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÷÷1 THESSALONIANS 2

1 THESSALONIANS 2

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-20

1. This chapter reflects the growing Jewish opposition to the Church in Thessalonica (cf. Acts 17:1-9).
   
   
2. Paul is contrasting the way he and his mission team acted among the Thessalonians (cf. 1 Thess. 2:7-10) compared to those mentioned in 1 Thess. 2:3-6. Notice the differences in chapter 2:
   

   PAUL	OTHERS
   amid much opposition not from error not from impurity not by way of deceit not by men pleasers not flattering speech not for greed not seeking glory gentle as a nursing mother having a fond affection imparted the gospel and themselves	error impurity deceit men pleasers flattering speech greed seeking glory

   Paul is describing false teachers and trouble makers among the Jews (e.g., Acts 17:5).

3. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 is a summary of 1 Thessalonians 2:1-9.
   
   
4. This chapter reflects some confusion among English translations on where the Greek text should be divided:
   1. 1 Thess. 2:6-7
   2. 1 Thess. 2:11-12
   
   
5. Paul digresses in 1 Thess. 2:13-16 to discuss his current situation in Corinth and a summary of his first experiences with Jewish opposition. These verses are Paul's strongest negative comments about the Jews (except for Romans 9-11).

SPECIAL TOPIC: JEWS

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

÷1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12
 ¹For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, ²but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. ³For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; ⁴but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. ⁵For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—⁶nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. ⁷But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. ⁸Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. ⁹For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; ¹¹just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, ¹²so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

2:1 "For you yourselves know" Paul appealed to the experience of the Thessalonian Christians so often that this phrase becomes a characteristic of this book (cf. 1 Thess. 1:5; 2:1, 2, 5, 11). Similar phrases are found in 1 Thess. 2:9, "you recall" and 10, "you are witnesses."

This is a PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. This can mean either

1. not "fruitless" (cf. 1 Cor. 15:10,58)
2. not "empty handed" (cf. Mark 12:2)

The church continues in spite of the aggressive Jewish opposition just like the churches in Judea who also experienced Jewish wrath (cf. 1 Thess. 2:13-16).

The possible connotation of the phrase "in vain" is so crucial; let me add here my note from 1 Thess. 3:5.

2 Thess. 3:5 "our labor would be in vain" The use of MOODS is important here; the INDICATIVE which is the MOOD of reality is used of Satan, but the SUBJUNCTIVE which is the MOOD of contingency, is used of Paul's labor. This may relate to 1 Thess. 2:1. The question is, "Does ‘in vain‘ relate to their personal conversion or the establishment of a viable functioning church in Thessalonica?" I think the latter is the only contextual option, although Paul probably would not have made a distinction. He understood and preached both justification and sanctification.

Paul uses the concept of "vain" or "fruitless" often and incorporates three different words.

1. eikē ‒ Rom. 13:4; 1 Cor. 15:2; Gal. 3:4; 4:11; Col. 2:18
2. kenos ‒ 1 Cor. 15:10,14,58; 2 Cor. 6:1; Gal. 2:2; Eph. 5:6; Phil. 2:16; Col. 2:8; 1 Thess. 2:1; 3:3 (VERB in 2 Cor. 9:3)
3. matalos ‒ 1 Cor. 3:20; 15:17; Titus 3:9 (VERB in Rom. 2:21)

Paul knew the power of the gospel was from divine activity, but he also knew the choices of humans affected the effective outcome!

SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT

SPECIAL TOPIC: APOSTASY

SPECIAL TOPIC: SANCTIFICATION

2:2 "but" This is a strong ADVERSATIVE CONJUNCTION (alla, cf. 1 Thess. 2:4 [twice], 7, 8), which denotes a contrast.

▣ "after we had already suffered. . .in Philippi" Paul begins to relate his own sufferings for the gospel (cf. Acts 16:11-40 and 1 Cor. 4:9-13; 2 Cor. 4:8-12; 6:4-10; 11:24-27).

This invloved both physical and mental abuse.

