There is a valid debate as to if 1 Thessalonians 2:7 should read gentle or babes. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS (UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE COMMENTARY By David J. Williams at the best online prices at eBay! ii. There is a valid debate as to if 1 Thessalonians 2:7 should read gentle or babes. i. The plural sins points to the aggregate of their separate evil acts, and not to the general abstract concept of sin. (Morris). b. Paul had the discernment to know. d. Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins: Here Paul revealed what offended the religious persecutors of the Thessalonians so much. i. Paul tried to make the Gospel as attractive as possible, but he never changed its central character or focus. When we appeal to the Bible, they like to reply, Thats just your interpretation. There are certainly some places where the word of God is hard to precisely interpret, but there are not many such places. Paul never compromised issues like mans need, Gods Savior, the cross, the resurrection, and the new life. They must not dare to corrupt the word of God: they must diligently make use of what is entrusted with them, so as God hath allowed and commanded, knowing they shall be called to an account, when they must be no longer stewards. he knows not Christ; and how can he preach him? (Clarke). You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. Their fierce opposition was due to the fact that Christian missionaries offered salvation to Gentiles without demanding that they first become Jews. (Hiebert), ii. 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. 2. The dead in Christ shall rise first, while those still living will follow close behind. 1 Thessalonians 2:10. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. 1. Paul denied his rights and took a higher standard upon himself. They naturally thought that this would be much better. We should not only be faithful to our calling as Christians, but in our particular callings and relations. In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Holly Hearon. (1 Thessalonians 2:8-9) Pauls self-support and hard work among the Thessalonians demonstrated that his motives were pure. It is always concealed by a noble sounding goal. The Jews opposition to the work of the missionaries among the Gentiles was not due to the fact that they were seeking to win Gentiles. He could say to these Thessalonians what he told the Corinthians (2 Cor 4 2): We have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully. Many scholars believe that 1 Thessalonians was Pauls earliest letter written as an apostle to a church. The whole case is like that of the Irishman who tried to upset evidence by non-evidence. And. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. a. b. How we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you that you would walk worthy of God: Paul himself lived justly and blamelessly, but he also told the Thessalonians they should live the same way. It means the place of contest, and then the contest itself a race, a struggle, a battle. In these words the apostle apologizes for his absence. 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. This is a worthy goal for any Christian today; to live a life that declares how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among others. (6.) ii. Those whom we bring to Jesus and disciple are a crown of victory for us. ii. ii. i. You can also change some of your preferences. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point He knew what it was like to speak boldly for the Lord even in much conflict. We were bold in our God to speak: It comes from two words meaning literally all speech. It denotes the state of mind when the words flow freely, the attitude of feeling quite at home with no sense of stress or strain. This meant that he didnt spend his life trying to seek and earn the acceptance of man. i. If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ, Gal 1 10. b. b. Letters of Paul to the Thessalonians, also called Epistles of St. Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians, abbreviation Thessalonians, two New Testament letters written by St. Paul the Apostle from Corinth, Achaea (now in . He had no fear they would succumb to the propaganda being put before them. For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. Purpose of Writing: In the church of Thessalonica there were some misunderstandings about the return of Christ. a. For you also suffered the same things: When the Thessalonians responded to the Gospel, they became the targets of persecution. Much less was the apostle's preaching vain or deceitful. 2. It was, therefore, a work of God that, although Paul had suffered various misfortunes and indignity, he appeared unaffected, and did not hesitate to launch an assault on a large and wealthy city for the purpose of leading its people captive to Christ. (Calvin). The word rendered conflict (agon) contains a metaphor drawn from the athletic games or the arena. They killed the Lord Jesus, and impudently and presumptuously wished that his blood might be on them and their children. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-5) The integrity of Pauls message in Thessalonica. Some people like to say that there is a word of God, but that we cant be sure of what He says. Do We See Any Gospel Connections in the Book of Numbers? Paul was very careful about his own life. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 The whole case is like that of the Irishman who tried to upset evidence by non-evidence. Here we have an account of Paul's manner of preaching, and his comfortable reflection upon his entrance in among the Thessalonians. Building on the theme of God's word, I will explore the phrase "being bearers of God's word.". Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. For you yourselves know: This begins a section where Paul defended his own character and ministry before the Thessalonians. iii. He showed the kindness and care of a nurse that cherishes her children. As seen in 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Paul was comfortable in the idea of other Christians following his example. There were also the Jewish people and the God-fearing Gentiles. He had no sinister or worldly design in his preaching, which he puts them in mind to have been. Yet when they do not receive it, it reflects upon them, not upon the message. See More Details about "Understanding the Bible Commentary Ser. Their design was to please God and not men. The Bibles Tab is found in the Tools feature on Bible pages: Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. i. Hear this, ye that preach the Gospel! Paul longs to comfort . ( 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2) Paul's comfort to the troubled Thessalonians and their question. Most of these missionaries were opportunists, who took everything they could from their listeners, and then moved on to find someone else to support them. At the rapture, Christ will return for His people. The plural sins points to the aggregate of their separate evil acts, and not to the general abstract concept of sin. (Morris). Acts 16:23-24 records that the suffering included a public flogging and having their feet in stocks while confined in the citys inner prison. Through this, he made the point that he would not carry on in the face of beatings and conflict if he were in it only for himself. This is the kind of life that draws others to follow Jesus for themselves. i. It was a most fatal mistake to think that they did God service by killing God's servants. It was a constant cause of thankfulness: For this cause thank we God without ceasing, v. 13. This, no doubt, was matter of the greatest comfort to the apostlethe consciousness of his own sincerity; and was one reason of his success. Men possessed with the devil are called energumeni. Barclay saw the following false charges against Paul, evident from the way Paul explained himself in this chapter: b. III. 4. