Henry Vander Kam, pastor of the CR Church at Doon, Iowa, begins a series of studies on the letters to the Thessalonians, letters which focus attention especially on the Return of Christ.

Lesson 1 – I Thessalonians 1

On his second missionary journey the Apostle Paul had also come to the city of Thessalonica. This was one of the most important cities of that part of the world and had become the capital city of the whole province of Macedonia. Paul usually went to the larger population centers to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Because of circumstances, the Apostle did not remain in Thessalonica very long. He preached in the synagogue of the Jews three Sabbath days (Acts 17:2). At the end of these three weeks the opposition to the gospel became so strong that the Apostle and those with him had to leave the city hastily. However, in the short time he had worked here a surprisingly large number of people had been converted. Some of the Jews believed, a great multitude of Greeks turned to the Lord, and not a few of the chief women obeyed the gospel. It is indeed amazing that so much was accomplished in so short a time. The gospel is powerful! The opponents of the gospel realized this and paid the Apostles the compliment of charging that they were turning the world upside down! That’s what the gospel does! They, however, did not mean it as a compliment but tried to stop the spread of this gospel. They even pursued the Apostles to the next city because they did not want their former way of life disturbed.

Most of those who believed in Thessalonica were Greeks, and this must be borne in mind in the understanding of these epistles. Neither the first nor the second letter Paul addressed to these people is characterized by a great deal of doctrinal discussion. Both letters are brief. The most important matter the Apostle deals with is the fact and manner of the second coming of Christ. In this connection he emphasizes the hope which is given to believers.

   

The Greeting

Paul follows the custom of his day in greeting those to whom he is writing, except that his greeting to the Thessalonians is shorter than that in any of his other epistles. He mentions himself and his two helpers, Silas and Timothy, and then simply says “unto the church of the Thessalonians.” The word used for church was used in the Greek world of all manner of assemblies. This, however, is the assembly of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. The letters to the Thessalonians were among the very first of the Apostle’s writings. Here he does not yet go into a long and definitive salutation but he makes it very clear whom he has in mind while he is writing. To this church he speaks grace and peace. Although these terms were commonly used in letter writing, he pours a far richer content into both terms.

Paul’s Prayer

The writer is very much aware of the tremendous progress which the Christians at Thessalonica had made in a very short time. For this he is most grateful because he sees here an evidence of the Spirit’s work. As a result, he says that he gives daily thanks to God for them. His work is difficult, but the blessings it brings are also beyond description. Not only has he preached the word to them, he continues to be their pastor even though he is removed from them. He still remembers them in his prayers every day. Of Jesus we read various times that He spent an entire night in prayer, but, although Paul urges the various churches to prayer again and again, we do not often read of his own prayers. However, let no one think that this man could have such results upon his preaching if he was not at the same time a man of earnest and frequent prayer. He may have gone on to another field of labor, but the need of every church weighs heavily upon him.

For what does he give thanks? It is for the way in which the gospel has completely captured them! He remembers their work of faith. He has seen the fruits of faith in these Thessalonian Christians. And: By their fruits ye shall know them. Not only do they speak of faith; their works show it. He also remembers them for their labor of love. Their works were performed as they were driven by love! It is not only true that their works were different from their former manner of life, they also had a new motivation. This, of course, makes the work of faith possible. He also remembers their “patience of hope.” By this term he means their endurance which is inspired by the hope they have in Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. These people have already suffered a great deal for the sake of the gospel; but it is made possible by the hope they have in the Christ and in His return. It is indeed amazing that these believers have progressed so far so quickly. Their faith, love and hope is clearly present and they have believed only a few months!

