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1
Thessalonians Chapter Two
I.
Content of the Chapter
A Model Preacher
A. The attitudes of Paul’s preachment (v.1-13):
1. Clean motivations (v.1-8):
a. Preach with boldness (v.1-2);
b. Please God (v.3-5);
c.As a nursing mother who cherishes her own children (v.6-8);
2. Selfless labor (v.9-12):
a. Labor night and day (v.9-10);
b. As a father does his own children (v.11-12);
3. Thanksgiving again (v.13)
B. He was taken away from them because of
persecution (v.14-20):
1. The evil deeds of those who are contrary (v.14-16);
2. Though he had been taken away from them, he endeavored more eagerly to
see them with great desire (v.17-18);
3. He regards the church and believers as glory
and joy (v.19-20);
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
1Thess. 2:1 “For you yourselves know, brethren,
that our coming to you was not in vain.”
YLT: “For yourselves have
known, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it did not become vain,”
Meaning of Words: “in vain”: empty,
vanity;
Literal Meaning: “you yourselves know,
brethren”, “you” refer to believers in Thessalonica. Since
they had personally seen all, they were able to bear witness to Paul.
“That
our coming to you”, “coming”, Paul
mentions this word again (see 1:9), which is a kind of powerful entry with
positive meaning. Paul here emphasizes that they pay great attention to his own
conversation (see 1:5) for their sake.
“Was
not in vain”, there are three
kinds of explanations for “in vain”: 1) have nothing to give; 2) have no
content; 3) labor in vain;
No matter what explanation it is, Paul’s coming is
not in vain: 1) He brought “the gospel of God” to them, not with empty hands;
2) he preached according to what was entrusted to him (v.4), not empty words;
3) he had received obvious effect (v.13), for the word of God shall not return unto
Him void (Is. 55:11).
“In vain”, according to the tense in the original,
it means that the effect lasts long all the time. Therefore, it indicates that
the gospel that Paul had preached to them had not only received obvious effect
of their repentance but also produced eternal transformation in their life.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We believers should not do anything in vain.
Therefore, we shall judge whether everything we do glorifies God and profits
men (1Cor. 10:23-24, 31).
2) No matter where we are, or what we do, we
Christians should walk according to the will of God (James 3:13-15), and thus
we have not done in vain.
3) A true and strong preacher must bear much
and full fruit in his service, not vanity.
1Thess. 2:2 “But even after we had
suffered before and were spitefully treated at
YLT: “but having both
suffered before, and having been injuriously treated (as ye have known) in
Literal Meaning: “but” shows that the
content of this verse is opposite to that of the previous verse ---- though it
is not in vain, it is difficult.
“We
had suffered before and were spitefully
treated at
“We
were bold in our God”, it is the
boldness in God through the union with Him, not in the flesh. Therefore, he is
able to appropriate the power of God to strengthen him in the conflict of the
gospel.
“Be bold”, be fearless to all the oppositions and
preach freely in public;
“To
speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict”, “conflict”, it is a gymnastic term, which means
“struggle and flight”. Here, it suggests that the preachment at that time is a
rather arduous work, for they are faced with extremely strong opposition.
Note that in chapter two Paul mentions “the gospel
of God” (v. 2, 8, 9) and “our gospel” in chapter one (v.5). Both of them are
the same gospel with different emphases. The first chapter emphasizes the
manner of the preachment of the gospel, and the second chapter emphasizes the
gospel they preach is of God, not of themselves (see v.3-4).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Book of
Revelation suggests us eight
ways to the hell, and the first way is “fear” (Rev. 21:8). Therefore, we
Christians shall truly be strong and bold in the Lord.
2) The boldness and the content of Christians’
preachment are out of the true God (see v.13).
3) What we preach is “the gospel of God” (see
v.8-9), for God is the origin of the gospel (see v.4).
4) God will fulfill full responsibility for all
that is out of Him. In various conflicts of the gospel, the faith and strength
and boldness that we need can be obtained from God who is the origin of all
things.
1Thess. 2:3 “For our exhortation did
not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.”
YLT: “for our exhortation
[is] not out of deceit, nor out of uncleanness, nor in guile,”
The
Background: at that time, the
so-called “philosophers” or “holy men” in the places round
Literal Meaning: “for”, it shows that
the following words will explain why they still preach the gospel with boldness
to the Thessalonians in that difficult condition.
“Our exhortation did not come from error”,
“exhortation” refers to the gospel they preach (v.2); “error”: the fault in
essence; this half verse means that the gospel is purely the truth out of God’s
revelation (Gal. 1:11-12) instead of the product of man’s mind, and man adds
nothing and takes away nothing (Rev. 22:18-19). Therefore, the nature of the
content is of no error.