The phrase "the gospel of God" could mean

1. the gospel about God (OBJECTIVE GENITIVE)
2. the gospel from God (SUBJECTIVE GENITIVE, cf. TEV, JB)

This same phrase occurs again in 1 Thess. 2:8 and 9 (cf. Mark 1:14; Rom. 1:1; 15:16; 2 Cor. 11:7; 1 Tim. 1:11; 1 Pet. 4:17).

The "gospel of God" can also be called "the gospel of Christ" (cf. 2 Cor. 2:12; 9:13; 10:14; 11:7; 1 Thess. 3:2). Jesus' birth, lineage, life, teaching, death, resurrection, and return in power are the "gospel" of YHWH.

SPECIAL TOPIC: BOLDNESS (parrhēsia)

▣ "amid much opposition" This is athletic or military imagery for rough, hand-to-hand fighting (cf. Phil. 1:30; Col. 2:1). This Greek term is translated into English as "agony."

This is from the same root (paraklēsis) used of the Spirit (paraklētos) in John 14:16, 26; 15:26 and 16:7 and of Jesus in 1 John 2:1 where it is translated as "comforter," "advocate" or "helper." See full note at 1 Thess. 3:7.

SPECIAL TOPIC: COMFORT

SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS AND THE SPIRIT

Planēs is the Greek word for "planet," which referred to heavenly lights (planets, comets, shooting stars) that did not follow the usual pattern of the constellations. Thus, they were called "wanderers," which developed as imagery into a way of referring to "error." Here, it refers to Paul's opponents. See full note at 1 Thess. 2:2.

This term implies a sexual looseness (cf. 1 Thess. 4:7; Rom. 1:24; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5). It must be remembered that pagan worship often employed sexual acts (i.e., imitation magic). Paul may have been accused of advocating moral looseness by Jewish legalists who misunderstood his gospel message of justification by grace through faith.

The other two terms in verse 3 speak of Paul's motives, but this phrase indicates an atmosphere of trickery (cf. Eph. 4:14). "Deceit" originally meant "to catch with bait" (cf. Matt. 26:4; Mark 7:22; 14:1), but later evolved into imagery for trickery for profit (cf. 2 Cor. 4:2 which reflects 2 Cor. 2:17). Paul was often accused of greed (cf. 1 Thess. 2:5).

See full notes at 1 Thess. 2:1 and 3:5.

2:4 "we have been approved by God" This PERFECT PASSIVE INDICATIVE has the connotation of testing with a view toward approval (dokimazō). "Approve" in this sense commonly meant testing the genuineness of coins. The missionary team had been and continued to be tested and approved by God.

SPECIAL TOPIC: GREEK TERMS FOR TESTING AND THEIR CONNOTATIONS

▣ "entrusted" This is an AORIST PASSIVE INFINITIVE. This term comes from the same root (pisteuō) as "faith," "believe," or "trust." The basic idea is to entrust something to another (cf. 1 Cor. 9:17; Gal. 2:7; 1 Tim. 1:11; Titus 1:3). Believers are stewards of the gospel (cf. 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 1 Pet. 4:10).What an awesome privilege and responsibility. As stewards believers will give an account to God for how we handled His word (2 Cor. 5:10).

SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST

▣ "so we speak" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. Believers must share the good news they have received (cf. Col. 4:2-6; 1 Pet. 3:15) with boldness (cf. 1 Thess. 2:2).

▣ "not as pleasing men, but God" (cf. 1 Thess. 2:6; Gal. 1:10).

▣ "who examines our hearts" This reflects the Hebrew usage of "heart" in the sense of the entire person. God knows our motives (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7; Ps. 7:9; 26:2; 44:21; 139:1,23; Prov. 21:2; Jer. 11:20; 12:3; 17:10; Luke 16:15; Acts 1:24; 15:8; Rom. 8:27; Rev. 2:23).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HEART

2:5 "we never came with flattering speech" This term implies manipulation for false motives. Opponents, especially at Corinth (Paul was in Corinth when he wrote this letter), often accused Paul of false motives as did the Jews here.

