infinitive, and thus they reflect the condition in which the Thessalonians stood by turning to God from idols. In particular, Paul will focus on the second coming of Christ in this epistle, and so the condition of waiting is highlighted here now. Even their serving is set in anticipation of His coming again. If Christ were not to come again, and if we were not to be gathered to Him at His coming, then what would be the point of serving Him. This serving in anticipation of His coming is more specifically detailed in chapter 4, just before the magnificent details of the rapture are provided.

This is what Paul now refers to with the words, “and to wait for His Son from heaven.” It is the great and blessed hope of the Christian. We believe that Christ is coming again, and that He will lead us to a new and better life than anything we could ever now imagine. It is also the purpose of taking the Lord’s Supper. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11 –

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26

It is Christ Jesus the Lord, “whom He raised from the dead,” that we remember in this sacrament. We proclaim His death until He comes because He is alive. Otherwise, if He were still dead, He would not be coming. But God raised Him from the dead, “even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” Rather than “deliver” and “to come,” it should say “is delivering” and “is coming.” The verbs are present participles. Jesus gave His life for us, bearing the wrath that we deserve for the sins of this life. It is His cross which paid the penalty for our sins, and covered them. Because of this, there is no coming wrath for us. For those who reject Him, however, that is all that can be expected. God is righteous, and He must judge sin. It is His judgment upon man which is the wrath to come.

It is an important consideration, though, that Paul is tying in the coming of the Lord for His people with wrath which is coming. It is true that we are individually saved from God’s wrath in judgment. But Paul, in so tying the coming of the Lord with wrath, is pointing to a particular wrath which will be poured out on the world as a whole. He will build on this thought in Chapter 5, and also in 2 Thessalonians. Christ saves us from individual wrath, but He will also deliver us from the collective wrath which is coming upon the whole world at some future point.

Life application: It is rather sad that many Christians claim the rapture will come before war or calamity will occur in their own land. This is especially true in America. They act as if we are exempt from such things. This is naive, and it is harmful. Christians have been butchered for 2000 years, and if the Lord tarries, we may also face great persecution and death. The left, even in America, would like nothing more than to exterminate faithful Bible-believing Christians. If this happens, we must be prepared for it. But there is a time of great wrath, beyond our ability to imagine, which is coming upon the world. Before that time comes, the Lord will return for His people at the rapture. This is our hope, and this is what the Bible promises.

Lord God, we sure look forward to the day You send Jesus to swoop us up and out of here. Should we face war or major persecution before that day, give us the strength to endure it as so many faithful believers have done in the past. We do know though that the time of wrath which will come upon the whole world is also coming, and that You have promised to keep us from that time. What a blessed hope we have. Thank You for Christ Jesus who will deliver us from that day. Amen.