“Or uncleanness”, it refers to the problems in
morality; in this verse, it shows that the gospel is not out of moral concepts
(especially the uncleanness concerning “sex”, for at that time the pagans in
Greece were rather flippant in sex), but of sincerity and holiness (see 4:7).
“Nor was it in deceit”, “deceit”: the bait used in
fishing, and it then extends to relate to the trickery for one’s own profit;
here, it in this verse means that they do not preach in dishonest manner in
order to deceive them to believe his words, but preach the gospel in light.
“Error” refers to its content; “uncleanness” refers
to motivation; “deceit” refers to the manner or means; such three unhealthy
conditions are of the devil, Satan (see 2Cor. 11:3, 14-15).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Since the gospel we preach is “the gospel of
God” (v.2), there will be of no error. However, if one thinks he preaches “a
different gospel” (Gal. 1:6), that is a dreadful error.
2) Error or fault deceives men for a while, and
yet the eternal truth is able to give men morality and courage and the right
direction of life.
3) Religious believers are apparently pious,
but internally filthy (see Matt. 23:25-28). It is reported that many of the
terrorists in the
4) Even though the gospel is essentially right,
it is still possible that men may preach with wrong motivations or by improper
means (see Phil. 1:15, 17). Therefore, we Christians should not reach our own
goal by fair means or foul.
5) The preacher of the gospel should not
deceive man into the trap of salvation like the salesperson who induces men to
buy his produces by “salesmanship”. The salvation does not lie in skillful attraction
or smart argument, but in the demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power (1Cor.
2:1-4).
1Thess. 2:4 “But as we have been
approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as
pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.”
YLT: “but as we have been
approved by God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, not as
pleasing men, but God, who is proving our hearts,”
Meaning of Words: “approve”: discern,
examine, try; “test”, the same word with “approve”;
Literal Meaning: “but as we have been approved
by God to be entrusted with the gospel”, “approve”, they have passed the test of God and are
appointed by God to preach the gospel;
“Have been approved”, it is continual. On one hand, it shows
that the approval of God is always efficacious. And on the other hand, God
continues to test the workers so as to ensure the quality of the messages.
“Even
so we speak”, the gospel is of God, and the content is decided by
God. Now the gospel is committed to Paul. He must be faithful to what is
entrusted to him without any selfish purpose.
“Not
as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” God does not look upon the outward
appearance, but looks upon the heart of men (1Sam. 16:7). What he tests is “our
hearts”, for the inward motivation decides the outward works. God is always
examining, searching and testing our hearts (Ps. 26:2; 139:23-24). The word
“heart” in Bible is often interpreted as the nature of man’s inner life, not
the transient emotion.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) How much work is entrusted to us is
proportional to how much our heart has been tested.
2) God entrusts his work to those who have been
approved by Him, and tests after He has entrusted his work. And He shall find
delight in those who have passed His test.
3) It is not a small matter, but a great honor
of being entrusted by God. Therefore, we shall not regard the preachment of the
gospel as common.
4) The preachment of the gospel is precious and
significant, for it relates to the eternal life or eternal death of men. If we
have such vision, even though we are faced with troubles or persecutions or
humiliation, it is nothing, for it is more important to save precious souls
than anything.
5) We preach what God has entrusted to us. The
duty of a preacher is “speaking” ---- neither changing the content nor
preaching oneself.
6) If a believer has clearly known that he is
the messenger of the gospel whom God entrusts and held the message and belief
from God, he will be filled with power and faith in his service instead of
being shaken by the unstable environment or the response of the hearers easily.
7) If preachers serve to please men, the word
of God they have preached will be distorted. And they will then estimate their
service according to the effect and the response of all, and thus utterly
regard the “market-orientation” as the highest guideline.
8) When the preachers preach the gospel, they
should not speak to please the audience and hold back God’s will and truth for
the purpose of catering to the tastes of them (see Acts 20:20, 27).
9) The standard of Christians’ walking is
different from those who do not believe, so they may unavoidably be
misunderstood by men in the world. However, we shall in no wise lower the
standard for the purpose of eliminating the misunderstanding.
1Thess. 2:5 “For neither at any time
did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness--God is
witness.”
YLT: “for at no time did
we come with speech of flattery, (as ye have known,) nor in a pretext for
covetousness, (God [is] witness!)”
