Thessalonians 1-2: Verse by Verse With Bible Study FellowshipMuestra

Paul’s Relationship with the Thessalonians – Chapters 2 and 3

Paul’s love for believers and the church body is at the heart of these chapters. Servant leaders aim for others to experience life’s greatest purpose: to glorify God and to enjoy His presence forever.

Response to Accusations – Chapter 2

Paul addresses false charges from enemies of the gospel.1 It was he, not they, who consistently trusted God. True faith actively obeys God’s Word and trusts His sovereignly determined results. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of their personal experiences when Paul and his co-workers had demonstrated love, sincerity, integrity and spiritual power. 

Then, Paul calls two key witnesses to testify: God and the church. He presents seven ways their mission work built up the Thessalonian believers into a church body.

Paul: 

• proclaimed the gospel boldly despite previous persecution or current contention. 
• supported himself financially with work and ministered when not working. 
• behaved blamelessly before them. 
• disciplined them in truth and love to pursue lives worthy of God. 
• expected God’s Spirit to work powerfully through God’s Word. 
• helped them cling to God’s Word to endure persecution. 
• served them with anticipation of Christ’s return.

Paul consistently exhibited God-given power to love others more than self. Paul confronted Satan’s opposition to such noble and loving relationships (2:17-20). Satanic opposition to the gospel had cut short his  joyful time among brothers and sisters. Now “orphaned,” Paul prays God would allow him to return to them.

Satan’s schemes could not hinder Paul’s greater joy. Paul claimed his joy and reward flowed from God’s love for the Thessalonians. Satan can never tarnish or destroy God’s works of present faith. He cannot obstruct God’s eternal destiny at work among His children.

Rejoicing Over Timothy’s Report – Chapter 3

Persecution forced Paul’s departure. He agonized over the Thessalonians he left behind. Paul sent Timothy back to help these converts. Paul sought assurance that true faith among them stood the test. Timothy’s return to Paul with good news filled Paul’s heart with joy. By God’s grace, these new believers held fast to the gospel.

Paul wrote of his joy in their unshaken faith. He cherished their continued love and loyalty to him. Paul wrote, “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord” (verse 8). These words tell us Paul invested his life in others gaining faith in Jesus Christ. 

Paul’s joy overflows into prayer. In verses 11-13 he pours out his desire to God for their good. Will you pray for this same desire for others’ good?

Paul longed for God to: 

• enable Paul and his partners to return to them to further build up their faith. 
• increase their love for one another and all people, even their enemies. 
• strengthen them for blameless and holy living that Christ will reward at His return.

Questions 

Q1. What truths about following Jesus do you learn from Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica?

INSIGHTS: Paul was bold in spite of opposition (2:2; 3:4-5); there was no deceit (2:3); he sought to please God, not men (2:4); he gave himself to his flock (2:6-9); he was gentle with them, as a mother with her children (2:7); he refused to burden them even at cost to himself (2:9); he lived blamelessly before them (2:10); he exhorted and comforted every individual (2:11-12); he expected God’s Word to work powerfully (2:13); he conditioned them for persecution and suffering (2:14-16); he nurtured them in the light of Christ’s return (2:19-20).

Q2. How do these chapters describe the difficulties related to following Jesus? Which of these do you most relate to in your life?

INSIGHTS: Answers include: affliction that is met with courage to persevere (2:2; 3:3-4), through perseverance others see our sincerity and concern for their good (2:3; 3:5); working to please God, not people (2:4-6); appealing to others with the gospel instead of more spectacular appeals to emotion (2:7; 3:11). Personal applications will vary.

Q3. What expressions of Paul’s love and concern for struggling believers motivate you to similarly reach out to others?

INSIGHTS: Some examples include: Paul sent Timothy to them. We too can support mission work and other believers at a distance, or send loved ones to directly minister to them (3:2). Paul cherished their life in faith as if it were his own (3:8); he prayed for them night and day (3:10). We may develop similar relationships.

Related Verses 

  1 Paul’s enemies: Acts 16:16-24; 17:5-6, 13