Daily Scripture Reading 1Thessalonians 2:13 - 3:10
What do you think about when you suffer persecution or opposition? Do you feel sorry for yourself? Do you focus on everything you are losing or missing out on? Do you beg God to relieve you of your suffering? In other words, do you focus inward?
Or, do you focus outside yourself? Are you concerned about other people who are affected by your sufferings? Are you willing to undergo even more suffering in order to protect others who may be affected by the opposition you are facing?
In the first chapter of this letter, Paul reminded the Thessalonians of the mistreatment he suffered at Philippi before he arrived in Thessalonica, as well as the labor and hardship he endured in Thessalonica. Paul labored day and night so as not to be a burden to the Thessalonians. Paul did this to encourage the Thessalonians to walk in a manner worthy of God.
1Th. 2:13 ¶ And for this reason we also thank God without ceasing that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.
When Paul taught, he was communicating a message from God, meaning he was speaking the word of God. Paul commended the Thessalonians because they grasped that truth and accepted Paul’s message as a message from God Himself.
Likewise, the Bible is the Word of God. The Bible has human authors, but they wrote under the direction of the Holy Spirit; therefore, the Bible is the Word of God. We Christians must treat the Bible as the Word of God, not the word of men.
1Th. 2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also suffered the same things at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,
Just as the Jews in Judea persecuted the Christians, so too the Christians in Thessalonica suffered abuse at the hands of their fellow Thessalonians. This is recorded in Acts 17.
1Th. 2:15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and do not please God, and are hostile to all men,
1Th. 2:16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
According to Acts 17, Paul preached in Thessalonica, but was driven out of the city by opposition from the Jews, with the result that he was not able to continue preaching to the Gentiles.
Notice, Paul’s concern was not for himself. He was mourning the fact that he was not able to preach the good news to more Gentiles so that they could be saved.
When we face persecution, it is natural to focus inward and feel sorry for ourselves because of the hardship we are enduring. However, loving one another means being concerned about the negative impact that our suffering has on others who are affected by the opposition we face.
1Th. 2:17 ¶ But we, brothers, having been taken away from you for a short while—in face but not in heart—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.
1Th. 2:18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us.
After leaving Thessalonica, Paul went to Berea, but when the Jews of Thessalonica learned Paul was preaching in Berea, they went to Berea and caused unrest, with the result that Paul went to Athens.
Despite having been at risk of personal harm in Thessalonica, Paul desired to go back to Thessalonica so he could see the believers face to face. He was not concerned about his own safety, which would be the default human concern.
1Th. 2:19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, before our Lord Jesus at His coming?
1Th. 2:20 For you are our glory and joy.
1Th. 3:1 ¶ Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we were pleased to be left behind at Athens alone,
We read in Acts 17:14-15 about Paul going to Athens while Silas and Timothy remained in Macedonia, the region in which Thessalonica was located.
Thessalonica is in the northern part of Greece while Athens is in the southern part of Greece.
1Th. 3:2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
Paul had only been in Thessalonica a short time, so he was not able to disciple them to maturity. Since it was not possible for Paul to get back to Thessalonica, he sent Timothy so that Timothy could strengthen them. Again, Paul was focused on the well-being of others, not his own physical safety.
1Th. 3:3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
Look at the phrase “we have been destined for this”. Paul understood he was destined for affliction, so he did not shrink away from it.
1Th. 3:4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction, just as it happened and as you know.
1Th. 3:5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to know about your faith, lest somehow the tempter has tempted you, and our labor be in vain.
Look at the phrase “could endure it no longer”. Despite the danger Paul was in every day, the welfare of the Thessalonians was very important to Paul.
1Th. 3:6 ¶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always remember us kindly, longing to see us just as we also long to see you,
We read in Acts 18:5 that Paul was in Corinth when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia and rejoined Paul. It appears Paul wrote this letter after Timothy rejoined him, meaning this letter was written during Paul’s second missionary journey, not long after he founded the church in Thessalonica.
1Th. 3:7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith;
1Th. 3:8 for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
Paul did not gain comfort during his affliction by being relieved of his affliction. Instead, he was comforted when he learned the Thessalonians were standing firm in the Lord.
Parenting is a lot like this. Parenting is hard. Sometimes it is very discouraging, but all the suffering is worth it if our children stand firm in the Lord.
1Th. 3:9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God because of you,
1Th. 3:10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?
Once again we see that Paul was not focused on himself or the relief of his persecution. Instead, he found joy because the Thessalonians were doing well and growing in Christian maturity.
What are the trials and tribulations you are currently enduring in your life?
What opposition might you face if you stand up for the truth found in the Bible?
How will that opposition affect the people around you?
What are the negative repercussions your family and friends may face if you do the right thing and stand up for truth, regardless of the consequences?
What are some positive things that might happen if you ignore the potential costs of doing the right thing and boldly proclaim the truth as recorded in the Bible?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”