Meaning of Words: “flattering”: flattery; “cloak”: pretence, outward showing, pretext; “covetousness”: avarice, fraudulency, extortion,
greediness;
Literal Meaning: “for neither at any time did
we use flattering words, as you know”, “flattering
words”, it means that one
makes up some vain and hypocritical words to gain man’s favor and support (see
Rom. 16:18).
“Nor
a cloak for covetousness—”, not conceal the
covetousness inside to rob things not of oneself;
“God
is witness”, believers can
bear witness whether Paul fawns on men. However, only God is able to testify
whether he is covetous inside, for man looks upon the outward appearance, but
God looks upon the heart (1Sam. 16:7)
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) He who preaches the gospel shall never hide
his personal purpose under the cloak of the gospel
2) Flattery and covetousness are two great factors of the preacher’s
defections.
3) “Flattery” is for the
purpose of pleasing men, and “covetousness” is for satisfying oneself. If a
Christian serves for the purpose of pleasing others or himself, he will strain
at a gnat in everything ---- e.g. hypocrisy, self-pity and self-esteem ---- and
thus be unable to have true service.
4) We Christians have to prove the motivation
of our service ---- do we gain the acclamation or adore ourselves by service?
5) If the preachers make a trade of the word of
God (2Cor. 2:17; 4:2) or hold gain to be piety (1Tim. 6:5; Titus 1:11; 2Pet.
2:3), it shows that there is “covetousness” hid in them.
6) “Covetousness”, it is greed for money as
well as right and honor and desire. Though some preachers have overcome the
greed for materials, they are unable to overcome that for mental things
7) The love of money, the root of every evil
(see 1Tim. 6:10), will sooner or later entice men away from the Lord’s faith to
seek things outside of God. Therefore, the unbridled desire is idolatry (Col.
3:5).
1Thess. 2:6 “Nor did we seek glory
from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as
apostles of Christ.”
YLT: “nor seeking of men
glory, neither from you nor from others, being able to be burdensome, as
Christ's apostles.”
Literal Meaning: “we … as
apostles of Christ”, “apostles”: there
were two types of apostles in both and narrow broad sense at that time. The
former refers to those who are called by God’s to be ministers of the gospel to
establish the churches; and the latter refers to “the messengers of assemblies”
(2Cor. 2:23) sent by the church to fulfill the appointed missions. Here, it is
the former sort of apostles.
“We”, obviously, it also
includes Silvanus and Timothy (see 1:1) besides Paul. The Lord calls them for
the primary purpose of preaching the word of God (see Mark. 3:14).
“We
might have made demands”, “make demands”,
it is composed of “position” and “burden”. At that time, the apostles had
special right and position. They were respected and were able to enjoy the
material provisions of the church (see 1Thess. 3:9; 1Cor. 9:4-15; 2Cor. 11:7-9)
so that they would be able to apply their mind to the building and shepherding
work of the church.
“We seek glory from men”, though Paul mentions the
rights of the apostles, he fully knows the responsibility as apostles.
Therefore, he is disposed to give up his rights so as not to neglect the main
purpose to seek glory for men (John 12:43).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If Christians are full of their own claims,
honor or rights, they will bring loss to the service. Therefore, we shall learn
the examples of the Lord and the apostles to give up honor and rights (see John
13:4-5; 1Cor. 9:12).
2) The preachers shall seek nothing in
materials or in status or in reputation. Sometimes, the preachers may become
proud for the sake of their slight accomplishment, thus falling into the
pursuit of men’s praise.
3) Though the preachers are respected by men
(see 1Tim. 5:17), they shall not seek men’s glory. It is a great temptation of
seeking men’s glory for each preacher. Many workers of the Lord are overwhelmed
by this temptation.
4) The pursuit of one’s own glory is the bane
of Christians and preachers. If one robs the glory of God in spiritual works,
God shall not be glorified.
5) Spiritual authority will naturally be
honored by others. One shall not demand or seek it by himself. Anyone who
confesses he has the “representative authority” is unworthy of being honored.
1Thess. 2:7 “But we were gentle among
you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.”
YLT: “But we became
gentle in your midst, as a nurse may cherish her own children,”
Literal Meaning: “but we were gentle among you”, “were gentle”, it suggested that they were unable to
treat believers there with truth utterly for the sake of their tender spiritual
condition. Here, the gentleness is not dealing with men kindly for a while, but
continually.
