1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NKJV) For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 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.
V1 “For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.” That is, it was a fruitful spiritual harvest.
V2 “But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.” See Acts 16:20-24ff. So, they went south. This is a principle for us. If we are rejected and persecuted in one place, it is ok to go to a safer place and preach there. The Thessalonians may not have heard the Gospel if Paul had not fled there. We never know how God will bless us. In the midst of conflicts, spiritually, emotionally, and physically, they still preached the Gospel. This is another principle for us to learn and apply.
V3 “For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.” We made no mistakes or harbored impure motives. We did not lie. Pauls is probably referring to the fake/forged letter that was sent to them to destroy their faith. The devil’s goal is to kill, destroy, deceive, and prevent people from believing in Jesus. See John 10:10. The thief is present to prevent people from believing in Jesus by substituting his lying schemes.
V4 “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” If God approves, we are blessed. Since we have the Gospel, we tell others. This is the sign of a true evangelist. We will not change our message or actions to please anyone other than God. The Greek word for “approved” is (G1381) δοκιμάζω dokimázō, which means to test something to determine if something or someone is qualified. If gold, then it is gold. If Christian faith and ministry, then blessings. Joseph was a slave and prisoner in Egypt for 13, being tested and taught many things. Eventually, all was removed and Joseph entered the ministry that God had for him (Genesis 37, 39-41). God, who knows, needs to test us. The Lord Jesus was commissioned at His baptism, but He needed to be tested. The testing was His time in the wilderness with fasting and temptation (from the devil). Jesus passed the test (Luke 4:1-15). This whole scenario is applied to all of us.
V5 “For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.” We didn’t flatter, nor teach with an ulterior motive for money. Today, a motive for flattery and money is labeled the Evangelical Industrial Complex.
V6 “Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.” Our fleshly nature seeks recognition and fame, but Paul shows us not to do that. We are to serve and glorify Jesus. Since they are Apostles, they can ask, even demand, certain things as financial aid, etc. The Greek word for “demand” is (G922) βάρος báros, which means something heavy literally or by application a heavy request, applying the pressure, etc. for money. Compare Acts 15:28 and Revelation 2:24.
V7 “But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.” They didn’t burden. In fact, they were gentle even as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. This is a tender love.
V8 “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.” Paul and the team enjoyed the fellowship with the believers and is missing that fellowship (Romans 15:24). Paul’s attitude was the same as God’s–present the Gospel with the intent that every person would believe. Sadly, most people reject God’s offer of salvation. Some theologies believe that offering the Gospel and wanting all to believe is not true. They teach that only a few have been determined from eternity to believe, for God’s glory. The rest are damned to hell with no chance of believing again for His great glory. This theology is blasphemy and changes the plain teaching of Scripture that God wants all to be saved. Among the verses (understood in its plain, normal sense) are John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:4, and 1 Timothy 4:10. In reality, people are damned because they willingly refuse to believe: 2 Thessalonians 2:12 (LHB) “That they all might be damned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
V9 “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.” The Greek word for “labor” is (G2038) ἐργάζομαι ergázomai, which means carrying out one’s trade or occupation but also action, doing, exertion to accomplish something. The Greek word for “toil” is (G3449) μόχθος móchthos, which means unpleasant and difficult work. They were bivocational, preaching and working for money, so as not to need financial help from the brethren.
V10 “You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe…” Their character is described as devoutly, justly, and blamelessly. The Greek word for devoutly is (G3743) ὁσίως hosíōs, which means pure and morally clean according to God’s standards. The Greek word “justly” is (G1346) δικαίως dikaíōs, which means meeting/conforming to the standard of God’s laws especially “to love neighbor as one’s self.” The Greek word “blamelessly” is (G274) ἀμέμπτως amémptōs, which means finding no fault after examination. These are 3 character traits for all Christians.
V11 “…as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children…” Verse 10 spoke of their character and verse 11 speaks of their actions. They encouraged, helped, assisted the believers in any way they could. They also comforted them in their trials and afflictions particularly from persecution. Charged has the idea of pressing forward reminding them and guiding them, especially by example.
V12 “…that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” The goal of a Christian life is to have a life in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds that God would approve of. To do so, we need to know the Bible, so read it, study it, memorize, and live it. Our motive is to honor God and His message. All society would benefit from us living this way. The natural human sin nature is not this way consistently.