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. They naturally thought that this would be much better. i. The Gospels To the labour of the ministry he added that of his calling, as a tent-maker, that he might get his own bread. We did not seek mens honour, high esteem, or applause; we sought them not in the inward bent of our thoughts, or the studies of our mind, not in outward course of our ministry and conversation, to form them so as to gain glory from men. The Gospels The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. 1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. He did not come making demands as an apostle. It grows out of complete disinterest in the rights of others an attitude foreign to Paul and his helpers., iii. The Thessalonians were familiar with the pretensions, deceit and gross immorality which marked the pagan worship throughout the world of those days, especially among the Gentiles; and it is the contrast with paganism, not Paul's defense of himself from slander, which shines in a passage like this. 1 Thessalonians 2 - Marks of Paul's Ministry A. Paul proves he was sincere and not a charlatan. Upon this occasion, the apostle gives a character of the unbelieving Jews (v. 15), enough to justify their final rejection and the ruin of their place, and church, and nation, which was now approaching. Also present were the Roman State cults that deified the political heroes of Rome. Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Paul believed in a voice that speaks to mankind with the authority of eternity, and speaks above mere human opinion. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, 3. 4. Here observe, I. i. They were outraged that Gentiles could be saved without first becoming Jews. Third, Paul was committed to fight against the roadblock any way he could. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. He knew this was not a random circumstance, but a direct attack from Satan. i. Paul didnt seek glory from men because his needs for security and acceptance were met primarily in Jesus. The Thessalonians willingly suffered the same things because they were convinced that Paul brought them not the word of man, but the Word of God. He denied himself the liberty he had of taking wages from the churches. (2.) Most of these missionaries were opportunists, who took everything they could from their listeners, and then moved on to find someone else to support them. It has been said that people dont care how much you know until they know how much you care. He is very much part of them, and he sorrows for their fate. (Morris). Pauline Epistles Acts 20:1-5 describes Pauls eventual return to Thessalonica and to other churches in the area. That their faith grew exceedingly, v. 3. d. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness: Paul understood that covetousness always has a cloak. "The Thessalonian letters present the first literary evidence for . notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:3, and ch. The force of this is that Christianity is not just another religion. I think it is helpful to press the point that Paul is not working alone here; he has co-workers. A good example this is, to be imitated by all the ministers of the gospel. - That; to the end that, the purpose for which the apostle besought the Thessalonians. He had met with ill usage at Philippi, as these Thessalonians well knew. Paul did his endeavour, and he could do no more, v. 18. The gospel he preached was without deceit, it was true and faithful; it was not fallacious, nor a cunningly-devised fable. The gospel of Christ is not accommodated to the fain fancies and lusts of men, to gratify their appetites and passions; but, on the contrary, it was designed for the mortifying of their corrupt affections, and delivering them from the power of fancy, that they might be brought under the power of faith. This was necessary assurance because they were persecuted by religious people and might wonder if these other religious people were in fact right before God in their persecuting. c. Satan hindered us: Paul, in all his apostolic ministry and authority, could still be blocked by Satan. This expression also denotes the affectionate and compassionate counsels and consolations which this apostle used. He did something about the hindrance. i. True grace is of a most masculine, disengaged, noble nature, and remits nothing of its diligence either for fear of a frown or hope of a reward. (Trapp). . For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousnessGod is witness. We may request cookies to be set on your device. He didnt need fancy introductions or lavish praise. Date of Writing: The Book of 1 Thessalonians was written in approximately A.D. 50. He could see that it effectively works in those who believe. Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. As he had the testimony of his own conscience witnessing to his integrity, so he could appeal to the Thessalonians how faithful he, and Silas, and Timotheus, his helpers in the work of the Lord, had discharged their office: You yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you. There is no general rule to be drawn from this instance, either that ministers may at no time work with their hands, for the supply of their outward necessities, or that they ought always to do so. Colossians Col Book List 2 Thessalonians 2Th. The Salutation ( 1 Thess. 1. They hated the apostles, and did them all the mischief they could. Of what use would that have been? Our coming to you was not in vain: The word vain here can refer either to the result of the ministry, or the character of the ministry. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. e. But wrath has come upon them to the uttermost: Paul comforted the Thessalonians by assuring them that God would indeed take care of their persecutors. Wisdom Literature Pentateuch And further, when he shall come, all must appear in his presence, or before him. If we can not know what God has spoken, then He may as well not have spoken at all. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point For a short time means that Paul knew it would only be a short time until the roadblock was overcome. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. General Epistles There is power in the word of God to change lives. Here observe, 1. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. Paul wrote here in a personal manner, but this really wasnt a personal issue for Paul. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. As they did, they were not alone, because those among the churches of God have often suffered persecution. Pentateuch He was unwillingly sent away by night to Berea, Acts 17 10. i. Their design was to please God and not men. 2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. - But even after we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated. It is always concealed by a noble sounding goal. Proud member Paul believed in a voice that speaks to mankind with the authority of eternity, and speaks above mere human opinion. We were bold in our God to speak: It comes from two words meaning literally all speech. It denotes the state of mind when the words flow freely, the attitude of feeling quite at home with no sense of stress or strain. Note, Suffering in a good cause should rather sharpen than blunt the edge of holy resolution.
Lifetime Fitness General Manager Jobs, Articles OTHER