Some Bible exegetes explain
“gentle” (epioi) as “as baby” (nepioi), for the two words are similar in the
original with a slight difference of a letter “n”. And those who copied the
scriptures purposefully missed the letter “n” to express the meaning more
properly, so “as baby” (nepioi) became “gentle” (epioi). However, the Bible
exegetes think if it is interpreted as “as baby”, it responds to the word
“mother” (v.7). And in the following paragraph, Paul mentions that he is as a
father and uses the words “be taken away” (which means orphan) so as to show
that he treats believers like a father and a mother. If such explanation is
right, this verse can be translated as “we were as
innocent as babies among you”. Therefore, Paul laid down the status of “a
mother” and talked with them with childish words they could understand, thus
showing his mother love.
“Just
as a nursing mother cherishes her own children”, “cherishes”, it means in the
original not only feeding but also taking tender care of (see Eph. 5:29). Here,
Paul likens believers to “children” for two meanings: 1) they are the children
begotten by them who preach the gospel (1Cor. 4:15); 2) their faith in the Lord
is still as tender as children.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Gentleness and meekness are the mark of the
true servant of the Lord (2Tim. 2:24-25). The Lord’s servants shall think of
others in everything ---- think how to let others obtain spiritual profit, not
argue only;
2) Many times believers are still as children
and not skilled in the word of righteousness, they are still able to be
partakers of milk (Heb. 5:12-14).
3) He who cherishes others should beware of not
feeding others with unhealthy things of him.
4) The preachers should guard the truth as
strong as warriors (v.2), but be gentle as mother in feeding believers. The
Lord’s workers should be rationally strong and emotionally rich.
5) What a mother considers is not her own
comfort or enjoyment or joy, but how to satisfy her children’s need. Therefore,
she is not only gentle, considerate, soft, careful and patient, but also
willing to change her own habit and interest for the sake of her children. If a
preacher treats believers as a mother, we do not know how many people he will
edify!
1Thess. 2:8 “So, affectionately
longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of
God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”
YLT: “so being desirous
of you, we are well-pleased to impart to you not only the good news of God, but
also our own souls, because beloved ye have become to us,”
Meaning of Words: “affectionately longing for”: be affectionately desirous, yearn; “were well pleased”: have warm of feeling for or against,
affect, desire, be jealous over; “lives”: souls; “dear”: beloved, the divine love and the perfect
love (“agape”);
Literal Meaning: “so, affectionately longing
for you”, “affectionately long for”, this word is very
special, which is used only once in the New Testament here. Someone infers that
the word is used to describe those who caress babies in the nursery. Paul seems
to intentionally show that their love is as sincere and earnest as a mother’s
love to her children.
“We
were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own
lives”, Paul is pleased
to choose his way of his life to preach the gospel of God for the sake of
loving them ---- he would rather give up his own rights on the cost of his
life.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Paul preaches the gospel because of love,
not for his own profit. The love to men should always be the motivation of our
preachment of the gospel.
2) The preachers shall desire to share not only
the gospel with others but also their lives.
3) A true worker of the Lord should be a
“giving” man who gives what God has entrusted to him as well as his own life.
4) It is more blessed to give than to receive
(Acts 20:35). One who really knows the Lord would rather choose to “give” than
obtain from others.
5) “Love” makes “giving” joyful, not
consumptive.
1Thess. 2:9 “For you remember,
brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be
a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.”
YLT: “for ye remember,
brethren, our labour and travail, for, night and day working not to be a burden
upon any of you, we did preach to you the good news of God;”
Meaning of Words: “labor”: trouble,
weariness, pains; “toil”: travail;
The
Background: at that time, a
Jewish man had to learn a kind of skill from a child in order to make a living,
even rabbis, who could not keep the pot boiling by merely teaching the law.
Paul might have learnt making tenets from his childhood (see Acts 18:3), so he
was able to gain a living.
Literal Meaning: “labor and toil; for
laboring night and day”, “labor”: the weariness caused by labor; “toil”: the
lack of rest; it indicated that he was willing to do the laborious work which
was despised by the Romans at that time so that he could earn his own living.
Paul here especially
mentions labor and toil. Probably, he encouraged those who waited for the
Lord’s second coming and were yet unwilling to work by their own hands (see
4:11) to learn his example of working with his own hands.
“We
preached to you the gospel of God”,
“preach” means “declaring and announcing according to the meaning of the one
who sends (the master)”, not speaking what man pleases of him.
“That we might not be a
burden to any of you”, “burden”: the burden to others in economy;
Verse nine, the best example of verse eight, proves
how they preach the gospel of God to men and they are even willing to give
their lives, and therefore, they are so laborious and toilsome.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The preachers shall try to avoid the
reliance upon others excessively and be proud of all the works profitable to
the gospel works.
2) There is an increasing number of people who
find that the value of part-time service is not inferior to full-time service.