God’s Elect

Paul is so thankful for the genuine evidence of their faith because he knows they are the elect of God. Therefore they are his brethren in the fullest sense of the word. He doesn’t even tell them what he means by election because he has no doubt instructed them in this doctrine during the short time he has been with them. Think of it—converts from heathendom being instructed in such things from the very beginning! Of course, he could not preach the gospel without teaching election! This belongs to the heart of the gospel. He has made it very clear in some of his later writings what he means by the election of God (Ephesians and Romans). God has chosen them and it has not been their work. No one would ever choose for Him if He had not first chosen them. No one has ever “decided to follow Jesus.” A denial of election is at the same time a denial of man’s total depravity. It must also be observed that the Apostle “knows” they are elect. He shows that clearly in verse five. The gospel did not only come to them in word; it came with power! It was the power of God, or the power of the Holy spirit. It did not come as a teaching as of the philosophers of the day—it went right to the heart and changed lives. This is the evidence that they are the elect of God. Others will only hear the word with the ear, as the opponents of the gospel in Thessalonica did. They were infuriated by it. “The beloved of God” find salvation in it. Their faith and love and hope is clear evidence that they are the chosen of God. That election ought to fill their hearts with joy. They have received the assurance of faith from it. There is no assurance without election.

Paul is not at all afraid of using himself as an example time and again. Here he calls to the remembrance of these Thessalonian Christians how he and his helpers had conducted themselves while they ministered to them. It should be clear to these people that the gospel which they brought had also done its work in their own lives. Why would anyone, with the talents and potentialities of Paul, have jeopardized his life if he were not completely captive to the Christ Whom he preached and were not filled with a consuming love for the people He had chosen?

Imitators of Paul and the Lord

These Christians had become imitators of Paul and his associates and of the Lord Himself. First they had to imitate the Apostle. He often speaks of this. He has not only preached the gospel but his whole life is a witness to that gospel. The life must agree with the teaching, or the one slays the other. Only then can they become imitators of the Lord as Paul had himself also become. This imitating refers especially to the manner in which they have borne affliction. Paul and Silas had come to Thessalonica from Philippi where they had been treated shamefully and had suffered a great deal. But, this abuse was not a reason to cease from preaching the word of God! Upon their coming now to Thessalonica, the same situation repeated itself, and they would, no doubt, have suffered many cruelties if they had not escaped the city. The believers in Thessalonica now had to bear the reproach of the enemies of the gospel. They received the word in much affliction. There must be much more to the gospel than their foes thought. They not only received that word in much affliction, but with joy of the Holy Spirit! They have indeed become imitators of both the Apostle and his Lord and have found that the joy of the Holy Spirit is much greater than the physical affliction they had to bear. Only those who are the elect of God will receive the word under such conditions. But, for them being His elect, there is no other way. Paul had experienced this himself. Christ had gone through unspeakable suffering for the word and for His people. They have become imitators of both Paul and Christ.

A Missionary Church

Now that they have learned to imitate both Paul and Christ, they have become an example to believers in Macedonia and Achaia. They have therefore become a pattern for others so that they too may become imitators. Their strategic place in this important city causes the Apostle to rejoice in the quality of their faith. It is a living faith which is of great value to themselves and now also spreads from them to other believers. For you have become a sounding board for the gospel. Note that a sound· ing board does not itself produce the sound, but it amplifies the sound it has received. From you hath sounded forth “the word of the Lord”! Not your own experience! Only the word of the Lord initiates faith. Human experience may be interesting, but is not unto salvation! He now tells them that they have sounded God’s word forth not only to Macedonia and Achaia, but it has gone forth everywhere! A church, recently come out of heathendom, is a missionary church such as has seldom been seen.

As a result of their faithful activity the work of the Apostle has been eased. So often he speaks to the one church concerning the progress of the other, but he doesn’t have to speak about the church in Thessalonica at all because everyone has heard about it. The Thessalonian Christians speak to everyone of their faith but also of the Apostle’s labors among them. If every church had shown this zeal how it would have helped Paul in his difficult labors. They speak to everyone how they had turned away from the idols of the day. There could be no compromise, of course. Idolatry and the service of Christ were mutually exclusive. But, this turnaround was a major step for these people to take. In their idol worship they had found their social life. Economically they would suffer if they turned their backs on idolatry. But, they did it! They turned to t he true God. They turned from dead gods to a living God! Even if they have to suffer in the body as a result, it is well worth it. It has been a complete turnabout for them. But, that’s what the gospel is all about. No wonder that their opponents claimed that the missionaries were turning the world upside down!