SPECIAL TOPIC; HUMAN SPEECH

▣ "nor with a pretext for greed" Paul was often accused of greed or opportunism, possibly because it was characteristic of Greek itinerant teachers (cf. Acts 20:33). This is why he would not regularly receive money from churches he was currently serving. He did later receive help from

1. Philippi (twice, cf. Phil. 4:16)
2. Thessalonica
3. later, he wanted the church at Rome to help him go to Spain (cf. Rom. 15:23-24)

▣ "God is witness" Paul was swearing an oath using God as a witness (cf. 1 Thess. 2:10; Rom. 1:9; 1 Cor. 1:23; 11:31; Gal. 1:19; Phil. 2:25).

2:6 "though as apostles of Christ" This includes Silas and Timothy. This illustrates the wider use of the term "apostle." In 1 Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11, "apostles" are mentioned as an ongoing spiritual gift in the church. Some examples are:

1. Barnabas (cf. Acts 14:4,14)
2. Andronicus and Junias (cf. Rom. 16:6-7)
3. Apollos (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6)
4. James the Just (cf. Gal. 1:19)

It is uncertain to what aspect of ministry this ongoing gift/title relates:

1. church planting
2. evangelism
3. area leadership
4. ?

It is linked to prophets, evangelists, and pastors/teachers in Eph. 4:11, all of whom proclaim the gospel with differing emphases.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SEND

Literally, this translates "with weight." The intended meaning could be

1. apostolic authority
2. apostolic honor
3. financial compensation (cf. 2 Thess. 3:8; 1 Cor. 9:3-14; 2 Cor. 11:7-11)

2:7 "we proved to be gentle among you" There is a Greek manuscript variant between the use of the terms

1. "infants" (nēpios, cf. MSS P⁶⁵, א, B, C, D, F, G)
2. "gentle" (ēpios, cf. MSS א^c, A, C², D²)

Only their initial letter is different. On purely textual basis, number 1 is best; on contextual basis number 2 seems best (which may reflect an intentional scribal change). The UBS⁴ gives "infants" a "B" rating (almost certain).

Origen and Augustine believed Paul spoke to the Thessalonians in baby language so they could understand. Paul uses parental language in 1 Thess. 2:7, 8 and 11. He saw himself as their spiritual parent (i.e., mother in v. 7 and father in v. 11).

SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM, II. B.

▣ "as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children" This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE. The VERB literally means "to warm" and was commonly used of mother birds "warming" their young (cf. Eph. 5:29). It was imagery for breast feeding. Paul (cf. Gal. 4:19), like Jesus (cf. Matt. 23:37), describes his love for them in FEMININE terms (and YHWH cf. Exod. 19:4; Isa. 66:13; Hos. 11:4; and the Spirit cf. Gen. 1:2).

I have done a sermon entitled "The Feminity of God" online (second green box, A. #111).

The word (homeiromai) appears nowhere else in the entire New Testament. It is used in the Septuagint in Job. 3:21. In Greek literature it was a strong term of affection related to parents longing for their dead children. This connotation fits this context.

▣ "we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us" This shows the costliness of the ministry as well as the love of the Apostle. Ministry is not something we do—it is who we are.

2:9 "our labor and hardship" These are strong synonymous terms (cf. 1 Thess. 3:8 and 2 Cor. 11:27). Greek society designated labor as only for slaves. Paul, being a Jew, respected manual labor. He often encouraged it, especially in this Thessalonian correspondence because some in the fellowship had quit their jobs to wait for the Second Coming but still wanted to be fed (cf. 2 Thess. 3:6-15).

▣ "how working night and day" All rabbis had to have a trade or livelihood (cf. Acts 18:3; 1 Cor. 4:12). Paul would not accept money for his ministry because of accusations of greed (cf. 1 Thess. 2:5).

"Night and day" reflects Jewish reckoning of time where the day begins at dusk (cf. Gen. 1:5,8,13,19,23, 21). Paul worked during the day at tent making or leather working and at night he preached the gospel. Ministry requires hard work!

