1 Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica Paul's Longing to See the Thessalonians 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20
2 Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica Paul Longed to See the Thessalonians Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20, 1. For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2. But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness; 6. Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8. So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11. As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
3 12. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 14. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 15. Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16. Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 17. But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 18. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 19. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20. For ye are our glory and joy. Commentary Note: 1 Thessalonians 2 deals with Paul s faithful loyalty to Christ, the faithfulness of the Thessalonians and Paul s love for the Christians in Thessalonica. (Coffman) 1 Thessalonians 2:1, 2, For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
4 I. The Thessalonians knew that Paul s visit to Thessalonica had not been vain; that is, without benefit because some there had become Christians to the saving of their souls as a result of Paul s preaching. II. After being mistreated in Philippi Paul still had the boldness, courage to preach the gospel in Thessalonica amid much opposition, conflict, strenuous activity. A. Paul did not become weary in well-doing. B. Acts 16:1-40, Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were
5 in that city abiding certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are
6 all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those man go. And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us our privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. And the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. III. Paul exhorted as: A. a person approved and certified by God the Father. B. a person whose heart God examines. C. A person who sought to please God, not men. D. Scriptures: 1. Acts 9:27, But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the
7 Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 2. Ephesians 6:20, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. E. Paul, Silas and Timothy waxed strong in our God. 1. 1 Thessalonians 3:9, For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 2. 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 12, Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. 1 Corinthians 6:11, And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Thessalonians 2:3, For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: I. Paul, Silas and Timothy did not exhort, preach: A. Error. B. an impure gospel nor from unclean, impure motives. C. with guile to deceive their hearers.
8 II. This depicts stark differences between the Christianity Paul preached and the gross immorality, impurity and deceit which characterized idolatrous paganism. (Coffman) 1 Thessalonians 2:4, But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. I. Paul, Silas and Timothy did not: A. preach with flattering speech to tickle the ears of their audience, say what they thought their listeners wanted to hear. B. preach hypocritically for greedy financial gain. C. God is witness that this is true. D. No telling what lies Paul s enemies had been circulating about him. 1. Paul s enemies were vicious! E. Paul did not seek glory from men in Thessalonica and he certainly did not get human glory. 1. Paul was not a men pleaser but rather a God pleaser. F. Paul, Silas and Timothy did not come to Thessalonica demanding obedience and respect because they were apostles of Christ. 1. Apostles of Christ evidently included Silas and Timothy as well as Paul.
9 2. Acts 14:14, Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 1 Thessalonians 2:5, 6, For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness; Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. I. Paul, Silas and Timothy never: A. used flattering words. B. used covetousness as a covering, cloak. II. God is witness to the character and motives of Paul, Silas and Timothy. III. The Thessalonians were well aware of these facts: A. Paul coveted no human praise nor glory from the Thessalonians nor anyone else. B. Paul was truly honorable and all history attests to this fact! 1 Thessalonians 2:7, But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: I. Paul, Silas and Timothy preached in Thessalonica and conducted themselves: A. gently as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. B. sacrificially, willing to not only preach the gospel to them, but also to risk their lives for them.
10 C. This paints a beautiful picture of Paul s love for souls and his approach in preaching. 1. It should also be the attitude of all who would minister the gospel to a lost and dying world. 1 Thessalonians 2:8, 9, So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. I. This was in part due to the fond affection Paul felt for these Thessalonians who had become very dear to him, Silas and Timothy. II. Paul had shown his love for the Thessalonians by: A. working night and day, laboring and suffering hardships, so as not to be a burden to them. B. This was to enable Paul to preach the gospel among them without financial support. C. Paul, Silas and Timothy were interested in the souls of the people to whom they preached, not their money. D. What about today s preachers?... TV and radio evangelists? E. How many would quit preaching if they had to support themselves to continue to preach?
