Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-1516

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

AFFIRMATION OF PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE THESSALONIANS

1Th 2:7-12 (3/27/11)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

I. PAUL WAS GENTLE AND CARING AMONG THE THESSALONIANS (7-8)

A. Affirming his character, Paul reminded the Thessalonians that he did not come to them with wrong motives (1Th 2:3, 5), seek the glory of men (1Th 2:6a), or muscle them with his apostolic status (1Th 2:6b). Now he affirms his love and concern for them while among them. It is here that we have a personal example of “laboring in love” from Paul and his ministry (1Th 2:7-12). It could be deducted that in one way or another Paul is answering some of the personal attacks against him and his ministry from Thessalonian opposition (1Th 2:2 cp. Act 16:22-24; 17:5-14).

B. Rather (alla) than throwing his apostolic weight around, Paul was very gentle with them as he ministered the gospel to them (7).

1. This is a difficult passage because of the possibilities of the meaning of the expressions “gentle” and “nursing mother.”

2. “Gentle” is either the Greek word êpioi or nêpioi. If the word is êpioi, then Paul and the others were “gentle” in their ministry. If the word is nêpioi, then they were like humble and innocent “children” among them. While the latter is possible, it would conflict with the metaphor of that of a nursing mother. Since we maintain that Paul was “gentle” (êpios - idea of outward mildness or mildness towards others, soothing medicine, kind) among them, he would have “persuaded” (peithō - Act 17:4) them with the gospel in gentleness, patience, and kindness. He would not have quarreled but gently taught and showed patience when wronged (cp. 2Ti 2:24, “kind” - epios).

3. They were as a “nursing mother” in their care and concern for the Thessalonians. A “nursing” (trophos fr trephō tp feed, nourish, and make grow) mother is one who feeds and nourishes her infant in order that it grows. In the same, Paul would have fed and nourished the Thessalonians so that after coming to Christ, they would grow from the milk of the Word (1Pe 2:2). In addition, Paul would tenderly care for them. “Tenderly care” (thálpō - can mean: warm - 1Ki 1:2, care - 1Th 2:7, or cherish - Eph 5:29) would mean that the Thessalonians were cared for to help them grow, cherished as God’s children, and kept safe from false teaching.

C. But Paul takes his care for those whom he ministers to a new level. He had great affection and love for the Thessalonians, as a result, he shared the gospel and his life to them (8).

1. While among them, Paul had a great affection for them. “Affection” (homeiromai) is emphatic here (houtōs cp. Joh 3:16) and means a strong feeling intensified by an inner attachment.

2. In fact, he not only shared the gospel with them out of love, but he shared his own life with them. Sharing the gospel is love because love is meeting the needs of another. It is the forgiveness of sins through Christ that meets man’s greatest need.

3. However, Paul also shared his very life (psuchế - soul) with the Thessalonians. This means Paul was not only willing to lay down his life for them, but that he put himself at their disposal without reservation and without cost.

4. Why? Because Paul was a great example of the phrase “labor of love” in ministry. Though labor is the strong word associated with hardship, love does not see such hardship, but only necessary acts of love. Paul said that they were “beloved” (agapêtoi - lit. “agapê ones”“loved ones”) by him.

II. PAUL WOULD NOT BE A BURDEN TO THE THESSALONIANS (9-10)

A. The persecutors in Thessalonica apparently accused Paul of being self-serving and motivated by greed (1Th 2:3, 5). He asked the believers to “recall” (mnemoneuō - bring to mind, remember) that he was not motivated by greed, because he made sure he did not place any burden on them (9).

1. While in Thessalonica, the apostles labored among them. This “labor” (kopos - wearisome toil) is the type that is associated with “hardship” (mochthos - travail or affliction) and often mentioned together.

2. They labored so that they would be self-supporting and not be a burden (epibaréō - to put on a weight or burden) on the Thessalonians (cp. 2Th 3:7-9). Paul was a tent maker (Act 18:3) and probably worked at tent making “night and day” so that he would not place a financial burden on the Thessalonians. But the ultimate reason for any and all of this was so that he could share the gospel.

B. What was another purpose why Paul did not want to be a burden on the Thessalonians? Because he wanted to have integrity in his ministry and a greater opportunity to preach the gospel. Paul states as much (10).

1. Paul did minister with integrity among the Thessalonians and he reminds them they were witnesses (martus). But more importantly, he asserts that even God knows of their godly behavior.

2. They behaved devoutly, uprightly, and blamelessly toward them. “Devoutly” (hosiōs - conscientious and holy regard for God and His holiness) means that their conduct was pleasing to a holy God.

3. They were “upright” (dikaiōs fr dikaios - righteous) in that they ministered in a way that was morally and ethically right in spite of what the persecutors said.

4. “Blameless” (amemptōs) means that there was nothing in their conduct that God or others could point a finger at.

III. PAUL GAVE FATHERLY ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE THESSALONIANS (11-12)

A. Paul uses the metaphor of fatherly encouragement to describe his concern for the Thessalonians (11).

1. Again, in order to defend himself against the false allegations, Paul points out, “as you know.” What is it that they knew? They knew that Paul had affection for them as a father. The affection was deep and personal by Paul because he considered himself a spiritual father to “his own children.”

2. As a good spiritual father he:

a) “exhorted” (parakaléō) them with instruction about the gospel and truth from God’s Word.

b) “encouraged” (paramutheomai - para = alongside, muthéomai = to speak) them by personally speaking to each one of them, encouraging them to come to Christ and grow in Him.

c) “implored” (marturomai - testify, rare usage - exhort solemnly) them with solemn and heartfelt speech to belief and obey.

B. Paul, as a spiritual father, exhorted, encouraged, and implored them to walk in worthy manner as new believers (12).

1. Their walk (peripatéō - walk or manner of conduct) was to be “worthy” (axíos - balance or scale, i.e. equivalent) of God. Therefore their walk was to be as holy as the God they served.

2. It was not only right for them to walk in this manner, but they were to keep on walking (present infinitive of peripateō) in a worthy manner.

3. They were to do this with a glorious gratitude to the God who calls them into His kingdom and glory.

IV. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS:

HOW TO LABOR IN LOVE IN MINISTRY (1Th 1:3)

A. Possess a burden and a love for the lost (Rom 9:1-3).

B. Possess a burden and a love for the saved (“walk” 1Th 2:12).

C. Be gentle and caring in ministry as a mother (2Ti 2:24; Gal 5:22-23).

D. Give spiritual nourishment and warn against false teachers (1Pe 2:2; Eph 5:26).

E. Be an example of integrity (Tit 2:6-7).

F. Exhort, encourage, and implore as a father (1Ti 5:1-2).