▣ "the gospel of God" See note at 1 Thess. 2:2

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE GOSPEL

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KERYGMA OF THE EARLY CHURCH

2:10 "You are witnesses, and so is God" This is another oath-like expression by Paul which asserts the truthfulness of his statements and actions. God is a witness as the oath of 1 Thess. 2:5 affirms and, so too, the believers at Thessalonica.

▣ "devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers" Some

1. in the church
2. in the community
3. outsiders

must have questioned his motives. Paul was always having to defend his motives.

2:11 "exhorting" See note at 1 Thess. 2:3. Notice the three PARTICIPLES in v. 11 (all starting with para) describing Paul's preaching activity:

1. "exhorting" (PESENT ACTIVE)
2. "encouraging" (PRESENT MIDDLE [deponent])
3. "imploring" (PRESENT MIDDLE [deponent])

2:12 "walk in a manner worthy" This is a PRESENT INFINITIVE. This biblical imagery refers to our continuing lifestyle, which must reflect our Master's priorities (cf. Col. 1:10; 2:6; Eph. 2:10; 4:1,17; 5:2, 15). Notice at the end of 1 Thess. 2:12 believers are called to share and thereby reflect God's glory.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY

▣ "who calls you" There is a Greek manuscript variant in the TENSE of this phrase:

1. Manuscripts א and A have the AORIST, like Gal. 1:6. This would emphasize God's initiating call (cf. Gal. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:15).
2. Manuscripts B, D, F, G, H, K, L, and P have the PRESENT, which would emphasize God's continuing call to holiness (cf. Rom. 8:28-29; Gal. 4:19; Eph. 1:4).

The UBS⁴ gives option #2 a "B" rating (almost certain).

Notice the theological balance between a God who calls and believers who must walk worthy (cf. Phil. 2:12-13). Different denominations focus on one aspect or the other (predestination or human free will). God deals with us in a covenant relationship. Both His calling and our mandated response (initial and ongoing) are necessary.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CALLED

SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE (biblical paradoxes)

SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION/PREDESTINATION AND THE NEED FOR A THEOLOGICAL BALANCE

SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT

▣ "His own kingdom" Paul does not use the term "kingdom" often. It refers to God's rule in believers' hearts and minds now which will one day be consummated over all the earth (cf. Matt. 6:10). This "kingdom" was the burden of Jesus' teaching and preaching. It reflects the "already" but "not yet" tension of the time between the Incarnation and the Second Coming (cf. How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth by Fee and Stuart, pp. 131-134).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KINGDOM OF GOD

▣ "and glory" This is a hard term to define. See full note at Galatians 1:5.

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (doxa, NT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (kabod, OT)

÷1 THESSALONIANS 2:13-16

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:13-16
 ¹³For this reason we also constantly thank God 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 performs its work in you who believe. ¹⁴For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, ¹⁶hindering 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.

2:13 "we also constantly thank God" A PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE, it may refer to 1 Thess. 1:2-10. This reflects Paul's ongoing prayer life and writing style (cf. 1 Thess. 1:2; 5:17-18).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THANKSGIVING

▣ "received" This is an AORIST ACTIVE PARTICIPLE. This shows the necessity of our personal response.

1. Here, it refers to the message.
2. In John 1:12 it refers to the person of Christ.
3. In 1 Thess. 4:1, it refers to lifestyle.

The gospel focuses around three emphases:

1. personal relationship (cf. Col. 2:6)
2. doctrinal truth (cf. 2 Thess. 3:6; 1 Cor. 15:1-4)
3. lifestyle Christlikeness (cf. Phil.4:9)

The believer must respond to all three for maturity.

The phrase "received the word of God" becomes an idiom for "receive the gospel" ("he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me," John 5:24).

1. dechomaī ‒ Luke 8:13; Acts 8:14; 11:1; 17:11; 1 Thess. 1:16
2. paralambanō ‒ 1 Thess. 2:13
3. paradechomai ‒ Mark 4:20
4. apolambanō ‒ James 1:21

Notice there is a cognitive element and a volitional element.

