Brandon Nguyen

Paul's Motivation for the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

For context, before writing this letter, Paul arrived in Thessalonica after being physically beaten with rods (Acts 16:19-22) and then imprisoned in Philippi for a few days (Acts 16:23-24). Yet, instead of finding rest or recuperating his energy, he went straight into proclaiming the Gospel to the Thessalonians. Even in Thessalonica, Paul faced false allegations of civil treason and endured many physical hardships (Acts 17:5-9). Yet to Paul, his coming to the Thessalonians was not κενός (in vain). Why was it not in vain? Because by the will of God, the church that Paul planted in Thessalonica became fruitful and flourishing, serving as a model to all the churches around them. Paul had been πιστευθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον (entrusted with the gospel), a stewardship that was divinely commissioned by God Himself. In 1 Corinthians 4:1–2, it is required of stewards of the gospel that they be found faithful, so that only God alone may be pleased above all things. Because of his entrusted stewardship of the Gospel and his approval by God as an apostle, Paul is given the παρρησία (boldness) to proclaim the gospel. This boldness ultimately comes from the Spirit of God and is displayed ἐν πολλῷ ἀγῶνι (in the midst of much conflict), as seen during his time in Philippi. Are you proclaiming the Gospel out of faithfulness, or are you consumed with the outcome? As Christians, we are called to be faithful in proclaiming the Good News, not focused on results but prioritizing the pleasing of our God. Because it is neither the one who plants nor the one who waters who brings growth, but God alone who gives the growth, and God alone who has mercy on whom He will have mercy and compassion on whom He will have compassion. In verse 3, Paul's exhortation does not spring from:

• πλάνη (error): false doctrine; a going astray from the truth (e.g., The Chosen)
• ἀκαθαρσία (impurity): unclean or corrupt motives; disgraceful intentions; sexual wickedness (e.g., adulterous church scandals better left undescribed)
• δόλος (deceit): trickery, craftiness, fraud; subtle manipulation (e.g., Kenneth Copeland)

nor is it preached to please man by compromising the truth of the gospel. My fellow Christian, are you interacting with others out of genuine love, or out of selfish ambition? Since our actions are meant to bear witness to the living God and His Gospel, we must also remember what our words and deeds cannot arise from.

The Gentleness of the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:5-8)

Paul did not come to persuade the Thessalonians with lofty speech, mere rhetoric, or by making demands of them through his apostolic authority. He uses the phrase Θεὸς μάρτυς (God is witness), a phrase seen in Romans 1:9 and Phillipians 1:8, to affirm that his statements are spoken in truth and with genuine sincerity, demonstrating his deep accountability before God and the seriousness with which he views his ministry. As we go about our daily lives, are we mindful that everything we do takes place before the face of God? Do we honestly recognize the subtle sins that surface in our interactions with others? Are we seeking our own glory instead of building up others? Christian, examine your heart. Look at Paul's example in how he passionately serves in his ministry, not out of personal gain or approval from man, but out of sincere devotion to Christ and a deep sense of accountability before God. Even though Paul had every right as an Apostle to demand such things, he made no such use of any of these rights. Paul's ultimate goal was to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in demonstration of power and of the Holy Spirit and full conviction. Paul then uses two analogies to describe his care for the Thessalonians, one of them being that of a mother tenderly caring for her own children. Just as a mother cares for her dependent baby without expecting anything in return, so Paul did not ultimately expect anything from the Thessalonians except their sincere and growing faith in Jesus Christ. In Numbers 11:12, Moses uses a similar analogy, comparing himself to a nursing mother caring for the people of Israel. However, he does so as a plea for help to God, because he was greatly burdened and discouraged by the people's constant demands for meat. He was sacrificially exhausted from constantly providing for them, perhaps foreshadowing the greater burden that Christ, the true and better Moses, would ultimately one day bear for His people. Just as Moses sacrificially loved Israel, Paul and the apostles not only shared the gospel but were also willing to share their very selves, becoming all things to all people, that by all faithful means, God might save some through them. The Thessalonians were very dear to Paul, a love born out of gospel ministry that was familial and sacrificial. He always looked for their interests, not his own, putting their developing faith in Christ first. He was willing to gladly spend all his energy and even have himself spent for the sake of their souls.

The Calling of the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Paul labored as a tentmaker, night and day, working long hours from before dawn until after sunset, to relieve the Thessalonians of having to provide financially for him. The word κοπιῶντες (labored) means to invest intense, exhausting effort into a task, draining the person physically and emotionally. This statement is echoed later in 1 Thessalonians 3:7–8 as well. Instead of taking advantage of his apostolic authority to demand support from the Thessalonians, he humbled himself so that he might display his sacrificial love in planting this new church in Thessalonica. Do we serve one another by laboring in love, or do we serve with the expectation of receiving something in return? Christian, consider the example of Paul, who labored night and day so that he would not take even a single penny from the Thessalonians! For Paul does not seek the monetary gift in itself, but rather seeks the fruit that increases to their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul's vocation of tentmaking was in itself a service to the Lord. He then describes the Thessalonians as witnesses, able to see Paul as an example of what it means to be a true believer in Christ, so that they may be encouraged to imitate him as he imitates Christ. Paul uses another analogy in referring to himself as a father, constantly urging the Thessalonians to περιπατεῖν ἀξίως τοῦ Θεοῦ (to walk in a manner worthy of God), which reflects His holiness, grace, and calling. This walk is the fruit of regeneration and sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit, not a works-based righteousness, but a confirmation of their election as God's chosen people. Only those who are called into His kingdom and glory, which all Christians will share in heaven, are able to walk in such a high calling. My fellow Christian, are you continually exhorting others to walk worthy of the calling they have received, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another all the more as you see the Day drawing near? Let us not only look to our own race, but also bear one another's burdens and constantly encourage one another, because, Christian, it is our responsibility to ensure others maintain their endurance in the race as we press on toward His kingdom and into His glory.