Author: Charlie Garrett

Saturday, 15 July 2017

Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 1 Thessalonians 3:1

This verse is hard to reconcile with the account in Acts, but only because not everything that occurred is recorded there or here. Paul is using the plural “we” here, but as has been seen already, it is certainly referring to himself alone. This becomes evident in verse 3:5. The use of “we” is because the letter as a whole was from himself, Silvanus, and Timothy. It is how we speak and write in English as well, and there is nothing which proves a contradiction in the biblical account in his words.

He says, “Therefore.” This is based on the ending words of the previous chapter. Paul had spoken of how eagerly he had wanted to come to Thessalonica, but he was hindered in doing so. But they were to him as his glory and joy. It caused him no little anguish. As he says, “when we could no longer endure it.” The word he uses gives the sense of a vessel which is over-filled and which is bursting, or as something which is covered in order to keep water out, but which is ready to give in.

In the words, “…when we could no longer endure it,” the “we,” as noted, is speaking of himself in the sense that he would be left alone in Athens while the other two would conduct other affairs. Almost as soon as they all arrived, Silvanus and Timothy were sent back to Macedonia. Silvanus went to one area, probably Berea or Philippi, and Timothy went back to Thessalonica. What is left out of Paul’s words in this epistle was simply not of importance to the church. They would have already heard from Timothy concerning where Silvanus had gone. As they were gone, he says, “…we thought it good to be left in Athens alone.”

This is not speaking of the three of them being alone in Athens, but the agreement by the three of them that Paul alone would stay. Timothy, as we will see, and as noted above, was sent back to Thessalonica while Silvanus went elsewhere. During this time, Paul was alone in Athens. It is something which is rather unusual. He was normally conducted from one place to another due to some unknown affliction. Therefore, while alone in Athens, he would have been greatly inconvenienced, and certainly very lonely.

Life application: At times, there are needs which must be considered as more important than our own personal comforts. When these times arise, we can look at what occurred with Paul here and know that it is right and good to allow ourselves to suffer inconvenience for the sake of the gospel, and for the sake of those who need attention in that precious message.

Gracious and merciful heavenly Father, thank You for those who are willing to set aside their own personal comforts and needs in order to minister to others. You have faithful missionaries around the world, telling the good news of Christ even through times of loneliness and want. You have set up leaders in the church who give and give at every need that arises. And there are people in the church who also give beyond even their ability to give for each need that arises. Surely this is because of our great love for what You have done for us in Christ. Thank You for the greatest giving of all… our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Friday, 14 July 2017

For you are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:20

A question was just submitted, and it was followed up with an answer: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”

Now, Paul restates the thought again in an emphatic form. The Greek more closely reads, “You indeed are the glory of us and our joy.” He and his associates literally reveled in the converts they brought to Christ. They were a source of rejoicing because they knew they would share eternal life together. For the ages of ages, there would be no struggles such as we face in this current walk. Instead, there will be an eternity of fellowship, glory, and joy. Because of what is ahead, Paul could say that now, at this time, they were a source of glory and joy.

Life application: This world is one marked with sin. That leads to all kinds of other troubles. People we once got along with are now our enemies. This includes many Christians. The fellowship is divided over some really, really petty issues. Divisions are even noted in Paul’s letters, among the earliest of converts. But it won’t always be this way. A time lies ahead where all such things will be behind us, and there will only be understanding, agreement, and perfect fellowship. Therefore, let us strive for these things even now.

Lord God, it isn’t always easy to love fellow believers. Petty differences arise and cause trouble and division, even within small churches. It seems that harmony is something that is just out of reach. But we are told that it won’t always be this way. Some marvelous day when we walk in Your presence, there will be joy, peace, and perfect fellowship among the saints. Won’t that day be great! Thank You for this wonderful hope we possess. Amen.

Thursday, 13 July 2017

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 1 Thessalonians 2:19

Paul just noted that he and his associates had been hindered from coming to Thessalonica despite their great desire to see the church once again. Understanding that, he now says, “For what is our hope…?” In this, hope is the object of their efforts, which in this case is the church there and the people in it. He continues, “or joy…?” What is it that they will rejoice in when they stand before the Lord? It is those whom they brought along to likewise stand before him. And then he says, “or crown of rejoicing?” A crown is something which denotes honor. In the Greek games, a crown was bestowed upon the champion. It is what all strived for, but it is what only the winner would receive.

The word translated as “rejoicing” gives the sense of “glorying” and “exultation.” It is what one revels in. In the Old Testament, the book of Proverbs shows that a person with gray hair had such a crown –

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.” Proverbs 16:31

The reason for this crown of glory was the satisfaction of having lived a long life. Paul and his companion’s crown of glorying is that they had lived a fruitful life in Christ. What could a true evangelist revel in more? And to explain that clearly to the Thessalonians, he then rhetorically asks, “Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”

His word “you” should be taken in an inclusive sense to mean those converts at Thessalonica, and all others that had been converted by their ministry. What he is saying is that there will be a great rejoicing when the Lord comes for His people, and those who were faithful in leading others to Christ would stand before Him with a multitude who had been brought to Him through their efforts. It would be as if they were decorated with a crown of glory. The Thessalonian converts would be a part of that crown when that day comes.

The reason for Paul’s saying this is to show how much being able to visit the church in Thessalonica really and personally meant to them. Despite their being hindered by Satan, he wanted the believers there to know that it was not an intentional snubbing of them, but a source of true sadness.

