1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2:1-5

The Sanctification of the Believer - After opening his first epistle to the Thessalonians with a brief Salutation (1 Thessalonians 1:1), and after introducing the work of divine election in the lives of the Thessalonians from the perspective of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:2-10), Paul spends the entire body of the letter fully developing the three-fold aspect of divine election. He discusses the role of the Holy Spirit in sanctifying the believer by explaining the process of that a person goes through in order to be fully sanctified, spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Outline - Note the proposed outline: A. Sanctification of Man’s Spirit — 1 Thessalonians 2:1 to 1 Thessalonians 3:13B. Sanctification of Man’s Body — 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12C. Sanctification of Man’s Mind — 1 Thessalonians 4:13 to 1 Thessalonians 5:111. The Rapture of the Church — 1 Thessalonians 4:13-182. The Day of the Lord — 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11D. Commending Them Unto Their Leaders — 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13E. Practical Examples of Sanctification — 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

The Believers’ Response to Paul’s Work of Faith in Thessalonica – In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 Paul describes his work of faith when he first visited the city of Thessalonica and preached the Gospel of Christ to them. In this passage of Scripture Paul refers to his work towards them (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12), then to their response to him (1 Thessalonians 2:13-16). 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 — “God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” – Scripture References - Note similar verses: 1 Corinthians 12:6, “And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Note the same verb used here. Hebrews 13:21, “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Also: Ephesians 1:9, “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:” Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 3:7, “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” Ephesians 4:16, “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Colossians 1:29, “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 — “which effectually worketh also in you that believe” - Comments - Since the emphasis in 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 is man’s response to the preaching of the Gospel, we find that this passage is an exposition of our “work of faith,” which Paul mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. Thus, Paul uses the phrase “which effectually worketh in you that believe.” In other words, the preaching of the Gospel had a powerful effect upon those who heard. Paul makes a similar statement in Romans 1:16-17 by saying that the Gospel of Christ is the “power of God unto salvation.” Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” 1 Thessalonians 2:14 — Comments - The book of Acts records the great persecution that took place in Jerusalem following the death of Stephen, when the church was scattered abroad. Acts 8:3-4, “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” Acts 11:19, “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.”1 Thessalonians 2:15 — “and have persecuted us” – Comments - Paul and his team were targeted by the Jews in Jerusalem, which resulted in being persecuted throughout the period of his ministry to the Gentiles.

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Paul’s Efforts to Return to Thessalonica – In 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 Paul explains to the Thessalonians how he had not forsaken them, but rather, he had made a number of efforts to return to the city safely and without controversy in order to see them and strengthen their faith, yet Satan had hindered these efforts. Thus, Paul chose to send Timothy (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5). 1 Thessalonians 2:17 — Word Study on “being taken from” – Comments – Strong says the Greek word “taken from” (ἀπορφανίζω) (G642) literally means, “to bereave, wholly, separate.” The idea of separation in 1 Thessalonians 2:17 involves Paul having to leave Thessalonica regretfully and of necessity, although his heart is still with them. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 — “once and again” – Comments – The phrase “ἅπαξκαὶδίς” (once and again) can read, “once or twice.” In other words, Paul would have visited them several other times had he not be hindered from those who threatened him if he returned. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 — Comments – The hindrance from Satan that Paul mentions in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 may be the fact that their security was removed when Jason was reprimanded and they had to leave, and efforts to secure their safe return was being denied by city leaders. 1 Thessalonians 2:20 — Word Study on “joy” – Strong says the Greek word (χαρά ?) (G5479) means, “cheerfulness, delight.” It carries the idea of happiness, both spiritually and mentally. 1 Thessalonians 2:20 — Scripture Reference:Psalms 127:5, “Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”