1 Thessalonians Chapter 2

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2:1 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless.

The "you" is emphatic with an exclamation point. The Greek word for "know" is οἶδα (oida), meaning to grasp the spiritual concept. Paul called these Gentiles "brothers and sisters", meaning that they were all believers and equal in Christ. The Greek word for "purposeless" is κενός (kenos), meaning empty, void, worthless, or amounting to nothing. The Thessalonian Gentile believers grasped the spiritual concept that Paul's first, short visit had produced tremendous results all through the southern and northern Greek provinces of Rome. The visit did not produce void or empty results.

2:2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition.

The Greek word for "opposition" is ἀγών (gown), meaning to agonize and struggle for a good cause, such as in an athletic game. Paul and Silas had been brutalized by beatings, intimidations, and imprisonments in Philipi, even though they were Roman citizens (Acts 16-17). After this agonizing trip from Philippi, Paul declared the gospel to the Thessalonians with great courage, even though they had to struggle in tremendous agony against demonic forces.

2:3 For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit,

The Judaizers often followed Paul from town to town, accusing Paul of teaching doctrinal error, being sexually impure, or teaching to deceive others for profit.

2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

The Greek word for "approved" is δοκιμάζω (dokimazow), meaning put to the test and found to be genuine. Paul had already been put to the test by God. His beatings, sufferings, imprisonments, and verbal attacks proved that Paul's motives were sincere. Paul did not pull any punches in his messages. He always taught the gospel, which was Christ crucified and resurrected. Paul was not attempting to please men, but God.

2:5 For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness

Paul never flattered his audience. He did not play up to the wealthy in the congregation. He did not tickle the ears of his congregation. Paul did not hold seeker-friendly services. Paul did not teach for fame or riches.

 2:6 nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others,

Paul did not teach for fame or riches. Beware of pastors of large churches or those who have written a book. Usually, those with large churches have to compromise the gospel to keep the wealthy members interested. Many people will come to hear a celebrity pastor, even if his doctrine is unsound.

Many paid orators circled throughout the Roman Empire. They attempted to gain financial support throughout their circuit. They sought fame and money. Paul received the opposite of the circuit preachers, which was no money along with physical and verbal persecution.

2:7 although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,

The Greek word for "apostles" is ἀπόστολοι (apostos), meaning those who were sent by God. Paul had the same apostolic authority as the twelve. He could have summoned death upon his enemies, just as Peter did with Ananias and Saphira. Instead, he treated the Thessalonians as babes in Christ, nursing them to spiritual maturity.

2:8 with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Like a protective nursing mother, Paul was willing to give up his own life for his Thessalonian children.

2:9 For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

Paul could have asked for financial support from the Thessalonians. Instead, he chose to make tents in order to support himself. After working night and day, Paul preached the gospel to the Thessalonians. This was the direct opposite of the Judaizers, who demanded support for their teaching.

2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe.

According to the Mosaic Law (Num 35:30), it took two or three witnesses to verify the truth. Paul was calling upon God and the Thessalonians to verify the truth of his motives.

2:11 As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,

The Greek word for "children" is τέκνον (teknon), meaning a child who is living in full dependence upon their parents, or in this case, upon their Heavenly Father. Paul was not only a nursing mother who was tenderly taking care of his Thessalonian children. He was also a strong father, who loved his children and provided substance.

2:12 exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory.

The Greek word for "exhorting" is παρακαλέω (parakaleow) meaning to be called to walk parallel to another so that you can listen and comfort them. The Greek word for "encouraging" is παραμυθέομαι (paramutheomai), meaning to walk behind someone and cheer the up with smoothing speech. The Greek word for "call" is καλέω (kaleow), meaning to call by name.

Paul walked parallel to the Thessalonians. During this walk with them, he nursed them, became a father to them, listened to them, comforted them, cheered them up, and spoke smooth words to them. Paul insisted that they walk in the way that God wants them to walk. For a believer to walk in this matter, he must study and apply the entire counsel of the Word of God. Believers cannot walk in God's ways if they do not know God. The only way to know God is through mastery of Bible doctrine.

The Kingdom is the Millennial Kingdom, which will be heaven on earth for a literal 1000 years, as mentioned six times in Revelation 20. God had called the Thessalonians into this literal, coming Millennial Kingdom. 