Therefore, one shall not recklessly give up his job in the world if he is not
called by God.
3) The primary task of preachers is to preach
the messages that God entrusts to them. Therefore, they should not preach the
message in a perfunctory fashion, nor add vain and flowery language or
exaggerated postures purposefully to shift men’s attention from God’s word to
preachers’ talent.
1Thess. 2:10 “You are witnesses, and
God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among
you who believe;”
YLT: “ye [are] witnesses
-- God also -- how kindly and righteously, and blamelessly to you who believe
we became,”
Literal Meaning: “we behaved ourselves among
you who believe”, it is not
behaving before them intentionally, but that their conversation is unavoidably
seen by them.
“How devoutly and justly and blamelessly”, “devoutly”, it emphasizes the inner innocence and kindness
which are known by God (see v.4-5); “justly”, it emphasizes the
external justice, goodliness which are seen by men; “blamelessly”, it refers to one’s blamelessness (2Pet. 3:14;
Phil. 3:6) no matter to God or to men;
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christians shall be just and kind and
blameless in conversation, seeking a good testimony before unbelievers as well
as believers.
2) Indeed we shall not do good works before men
(Matt. 6:1-8), nor hide all our good works from men (Matt. 5:15-16).
3) Men are witnesses of all our public works.
And God is the witness of our private works and inner hearts.
4) Men’s oral teachings are common. But
examples in life are rather rare. A good preacher shall be able to not only
teach by mouth but also bear good witness in his conversation.
5) How many the preachers “who say and do not
do” (Matt. 23:3) there are! And common believers still pay attention to what
the preachers “say”. No wonder that preachers always put in much effort on
“saying” and try to increase their preaching skills but have ignored the
conversation which is more important.
1Thess. 2:11 “as you know how we
exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own
children,”
YLT: “even as ye have
known, how each one of you, as a father his own children, we are exhorting you,
and comforting, and testifying,”
Meaning of Words: “exhort”: call near, invite; “comfort”: console, encourage; “charge”: bear witness, testify;
Literal Meaning: “as you know”, he reminded them to think about the condition at
that time;
“Exhorted,
and comforted, and charged every one of you”,
“exhorted”, it means exhortation and encouragement (see 5:
“As a father does his own children”, it means that he advices them in earnest
and teaches with patience and skill. The parents expect that their children
will have good performance in the growth of them, so they express their love
through “exhortation and comfort and warning”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) It is not enough for the preachers to
deliver a sermon on the platform only, for they still have to exhort and
comfort and charge different believers in daily life.
2) The preachers should treat different
believers with different words and attitudes and in different manners instead
of dealing with them monotonously alike.
3) Comfort and encouragement should stimulate
to press on rather than make men sleep deeply.
4) What Paul charges (“testify” in the
original) believers are just what he himself has done (see v.9; 4:11). He is
not the one who charges others and yet does not move himself with his finger
(Matt. 23:4).
1Thess. 2:12 “that you would walk
worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
YLT: “for your walking
worthily of God, who is calling you to His own reign and glory.”
Literal Meaning: “that you would walk worthy of God who calls you”, “walk” here it
refers to the life style of everyone;
“Call”, it indicates that
God’s calling to believers is continual. No matter in the Old Testament or the
New Testament, the purpose of God’s calling to men is to manifest His holy
disposition on them (see Ex. 19:5-6; Deut. 26:18-19; 2Pet. 2:9). Therefore, it
is closely related to our walking.
“Into
His own kingdom and glory”, “His own
kingdom”: the realm where God reigns; God makes men repent and born again and
enter into the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The life of Christians should be worthy of
their calling. And the direction of their life should please God who calls
them.
2) When we live on the earth, we have to bear
witness to the fact that our “commonwealth is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20).
1Thess. 2:13 “For this reason we also
thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you
heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,
the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
YLT: “Because of this
also, we -- we do give thanks to God continually, that, having received the
word of hearing from us of God, ye accepted, not the word of man, but as it is
truly, the word of God, who also doth work in you who believe;”
Literal Meaning: “for this reason we also
thank God without ceasing”, “thank
… without ceasing”, it shows that the intensity of thanksgiving is
stronger than “give thanks to God … always” (see 1:2) ---- we can hardly
refrain themselves from thanksgiving.
“Because
when you received the word of God which you heard from us”, “received”, it means believing the word of God and
receiving it into one’s heart (see John 1:12).