The NT has several things connected to the VERB translated "receive."

1. The negative things
   1. Rom. 8:15 ‒ not receive (lambanō) the spirit of slavery
   2. 1 Cor. 2:14 ‒ the natural man does not receive (apolambanō) the things of the Spirit of God
   3. 1 Cor. 2:12 ‒ not receive (lambanō) the spirit of the world
   4. 2 Cor. 6:1 ‒ not to receive (apolambanō) the grace of God in vain
   5. 2 Thess. 2:10 ‒ they have not received (apolambanō) the love of the truth so as to be saved
2. The positive things
   1. Acts 1:8 ‒ receive (lambanō) power
   2. Acts 2:33 ‒ receive (lambanō) the Father's promise
   3. Acts 2:38; 8:15,17,19; 10:47; 19:2 ‒ receive (lambanō) the gift of the Holy Spirit
   4. Acts 10:43; 26:18 ‒ receive (lambanō) forgiveness
   5. Rom. 5:11 ‒ receive (lambanō) reconciliation
   6. Rom. 5:17 ‒ receive (lambanō) the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness
   7. Rom. 8:15 ‒ receive (lambanō) a spirit of adoption
   8. Gal. 3:14 ‒ receive (lambanō) the promise of the Spirit through faith
   9. Col. 2:6 ‒ receive (paralambanō) Jesus Christ
   10. Heb. 10:36 ‒ receive (komizō) the things promised
   11. Heb. 11:17 ‒ receive (anadechomai) the promises
   12. Heb. 12:28 ‒ receive (paralambanō) a kingdom which cannot be shaken
   13. James 1:21 ‒ receive (apolambanō) the word implanted which is able to save souls
   14. 1 Pet. 5:4 ‒ receive (komizō) the unfading crown of glory
   15. 1 John 2:27 ‒ received (lambanō) the anointing

Wow, what a range of wonderful things come with the gospel!

▣ "received. . .accepted" These synonymous terms describe the need for a human response to the divine gospel offer! Fallen mankind must repent and believe the gospel (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 3:16,19; 20:21), and continue to repent, believe, and live out the gospel.

The former word is a compound term found in John 1:12. The latter means to welcome someone as a guest. In this context, one must welcome the gospel. The NT describes the gospel as both a person and a message.

SPECIAL TOPIC: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "RECEIVE," "BELIEVE," "CONFESS/PROFESS," and "CALL UPON?"

▣ "the word of God" Paul's preaching (the gospel's message) was revelation inspired by God (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 3:15-16). Here this does not refer to the Bible, but Apostolic proclamation and teaching. The NT only records a selected portion of Jesus' words and acts and some Apostle's messages (usually summaries).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (its uniqueness and inspiration)

This is PRESENT MIDDLE INDICATIVE (cf. Phil. 2:13). "Work" was a favorite word for Paul, related to the English cognate "energy." Paul personified the gospel as continuing to energize believers! This probably reflects the OT understanding of the power of the spoken word, as in Genesis 1 and Isa. 55:11 (and also John 1:1).

▣ "in you who believe" This is PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE. Again, continuing belief is the key! The gospel is not a product (a ticket to heaven, an insurance policy), but a personal, growing, daily relationship with the Father through the Son by means of the Spirit.

SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH, BELIEVE, OR TRUST

SPECIAL TOPIC: GREEK VERB TENSES FOR SALVATION

2:14 "the churches" This translates literally "the called out ones." In the Septuagint, the same idea is expressed as "the congregation of Israel." The early church saw itself as the continuation of the OT people of God. Notice they are called "the churches of God" (i.e., house churches or village churches).