Waiting for the Returning Lord

These who are serving a true and living God have come to this position through the Son of God Who had been proclaimed to them. This Christ has gone above and is no longer present here in the church in physical form. The true believers now wait for that Son to come again. This coming again will be treated much more fully later in this epistle and in the next. However, even though they may have had wrong ideas concerning the time and manner of that return, it is obvious here that they indeed believe in His return. Not only do they believe in this fact, they are longingly waiting for it. Theirs is not a “gospel” which only looks back over those things which have been completed, but it also looks forward to the return of Christ when all of the promised things shall be fulfilled. In a measure, these people are ready for that return. The Apostle reminds them that the One who will return is the same Jesus Who was raised from the dead. This may never be lost from sight.

Love and Judgment

This Jesus is also the One who delivers us from the wrath to come. Note t he balance we find in this chapter. He has been speaking of the grace and peace of God; the love, the faith, the hope, and the joy of believers; but he also speaks of the wrath to come. In many places today the love of God alone is mentioned. Paul emphasizes the urgency of salvation and is fully aware of the fact that the wrath of God is something to be feared! He will not condone sin—and His wrath is kindled against it. He does not accept the blasphemer—and His wrath is kindled against such. But—and this is the glory of the gospel—He delivers us from the wrath to come! We are saved to fullness of life and from the wrath to come.

Questions for Discussion

1. Must the gospel be made “very simple” to those who hear it for the first time? How did Paul preach? 2. What is the place of prayer in the work of the Apostle? Does a minister‘s prayer life become evident in his work? 3. How can one be sure of his election? Pauline theology is based on election. Do we hear enough of this doctrine today? 4. Would it be proper for a minister to tell the congregation to become imitators of him? Discuss. 5. What does the New Testament mean by “witnessing”? Does the present–day form of “witnessing” agree with this? 6. Is the “wrath of God” a very important subject in the Scriptures? How is it related to the love of God, or isn’t it so related?   Paul’s Defense of His Ministry at Thessalonica

Lesson 2 – I Thessalonians 2:1–12

False Accusations

Those who had made it impossible for the Apostle to continue his ministry in Thessalonica have made all kinds of accusations against him and these he refutes in this particular section. Their attacks were not aimed at the message, first of all, but rather against the messenger. However, the criticism of him as a minister of the gospel could also lead to a criticism of the message itself. For that reason he makes his defense. We do not know to what extent the Christians at this place had been influenced by these criticisms, but he seeks to cut off the effect immediately. The minister and the gospel he brings are too closely associated to allow such criticism to stand. Besides, he knows himself to be blameless of the charges made against him.

There were certain conditions at that time which made some of the accusations of his opponents more plausible than we might think in our time. In the first place, no one had asked the Apostle to come to Thessalonica. He was not “called” there. Then why did he come? There has, perhaps, never been a time in which there were so many philosophers and teachers (quacks!) roaming the countryside as during the time the Apostles lived. There were various reasons for this. These “teachers” went about to make a living by means of their teaching. They served themselves and not those whom they taught. The teachings which were coupled with some religion were often the most popular. Now, in view of these conditions, it was rather simple to attack Paul and claim that he was of the same kind as the others. If this charge were believed then he would indeed be discredited, but the gospel would also be undermined. His purpose in this section of this epistle is not first of all to defend himself, but his love for the gospel compels him to write as he does.

Sincere Preaching of God’s Truth

“Our entering in unto you . . . hat h not been found vain.” This the Thessalonians know. Let them remember it. When he and his associates came to them and while he worked among them, it was not true that they were empty-handed. In other words, they did not come to them in order to receive from the people, but to give them something! They did just the opposite of the frauds to whom they are likened. This reminder alone should be sufficient to dispel the notion that they were like the others. Paul will make it clear in subsequent words what he gave them.

