Thessalonians Bible Study

Lesson 3

I Thessalonians 2:1-6

(For other studies in this series, Click here: I Thessalonians Bible Study)

Back in the early 60’s, the US Peace Corps developed an ad campaign to attract new volunteers that was wildly successful for many years. The slogan was “The toughest job you’ll ever love.” These few words masterfully described a position of sacrifice, difficulty, and struggle combined with satisfaction, enjoyment, and reward. As I read verses 1 and 2 of I Thessalonians chapter 2, I wondered what the ad would look like to attract people to the position filled by Paul and his companions….

Not in Vain

Verses 1-2 “For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.”

If you were making an ad video for the job of missionary in the time of Paul, you could have a narrator say something like:

“Would you like a job where God speaks to you in visions?” With a video of the man from Macedonia pleading for someone to come help them.

“Casting out demons?” Showing the girl being freed from her tormentor while her masters fumed and dragged the missionaries off to the magistrates.

“Days of doing nothing but singing praises and praying until the wee hours of the morning?” A picture of Paul and Silas in the inner prison, feet in stocks, praising God at midnight.

“Making converts” The earthquake opening the prison doors and breaking their chains. The terrified jailer.

“Great times of fellowship” The missionaries hanging out at the home of the now-Christian jailer, waiting to be thrown out of town.

I think you get the idea.

All of these things and more, including beatings and oppression Paul experienced in Philippi before coming to Thessalonica. Here, at the beginning of chapter 2, he reminded his beloved church at Thessalonica of the persecution and difficulties that he had experienced. Yet, I don’t get the sense that Paul was complaining. He seems joyful. His job was very tough, yet he loved it!

Why?

Because, as Paul says, none of this was in vain. Despite the persecution and the suffering, there was fruit. People believed and were baptized, and churches were formed at both Phillipi and Thessolonica.

I Did Not

Verses 3 – 6 “For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is witness – nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.”

In verses 3-6, Paul reminds the church of the way that he brought the gospel to them. To do this, he lists a series of ways he didn’t come…

He didn’t preach:

1. Error

2. Impurity

3. Deceitfully

4. Pleasing Men

5. With flattering speech

6. Pretext for greed

7. Seeking glory from men

8. Asserting authority

Of course, the implication is that he did preach the opposite of all those things: Truth, Pure doctrine, Honest motives, Humbly, with no desire to be exalted by men.

Not only does Paul say what he didn’t do, but, on the other hand, in this passage of 6 verses, Paul mentions “God” and “Christ” six times.

He did preach:

1. In boldness from God.

2. The gospel of God.

3. Approved and trusted by God.

4. Examined by God in their hearts

5. Witnessed to by God as to their motives

6. Apostles of Christ

What a statement! Paul was a great missionary teacher, whose over-arching, fervent desire was to please the Lord. Throughout this passage, we see his dependence on God. It was God who gave him the boldness, the words, the approval, the position to spread the gospel. God also gave the results that made his efforts not in vain.

Applications:

1. As I read this passage, Paul’s relationship with the Lord amazed me! He was so fully transformed, that he did anything and suffered anything in order to do God’s will. Whether God’s plan was beatings and imprisonment, or peaceful teaching and fellowship with a new church,Paul praised Him the just the same.

2. I am reminded of the need to pray more fervently for our missionaries. Many missionaries risk their lives even now, enduring beatings, torture and even prison for sharing their faith. Some face disease, poverty, and lack of comforts to live among people in impoverished countries. Their job is tough and often discouraging. As we pray, let’s pray that they not only focus fully on pleasing the Lord, like Paul, but also realize that their work is not in vain.

3. If you are suffering for your faith or ministry, if you have painful physical difficulties, if you are trying to reach loved ones but seeing no fruit, be encouraged by the life of Paul. We serve the same might God that Paul served, and it is He who will turn the hurts and frustrations of this world into good. He will make your labors and sufferings not in vain. Depend on the Lord, Trust Him! Just a Paul lived out for the Thessalonians and us in this passage.

4. For any teacher of the Word of God, the list of “I did not”‘s in this passage provides a good lens to use to examine one’s motives and desires. Are you teaching the pure, honest truth? Are you teaching to please God and not for recognition or popularity with the world? Are your motives free of greed and desire for power?

I must strive to make those statements as true of my ministry as they were for Paul.

With Joy,

Kathleen

I Thessalonians 2:1-6 Bible Study Lesson 3