TESTING TIMES (1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-9)
What do these countries have in common - North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Maldives, Mali, Iran, Yemen and Eritrea? The answer is, Christians suffer the worst persecution here. You might also be surprised to know that Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world. Of the top 10 countries on the list, eight are majority Muslim states. About 100 million Christians are persecuted around the world, with conditions worsening most rapidly in Syria and Ethiopia, according to an annual report by Open Doors, a group supporting oppressed Christians worldwide. On the top 50 persecuted list, all but Colombia are in Africa, Asia or the Middle East.
“About 100 million Christians Persecuted Around the World: Report”
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/08/us-religion-christianity-persecution-idUSBRE9070TB20130108
Thessalonica in Greece was the second stop in the detour to Macedonia on Paul’s second missionary journey. Three weeks into Thessalonica with Silas and Timothy, Paul faced a severe threat and test. The unbelieving Jews reacted with envy, gathered a mob and caused an uproar. New believer Jason and some brotehrs were dragged before the city authorities, so Paul and Silas left for Berea to leave the converts alone (Acts 17:6-10). Many scholars believe that was not the end of Paul in Thessalonica since Berea was just 45-50 miles south.
In many cities around the world where Christianity is in the minority, Christians suffer discrimination, detention, duress, danger and even death. Physical beatings, psychological terror and sexual assault are constant tools of harassment. How do you respond when you are threatened and terrorized? Do you fight or flee? Do you persevere or pack? What if the government says you cannot preach to minorities, children or LGTB? What does the Bible say?
Be Outspoken Despite Opposition
1 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. (1 Thess 2:1-3)
After Lord Wellington had become famous because of his victory at the Battle of Waterloo, he was made governor general of India. At the close of his tenure of office he returned to England, where a great ovation was given him. Modern missions were in their infancy. Carey was working in India, and England was sharply divided as to whether missionary effort was of God and whether it paid.
One of England's notables who was against foreign missions was presented to the Duke, and almost immediately he asked, "You have been in India, where a few fanatics are doing what they call missionary work and trying to save the Hindus. Tell me please, what is your opinion--do missions pay?" The Iron Duke's eyes flashed as he replied: "Sir, I have for years been commander. It is my place to make the plans for the battle. And when I tell a general what to do, I expect him to do it, and not ask me if it will pay. Christ told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. It is our business to obey, not to question whether or not it pays."
1 Thessalonians is an affirming and assuring letter. Paul made reference to his time in Philippi by using the phrase “You know” as many as four times in the chapter (vv 1, 2, 5, 11), more times than any chapter in his 13 epistles. It was written in an appealing and acknowledging manner. Verse one is even more emphatic and engaging in Greek because the chapter adds another personal pronoun “you” to the verb “you know,” so that the translation should be “You, for you know.” Paul’s struggles traveled far and wide, were distant and upclose, widespread and scary.
What happened at Philippi (v 2)? In Philippi the Roman masters (plural) of a demon-possessed slave girl (Acts 16:16) incited the crowd to arrest Paul and Silas. The local magistrates tore off the clothes of their back, commanded them to be beaten. They were whipped many times, thrown into the inner prison, and their feet were bound fast in the stocks. (Acts 16:22-24) The magistrates later released them upon learning Paul and company were Roman citizens (Acts 16:36-38)
Paul was a go-getter despite hardships. His ministry in Thessalonica on his next stop was smooth but for three weeks. For three Sabbath days or three weeks he reasoned the Scriptures with the Jews in their synagogue. Some Jews believed but, more amazingly, a great multitude of devout Greeks and not a few of the chief women believed too. (Acts 17:1-4) “Chief women” impressively makes its debut in the city of Thessalonica, breaking another barrier for the gospel and the ladies.
In a literal, numerical and symbolical sense, Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica was a success, not a failure, as stated in verse 1. “Failure” or vain in KJV (v 1) means empty - meaningless, fruitless, useless, pointless, worthless. He fulfilled his expectations – his plans, purposes and priorities despite encountering hostility and hate.