“You
welcomed it not as the word of men”, “the
word of men”: the word that was
preached for the purpose of catering to the popular knowledge at that time;
“But
as it is in truth, the word of God”, because the word they preached were out of God’s
revelation and inspiration ---- the origin is God;
“Which
also effectively works in you who believe”, God’s word is living and operative (Heb. 4:12),
so it works in those who believe. “Works”, it indicates that the word of God is
“unceasingly” in operation.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) There are the two great elements of wide preachment
of the gospel ---- “the preachment of God’s word” and “the heart apt to receive
the word”.
2) If man desires to “receive” God’s word, he
has to “hear” firstly. And hearing comes by “preaching” (see Rom. 10:14), so
the preachment of God’s word is crucially important.
3) What we shall preach is not men’s word, but
God’s word. God’s word is delivered into men’s hearts by the Holy Spirit, not
by eloquence or knowledge, nor fair-sounding word, nor the performance of
oneself.
4) If the word of God is not mixed with man’s
faith, it profits him nothing (Heb. 4:2).
5) God’s word has become the “endless” working
power in believers who believe in God “continually”.
6) A Christian’s attitude toward the scriptures
may reveal how he values the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the living word (John
1:14), and the scriptures are written word. Both of them are the same in
essence. Once we have known such relationship, we will cherish the scripture in
our daily life.
7) Gods’ word in us is the greatest source when
we are in temptations and troubles. When the word of God works in us to a
degree that our mind and thoughts and even the whole of us are governed by
God’s word, we shall transcend the environment in victory.
1Thess. 2:14 “For you, brethren, became
imitators of the churches of God which are in
YLT: “for ye became
imitators, brethren, of the assemblies of God that are in
The
Background: at that time, the
Jews persecuted the Christianity everywhere, for the reasons as follows: 1) the
Jewish leaders thought Jesus was a false prophet, so they were unwilling to see
the wide spread of his teaching; 2) though the Roman government regarded the
Judaism as lawful religion, the relation of the Jewish believers was still
strained with the Roman government. At that time, since Christianity was
regarded as a branch of the Judaism, the Jewish believers were afraid that they
would be encumbered with the accusations against Christians; 3) they feared
that their political position would be moved if many Jews were converted to
Christianity; 4) they were proud of their special status of “God’s elect”, but
resisted the Gentiles’ becoming the members of the church.
Literal Meaning: “the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ
Jesus”, it refers to the
church in
“For
you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen”, “suffered the same things
from your own countrymen”, the persecution stirred up by the Jews in
Thessalonica against Paul, which was done by the local Gentiles at that time
(Acts 17:5-9). Such persecution was continually cast upon the church.
“Just as they did from the Judeans”, though Paul
loved his kinsmen greatly and deeply desired them to be saved (see
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Though the form and degree of the sufferings
that the churches in Christ Jesus in God have suffered for the sake of the
preachment of the gospel are different, the basic nature and the origin of
persecution are nearly the same. Therefore, we shall imitate the attitude and
the spirit of the church when we are faced with persecutions.
2) Suffering for the Lord is a good testimony
to encourage Christians to love the Lord more and to establish their faith,
which is worthy of our mentioning and preachment.
3) We have to take heed of one phenomenon ----
the one who is persecuted tends to become self-centered and ask others to
sympathize and help him without feeling others’ sufferings, thinking that he is
the only one who is suffering tribulations.
1Thess. 2:15 “who killed both the Lord
Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please
God and are contrary to all men,”
YLT: “who did both put to
death the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and did persecute us, and God they
are not pleasing, and to all men [are] contrary,”
Literal Meaning: “who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own
prophets”, the people of
“And
have persecuted us”, “persecute”:
follow behind closely to persecute;
“And
are contrary to all men”, it is the same
meaning with “forbidding … be saved” in the next verse (v.16).
1Thess. 2:16 “forbidding us to speak to
the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of
their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.”
YLT: “forbidding us to
speak to the nations that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always,
but the anger did come upon them -- to the end!”
Meaning of Words: “to the uttermost”: to the end, ultimate, finally;
Literal Meaning: “wrath has come upon them to
the uttermost”, “wrath”, it is a
metaphor for the verse “the wrath of God shall be the portion of the cup of the
wicked” in the Old Testament (Ps. 11:6), which refers to the wrath that will be
cast upon sinners when the Lord comes again (see 1:10). It indicates that they
are full of wickedness and sins ---- if they do not repent immediately, they
will be soon faced with the ultimate judgment of God without any escape (see
Phil. 3:18; 2Thess. 1:5-9).
Some Bible scholars thought here it referred to the
destruction of
Someone also held it referred to the fact that the
Jews were dispelled out of
1Thess. 2:17 “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.”