No, they had not arrived at Thessalonica to receive something for their own benefit. The opposite is true. They had come to this city from Philippi. Here they had been treated shamefully. They had been beaten; they had been placed in prison without a hearing; they had even been placed in stocks (Acts 16). It is true that they had also had a marvelous experience there. God had opened the prison for them and they had been able to minister to the jailor. But, if there would be any experience which would turn t hem away from the gospel ministry, this was it! However, they had not become discouraged. They had simply traveled 100 miles(!) to come to Thessalonical They had received courage to do this from their God. No one else could have persuaded them. They had received the courage to speak the same gospel for which they were imprisoned at Philippi to people at Thessalonica. This is their only calling! They brought the gospel “in much conflict,” i.e., they agonized over it. They sought the welfare of the people to whom they brought the word. This attitude is the direct opposite of the charge of their accusers.

How did they bring the word here? The author first speaks negatively whereby he informs us of the charges which were brought against him. Our exhortation, or appeal, was not of error or delusion. They had indeed made a strong appeal to the people. Paul never brought the gospel in a manner of “take it or leave it.” He pleaded with the people to believe! But, this was not an appeal to a delusion as though it had no substance! He knew whereof he spoke—he believed it with all his heart, and he wanted all his hearers to have what he has. Neither were his mot ives impure. This refers to the next charge which they levelled against him. By impure motives they may have referred to several things. Not a few of the chief women had believed and this was sufficient for his accusers to charge immorality. His own gain and honor were also called suspicious. They had also charged him with guile, or with deceit. Many of the teachers of the day used all manner of tricks. Paul is charged with using gimmicks. These charges, if true, would make him totally unworthy to be followed. He says the charges are false and will prove it in the next verses.

Approved by God and Seeking His Approval

He now tells us why the charges brought against him are lies. He and those who were with him have been approved by God Himself. They have been approved to bring the gospel and that gospel is the truth and cannot be characterized as error. God would not entrust that gospel, which is the gospel of His Son, to everyone. This ought to make clear the fact that lies have been spoken concerning Paul and his companions. Besides, if they are approved of God, men surely ought to approve of them. But, they were not only accused of speaking error, their motives were also questioned. They speak the gospel at all times not to please men but to please the God who has given that gospel to them. Now God is the One who judges the heart, something which men cannot do. Men can therefore not sit in judgment on their motives.

They did not use words of flattery while they were ministering to the church at Thessalonica. Words of flattery are used by those who seek to entrap people into something which they might not desire. They are used to make an appeal to men whereby the emphasis is shifted from the message which is brought. Paul and his helpers have not used this method, as the Thessalonians well know. All the emphasis rested on the word which they brought. The word has to draw men; other methods will always fail. They are seeking to please God, not men, and therefore the whole idea that they would use flattery is ridiculous. Neither did they use methods as a cloak of covetousness. Flattering words were often used to cover up the real reason teachers had come, namely, to enrich themselves. Perhaps the people would not be able to judge whether or not this defense of the Apostle is true because it deals with the motivation of the ministers. Therefore Paul calls God to witness. He proves the hearts and the Apostle is so sure of the nobility of his motives that he is not afraid to call God to witness.

They have not sought their own glory or honor from this church nor any other. What human honor was there to be had? Is the suffer ing, such as at Philippi, or the necessity of the hasty retreat from Thessalonica to bring honor to men? How can anyone seriously accuse them of this? Yet, in a certain sense—although that never entered the mind of their accusors—they could have claimed respect and honor from those to whom they ministered. They had been appointed Apostles by the Lord. They were His ambassadors! They came with His authority! Let no one think lightly of the high office to which they had been appointed!

In Motherly Care

Instead of emphasizing the authority wherewith they came and the honor due to them as those who had been divinely appointed to high office, they did the very opposite. We were “gentle” in the midst of you. No one can rightly claim that they had sought honor for themselves. They have dealt with the people of Thessalonica as a mother would deal with her own little children. A mother feeds, clothes, nurses, defends, yes, sacrifices herself for her own children. That is the way the Apostles had conducted themselves while they ministered to them. Not the honor of the messenger, but the welfare of the church was his goal!

