There are many things throughout our lives for which we have been trusted. We all have various responsibilities and people that we are accountable for. However, as important as our responsibilities are, there is no greater task to be entrusted with than the task of preaching the Gospel and helping believers grow in their faith. In our text at hand, the Apostle Paul explains the importance of his pastoral ministry to the church at Thessalonica. Warren Wiersbe says, “Just as God uses people to bring the Gospel to the lost, so He uses people to nurture the babes in Christ and help lead them to maturity. The church at Thessalonica was born through the faithful preaching of the apostle and his helpers, and the church was nurtured through the faithful pastoring that Paul and his friends gave to the infant church. This helped them stand strong in the midst of persecution.”[1] In this passage we see Paul’s Defense and Paul’s Heart.
Paul’s Defense. In verses 1-6 we see Paul giving a defense of his ministry. There was apparent criticism and questions surrounding his ministry to the church at Thessalonica. Therefore, as Paul writes to the Thessalonians he gives a defense for himself and his assistants concerning their ministry to the church. There are many things Paul explains to the church.
(1) Their work was not in vain (v.1). Paul and Silas had an interesting ministry in Thessalonica. They preached the Gospel throughout Thessalonica starting in the Synagogue. As they preached, the Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way and many Jews were saved along with many Greeks. This made the Jewish leaders furious and they instigated a riot that become so violent that Paul and Silas was ordered out of the city by nervous officials. As the Holman Commentary says, “Despite the tumult which surrounded their visit despite the misunderstandings and rumors, despite the mob violence and threats, Paul stated that their visit was not a failure. Jews and Greeks had turned to Christ.”[2] The work we do for Christ is never in vain especially when people are getting saved. The salvation of lost souls makes all the toil and hardships worth it all.
(2) Their work involved much suffering (v. 2). Paul and his companions came to Thessalonica boldly preaching the Gospel even after being severely persecuted in Philippi. “Paul and his companions were not on a vacation trip. They had come to Thessalonica after having suffered, been insulted, beaten, and imprisoned for preaching the gospel in Philippi (Acts 16:22–24). This mission had cost them dearly, but God gave them uncommon boldness to stand up in the synagogue at Thessalonica and preach the same message that had brought them persecution in Philippi. And when opposition broke out in Thessalonica the missionaries kept on preaching.”[3] The great work of preaching the Gospel comes with a great price. This world’s system is diametrically opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Satan will use any means necessary to hinder the mission of the church in bringing the Gospel to the world. Those who believe the Gospel and live the Gospel and proclaim the Gospel will suffer persecution. This persecution may come from the world, however, sometimes, it may come from within as Satan will use immature believers within the church to hinder the cause of Christ. The suffering we encounter should not stop us from preaching the Gospel. In fact, it should embolden us to preach even more just as it did with the Apostle Paul.
(3) Their work was pure (v. 3). Paul here defends their motive for preaching the Gospel. The Evangelical Commentary says, “Paul now defends himself and his companions against the charge that they were wrongly motivated. Their mission efforts did not spring from error. They themselves were neither deceived nor did they deceive the Thessalonians by proclaiming falsehoods.”[4] What is your motive for serving the Lord? Is it out of a desire to please Him and to bring others to Christ or is it to promote yourself to receive the praise of men? You see, motive is everything. It is not necessarily what you do, but it is your motive behind it. It is good to constantly examine ourselves and ask ourselves why we do what we do.
(4) Their work was of God (v. 4). Paul mentions how their ministry came out of a calling from God. Therefore, they did not seek to please men, but rather, they sought to please God. Black’s New Testament Commentary says, “The God who makes Paul courageous to preach the gospel is the God who supplies the gospel, the creator of the good news who in a real sense is for that reason the good news himself, both its author and its object.”[5] It is imperative that we understand that the Gospel we preach is not our Gospel but God’s. The preacher must preach not his own truth that he creates, rather, the truth handed down by God.