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHURCH (ekklēsia)

▣ "in Christ Jesus" This phrase is a LOCATIVE OF SPHERE CASE, which means "in" or "surrounded by"—an atmosphere, like a fish in water. A very common Pauline expression, it speaks of our union with Jesus. We live and move and have our being in Him. For an example of Paul's use of this grammatical form notice Eph. 1:3-14:

1. "in Christ" 1:3,10,12
2. "in Him" 1:4,7,9,10,13(twice)
3. "in the Beloved" 1:6

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHRIST JESUS AS LORD

▣ "in Judea" The Thessalonian churches were experiencing Jewish persecution just like the churches in Judea (cf. Matt. 5:10-12). Jews believed they were serving God and protecting His word (i.e., the Law of Moses).

▣ "you also endured the same sufferings" Generally, the reaction to the Christian message in the Roman world was persecution, because of the exclusive nature of the message (cf. John 14:6). Persecution is the norm for faithful followers in a fallen world.

SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO CHRISTIANS SUFFER?

▣ "at the hands of your own countrymen" In context this refers to persecution from Jews of the diaspora, just as Paul, who was in Corinth at the time of the writing, was also confronting the same opposition.

2:15 "who both killed the Lord Jesus" The Jews did not physically kill Jesus, but they were responsible for His death (cf. Matt. 21:33-46; Acts 2:23).

SPECIAL TOPIC: JEWS

SPECIAL TOPIC: A SUFFERING MESSIAH

▣ "and the prophets" God's people did not want to hear God's message, so they killed His spokespersons (cf. Matt. 5:10-12; 23:31,37; Acts 7:52), but later built fancy, elaborate tombs for them.

SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT)

▣ "and drove us out" Possibly this is related to

1. Jason's peace bond (cf. Acts 17:5-9)
2. the general experience of Paul's ministry (cf. Acts)

Paul saw his experience as parallel to the OT Prophets and especially Jesus' rejection by His contemporaries (cf. John 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12).

The Jews thought their actions were God's will, defending His covenant with Moses. They believed they were His servants defending the faith against false teachers (Paul knew these feelings well). The tragic irony is they were the false teachers! So much evil has been done in God's name!

▣ "but hostile to all men" The hostility mentioned here was rooted in Jewish national arrogance and prejudice. They had rejected the Messiah and His universal gospel.

1. Genesis 3:15; 12:3
2. Exodus 19:5-6
3. Psalm 22:27-28; 66:4; 86:9
4. Isaiah 2:2-4; 12:4-5; 25:6-9; 42:6,10-12; 45:22; 49:5-6; 51:4-5; 60:1-3; 66:18,23
5. Jeremiah 3:17; 4:2; 16:19
6. Micah 4:1-3
7. Malachi 1:11

SPECIAL TOPIC: JEWS

2:16 "hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles" This reflects Paul's experience in Corinth at the time of the writing of 1 Thessalonians. These sentences are Paul's strongest complaint against the Jews (cf. Romans 9-11).

▣ "so that they may be saved" This is an AORIST PASSIVE SUBJUNCTIVE. God wants to save all humans made in His image (cf. Gen. 3:15; 12:3; Exod. 19:5-6; Ezek. 18:23,32; Jonah; John 3:16; Acts 28:28; Eph. 2:11-2:13; 1 Tim. 2:4; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:2), but they must repent and believe in Christ (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 3:16,19; 20:21).

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

SPECIAL TOPIC: GREEK VERB TENSES USED FOR SALVATION

Paul may have taken this terminology from

1. the OT because the exact Greek phrase is found in the Septuagint of Gen. 15:16
2. from the words of Jesus in Matt. 23:32 related to the book of deeds (cf. Dan. 7:10; Rev. 20:12 and Ps. 56:8; 139:16; Isa. 65:6; Mal. 3:16)

God records the evil deeds of humans and they will give an account (cf. Matt. 25-26; Rev. 20:11-15).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TWO BOOKS OF GOD

▣ "But wrath has come upon them" This is an AORIST ACTIVE INDICATIVE. This verse seems to relate to the spiritual blindness (hardness) that has come upon Israel (i.e., Isa. 6:9-10). This spiritual blindness is typified in

1. the parable of Mark 12:1-12 (also Matt. 21:33-46 and Luke 20:9-19)
2. explicitly stated in Rom.11:7,25; 2 Cor. 3:14)

God's wrath is present and future (temporal and eschatological).

SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD HARDENED

This phrase may be translated several ways, so compare several translations of the Bible to grasp more fully the possible connotations. Basic renderings include

1. looking back and summing up
2. looking forward to consummation
3. used in the Semitic sense of "completely," which are scary descriptions of God's wrath

÷1 THESSALONIANS 2:17-20

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:17-20
 ¹⁷But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. ¹⁸For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. ¹⁹For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? ²⁰For you are our glory and joy.

This is an AORIST PASSIVE PARTICIPLE. Highly emotional language fills this whole paragraph. This continues Paul's parenting imagery of 1 Thess. 2:7 and 11. It is literally "orphaned" by an outside agent (PASSIVE).

Probably the accusers of Paul stated or insinuated that his quick exit and long-term absence showed he did not truly care for them. Paul refutes this in 1 Thess. 2:17-20 and 3:6.

▣ "with great desire" This term is often rendered "lust," in its pejorative sense, but rarely, as it does here, it is used positively. Paul's intense desire to see them is graphically portrayed in 1 Thess. 3:10.

2:18 "For we wanted to come to you" All of Paul's travel plans did not work out (cf. Rom. 1:13; 15:22).

▣ "Satan" A personal evil force is active in our world, seeking to thwart God's plans and purposes by the agency of:

1. a fallen world system
2. the demonic
3. fallen humanity (cf. Eph. 2:2-3 and James 4)

We see Satan in the OT in Job 1-2 and Zech. 3 as a servant of YHWH. By the NT he is an enemy (cf. Rom. 16:20; 1 Cor. 5:5,7; 7:5; 2 Cor. 2:11; 11:14; 12:7) but still under God's control! For a good discussion of the intensification of evil in the Bible, read A.B. Davidson's Old Testament Theology, pp. 300-306.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SATAN

SPECIAL TOPIC: SATANIC ATTEMPTS TO THWART THE MESSIANIC LINE

▣ "hindered" This is a military term used for the destruction of roads and bridges in the face of the enemy's advance. There really is a spiritual conflict (cf. Romans 7; Eph. 4:14; 6:10-18).

It is also a possibility that Paul's physical illness was the problem, not specifically Satan (cf. 2 Corinthians 12). Paul saw his life in spiritual as well as physical categories.

SPECIAL TOPIC: HEALING

2:19 The mark of the genuineness of Paul's Apostleship was the success of his ministry among the Gentiles (cf. 1 Thess. 2:20).

▣ "hope" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HOPE

▣ "crown" See SPECIAL TOPIC: CROWNS FOR BELIEVERS IN THE NT

The problem with this phrase is how it related to Paul's affection and love for the Thessalonian church compared to his other Gentile churches. Were they somehow special? TEV's translation of "you, no less than others" may represent the thought.

In a sense the Thessalonian believers were a powerful witness to Paul's effective work as an Apostle to the Gentiles. As Paul mimicked Jesus, they mimicked Paul, which is an outward evidence of their new heart and spirit (New Covenant, cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36).

▣ "at His coming?" This Greek word, "parousia," literally means "presence," and was imagery for "coming." This is the first use of the term in the NT (cf. 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:1,8-9; 1 Cor. 15:23). It was used in secular literature of the first century for a royal visit by a king. It came to have a technical meaning in the church f or the Second Coming. This coming of Jesus is the theological focus of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends on this note (cf. 1 Thess. 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23).

SPECIAL TOPIC: NT TERMS FOR CHRIST'S RETURN

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ANY-MOMENT RETURN OF JESUS vs. THE NOT YET

This is the use of the term "glory" as pride. This does not relate to the theological glory used to describe God (cf. 1 Thess. 2:12).

SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (doxa, NT)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Who was attacking Paul and why?
2. Why was Paul so firm in denying compensation for his preaching?
3. Why does Paul bring in the subject of Jewish opposition to the gospel?
4. What does verse 16 mean to the Jewish nation as to God's purposes?
5. Why are verses 17 - 20 so emotional?

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