A Gentle Witness

We began our look into 1 Thessalonians 2 last week by looking at Paul’s encouraging introduction. He was reminding the readers that, despite much opposition, Paul and his companions had to preach God’s word. Paul continues his argument by showing that God’s word does not come from error or impurity or deceit, and they are speaking to please God, not men. Paul ends the beginning of this chapter by acknowledging that although he could have asserted authority over the believers in Thessalonica, he didn’t. Today, we are going to look more into why Paul behaved as he did and the result.

“7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing 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 dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”

1 Thessalonians 2:7-13

In this second part of chapter 2, we see that Paul is seeking to remind the readers that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy came alongside them. What this means is that they allowed their actions to open the door to share the gospel. Paul begins by comparing them to children while he, Silvanus, and Timothy were their doting mother. As a mother myself, I see the attitude that I have towards my children. It is one that desires to raise them up in a way that they understand the word of God. While there are some instances of strangers walking up and leading individuals to God, this is not the typical experience. Instead, many will point out that there was one, two, or several people who came alongside them and affectionately taught them God’s word. This section of scripture reminds me of Matthew 23:37, “37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” While this specific passage is Jesus talking about the unbelieving jews, it reveals a foundational practice initiated by the Lord and practiced by Christ followers. We should want to go to other believers who are less knowledgable than us and help them, and spiritually protect them. This is why Jesus said, John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy had come along side the new believers and loved them. They taught them and imparted the words of Truth to them.

Verses 9-11 teach the reader that it is not always as simple as walking up to someone and sharing the gospel. Sometimes, and I would say most of the time, you need to build a relationship that is built on trust and your own actions showcasing Jesus Christ. That is exactly what Paul is doing here. Look back at verse 6 that we discussed last week, “6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”. Paul is showing that as an apostle, he had every right to make demands of those around him, and yet, verse 9 shows exactly what he did. He did not lord it over the church; he worked alongside them and allowed his actions to be a testimony for God. Consider 1 Peter 3:15-16, “15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” Paul’s actions are a direct representation of 1 Peter 3:15-16. Remember in Acts 17, they wished to imprison Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, and yet, the actions of these men allowed those around them to see that it was from God.

Paul ends this part of chapter 2 with an encouragement to the reader. Verses 12-13 are a call to remind the reader that they need to be walking in a way that is worthy of God. Not for their salvation, our own “good deed” cannot save us, but in order for those around them to see that they are following God. In doing so, Paul knows that the reader will then be able to follow in his footsteps and plant the seed, water the seed, or harvest the fruit of the gospel in another. For Paul then, and for us today, this is something that we must be thankful for! We are given the opportunity to allow God to work through us to bring more to Him!

Seek the truth and encourage one another,