1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (ESV)
Experiencing God, Growth, and Ministry
produces results.
“our coming to you was not in vain” (1 Thess 2:1 (ESV))
KEY POINTS:
- Purposeful Ministry: The importance of Paul asserting that their coming was not in vain. This could lead to a discussion about the purpose and effectiveness of Paul’s ministry, highlighting that it bore fruit and had a positive impact.
- Avoidance of Vanity: The contrast between a purposeful ministry and a vain one. Paul is reassuring the Thessalonians that his visit was not empty or without significance.
- Setting the Tone: This verse sets the tone for Paul’s reflections on his ministry and the genuine nature of his relationship with the Thessalonians, topics that he further explores in the following verses.
requires boldness.
“as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God” (1 Thess 2:2 (ESV))
KEY POINTS:
- Suffering in Philippi: The reference to the suffering and mistreatment that Paul and Silas experienced in Philippi before coming to Thessalonica. He may highlight the challenges and opposition faced by the apostles in the early spread of Christianity.
- Boldness in God: The phrase “but with the help of our God, we dared to tell you his gospel.” This reflects Paul’s dependence on God’s assistance and the boldness that comes from trusting in divine support.
- Open Declaration of the Gospel: The openness and fearlessness with which Paul and his companions proclaimed the gospel. This could be seen as a testament to their commitment to the truth and their reliance on God’s guidance.
- Pure Motives: Paul’s purity of motives in preaching. The idea that they spoke “in the face of strong opposition” but with divine assistance suggests a sincerity in their mission, focusing on pleasing God rather than seeking approval from men.
- Approval from God: The idea that the proclamation of the gospel was not in vain, as it was approved by God. This divine approval would be a crucial element in Henry’s commentary, affirming the legitimacy and success of Paul’s ministry.
is an entrustment.
“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thess 2:4a (ESV))
KEY POINTS:
- Divine Approval: The idea that Paul and his companions have been approved by God. Their authority and commission to proclaim the gospel come from God, signifying the divine endorsement of their ministry.
- Entrusted with the Gospel: The notion of being entrusted with the gospel underscores the responsibility and stewardship that Paul and his fellow workers feel toward the message of salvation. This trust implies a divine commission to share the good news with others.
- Motivation to Please God: Henry would likely comment on Paul’s motivation for preaching. The apostle makes it clear that their goal is not to please people but to please God. This highlights the sincerity and purity of their motives in proclaiming the gospel.
- God as the Heart Tester: The reference to God as the one who tests hearts underscores the accountability and sincerity with which Paul approaches his ministry. This acknowledgment reflects an awareness that God examines the inner motivations and intentions behind their actions.
is built on pure motives.
“so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thess 2:4b (ESV))
KEY POINTS:
- Consistency in Motivation: Stress the consistency in the apostles’ motivation. They speak not to please man but to please God, maintaining a steadfast commitment to the divine purpose rather than being swayed by human expectations or approval.
- Divine Audience: The idea that the apostles considered God as their primary audience. This would involve discussing the implications of speaking with the awareness that God is the ultimate judge of their words and actions.
- God as the Heart Tester: Reiterating the mention of God testing their hearts, Henry may delve deeper into the concept of divine scrutiny. This testing of hearts would involve a thorough examination of their intentions, sincerity, and loyalty to God’s message.
- Prioritizing God’s Pleasure: The apostles’ intentional decision to prioritize pleasing God over pleasing people. This choice reflects a commitment to spiritual principles and a willingness to endure difficulties for the sake of maintaining fidelity to God’s will.
- Authenticity in Ministry: We might use this verse to underscore the authenticity and integrity of the apostles’ ministry. By prioritizing God’s pleasure, they exemplify a genuine commitment to their calling and a desire for spiritual authenticity.
produces love for others.
“so being affectionately desirous of you” (1 Thess 2:7 (ESV))
KEY POINTS:
- Gentleness and Care: Paul’s metaphor of a nursing mother to describe the gentleness and care with which he and his companions conducted their ministry. This imagery reflects a nurturing and protective attitude toward the Thessalonian believers.
- Maternal Love: The comparison to a nursing mother emphasizes not only gentleness but also a deep, maternal love. Henry might discuss the sacrificial and nurturing aspects of a mother’s care, drawing parallels to the apostles’ love for the Thessalonians.
- Personal Connection: The personal and intimate connection implied by the metaphor. Like a mother intimately cares for her own children, the apostles had a close and affectionate relationship with the Thessalonians, fostering a sense of familial bond within the Christian community.
- Selfless Service: The nurturing image of a mother implies selfless service. How the apostles, in their gentleness, were not seeking personal gain or recognition but were motivated by a genuine desire to support and nourish the spiritual growth of the Thessalonian believers.
- Model for Ministry: This verse might serve as a model for Christian ministry in. The gentleness and care exemplified by a nursing mother could be seen as an ideal to emulate in pastoral and shepherding roles within the church.
share life together.
“to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thess 2:8 (ESV))
KEY POINTS:
- Gentleness and Care: The metaphor of a nursing mother emphasizes the gentleness and care with which Paul and his companions approached the Thessalonian believers. This imagery conveys a sense of tenderness, nurturing, and a deep concern for the well-being of the community.
- Maternal Love: The comparison to a nursing mother goes beyond mere caregiving; it suggests a profound, self-sacrificial love. Paul’s ministry is characterized by a mother’s love for her children, demonstrating a genuine and affectionate relationship with the Thessalonians.
- Personal Connection: The reference to “taking care of her own children” underscores the personal and familial nature of the relationship. Paul didn’t see himself as an outsider or a distant authority figure but as intimately connected to the Thessalonians, akin to a family member.
- Spiritual Nourishment: While the metaphor emphasizes gentleness, it also alludes to the provision of spiritual nourishment. Like a mother providing sustenance to her child, Paul and his companions shared the gospel of God with the Thessalonians, offering them the spiritual sustenance necessary for their growth.
- Emotional Bond: The phrase “because you had become very dear to us” reveals the depth of Paul’s emotional bond with the Thessalonian believers. It goes beyond duty; there is a genuine affection and attachment, reinforcing the idea that the ministry is driven by love.
NOTE: Some comments come from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume Bible Commentary Resource • 1994 • by Matthew Henry
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