11 1 Thessalonians 2:10, Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: I. Paul, Silas and Timothy, as the Thessalonians well knew, had set a wonderful example of Christian living among them. II. They had lived among the Thessalonians A. devoutly B. uprightly C. blamelessly 1 Thessalonians 2:11, 12, As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. I. Paul, Silas and Timothy as the Thessalonian believers well knew, A. exhorted B. encouraged C. implored, testified D. as a father would his own children. II. How, with what attitude is the gospel to be preached? A. Romans 13:8, Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
12 B. 1 Corinthians 4:15, For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. C. Galatians 4:19, My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, D. 1 Thessalonians 2:13, For this cause also thank we God, without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. E. Matthew 5:10, 11, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. III. The purpose of this was to lead the Thessalonians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of: A. God personally B. God s kingdom C. God s glory D. Do our lives reflect glory to God and his kingdom? 1 Thessalonians 2:13, For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
13 I. Paul, Silas and Timothy thanked God that the Thessalonian believers had accepted what they preached as the Word of God which transforms those who believe. A. Acts 17:11, These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. B. Believers and unbelievers at Thessalonica treated Paul very differently. C. Lipscomb via Coffman cites these scriptures to show how the word of God works: 1. 1 Peter 1:23, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 2. James 1:21, Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 3. John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 4. 1 Timothy 4:5, For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 5. Acts 19:20, So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. 6. Mark 4:26, 27, And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground: And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
14 7. Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 8. Jeremiah 23:29, Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? 9. Psalm 119:105, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 10. Ephesians 6:17, And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: D. What Paul preached (and wrote) is the word of God, not the word of men. 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. I. The Thessalonian believers were commended for imitating the example of the churches of God in Judea. A. Judean Christians had suffered intense persecution at the hands of unbelieving Jews and had remained faithful.
15 B. The Thessalonians had suffered at the hands of their countrymen because of their faith and had not faltered. II. Those who persecute Christians are: A. not pleasing to God. B. hostile to all men. C. hinderers to Paul and others who spoke the gospel to the Gentiles that they may be saved. III. These unbelieving persecutors had: A. filled themselves with sins. B. killed Jesus the Lord. C. killed the prophets. D. driven Paul out of their religious community, out of Thessalonica, out of Damascus,... E. Wrath had come upon them to the utmost! 1. What we sow we reap! 2. Be careful to select well what you want. You might get it. 3. You can t get to Florida by going North. You can t become holiness and light by thinking and living in sin and corruption. 1 Thessalonians 2:17, 18, But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more
16 abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. I. Paul, Silas and Timothy had been forced by persecution to leave Thessalonica. A. Paul s spirit was still with them. B. Paul had wanted more than once to return to Thessalonica, but had not at this time been able to do so because of the opposition of the devil. C. Paul would be able, as it turned out, to re-visit Thessalonica on his third missionary journey. D. Colossians 2:5, For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. II. How Satan hindered Paul in returning to Thessalonica is not revealed, but that he did is no surprise. III. Paul regarded the faithful Christians at Thessalonica as his: A. hope B. joy C. crown of exultation D. glory E. Paul would present them to Jesus at his second coming with unspeakable happiness.
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18 Questions 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20 1. With what three things does 1 Thessalonians 2 deal? 2. Why had Paul s visit to Thessalonica not been in vain? 3. What had Paul endured at Philippi before going to Thessalonica? 4. Paul exhorted as a person 5. Paul, Silas and Timothy did not preach (see verse 3) 6. God was witness that Paul did not preach (see verse 4)
19 7. Were Silas and Timothy apostles? Give reasons for your answer. 8. What attitudes and character describe Paul s preaching? 9. How did Paul show his love for the Thessalonians? 10. How did Paul, Silas and Timothy live among the Thessalonians? 11. Paul, Silas and Timothy,,, as a would his own.
20 12. This was to lead the to in a manner worthy of, s and s. 13. With what attitude are we to preach the gospel? What does the Bible say? 14. How does the Word of God work? 15. Believers and unbelievers at Thessalonica treated Paul very differently. How did each group treat him? 16. How had the Thessalonian believers imitate the example of the churches of God in Judea? 17. What had unbelieving persecutors done?
21 18. Be careful to select well what you want. You might get it! You can t become and by and in and. 19. Paul regarded the faithful Christians at Thessalonica as his,, of,. 20. What kept Paul from returning to Thessalonica?