(5) Their goal was to please God and not men (v. 4). Paul and his companions were able to boldly preach the Gospel even in the face of persecution because their goal was not to please men, but to please God. When you set out to please men, you will be most miserable. You can never please everybody. When you try to be a people pleaser you will run yourself into the ground, it is exhausting. It is important to understand that your worth is not found in the acceptance of praise of men, your worth is found in your relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, don’t worry about what other people think of you or even if they agree with you. Focus on doing what is right and pleasing your Heavenly Father, for His opinion is the only one that really matters.
(6) Their work was not self-seeking (v. 5). Paul and his companions were not seeking to build a name for themselves. They were not attempting to climb the social or professional ladder. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “Paul’s preaching to the Thessalonians was not aimed at making a favorable impression on them. He asked them to remember how he spoke. He never wore a false face, preaching to gain something for himself. Because they could not know this, Paul appealed to God as the witness of his motives.”[6]
(7) Their work was not self-promoting (v. 6). Paul mentions that they could have been a burden to the church. However, during his time in Thessalonica he pursued his trade of tent making in order to provide for his needs. He did not seek gain from the church. He certainly could have sought provision from the church. He had every right to as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. There would have been nothing wrong with Paul taking a salary from the church. However, due to the circumstances surrounding his visit he did not seek payment from the church. He did not want to add any undue attention on the church especially with some of the accusations against him. Yet, in all that, he continued to preach. This proves that the preaching of the Gospel was not about himself. You cannot but a price tag on the Gospel. Whether one is rewarded for their work or not, the Gospel must go forth. It must be preached.
Paul’s Heart. After giving a defense for his work in preaching the Gospel at Thessalonica, Paul shares his true heart with the church. Here we see four descriptions of Paul’s heart.
(1) A Pastor’s Heart (v. 7-8). It is certain that Paul had the heart of a pastor. Paul considered the church as his very own children. He cared for them deeply. He did not just give them the Gospel he also gave them himself. During his time in Thessalonica Paul cared for the church as he would his own family. Even after leaving Thessalonica, Paul’s love for them never diminished. This is evident in his letter to the Thessalonians.
(2) A Sacrificial Heart (v. 9). Paul again mentions how he was not a burden to the church. He labored day and night so that he would not accept payment from the church. In light of the accusations against him, Paul reminded the church that he did not come to them for personal gain. He came to preach the Gospel. It was not about what He could get out of it. It was all about the advancement of the Gospel. No matter what his circumstance, Paul would never stop preaching.
(3) A Pure Heart (v. 10). Paul remind the Thessalonians of the good behavior of both himself and his companions. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “None of the members of the assembly could accuse Paul of being a poor example. Furthermore, God had witnessed Paul’s life; and Paul was not afraid to call God as a witness that he had lived a dedicated life, while caring for the church family.”[7] Can this be said of you? Are you known for having a pure heart?
(4) A purposeful Heart (v. 11-12). Paul had a purpose. He wanted to teach the Thessalonians as a father would instruct his children. His desire above all else was that they would walk worthy of the Lord. That they would live in holiness. Every good father wants to see his children live right. So, Paul wanted to see the Thessalonians live pleasing to the Lord. This was his purpose. To help them live right.
Paul was entrusted with a great task to preach the Gospel and help the saints at Thessalonica to grow in their faith. We too have been entrusted with the Gospel. We are all called by God to proclaim the Gospel, live out the Gospel, and help each other to grow in the Gospel becoming more pleasing to the Lord and bringing Him glory.
[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 163). Victor Books.
[2] Larson, K. (2000). I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon (Vol. 9, p. 21). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Thessalonians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 694). Victor Books.
[4] Ewert, D. (1995). 1-2 Thessalonians. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 1072). Baker Book House.
[5] Best, E. (1986). The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians (p. 91). Continuum.
[6] Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Thessalonians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 694). Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 166). Victor Books.
Pastor Chris Noland 