The Teaching of 1 Thessalonians

By J. C. Gibson (Scotland)

Paper 4: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2

This chapter is taking a backward look at the service which Paul, Timothy and Silas carried out for the Lord, and for the believers at Thessalonica. It falls neatly into three main sections:

1. THE REVIEW OF THE MINISTRY, v1-12
2. THE RESPONSE TO THE MINISTRY, v13-16
3. THE REWARD FOR THE MINISTRY, v17-20

The review of the ministry, v1-12

This paragraph concerns the character and conduct of these three servants while at Thessalonica, and is really an expansion of 1.5. They were the subjects of dishonest criticism. It becomes very obvious that the chapter was written as a defence against allegations levelled at Paul and his two companions. Enemies were slandering their reputation, seeking to cast doubt on their motivation and sincerity, and generally trying to drag their names through the gutter. They accused them of deception, ‘deceit,’ v3 and immorality, ‘uncleanness,’ v3. Because the charge of immorality is a common slander on the Lord’s servants they must keep completely free from any situation that might even hint at it. Numerous servants of the Lord have suffered such accusations, not least John Bunyan who refers to this in his testimony ‘Grace Abounding.’ Satan will do, or say anything to mar the testimony of believers. They had also been accused of preaching for financial gain, ‘a cloak of covetousness,’ v5. Paul is systematically going about to demolish such wicked accusations. If we want to serve the Lord we will be criticised, and untruths will be circulated as facts. The Saviour experienced it, and warned us to be wary when everyone praises us: ‘Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you,’ Lk.6.26. Indeed, if we are experiencing hurtful criticism it may provide encouragement that we are making steady progress in our Christian lives. One more thing: it is only because of these lies that we are given such a wonderful insight into the inner life of the great apostle. The insinuations levelled against Paul have simply served to show us his true character in a better light.

They were conscious of the careful observations of others. Time and again the missionaries appeal to the personal knowledge of the Thessalonians. ‘For yourselves, brethren, know,’ v1, ‘as ye know,’ v5, ‘for ye remember,’ v9, ‘ye are witnesses,’ v10, ‘as ye know,’ v11 all show this clearly. As the missionaries served they were aware that all eyes were upon them. Since they were bringing a new message, people were bound to notice how the bearers conducted themselves. Likewise today, let us ever be aware that the eyes of the world are upon us and that they will pick up on every slip that we make. Christian servants must live upright lives free from sexual impurity. The word ‘uncleanness in v3 is akatharsia which often appears directly with porneia, fornication. While the letter was written from Corinth, a city notorious for sexual degeneracy, Thessalonica had its share of immorality associated with the worship of the Dionysiacs and the Cabiri, whose character was indicated by their phallic symbols. No wonder Paul wrote ‘this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication,’ 4.3. More importantly, God saw their hearts, for they acknowledged His omniscience, ‘God is witness,’ v5. In this verse, when it comes to the charge of flattery Paul calls upon their witness in his defence, but in relation to covetousness, a condition of heart, he calls upon God as witness. How godly we would be in our service if we ever remembered that the Lord is cognisant of our motives. Their conduct was also irreproachable, or ‘unblameable,’ v10. Though some may have falsely charged them, there was not even a slither of truth in what they said. Elders in a local assembly are to be ‘blameless,’ 1Tim.3.2. In other words they are to live lives consistent with the gospel. The gospel preacher should be able not only to see people saved but also say to them, ‘Look on me, and do thou likewise,’ Jud.7.17. They are to be a living example to their converts. ‘And ye became followers of us,’ 1.6.

They were united in the service of the Lord. Notice how many times in the passage we read the words ‘we’ and ‘our’. This letter was from all three of them and in this chapter apart from v18 the plural is almost used entirely. Unity amongst believers is essential if we are going to be effectual for the Lord, for where there is unity, there the Lord commands blessing, Ps.133. Paul does not put himself forward as the chief but is keen to involve the others. One great barrier to unity is pride, Pr.28.25, and Paul acts with true humility here. Writing to Philippi Paul exhorts, ‘that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,’ Phil.1.27.

They were the victims of intense persecution. ‘We had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi,’ v2. Their beating with rods, Acts 16.22-24, was not something they could quickly forget, and when they arrived at Thessalonica their wounds would still not have fully healed. We today are relatively sheltered from such violent opposition to gospel preaching in this country, but the Lord’s servant must never be taken by surprise when hostility arises. Paul knew what he was talking about when he said ‘that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God,’ Acts 14.22. The missionaries’ bodies were a living testimony to the fact that suffering is the common lot for Christians, 3.3, and were answer enough to all the false accusations laid against them.

Their priority was gospel preaching, v2, 4, 9, and no matter where a missionary is serving or how difficult the circumstances this must be his foremost priority. It is sad when one hears missionary reports where this priority appears to be missing. So often the physical well being or social ills of the people comes before their desperate need of salvation. They were ‘bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention,’ v2, despite persecution and threatening. Their preaching was weighty or full of authority, and as such was a divine gift, for ‘as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak,’ v4. They were well aware as they preached that God had entrusted them and so they would undoubtedly have preached with authority. Their preaching was also free, ‘for ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail … because we would not be chargeable unto any of you,’ v9. The missionaries had no interest whatsoever in getting rich or ‘a cloak of covetousness,’ v5; money was the last thing on their minds. We must be wary of any Christian servant or organisation that makes appeals for financial assistance and support. The missionaries came to Thessalonica not to receive but to give, v8, they came to give them the gospel and ended up giving themselves. We are living in a world that is never satisfied with what it has. Remember the exhortation of John the Baptist, ‘Be content with your wages,’ Lk.3.14, however, it seems, sadly, that many so-called gospel preachers are interested in doing well for themselves financially. The missionaries proved their point very effectively by working to support themselves so that they would not be a burden on others.

They were wholly absorbed in their work. We can see this in the use of their energies in v2, ‘with much contention,’ agoni, from which we get agonise. Darby translates it ‘with much earnest striving’. It paints for us the picture of intense effort with every ounce of energy being used to serve the Lord. The preaching was not half-hearted but wholly consumed them. If only we too were more energetic in our service. We can also see their dedicated use of time, ‘labouring night and day,’ v9. They were effective time managers. Parkinson’s Law states that ‘work expands to fill the time available for its completion’, which is why often the busiest people seem to be those who manage to do the most. Paul and his companions had no leisure time, Mk.6.31, and we should ask ourselves how much time we devote to leisure. Further, they worked to support themselves. They were not ‘full time workers’ as we know them, so busy serving the Lord that they have no time to help support themselves.

They benefited in at least five different ways from working to support themselves. Firstly, they maintained a healthy state of independence, so they could teach what they felt compelled to teach without fear of funding being removed because of offending or correcting someone. Secondly, they showed the Thessalonians that the normal pattern is for believers to work to support themselves, 2Thess.3.11,12. Thirdly, it provided ample evidence that they were not in it for the money. Fourthly, it acted as a practical demonstration of their love in that they did not wish to be a financial burden on new converts. Fifthly, it also gave them a change from their spiritual activities, so that they would not become stale but remain full of enthusiasm. All of this does not, however, deny support for gospel preachers since it is a Scriptural principle, 1Cor.9.9.

—to be continued (D.V.)