1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
13: For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, 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.
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, 15: who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men,
16: hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
17: But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.
18: For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us.
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?
20: For you are our glory and joy.
Continuing in fatherly affection, Paul & Co. informed the Thessalonians of their constant thanks to God for their acceptance of the Word of God which they preached to them. The Thessalonians didn’t receive the Word as if it were from men, but for what it really was—the Word of God. This is a true and important distinction. The Word of God performs its work, God’s work, in those who believe. When we believe it, His works are performed in us.
Paul noted that the Thessalonians had become like the churches in Judea in that they were persecuted by their own countrymen just as the Judean Christians were. The persecution which came through the Jews who didn’t want them preaching to the Gentiles to bring salvation to them, was of the same sort which killed Jesus and the prophets and then began persecuting the Thessalonians. These persecutors were not pleasing God. Their actions of hindering the gospel to the Gentiles made their iniquity full, or complete, to where the wrath of God would come upon them.
Paul expressed his desire to come see them more than once but was hindered by Satan. Of course, Satan would do everything possible to keep the gospel from spreading beyond the Jews to the entire world. His influence and deception over the Jews had blinded them from seeing the plan of God was salvation for all mankind—to whoever would believe. The Jews believed they were doing what God wanted but were deceived. True believers must always maintain an open and humble heart before the Lord, seeking truth and allowing the Lord to correct any deception, any blindness, any arrogance, and heal any wounds which would prohibit us from seeing the truth about our own actions and beliefs. Satan may hinder for a time, but the Word of God is powerful and cannot be stopped when in the heart and mouth of a believer.
In the big picture they would only be away from the Thessalonians for a short time, yet they were with them in spirit. They told them that their greatest joy would be to see them in the presence of the Lord at His coming.
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, 15: who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men,
16: hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
17: But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.
18: For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us.
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?
20: For you are our glory and joy.
***
Continuing in fatherly affection, Paul & Co. informed the Thessalonians of their constant thanks to God for their acceptance of the Word of God which they preached to them. The Thessalonians didn’t receive the Word as if it were from men, but for what it really was—the Word of God. This is a true and important distinction. The Word of God performs its work, God’s work, in those who believe. When we believe it, His works are performed in us.
Paul noted that the Thessalonians had become like the churches in Judea in that they were persecuted by their own countrymen just as the Judean Christians were. The persecution which came through the Jews who didn’t want them preaching to the Gentiles to bring salvation to them, was of the same sort which killed Jesus and the prophets and then began persecuting the Thessalonians. These persecutors were not pleasing God. Their actions of hindering the gospel to the Gentiles made their iniquity full, or complete, to where the wrath of God would come upon them.
Paul expressed his desire to come see them more than once but was hindered by Satan. Of course, Satan would do everything possible to keep the gospel from spreading beyond the Jews to the entire world. His influence and deception over the Jews had blinded them from seeing the plan of God was salvation for all mankind—to whoever would believe. The Jews believed they were doing what God wanted but were deceived. True believers must always maintain an open and humble heart before the Lord, seeking truth and allowing the Lord to correct any deception, any blindness, any arrogance, and heal any wounds which would prohibit us from seeing the truth about our own actions and beliefs. Satan may hinder for a time, but the Word of God is powerful and cannot be stopped when in the heart and mouth of a believer.
In the big picture they would only be away from the Thessalonians for a short time, yet they were with them in spirit. They told them that their greatest joy would be to see them in the presence of the Lord at His coming.
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