Life application: When we stand before the Lord, there will be a sense of exultation for each person who has been productive in their Christian life. Those who bring others to Christ will be rewarded. Those who minister to others in Christ will be rewarded. Teachers, preachers, and those who give… all efforts for Christ that are done in Christ will receive their due. Be pleased to work now for this marvelous cause; the rewards and the joy will be heavenly.

Lord God, grant us wisdom to use this life now for Your honor and for Your glory. Let us not be so consumed with temporary things that we forget that there is an eternity ahead of us which will find our position based on what we do now. May our proclamation be, “Use me up now, Lord. This life is Yours. I can rest when I arrive at my new home.” Amen.

Wednesday, 12 July 2017

Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. 1 Thessalonians 2:18

The verse begins with “Therefore.” It is based on Paul’s sentiment that he, and those with him, greatly wanted to see the faces of those in Thessalonica. The words, “we wanted to come to you,” are in more than just a conditional tense. Instead, it was their full intention to come, and they had meant to do so.

Paul then places a stress on the thought by saying, “even I, Paul, time and again.” The use of his name here in no way implies that the others were less intent. Rather, as the author of the letter, he is showing the intensity he felt. That is then transferred to the others in what is known as an epistolary plural. It is where one speaks for all, just as he did at his introductory comments in verse 1:2. In this case, the singular “I,” speaks for the whole.

His further stress, “time and again,” shows that it wasn’t just a one time only attempt to return with no later attempts, but that they had made a real and concerted effort to make it back to their beloved brethren.

However, despite their attempts to return, “Satan hindered us.” He doesn’t elaborate on what this means, and so only speculation can be made. However, for the Thessalonians, he simply leaves the reason with these words alone. Satan is a word which any Jew among them could explain the meaning of, but it is a word which does not necessarily mean the devil himself. It could simply be a written personification of that which is opposed to God.

Paul does elsewhere speak of personal, fallen, spirits that hinder believers in their actions, and who pull them away from their faith in Christ. But that does not necessarily mean that he is referring to Satan in this way now. In the Old Testament, from which Paul draws his theology, the term “Satan” is used when speaking of a man on several occasions. It also speaks of an actual entity, especially in the book of Job. Therefore, as Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “It is clear that Paul here as elsewhere employs the word in a personal sense; but any attempt to base the doctrine of a personal devil on this and similar passages is unsafe.”

This does not mean Vincent is arguing against a personal devil, but he is arguing for the term to possibly be applied in a broader sense of that which is opposed to God. It can simply be wicked people who are hostile to the spreading of the Gospel. And this is exactly what Paul referred to in earlier verses of this very chapter.

Life application: There is a whole world full of enmity to the message of the Gospel. People will do pretty much anything to stop its spread. And yet, in that persecution, the message spreads even faster. The deaths of the saints is tragic, but their eternal life will infinitely overshadow their temporal loss. Be strong if you are facing persecution. Good times lay ahead!

Lord God, the world truly is against the spreading of the Gospel message, but the more it fights, the more the message spreads. When people hear of the promises which are found in Christ Jesus alone, they are freed from the temporary, fallen world in which we live. Whatever trials result from faith in Christ will be well worth it. In the end, a marvelous, eternal procession of joy lies ahead for Your faithful. Thank You for these sure promises! Amen.

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 1 Thessalonians 2:17

Paul has been speaking of the Jews who had been opposed to the gospel message, and who had done their best to keep him and those with him from sharing it with the Gentiles. After his thoughts about them, he now says, “But we.” The words are set in contrast to what he said about them. Instead of fighting against getting the message to the Gentiles, their longing was not only to share it with them, but to continue fellowshipping with them. He deemed them as brothers, united in Christ, not as “Gentile sinners” who were unworthy of being fellowshipped with.

He then continues on with the word “brethren.” It is his way of identifying himself with them, personally. He has actually set a partition up between himself and the unbelieving Jews, and he has united himself, and his associates, with these Gentiles. The bond with them is stronger than his previous bond to his people of national origin. As brethren, he says they have “been taken away from you for a short time in presence.” Here he chooses a word, aporphanizó, which is found nowhere else in Scripture. It literally means “bereaved.” It is as if they had left the Thessalonians defenseless as orphans. This then is a return to the parent metaphors of verses 7 & 11.

In this state, he then uses a strong term to define the time of their separation. The words “for a short time” are literally, “for time of an hour.” It is his way of defining the time of separation exactingly, as if they counted the minutes that they had been separated, just as parents would when separated from their children. There was a longing to return and see their beloved face to face.

However, he then notes that this bereavement was “not in heart.” Though they were separated because of the enmity of the Jews, the hearts of Paul and his associates remained united with their beloved brethren in Thessalonica. Because of this heartfelt and brotherly bond, he says that they “endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.”

The time of their separation didn’t result in. “Out of sight; out of mind.” Instead it resulted in, “Distance makes the heart grow fonder.” Their hearts were truly longing to return to Thessalonica and be united in personal fellowship once again.

Life application: If you are a part of a church which has missionaries being supported by you, remember them in your prayers, and also remember them with a blessing in the mail once in a while. They are certainly lonely at times, frustrated often, and desiring to reunite with those they love. And yet, they continue on because they have a duty which is more important than any other. Be mindful of them, and be sure that they know they are appreciated.

Lord God, how tough it must be on missionaries who are out in the field, often alone, surely missing their families, and wondering if their efforts are of any value in Your eyes. They may not be making great headway, and the level of frustration would then be a source of consternation for them. And even if their field is productive, there are countless ways in which they must yearn for the comforts of home and family. Be with these wonderful souls, and make it known to them that their efforts are never in vain. Amen.