YLT: “And we, brethren,
having been taken from you for the space of an hour -- in presence, not in
heart -- did hasten the more abundantly to see your face in much desire,”
Meaning of Words: “a short time”: an
hour; “have been taken away”: orphan;
Literal Meaning: “having been taken away from
you for a short time in presence”,
“having been
taken away”, it means that the
children become orphaned or the parents lose their children. Paul mentions that
he treats the Thessalonians as a mother who feeds and cherishes his children
(v.7) and also as a father (v.11). Therefore, he uses this word to express that
he is forced to leave Thessalonica. The pain of forcible separation is just
like the parents have lost their children.
“Endeavored
more eagerly”, “more eagerly”, it combines the meaning of both diligence
and swiftness, which shows that “he expected extremely to put into practice
immediately” without any patience of delaying one more quarter.
“To
see your face with great desire”, “great desire”: a
kind of strong emotion and interest.
1Thess. 2:18 “Therefore we wanted to
come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us.”
YLT: “wherefore we wished
to come unto you, (I indeed Paul,) both once and again, and the Adversary did
hinder us;”
Literal Meaning: “even I, Paul, time and
again—”, “I Paul”, it
emphasizes his strong desire of returning to Thessalonica again.
“But
Satan hindered us”, Satan stirred up
the elements in the environment behind so that Paul was unable to go back to
visit the Thessalonians.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The works of Satan are hidden behind all the
elements of the hindrance against the Lord’s works as well as the persecutions
against believers. It is the evil power of hindering the gospel and enticing
believers to give up faith and fall into sins (see 3:5; 1Cor. 7:5; 2Cor. 12:7).
2) Our struggle is not against blood and flesh,
but against the devil that hides behind men to make waves (Eph. 6:12). Therefore,
Christians should not regard men as true enemies, especially the Christians who
do not agree with us (see 2Thess. 3:15).
1Thess. 2:19 “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?”
YLT: “for what [is] our
hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye before our Lord Jesus
Christ in his presence?”
Meaning of Words: “coming”: parousia;
Literal Meaning: “for what is our … crown of rejoicing”?
“Crown”, it refers to the laurel worn by the
winners in the sports held by the Greek;
“Our
Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”
“Coming”, it relates to the coming and presence of a giant man, e.g. the
visitation of the royal members;
“Is
it not even you in the presence of…”,
it means that you have to have part in receiving and welcoming and embracing
the Lord Jesus in His second coming.
The whole verse indicates that Paul will be
rewarded by the Lord according to the fruit of his works, namely, the
persistence and faithfulness of believers in Thessalonica.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The joy and hope of preachers have nothing
to do with profit or harvest concerning this world, nor with their personal
achievements, but are totally connected with the increase of the flock and the
building of the church.
2) Christians shall have the foresight to do
everything. The view of how we give our account to God shall be involved in
every activity of us today, which will render us total different performance.
3) When the Lord comes again, whether the
preachers are praised or rewarded by the Lord is decided by the conditions of
the believers they serve.
1Thess. 2:20 “For you are our glory and
joy.”
YLT: “for ye are our
glory and joy.”
Literal Meaning: the sound spiritual
condition of believers is the glory and joy of preachers (see Phil. 4:1). It is
so now, and still so when the Lord comes again (v.19).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) A normal preacher is glorified by the glory
of the Lord, and rejoices by the joy of God.
