The Historical Setting
| . |
|
. |
|
The Historical Setting |
|
| Last revised: 1/15/00 |
|
|
| Ministry to the Thessalonians | Ancient Letters | 1-2 Thessalonians |
|
|
|
|
| 17.1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis
and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of
the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and for three weeks
he argued with them from the scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that
it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and
saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And
some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas; as did a great
many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But
the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked fellows of the rabble, they
gathered a crowd, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of
Jason, seeking to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they could
not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city
authorities, crying, “These men who have turned the world upside down have
come here also, 7 and Jason has received them; and they are all acting
against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard
this. 9 And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest,
they let them go.
17.10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea; and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there too, stirring up and inciting the crowds. 14 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. |
1:4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, His
choice of you; 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but
also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as
you know what kind of men we proved [Lit., became] to be among you for
your sake. 1:6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having
received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
1:7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and
in Achaia. 1:8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not
only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward
God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 1:9 For they
themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and
how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 1:10 and
to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is
Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Paul's Ministry 2:1 FOR you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming [Lit., entrance] to you was not in vain, 2:2 but 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 [Or struggle, conflict]. 2:3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit [Lit., in deceit]; 2:4 but 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 [Or, approves] our hearts. 2:5 For we never came with flattering speech [Lit., in a word of flattery], as you know, nor with a pretext for greed -- God is witness -- 2:6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority [Or, been burdensome]. 2:7 But we proved [Lit., became gentle] to be gentle [Some ancient mss. read babes] among you [Lit., in the modst of you], as a nursing mother tenderly cares [Or, cherishes] for her own children. 2:8 Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-leased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives [Or, souls], because you had become very dear [Lit., beloved] to us. 2:9 For you recall, brethren, our lavor 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. 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved [Lit., became] toward you believers [Or, who believe]; 2:11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring [Or, testifying] each one of you as a father would his own children, 2:12 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of God who calles you into His own kingdom and glory. 2:13 And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God's message, 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. 2:14 For 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, 2:15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out [Or, persecuted us]. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, 2:16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost [Or, forever or altogether]. 2:17But we, brethren, having been bereft of you for a short while [Lit., occasion of an hour] -- in person [Lit., face], not in spirit [Lit., heart] -- were all the more eager to see your face. 2:18 For [Or, because] we wanted to come to you -- I, Paul, more than once [Lit., both once and twice] -- and yet Satan thwarted us. 2:19 For 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 [Or, presence]? 2:20 For you are our glory and joy. |
3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8 and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. |
Study Questions:
a division of 
All rights reserved©