Vs. 1-5…Athens was an idol-ridden city, filled with all the superstition and fear of paganism. The true God was not totally crowded out; there was a synagogue there, but Acts 17:16,17 explains that when Paul "saw the city wholly given to idolatry" he "therefore disputed ... in the synagogue with the Jews.” As we know, it was the Apostle's custom to go first to the Jewish synagogue in city after city. The Jews were obviously doing little to bring the heathen about them into the knowledge of the true God. The reverse was true. They were prime examples of the truth of Rom. 2:24: "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you.” But Paul did not merely dispute with the Jews in the synagogue. He went out to do for the unbelieving Gentiles what the Jews refused to do--- preaching Christ to them. The record in Acts 17:16,17 states that he "disputed … with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily,” where the Athenians gathered, not only to buy and sell, but to argue their various philosophies.
It is noteworthy that Athens' "learned" men would not listen to Paul's "words of truth and soberness.” Thus "Paul departed from among them.” The "intellectuals" generally know too much to be interested in that which is most important. But the situation at Thessalonica was different. There were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result they were hated and persecuted, but now Paul had sent Timothy, a well-tested man of God, a "good soldier of Jesus Christ," and one whom they knew, to encourage them. Paul calls him "our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow-laborer in the gospel of Christ,” sent "to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith” (vs. 2). Like a wise and faithful commander of an army Paul had forewarned them that soldiers must be ready to endure affliction (vs. 4), not fighting back with physical weapons, but with "the Sword of the Spirit," the Word of God. The Thessalonian believers were still young in Christ and the Apostle knew that Satan would seek to discourage them. Paul didn't want this "grace movement" to fizzle out because of the fear of persecution. Not everyone will suffer physical persecution, for Satan uses various means to discourage us---an icy stare, a cold shoulder, ridicule, gossip, etc. The point is that "all who will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL suffer persecution," and those who are not "partakers of the afflictions of the gospel" should ask themselves what is wrong, and should seek grace to witness faithfully for Christ without fear (II Tim. 1:7,8). The suffering encountered will be but a small price to pay when compared with that glorious "crown of rejoicing": seeing others come to rejoice in Christ, and finally seeing them there with Christ because we witnessed to them of His saving grace.
Vs. 6-13…Acts 18:1-5 tells how the Apostle made a living at Corinth as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla and spent Sabbath days at the synagogue, proving to the Jews there that Jesus was the Christ. How could they accept the message of grace if they still considered the crucified Jesus an impostor? The Bible states that “they opposed themselves and blasphemed” (Acts 18:6). God began a mighty work among the Gentiles and bitter persecution from the unbelieving Jews sprung up (vs. 12). Looking back, the Apostle later wrote to the Corinthian believers, "I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling” (I Cor. 2:3). So intense was the persecution that the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision to encourage him, saying, "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city” (Acts 18:9, 10).
The Apostle has much to say about standing fast in his epistles, but verse 8 deserves special attention. He had gone through much suffering and anxiety for many months now, but the good news from Thessalonica, where persecution also raged, had given him a new heart and courage. The words "we live" have the sense of the words, "Now this is living!" coming from the lips of one who has suddenly come from difficult times into a better, happier way of life. "Now we live," says the Apostle, "if ye stand fast in the Lord." Their firm stand had been a refreshing relief to him. Note the words, "in the Lord" also. To others he writes, "Stand fast in the faith,” "Stand fast in [your] liberty,” "Stand fast in one spirit,” etc., but here he encourages the Thessalonians to "stand fast in the Lord.” He does not say, "Stand fast for the Lord," but "in the Lord." We must all learn this lesson. By grace we believers have been given a position in Christ: "accepted" in Christ (Eph. 1:6), pronounced "complete" in Christ (Col. 2:10), blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ (Eph. 1:3). All we have, we have in Christ; all we are, we are in Him. Now, says the Apostle by the Spirit, take your stand in Christ. When the world opposes, when the flesh tempts, when Satan oppresses, and doubts arise, remember God sees you "in Christ," His beloved Son, and since He has graciously given you this position, by all means occupy it, enjoy it, by faith. Here is where we must begin the Christian life and continue it until we go to be with Christ, for to the Philippian saints, who had served the Lord for many years, he also writes: “Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Phil. 4:1).
Vs. 9-10… It is as if he said: "Hallelujah! The first step has been taken. They are standing fast in Christ. Now I pray that I may be given the opportunity to teach them those things they still need to learn."
But what, exactly, was lacking in their faith? What partly-known truth was it that the Apostle desired to "perfect" for them? For he appears to have some special subject in mind. I believe that it concerned the pretribulation coming of Christ for His Church. II Thes. 2:1-5 exhorts these Thessalonian believers not to be "shaken" by any rumor that the Day of the Lord (Great Tribulation)was at hand, for this could not be true and then he adds: “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” (vs. 5) They had discussed the coming of the Lord when he was with them, but the Rapture is a complex subject, and they had not yet come to understand all its ramifications. At the time of Paul's writing of I Thessalonians they were evidently confused and concerned about their saved loved ones who had died. Would they miss the joy of the Rapture? This question urgently needed to be answered for them, so Paul does so in 4:13-18 of this letter. But there was so much more and the Apostle earnestly prayed that soon he might see them again to explain all these things and strengthen their faith. “Now God Himself. . . and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you” (vs. 11).
What a godly person Paul was! To the Romans he writes, "I long to see you” (Rom. 1:11), and expresses his "great desire to come unto you” (15:23). To the Galatians: "I desire to be present with you” (Gal. 4:20). To the Philippians: "How greatly I long after you” (Phil. 1:8), calling them "dearly beloved and longed for” (4:1), and to the Thessalonians: "Night and day praying exceeding that we might see your face” (I Thess. 3:10). It is usually just the reverse today. People want to see their favorite “preacher”; does the preacher long to see them?
Finally, he exhorts them as to the love which all believers should feel toward each other "and toward all men” (I Thes. 3:12). The Apostle Paul had much to say about love. Here he expresses his desire that their love toward each other and toward all, may "increase and abound,” as his love toward them had increased with the intensity of their persecutions.
No comments:
Post a Comment