1st Thessalonians Chapter 2
Originally posted Thursday September 11, 2008
1st Thessalonians Chapter
2:1-16 Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica
Paul
reviews the background of his first visit to Thessalonica. He had
come from Philippi where he had been arrested, put in prison and
"shamefully mistreated" (Acts
16:16-40), but not before establishing a church community which would be a
major supporter of Paul's subsequent missionary work in Macedonia and Achaia.
As always he gives thanks to God for his courage to continue preaching the
Gospel, now among the Thessalonians "in spite of great opposition" (Acts 17:1-9). The
"opposition" had brought a charge
of sedition against Paul and Silas by claiming they were promoting a
king other than Caesar (Jesus as Messiah). Acts portrays the opposition as
coming from the Synagogue, but it is doubtful they would have exposed themselves
to a similar charge since they too were expecting a Messiah who would overthrow
Roman Imperialism. As we will later read, the opposition was from the Thessalonians
"fellow countrymen," the Gentiles.
He
follows with a description of his approach to evangelizing. This may
sound as if he were defending himself against accusations of
using shabby sales techniques, promising an easy religion while seeking to take
advantage of Thessalonian hospitality. He is direct in giving credit to God who
has "approved" Paul and his co-workers (by calling him as an apostle
and evangelists to the Gentiles). Being approved by the God whom Paul
evokes as a witness, he acts in ways which are pleasing to God who
"examines our hearts" from whence truth arises. There was no flattery
or greedy self interest in Paul's motives. If that were the case he would have
used deception and sought human praise. To do so would have grossly cheapened
and weakened the message of the Gospel. Paul did not take the easy way
with the message. As we say, he "told it like it was" without concern
for those who would rather not be challenged by the full meaning of a life
in and of Christ. Paul would consider himself in harmony will Dietrich
Bonheoffer's conviction that there is no such thing as cheap grace (The Cost
of Discipleship,1937).
Paul and
his co-evangelists could have arrived acting like "heavyweights"
making demands for material support as other (unnamed) apostles
of Christ had. Instead they "became infants among you
(meek, unassuming, without pretension) and were as a nurse "tenderly
caring for her own children." As a clear demonstration of
how deeply they cared for the Thessalonians they shared not only the
Gospel message like some visiting peddler of the word passing through, but
shared themselves as well (perhaps another reference to the meaning of
becoming as infants, being humble and on an equal footing with his
listeners).
To
avoid being a financial burden the evangelists "paid their own way,"
working "night and day" at their trade (Paul was a worker in animal
skins). In this way the Gospel could be proclaimed unimpeded by the necessity
of wages. Paul understood his own reward was not in food and lodging. It would
be in the transformation of the lives of these pagans giving up their
idols and sinful ways, living worthily of the God "who
calls [them] into his own kingdom and glory."
Because
the Gospel has come to the Thessalonians without burden to them, its
presentation has taken on the character and power of being from God, not
manufactured for the sake of gain. This was no "canned" speech from a
script offered for applause and congratulations. It was God's word which is
effective only when "at work in...believers." By "at work in
you" Paul has in mind the way in which the Thessalonians suffered from
their own "fellow countrymen." This was much in the same way as the
churches of Judea had suffered at the hands of those "who killed Jesus, the
prophets and had driven [him] out". In Paul's view suffering on behalf of
Christ is always an example of God's word being at work in the
believer. It is unfortunate that Paul's casting blame for Jesus'
death upon certain Jews is often understood as corporate blame on all
Jews rather than a reference to that group of leaders who had collaborated
with Pilate to have Jesus crucified. Paul may believe that for now all
non-believing Jews are lost and cut off from God. Yet a decade or so later, he will
write extensively in Romans 9-11 that
all Jews will ultimately be included in God's kingdom. This is not the
conclusion of religious bigotry but of a deep love for his own people which
runs as deeply as does his love for the Thessalonians and all others for
whom he has labored, in his own time and in ours.
1st Thessalonians Chapter
2:17-20 Paul's Wish for Another visit
Paul
regrets that he has not had the opportunity to revisit
the Thessalonians since his first time among them. He has felt
like an orphan separated from his family - the family of God. Although he has
wanted to visit on many occasions, eager to "see [them] face to
face," Satan has always gotten in the way - a typical Pauline way of
understanding situations in which his plans are blocked. His disappointment
over not being able to visit is genuine for it is rooted in a certain pride he
has in the community. They are his "hope, joy and crown of
boasting" which he looks forward to presenting "before the
Lord" at his coming (Parousia). This may sound like a heavenly "show
and tell," but Paul is sincere in the certainty of his view of the future.
For him, on that day when Christ returns he will be filled with pride, not in
himself but in this community of believers who have made their choice for
a different life, lived in, through and for Christ.
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