I Thessalonians Chapter 2

Not one word of condemnation or reproof is found in I Thessalonians. In fact, Paul commends them for their faith and love and hope, and rejoices that they "turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven.” Chapter 1 tells us about this model assembly; now chapter 2 tells of a model man of God. It is God telling us what kind of person Paul was.

Vs. 2…At Philippi Paul and Silas, had been dragged before the magistrates. Why? Because in the name of Jesus he had restored a poor demon-possessed girl to sanity and the men who were using her had "the hope of their gains was gone” (Acts 16:19). The magistrates tore off the apostles' clothes and commanded the guards to beat them (vs. 22) To all of us who have suffered so little for Christ, and have sometimes complained so much, the Apostle presents the challenge, “Who is offended, and I burn not?” (II Cor. 11:29).

Vs. 3-4…Note Paul’s loyalty to God and the truth. Gal. 1:10: "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” II Cor. 4:1,2: "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Ward of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.”

Vs. 5-6…Note his sincerity. He did not flatter men to "win votes" or make himself popular with them. Nor was there any facade to cover a covetous spirit. He did not seek glory, though as an apostle of Christ he might have made himself burdensome to them, asserting his authority, demanding this and that and expecting special attention. But "importance" was not one of Paul's traits.

Vs. 7…Note his sympathy. Where the truth of God's Word was concerned he could be bold as a lion; but in his dealings with these new converts he was gentle as a lamb. He was both a father and a mother to them. "We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children”

Vs. 9-12… As a mother will labor and suffer night and day for her children, without expecting anything from them in return, and as she will seek to be a good example to them, so did Paul behave himself among the Thessalonian believers. And not only was he a mother to them; he was a father to them too (vs. 11,12), "exhorting" and "comforting" (or encouraging), and sometimes "charging" them, "as a father doth his children." "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory” (vs. 12).

Vs. 13-16…This is not the only occasion upon which Paul declares that he thanks God "without ceasing" for those who have come to know Christ. The winning of souls to Christ is a rewarding ministry. Our Lord suffered and died to "bring many sons unto glory” (Heb. 2:10) and will one day be able to say with joy: "Behold I, and the children which God hath given Me” (vs. 13). Paul too, in a lesser way, will one day he able to say the same, for soul-winning brings rich rewards, not only in this life, but also in the life to come. Two Old Testament passages, Prov. 11:30 and Dan. 12:3, confirm this principle:

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

Note well, "It is in truth the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe,” says the Apostle Paul. This strikes a big blow to Calvinism which teaches that God arbitrarily injects or imparts faith into the hearts of those He chooses to save. These Thessalonians heard the Word, which Paul preached and, being convicted by it, received it as the Word of God and this brought their salvation.

The man-made doctrine of “Limited Atonement” reduces the preaching of the Gospel to a mere mockery. If the Reformed preacher was really honest about it, he would need to preach his "gospel" along these lines:

"There is a high likelihood that Christ died for you."

"I am absolutely confident that God probably loves you."

"There is a good chance that Christ might have shed His blood for you."

"I would not be surprised in the least if salvation has been provided for you."

"It is very likely that God commended His love toward you."

"Hopefully Jesus is the propitiation for your sins."

"There is a possibility that Christ died as your Substitute."

"I bring you good news, maybe."

“because they received not the love of the truth THAT THEY MIGHT BE SAVED” (II Thes. 2:10).

It was generally the Jewish unbelievers who stirred up the Gentiles against the Gentile believers. At Thessalonica it was the Jews who "set all the city on an uproar" charging the believers with violating Caesar's laws (Acts 17:5-7). Again at Berea it was the Jews from Thessalonica who "came thither also" and stirred up the people against Paul (Acts 17:13).

"[They] both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted US; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men. Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost” (I Thes. 2..15,16).

A decisive moment between Israel and her Messiah was reached at the stoning of Stephen. God raised up another apostle, sending him forth to usher in a new dispensation and to proclaim a new message, not to nations, as such, or to the nation (Israel), but to poor lost sinners everywhere (Rom. 11:32; Eph. 3:1-3; Acts 20:24). The new message is:

“…there is no difference: for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:22,23).

“…there is no difference…. for THE SAME LORD OVER ALL IS RICH UNTO ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM.

"FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED" (Rom. 10:12,13).

"For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, THAT HE MIGHT HAVE MERCY UPON ALL.

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! (Rom. 11:32,33).

We, in America, have suffered no persecution today. We still have a remarkable degree of freedom to preach the gospel. Ah, but what good does this freedom do if indifference closes our hearts and our mouths? Of what value is this freedom if we allow Satan to use affluence, worldly pleasure, business interests, or any selfish thing whatsoever, to keep us from reaching out to others with the only message that can save them from sin and its consequences?

Vs. 17-20… The words "taken from" emphasize the fact that he had not wanted to leave them. The brethren had hastily sent him away (Acts 17:10), realizing that if he were slain the cause of Christ would lose its most important leader. He tried hard to get back to them, but every time he tried Satan hindered him (vs. 18). As he had been "taken away" from them, so he was "hindered" from returning to them by bitter, relentless, Satanic opposition.

Verses 19-20 appears to be the only passage which indicates clearly that at the coming of Christ we believers will rejoice over other believers whom we have led to Christ, or have helped spiritually, even if only in an indirect way. In Phil. 4:1 the Apostle writes of the Philippian saints as "my joy and crown," but here says: "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at His coming?" "For ye are our glory and joy.” This stands to reason, for what faithful believer does not rejoice here and now at even the thought of believers he has led to Christ, or has been able to help spiritually? How much more will this be so "in the presence of Christ, at His coming!"

The Apostle declares that one day our Lord shall "come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe,” and then adds parenthetically, "(because our testimony among you was believed)” (II Thes. 1:10).