2) It is the glory and joy of the preachers
that the church increases and is built normally. They need not to wait until
the future, for they are able to enjoy such glory and joy at present.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
A Model Preacher
A. The background (v.1
1. He is maligned and libeled by the opponents;
2. But he is not a loser;
B. His boldness ---- bold in God (v.2b);
C. His messages ---- the gospel of God (v
D. His motivations (v.4-6):
1. Not please men, but please God;
2. Not use flattering words;
3. Have no cloak for covetousness;
4. Even give up lawful rights;
5. Not seek men’s glory;
E. His testimony ---- (v.7-11);
1. A man as meek as a gentle mother;
2. A diligent worker who labors and toils on
night and day;
3. A devout man without blemish;
4. A man who exhorts and comforts and charges
in the bowel of a father;
F. His goal ---- (v.12, 19-20);
1. Edify believers so that they will walk
worthy of God;
2. Establish believers so that they shall stand
in the presence of the Lord;
The Guidelines for Preacher or the Ministry
Manual
A. Do the works with good effect wherever he
goes ---- not in vain (v.1);
B. Though he is spitefully treated, he is still
bold in God (v
C. Preach “the gospel of God” (v.2b);
D. Right motivation and innocent conversation
(v.3);
E. Not please men, but please God (v.4);
F. Neither use flattering words, nor under a cloak for covetousness (v.5);
G. Not seek glory from men (v.6);
H. Be as gentle as a nursing mother who
cherishes her own children (v.7);
I. Affectionately long for believers and be
even pleased to impart to believers their own lives (v.8);
J. Labor and toil, for laboring night and day,
and be indisposed to be a burden to any believer (v.9);
K. Set himself as an example, and behave devoutly and justly and
blamelessly (v.10)
L. Advice again and again as a father treats
his children (v.11);
M. Edify believers according to the will of God
with a lofty goal (v.12);
N. Be taken away
in presence,
not in heart (v.17-18);
O. Set the accomplishments of believers as his
hope, joy, crown and glory (v.19-20);
The Examples and Effect of Labor and Toil
A. The example of labor and toil (v.1-12):
1. A faithful steward (v.1-6):
1) Preach the word with the attitude of
“conflict”;
2) Not “come from error”, but preach according
to what “is entrusted” by God;
3) Not “come from uncleanness”,
“nor be in deceit” (“deceit” means “put the bait near the
fishhook” in the original), “nor be under a cloak for covetousness”;
4) “Not please men”, “nor use flattering words”, “nor seek men’s glory”;
5) Please God who tests our hearts
2. As a gentle mother (v.7-8):
1) “Be gentle”;
2) “Cherish” ---- give life;
3) “Affectionately long”, “dear”, be well
pleased to give her life;
3. As a laborious father (v.9-12):
1) “labor and toil”, “laboring
night and day”, not be a burden to any of
you;
2) Set oneself as an example ---- “devoutly and justly and
blamelessly”;
3) Word ---- “exhort”, “comfort”, “charge”;
4) Lead his children to establish the
relationship with God ---- “worthy of God”;
B. The effect of labor and toil (v.13-20):
1. Suffer the persecution of men for the sake
of God’s word (v.13-16) ---- “persecuted”, “be contrary to”;
1) For the word of God works in believers;
2) For the imitation of the churches of God;
2. Take believers as glory and joy (v.17-20):
1) “Be taken away
in presence,
not in heart”;
2) As long as believers are able to stand,
there will be glory and joy;
Five “Not”s and Three “No”s
A. Five “not”s:
1. Not in vain (v.2);
2. Not come from error (v
3. Not come from
uncleanness, (v.3b);
4. Not be in deceit (v
5. Not please men (v.4);
B. Three “”s:
1. Use “no” flattering words (v
2. “No” cloak for covetousness (v.5b);
3. Have “no” pursuit of glory from men (v.6);
Virtues the Preachers Are Supposed to Have
A. Boldness (v.2);
B. Cleanness (v.3);
C. Selfishness (v.4-6);
D. Love (v.7-8);
E. Diligence (v.9);
F. Devoutness (v.10);
G. Righteousness (v.10);
A Strong Church That Stand Firm
A. The element of steadfastness:
1. The example of the strong preacher who
stands firm (v.2);
2. The normal nourishment that makes believers
grow well (v.7);
3. The right teaching that leads believers to
know the will of God (v.11-12);
4. The working of God’s word that renders
believers strong and stand firm (v.13);
B. The conditions of steadfastness:
1. Receive the word of God not as the word of
men, believing firmly as the word of God (v.13);
2. Fear not the persecution and tribulations,
and imitate the churches of God (v.14);
3. Be saved from the sins of the Jews
(v.15-16);
4. Strong fellowship with God in spirit
(v.17-18);
5. Will bring glory and joy (v.19-20);
God’s …
A. God’s gospel (v.2, 8, 9);
B. God’s pleasure (v.4, 15);
C. God’s testimony (v.5, 10);
D. God’s kingdom (v.12);
E. God’s word (v.13);
F. God’s church (v.14);
G. God’s wrath (v.16);
Four Pairs of Opposite Things
A. Men’s pleasure opposes against God’s
pleasure (v.4);
B. Men’s glory opposes against God’s glory
(v.6, 12);
C. Men’s word is different from God’s word
(v.13);
D. Being taken away in presence is different
from that in heart (v.17);
Seven Wicked Deeds of the Jews Who
Persecuted the Church
A. Who killed both the Lord Jesus and their
own prophets (v
B. Who have persecuted Paul and his fellow workers (v.15b);
C. Who do not please God (v.15b);
D. Who are contrary to all men (v
E. Who forbid Paul to speak to the Gentiles (v
F. Who always fill up the measure of
their sins (v.16b);
G. God’s wrath has come upon them to the
uttermost (v
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou