I THESSALONIANS 2:13-20

At first glance these do not appear to be very promising verses to study. But I am reminded of one of my pastors who defended the practice of expository preaching because it forced him to deal with Scriptures he might otherwise be tempted to skip over. We will go through these verses twice, first to see if there is any hidden information that can be revealed and then to deal with issues of application.

I Thessalonians 2:13: “without ceasing” Where have we encountered that phrase before? It is found in the more familiar verse 5:17: “pray without ceasing.” In 2:13 it means “never cease to be thankful.”

“Receive” appears twice in this passage. The first time the word paralambano is used (formally and outwardly). The second time dechomai is utilized (willingly and inwardly).

“God's word” is repeated in this verse for emphasis.

“at work” = energeo (exercised power). It appears 21 times in the New Testament, 18 of which are in Paul's writings.

“You who believe” is in the present tense, not a one-time past event. Leon Morris: “You cannot live today on the spiritual capital of yesterday.”

I Thessalonians 2:14: This is the second time in the letter that “imitators” is used (see 1:6). Both occur in the same context: receiving the word and suffering. It may refer to events described in Acts 17:1-9 or a subsequent persecution reported by Timothy.

“Our countrymen” probably included both Jews and Gentiles.

I Thessalonians 2:15: There is an unusual word order here: “the Lord killed Jesus.” It suggests that they killed both the son of God and their own flesh (Jesus as human). The Greek grammar allows “prophets” to be linked with either “killed” or “drove out” (i.e., persecuted).

“Contrary, oppose, against” is only used here in the NT of human beings. It usually refers to a blind force such as the wind.

“Against all men” because they are trying to work against God's salvation. Tacitus said that the Jews had “a terrible hatred against all others.” These are the strongest words Paul is recorded as saying against the Jews. However, (a) it must be put into the context of other writings where he expressed love for, and identification with, his fellow Jews; (b) Acts 17 demonstrates that not all Jews were like that; for example, the Bereans were more noble; and (c) one could remove the comma after “Jews” in verse 14. One can't totally dissociate the Jews of the time from Jesus' death, but certainly there is no basis for anti-Semitism here.

The literary structure supports verses 13-16 as being vital in both directions (opposition to God and God's wrath) despite some scholars who feel these verses were added by a later hand.

I Thessalonians 2:16: For the phrase “measure of iniquity” see Genesis 15:16. Since the beginning, God has known the sinfulness of man and set a limit on it. It is all part of God's plan.

“Wrath has come” may be an example of the prophetic past tense to show the inevitability of future judgment or may mean that they are starting to experience wrath.

“To the uttermost” can also mean “at last.” God's wrath has reached the point where it is turned into judgment.

I Thessalonians 2:17: “Bereft” is literally “orphaned.” First Paul was a mother (v. 7), then a father (v. 11), and now a child.

“In person, not in heart” is translated by Moffett as “out of sight, but not out of mind.”

“More eagerly” in late Greek meant “most eagerly.”

“Desire” is a strong word usually reserved for sexual desire or covetousness. Paul was probably being accused of ignoring the new church. He tells them with great emotion that it is a lie.

I Thessalonians 2:18: “Hinder” is literally “cut into.” this is a military term for breaking up a road so that troops couldn't pass. This may specifically refer to Paul's thorn in the flesh, or the peace bond (Acts 17:9) that Jason had to pay to assure that Paul would not return.

I Thessalonians 2:19-20: He also called the Philippians his crown (Philippians 4:1).

“Coming” = parousia or “presence.” This is probably the first of its 18 appearances in Paul's writings, seven of which are in I and II Thessalonians. In Greek secular use, it often referred to the arrival of a visiting dignitary.

Another parallel to this thought is the reference to a crown. Often the people in town were taxed to buy a crown to present to a prominent visitor. Paul says that his crown to present is the Thessalonian church. Also see the reference in Revelation to the people casting their crowns before Christ. Alternatively, when Christ comes, he will unexpectedly give Paul a crown instead of receiving one.

In any case, our only valid grounds of boasting (according to the NT) is (a) in God's works accomplished through us or (b) our own weakness. The two are related.

Applications

Verse 13: What does it mean to receive the word as being from God?

1. We are pledged to obey God's laws.

2. We are to study the Word (as did the Bereans).

3. In the immediate context, it may mean the necessity of suffering for proclaiming the truth.

Verse 14: This is an ironic statement considering Paul's earlier persecution of the Church. Can we distance ourselves as Paul did from the sins God has forgiven us for?

Verse 15: The Jews were accused of hating mankind. Galen and Celsus leveled the same charge against Christians. Are we in danger of having the same reputation today?

Verse 17: Do we feel the same intense longing to be with our brothers and sisters in Christ when we are separated from them? If not, why? Don't we truly believe that these are our family?

Verse 18: Here Satan is putting up a barrier. In Acts 16:7 Paul talks about God putting up a barrier. How can we distinguish between the two?

    1. A door closed (Acts 16:7) becomes another door opened (II Corinthians 2:12).

    2. Compare the two accounts of David ordering a census (II Samuel 24:1 and I Chronicles 21:1). Also Paul's thorn in the flesh (II Corinthians 12:7).

The important thing is not to worry about the “rightness” of a decision but about obeying God's commands in whatever circumstances we are placed. See Gary Friesen's excellent book on Decision Making and the Will of God.