1 Thessalonians 2: How To Wait For Christ (Enduring Opposition)

1 Thessalonians 2

Theme: Wait for Christ

1) By respecting godly teachers (2:1-12)
2) By enduring opposition (2:13 - 3:10)

By Respecting Godly Teachers (2:1-12)

The way these verses recount and defend the ministry of the missionary
team at Thessalonica, seems to suggest that someone was discrediting
their reputation. To discredit the messengers is to discredit their
message, which was the Word of God. Since faith in God's Word is
crucial to waiting for Christ, this passage shows why the
Thessalonians should respect godly teachers, and thus hold faith in
their message.

To show their sincere motives in preaching the gospel, Paul recalls
how the team came and taught after much mistreatment and opposition in
Philippi (2). They had never sought to please or glorify men, but only
God (3-6). They treated the Thessalonians gently, as a nursing mother
cares for her children (7-8). Further, they had worked day and night
to support themselves (9), and charged the Thessalonians nothing.
They behaved devoutly, blamelessly, and uprightly (10), and exhorted
them in God's ways, like a Father does his own children (11-12). Such
a ministry is sincere. It calls for respect (cf. 5:12-13), and
continued faith in God's Word.

By enduring opposition (2:13 - 3:10)

The missionary team constantly thanked God because the Thessalonians
received their message as the Word of God (13). Also, they had
imitated the faith of other churches by enduring the opposition of
unbelieving Jews, as had Christ (15), and the missionary team (16; cf.
Acts 16:22 - 17:15). The statement that such persecutors always fill
up the measure of their sins, may mean that they reach the limit of
sin which God will allow before He brings wrath upon them (cf. Genesis
15:16; Dan. 8:23). The wrath which is come upon them may refer to the
coming tribulation, when Israel will be especially tried by judgments
from heaven (cf. 1:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10), or the eternal destruction of
unbelievers in the lake of fire (Rev. 20), which follows. Paul was
eager to return to them, because they were his joy and crown (17-20).
Sometimes, waiting for Christ means enduring opposition.

--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
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