1 Thess. 2

1 Thessalonians 2

Paul’s Conduct

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you (they came to Thessalonica from Philippi, after their being beaten and imprisoned as well as throughout they were being accused of exploiting the people through religion, being religious charlatans) was not in vain (i.e., “empty handed”—they didn’t come empty handed to fill their hands by stealing from the people – they came with “FULL” hands bearing gifts for the people, c.p., 1:5; 2:5, 8-9). ² But (far from it) even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know (all because of God and the Gospel they came bearing), we were bold (in spite of the anguish we continued on courageously) in our God (on behalf of Him and by His enabling) to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict (“in great, profound, battle, agony, struggle, conflict”—it’s the word for athletic games). ³ For our exhortation (appeal, entreaty) did not come from error (from deceit, straying from truth or piety into error) or uncleanness (preaching the right message, but with wrong motives), nor was it in deceit (straying from truth or piety into error).

⁴ But (on the contrary) as we have been approved by God (tested and found meeting God’s criteria) to be entrusted with the gospel (preaching the right message for all the right reasons), even so we speak, not as pleasing men (affirming them in their human beliefs and behaviors), but God who (continually) tests our hearts (not just our content, but our motives and attitudes). ⁵ For neither at any time did we use flattering words (we did not encourage any wrong/selfish behaviors or beliefs), as you know (as you witnessed the backlash we received for not doing so), nor a cloak for covetousness (we did not use religion to mask greedy exploits)— God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory (praise, honor, acclaim) from men, either from you or from others (no matter who they may be), when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ (we don’t even make claims or demands on what is rightfully ours). ⁷ But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes (is focused) her own children (looking to give kind and loving care to you, not expecting to be cared for). ⁸ So, affectionately longing for you (our motivation is not greed or praise, but love), we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives (our determination is to not only share the gospel but our lives, to live life alongside you), because you had become dear to us (Paul sought their personal wellbeing, not their servitude or goods). ⁹ For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil (our real and exhausting service on your behalf); for laboring night and day (around the clock), that we might not be a burden to any of you (a single one of you), we preached to you the gospel of God (free of charge, exempt of any selfish motives, ambitions).

¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly (“holy” faithfully fulfilling the will of God) and justly (“righteously” faithfully exemplifying the character of God) and blamelessly (without fault among the children of God) we behaved ourselves among you who believe; ¹¹ as you know how we exhorted, (we called you to our side to encourage you) and comforted (cheered for you and supported you in your attempts to move spiritually forward), and charged every one of you (testified as to what you knew was possible, imploring you to press on towards those possibilities), as a father does his own children (out of love, concern, and hope), ¹² that you would walk worthy of God (spend, live your lives in harmony with and reverently towards God) who calls (the God who continually puts people into His kingdom and under His leadership—calling one to salvation [professing saving faith in Christ for the forgiveness of ones sin], then to sanctification [becoming more like Christ in our daily living and thinking]) you into His own kingdom (the physical realm of God’s presence and rule) and glory (the splendor and glorious benefits of His Person, kingdom and rule).

Their Conversion

¹³ For this reason (that the gospel has been so wonderfully received) we also thank God (recognizing that God did the work in drawing you folks to Himself) without ceasing (meaning we can never thank God enough, our hearts are never empty of thanks to God), because when you received the word of God (the truth and power that God provided, imparted to you) which you heard from us (heard, not received from us, as man has no power to save—we shared about God, His truth and His power, He gave it to you so you could receive it), you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God (you responded to the intervention of God, not the charisma or salesmanship of man), which also effectively works (because the truth and power of the word of God is not from man, of human origin or ability and thus vulnerability) in you who believe (who have placed saving faith in Christ as Savior and Lord). ¹⁴ For (we know you received the Word of God, because) you, brethren, became imitators (replicas, duplications) of the churches of God (the local assemblies of gospel believers) which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things (endured the same afflictions, persecutions) from (at the hands of) your own (fellow) countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans (you are proven to be good soil bearing a hundredfold—cf., Acts 17:5-8), ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus (the genuine manifestation of God the Messiah) and their own prophets (God’s servants who testified of the Messiah’s coming), and have persecuted us (gospel believers who testify that the Messiah has come—These kinds of men continue to persecute the church of Christ today); and they do not please (glorify) God and are contrary to all men (all mankind—they think and act contrary to their purpose for existence—to glorify God [cf., 1 Thess. 4:1; Rom. 8:8; 1 Cor. 7:32; 10:31]—Are they impeding God’s will though? Is there a difference between acting contrary to God’s will and impeding it?  [Cf., Rom. 8:28 “uses all things for good…”; Rom. 9:22, Potter and clay, “What if God wanting to show His wrath and power…”; Prov. 16:4, “The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked…”; Gen. 50:20, Joseph’s brothers who sold him into slavery {God meant it for good}; Ex. 10:1, Pharaoh whose heart God hardened to show the plagues; Goliath, the Assyrian’s against the northern kingdom; the Babylonian’s against the Southern Kingdom, etc..), ¹⁶ forbidding us (gospel believers, Christ followers) to speak to the Gentiles that they may (even) be saved (they don’t want to see even the Gentile “dogs” place saving faith in Christ), so as always (as the unsaved can only produce one kind of fruit [cf., Isa. 64:6—even their righteousness’s are filthy rags]) to fill up the measure (the limit—in volume and kind—God is in control) of their sins (they press on continually in their present function of unbelief); but (the conclusion of their labor is far different than the gospel believers as) wrath (punishment) has come upon them (not just the Jews persecuting them in Thessalonica, but the Jewish nation as a whole whom they represent) to the uttermost (as their condition is presently, so shall it be at their conclusion without hope of remedy—they are the ones who will ultimately suffer and forever without hope—The gospel believers suffering is very temporary compared to this and will ultimately bring them special rewards rather than judgment.—Another aspect of this is that God has rejected Israel until the fulfillment of the Times of the Gentiles, cf., Rom. 11:25).

Longing to See Them

¹⁷ But (due to this persecution) we, brethren (dear family), having been taken (torn) away (orphaned) from you ([Acts 17:5-10] thus it was a painful, heart wrenching and undesirable separation like a mother separated from her child—Paul and the team weren’t happy to have an excuse to get out of there.) for a short time in (your physical) presence, not in heart (though—You will always be very close to our heart, and because you are so dear to us we), endeavored more eagerly (we set out all the more diligently, determinedly) to see your (physical) face with great desire (with great yearning). ¹⁸ Therefore (because of this heart wrenching separation) we wanted (we resolved) to come to you (to Thessalonica)—even I, Paul, time and again (several times)—but Satan hindered (prevented) us. ¹⁹ For (the reason we want to see you so badly is) what is (the basis for) our hope (anticipation, expectation), or (the reason for our) joy, or (the reward of our) crown of rejoicing (boasting, exaltation)? Is it not even you (i.e., presenting you gospel believers of Thessalonica) in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming (at the Judgment Seat of Christ, where every gospel believer’s life is evaluated)? ²⁰ For you (personally, not your money, possessions or accolades) are our glory (our splendor at this judgment) and joy (our cause for delight).