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1 Thessalonians 2

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Review

Paul & co. imprisoned, then freed in Philippi (Acts 16)
Travel to Thessalonica & preach in synagogue for 3 weeks (Acts 17:1-4)
Thessalonian Jews form a destructive mob (Acts 17:5-9)
Paul & co. sent away to Berea (Acts 17:10-12)
Thessalonian Jews follow Paul to Berea to stir up trouble (Acts 17:13)
Paul sent off to Athens (Acts 17:14-15)

Paul travels to Corinth (Acts 18) and likely

writes 1 Thessalonians (51-52 AD)

Reminder of the work of God in the

Thessalonian church (1 Thessalonians 1)

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Reading

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

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Not in Vain

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. - 1 Thessalonians 2:1 (ESV)

Despite a short stay (3 weeks) with opposition (Acts 17):

Mob attacking Jason’s house
Dragged before city authorities
Accusations against Caesar
Take security from Jason

This was not a defeat:

...how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. - 1 Thessalonians 1:10 (ESV)
And more (see rest of 1 Thessalonians 1)

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How/why was their coming to the Thessalonians not in vain?

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

*This question is intended to go beyond the “results” explicitly mentioned in chapter 1. There are some key aspects in the manner (how) Paul & co. went about proclaiming the Gospel as described in chapter 2 that are worth highlighting and exploring “why” those things are important in this work not being in vain.

They had boldness in God and were obedient: For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 (ESV)

Note the connection...The coming was not in vain. This is despite (“But”) the suffering experienced in Philippi and then in Thessalonica - and Paul provides a reason why or how this occurred. It was due to boldness in our God. It was this confidence in God that He would cause success and thus it was important to proclaim the Gospel to the people of Thessalonica.

They were not preaching erroneously (verse 3): This is important - erroneous teaching won’t last. It will eventually come face-to-face with reality.
They were not preaching with impurity (verse 3): Being pure provides some safeguards against accusations that could topple a witness or result in accusations of the teaching being wrong or bad.
They were not preaching to deceive (verse 3): Deceit is a form of hiding reality from someone and thus is another thing that would not last under scrutiny and could be seen as manipulative. They were instead preaching truth.
They speak to please God, not man, avoiding flattery and glory from man (verses 4-6): They had been approved by God for preaching of the Gospel, and they were seeking to please God, not man. Being approved and entrusted by God and then seeking to please Him means that you have Him on your side, which is powerful given what we know about His perfection, power, etc. They weren’t flattering people - giving them a false sense of their greatness. Nor were they being greedy - seeking just to gain from these people (and thus potentially take things away).

Follow-up question: What does it mean to be approved by God and entrusted with the gospel?

The preaching of Paul & his team was not empty - it was filled with reality, with real purpose, with truth and backed by God.

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Reading

1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

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What do Paul’s emotions lead him to do?

What other reasons might there be for doing these things?

1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

In this section, Paul gives various reasons for doing what he (and his team) did among the Thessalonians. In many of these cases, the reasons Paul directly states are tied to emotions. So how do these emotions affect what Paul does? And what other reasons might there be for doing these things besides just emotional affections?

There were motherly affections. Gentleness, caring for children, recognizing the care they need to grow up.
They were led to share the gospel. This is an important aspect of true, actual love (1 Corinthians 13).
They were led to share their own selves/lives/souls (https://biblehub.com/greek/5590.htm) - this is essentially talking about the innermost parts of what makes someone who they are, apart from the physical body. This can be important for establishing deeper connections.
They worked to avoid being a burden to the Thessalonians. This can be useful for avoiding things that could act as obstacles to the faith and also demonstrates true love for these people.
They conducted themselves in holiness, righteousness, and blamelessness so that their message (and ultimately God) would not be discredited in others’ eyes.
There were fatherly affections - exhorting and calling to purpose and destiny.

Follow-up question: What does it mean to walk in a manner worthy of God?

In all of these things, it seems Paul and his team were looking out for the best interests of the Thessalonians.

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Reading

2 Thessalonians 2:13-20

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What difference does it make to accept a message as the “word of men” vs. the “word of God” ?

1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

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What might one experience after accepting the word of God?

1 Thessalonians 2:13-20