"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS" Chapter Two OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER 1) To glean from Paul's example how preachers should conduct themselves among brethren with whom they labor 2) To appreciate how the thought of seeing each other at the coming of Jesus should affect our attitude towards one another SUMMARY Having reflected upon their reception of the gospel, Paul now reflects upon his own conduct while with them. He describes the manner of his preaching as one that was free of guile, deceit, flattery, and covetousness. Seeking not the glory of men, but of God, he spoke with boldness despite conflict, and was gentle among them as a nursing mother would be with her own children (1-8). His manner of life was sacrificial, working hard not to be a burden to them, behaving devoutly, justly, and blamelessly while among them. As a father does his own children, he exhorted, comforted and charged them to walk in a way worthy of God who was calling them into His own kingdom and glory (9-12). Paul then begins to reflect upon the concern that he has for their condition. Thankful for their reception of his gospel as the word of God and not of men, he writes how they had imitated the churches in Judea in receiving the word among much persecution by their own countrymen (13-16). Even though it has only been a short time since he has seen them, he has desired to come to them time and again, but Satan had hindered him. His longing to see them is due to his view of them as his hope, joy and crown of rejoicing in the presence of Jesus when He comes again (17-20). OUTLINE I. REFLECTIONS REGARDING HIS CONDUCT (1-12) A. THE MANNER OF HIS PREACHING (1-8) 1. Not in vain, but with boldness in the midst of abuse (1-2) 2. Not in deceit, impurity, or guile, but as pleasing God (3-4) 3. Not with flattery, covetousness, nor seeking glory from men by making demands as apostles of Christ (5-6) 4. As a nursing mother, with gentleness and affection he imparted not only the gospel but his own life as well (7-8) B. THE MANNER OF HIS LIFE (9-12) 1. Worked night and day, so as not to be burden while preaching the gospel (9) 2. Behaved in a devout, just, and blameless manner (10) 3. As a father would his own children, he exhorted and comforted them, encouraging them to walk worthy of God who calls them into His kingdom (11-12) II. REFLECTIONS REGARDING HIS CONCERN (13-20) A. THANKFUL FOR THEIR RECEPTION OF THE WORD (13-16) 1. They received his message as it was in truth, the word of God which works effectively in those who believe (13) 2. They became imitators of the churches in Judea (14-16) a. Suffering persecution from their own countrymen (14a) b. Just as those in Judea received from the Jews (14b) 1) Who killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets (15a) 2) Who persecuted the apostles, forbidding them to speak to the Gentiles (15b-16a) 3) Who are piling up their sins, and upon whom wrath has come (17) B. CONCERNED FOR THEIR WELFARE (17-20) 1. He is eager to see them again (17) 2. He had wanted to come to them, but Satan hindered him (18) 3. Because they are his hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming (19-20) REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER 1) What are the main points of this chapter? - Reflections regarding his conduct (1-12) - Reflections regarding his concern (12-20) 2) What had Paul endured prior to coming to Thessalonica? What was his attitude when he arrived? (2) - Suffered spiteful treatment at Philippi (cf. Ac 16:16-40) - Bold in his God to speak the gospel of God 3) What did NOT characterize his conduct while at Thessalonica? (3-6) - Deceit - Uncleanness - Guile - Pleasing men - Flattering words - A cloak for covetousness - Seeking glory from men 4) What figure does Paul use to describe his treatment of them? (7) - As a nursing mother cherishes her own children 5) What did Paul impart to them along with the gospel of God? (8) - His own life 6) What DID characterize his conduct while at Thessalonica? (9-10) - Laboring night and day so as not to be a burden - Devout, just, and blameless 7) What figure does Paul use to described the manner in which he exhorted them? (11) - As father does his own children 8) How did Paul want them to walk? (12) - Worthy of God who calls them into His own kingdom and glory 9) How had the Thessalonians received the word of God which they heard from Paul? (13) - They welcomed it not as the word of men, but as the word of God 10) What is said about the Word of God and those who believe it? (13) - It effectively works in those who believe 11) Who had the Thessalonians imitated in the way they received the gospel? In what way? (14) - The churches of God in Judea - Suffering from their own countrymen 12) What had the Jews done? (14-16) - Killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets - Persecuted the apostles, forbidding them to offer salvation to the Gentiles 13) Who had hindered Paul from coming back to Thessalonica? (18) - Satan 14) How did Paul view the Thessalonians? (19-20) - His hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming - His glory and joy