The Glory is the Shekinah Glory, which is the visible presence of God on earth. The Thessalonian believers are in Christ, meaning that they are covered with the Shekinah Glory.

2:13 And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God’s message, which is at work among you who believe.

When the Thessalonians heard the gospel, they knew it was from God. Paul thanked God, because the Thessalonians could not even understand the gospel unless the Holy Spirit opened up their eyes, heart, and ears.

2:14 For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,

Paul, a Jew, called the Thessalonian Gentiles his brothers and sisters, meaning that they were believers in Christ. The Old Testament prophets had suffered for bringing the message from God to both Jews and Gentiles.  Christ had suffered for bringing the gospel from heaven to earth. Paul had suffered for bringing the gospel to the Jews first, and then the Gentiles. The believers in Judea had suffered for bringing the gospel to the Thessalonians. The Thessalonians had suffered for bringing the gospel to the northern and southern regions of the Roman Empire. The Thessalonians had imitated those before them.

2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us severely. They are displeasing to God and are opposed to all people,

Man is so depraved and evil that when God chose to come to earth in the body of a man, the Jews and Gentiles combined, called him demon-possessed, accused him of blasphemy, established false witnesses against him, placed him on trial, and executed him in the most humiliating way. God permitted this act to show man his total depravity and to demonstrate God's love and patience.

The Jews were chosen by God to write the oracles, bring the Messiah into the world, and to become priests to the Gentle nations. However, when God left the alone, they killed the prophets who were bringing to them direct revelation from God. They also killed their own Messiah, who was the God of the universe. 

Whenever unbelievers oppose God's children, then God is displeased. This type of persecution brings out God's jealousy and His wrath. Unbelievers who attack the body of Christ are placing themselves in a dangerous position.

2:16 because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they constantly fill up their measure of sins, but wrath has come upon them completely. 

Just as it is God's will for all men to be saved (1 Tim 2:4, 2 Pet 3:9, so it was the will of the Judaizers that no one be saved through the name of Jesus Christ. At one time, even Paul had attempted to prevent the salvation of the Jews through Christ. In man's totally depraved sin nature, not only will he refuse to believe, but he will also hinder the gospel as well.

God often allows the persecution of His saints in order to demonstrate the evil heart of men and the righteousness of Christ. God will allow evil until a certain measure, until the cup of iniquity is filled. Only God knows this limit. However, once the cup of iniquity fills, God moves in judgment.

The wrath to come can either be the temple destruction of 70 A.D., the Great Tribulation, or the Lake of Fire. Many of the Judaizers were killed during the temple destruction of 70 A.D. Many of the Jews who reject Christ will be exterminated during the Great Tribulation. All of the Jews who reject Christ will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment and thrown into the Lake of Fire. 

Forced Absence from Thessalonica

2:17 But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person.

The Greek word for "separated" is ἀπορφανίζω  (aporphantizow), meaning to leave one as an orphan. Paul was run out of Thessalonica, but his heart was still there with his Thessalonian children. Since he had been separated from his spiritual children, his mother and father natural instincts kicked in, because he was not able to spiritually feed his children. They were left as orphans without the instruction of their father and mother.

2:18 For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again) but Satan thwarted us.

Paul rarely used his name in the middle of an epistle, but he does so here, to emphatically inform his children that he had continually attempted to come back to them personally.

The Greek word for Satan is Σατανᾶς (satins), meaning the accuser. Satan accuses God of not being fair and just. Satan accuses believers. Satan is so evil, that he desires to leave children as orphans so that he can feed them false doctrine.

The Greek word for "thwarted"" is ἐγκόπτω (ekkopow), meaning to place a sharp obstacle in the road in order to stop the advance of the enemy. Satan wanted to keep the baby Christians in Thessalonica as infants, so he set up obstacles to keep Paul out of the city. If a believer is teaching the Word of God, then Satan will move against him. 

2:19 For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?

The Greek word for "hope" is ἐλπίς (ellis), meaning what is sure to come. The Greek word for "joy" is χαρά (char), meaning gladness because of God's kindness. The Greek word for "crown" is στέφανος (stephanos), meaning a wreath that is awarded to the victors at an athletic contest. When Paul receives his victor's crown at the Judgment Seat of Christ, his biggest joy will be his ministry to the Thessalonians. 

2:20 For you are our glory and joy!

The Thessalonians were Paul's glory and joy. They were a model church that was spreading the good news all over Greece.