1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

1: For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain,
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.
3: For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;
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 our hearts.
5: For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—
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.
7: But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.
8: Having so fond an affection 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 very dear to us.

*** 

Paul recounted their attitude and behavior while among the Thessalonians. He knew they knew this already, but spoke of it as a reminder, or maybe to inform those who hadn't been there. Their time with them was not in vain. They had come to them after Philippi where they were beaten and imprisoned for preaching the gospel. Yet that didn’t hinder them from speaking boldly to the Thessalonians.

Paul said they spoke the gospel boldly to the Thessalonians because they were not deceiving them, they were not in error, nor were they impure in any of their exhortation. They had been entrusted by God with the message of the gospel and that’s what they spoke, God examines their heart. They were not out to please men, flatter anyone, or obtain personal gain through the gospel. They were not seeking glory from man.

Even though, as apostles, they might have asserted authority over them, as some had done, they didn’t. Instead, they treated them tenderly, caring for them lovingly. Not only did they impart the gospel to them, but their own lives with it as well. For the messenger of the message to follow the example of the One the message is about—Jesus Christ—is the highest form of delivering the gospel.

To be a servant to the ones you are delivering the gospel to, rather than requiring them to serve you, carries the message of the gospel in a way that nothing else can. Anyone who preaches the Word of God is not to abuse the power of it. Words of faith accompanied by works of love brings life. This is the example Jesus set, and one all believers are to follow—especially those who preach the Word.

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