The relationship between the messengers and those to whom the message was brought was very close. Paul says that they longed for these people. It is the kind of relationship which is not easy to understand for those who are not involved. They had been strangers to each other and had learned to know each other for such a brief time. Yet it was a relationship such as is seldom found in the world. The missionaries were delighted that they were able to impart the gospel to them, but this was not done in a cold manner. No, they wanted to impart themselves to these people. These people had become very dear to him and his helpers. God had shown His love to them, and those whom God loves, the Apostles love! In a short space of time they had indeed become brethren!

It has been charged that Paul ‘Vas seeking to enrich himself at the expense of the people at Thessalonica. Well, he says, you know that that is a lie. They must remember how he labored while he was there. He took a “job” so that he would be able to meet his own expenses and not become a burden for the church. He was a tentmaker by trade (Acts 18:3) and may well have been engaged in this type of work while he was there. He did have the right, of course, to receive payment from the people in Thessalonica. Although this is often considered a touchy subject today, Paul did not consider it to be such. He refers to this matter time and again in his epistles (cf. II Cor. 9:6–15). It is the duty of the believers to support the labors of the ministers also with their gifts, and the measure in which they do so is also a measure of their spiritual strength. When things are normal the Apostle not only expects this, he demands it! However, there are also circumstances which prohibit the normal functioning of the church. His stay in Thessalonica was so brief. He did not desire to claim his rights but considered it more appropriate to labor with his hands and receive gifts from other churches. As a result, he had to work “night and day” while he was with them. The gospel had to be preached! To achieve this goal he would suffer all inconvenience. He was not laboring for himself-but for the Lord Who had called him!

He is in no way ashamed of the way in which they have conducted themselves in the time they were laboring in this church. They had behaved themselves piously and righteously and unblameably. They had done everything humanly possible to bring the gospel and found the church at this place. These Thessalonians know it and he is, again, not afraid to call in the witness of God Himself. He has a clear conscience and rejects all the accusations which are brought against him.

Fatherly Encouragement

Had he earlier spoken of his work among them as that of a mother who cares for her children (vs. 7), he now likens his work in their midst to that of a father in the home. A mother “cherishes” the children, the father admonishes them. Yet, a father does not only admonish, he also encourages. So had this Apostle dealt with these people. As he testified concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ he admonished them to walk in the way shown them. He encouraged them when it seemed to be too difficult to walk this way. He dealt with them individually and as a group. These functions were always in complete harmony. He gave no different advice to the individual than he proclaimed from the pulpit.

“Walk Worthily of God”

The purpose of all his labors was to cause them to “walk worthily of God.” But, who is sufficient to these things? Their manner of life is to be in harmony with the will of God. By the gospel they have also been called to a certain life-style. It does not only give a certain knowledge. It transforms the whole person! The kingdom of our God has come and by their faith they have become citizens of that kingdom. In all of life they are to be obedient to their new Sovereign. They belong to Him body and soul! However, they are not brought into a different slavery! The glory of His kingdom must be reflected in their lives. He desires—and makes—willing subjects! Walking before Him in the obedience of the gospel, they will experience that they have received the true freedom.

So he ends this section in which he defends himself against all attacks, on a strong positive note.

Questions for Discussion

1. What are the dangers found in the criticism of a minister of the gospel? Why is it so common? 2. Seeing that Paul mentions several times that they know these things and that they are witnesses of these things, why does he defend himself so strongly? 3. What was Paul and his companions’ authority as Apostles of Christ? Does the office of the ministry have authority? What is meant by “ambassador”? Is that a serving office? 4. Why is a minister’s salary often “a touchy matter”? How does Paul deal with this matter in his various epistles? 5. Can a minister’s work be effective if he doesn’t love the people whom he serves? 6. Can anyone “walk worthily of God”? What does this expression say concerning our use of the gospel which we hear?