The thrust of Paul’s message in verse 2 is boldness in suffering. Verse 2’s “previously suffered” is a one-time word never used before and never again in the Bible, and “insult” (v 2) is spite, shame, and scolding. One is physical abuse, the other is verbal abuse. Paul’s main focus, however, is not his suffering or shame, but his strength and support in the Lord in the midst of strong opposition. “Dare” or bold in KJV (v 2) occurs only nine times in the Bible, all in the context of preach or speak. KJV translates it “boldly” (parrhesiazomai) eight times, but NIV uses “fearless” for two of the eight times.
The first time “boldly” is used in the Bible is as late as the book of Acts, meaning there is no room for the word in the four gospels. The word debuts with the conversion of Paul. Initially, Barnabas testified to the “fearless” manner Paul had preached in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:27). Later the infection spread when Barnabas joined with Paul to answer critics “boldly” (Acts 13:46, 14:3). The same word applies to Apollos who spoke “boldly” in the synagogue Priscilla and Aquila attended (Acts 18:26).
Paul was bold for a purpose, to speak the gospel. So what is boldness? Boldness requires one to stand strong and bear witness before others, just as Apollos (Acts 18:26) and Paul (Acts 19:8) did in a synagogue to testify for God. Paul did it non-stop for three months in Ephesus (Acts 19:8). As an ambassador in chains, Paul recalled his fearlessness in prison (Eph 6:20).
So bold does not mean inner peace felt within; it must be spoken or raised.
Boldness must be acted out and carried out in the face of trouble, turmoil and torture, to resist the temptation to fear and to flee. Not only is the gospel the most repeated word in the passage (vv 2, 4, 8, 9), the phrase “gospel of God” (vv 2, 8, 9) occurs more times in this chapter than any chapter in the Bible. Why the emphasis on preaching the gospel? Because GOSPEL means good news, overpowering Satan, salvation of souls, pardon from sin, eternal life, living victoriously.
“Opposition” (v 2) is translated as conflict (Phil 1:30, Col 2:1), contention (1 Thess 2:2) and fight (1 Tim 6:12, 2 Tim 4:7) in KJV. Amazingly, Paul was the first to use this Greek word in Philippians (Phil 1:30), later to describe his experience in Colossians (Col 2:1) and Thessalonica (1 Thess 2:2) too, with one exception - “strong/great opposition” was felt for the first time.
The three arguments (“gar”) for Paul’s boldness is his refusal to use error, impure (akatharsia) motives, and trickery. Error (v 3) is translated as deceit (Matt 27:64, Eph 4:14), delusion (2 Thess 2:11) and falsehood (1 John 4:6). Trick means sly (Matt 26:4, Mark 14:1), crafty (2 Cor 12:16), lie (Rev 14:5). This refers to subtlety. Believers are to be true in message (error), motive (impure) and method (trickery).
Be Obstinate In Obedience
4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed ?God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you,
Former United States Secretary of State Daniel Webster (1850-52) at one time was considered the greatest of all living Americans. He was outstanding as a statesman, lawyer, orator, and leader of men. Twenty-five national leaders attended a select banquet in his honor. One man at the banquet asked Mr. Webster, "Sir, what is the greatest thought that ever entered your mind?" Without hesitation, Webster replied, "The greatest thought that ever entered my mind was the thought of my responsibility to God." Carl G. Johnson
The word most repeated in verse 4 is “approved/ entrusted/” (dokimazo). Other translations for the word include examine (1 Cor 11:28), discern Phil 1:10), proved (1 Peter 1:7). This is the same word for “tested” as by fire (1 Cor 3:13). Approved is not as good as “tested” in KJV because approved is the result, whereas “tested” means under review. This testing is in the perfect tense, meaning past to present, before and after, start to end, thick and thin..
In verse 5 Paul condemns the negative method of preaching the gospel, which is to please men. Paul is the Bible’s leading spokesman against pleasing people. Fourteen of the 17 times that the word “please” appears in the Bible comes from Paul’s epistles. Paul particularly stress not to please ourselves (Rom 15:3) or try to win the approval of men (Gal 1:10), but to please the Lord (1 Cor 7:32) or God (1 Thess 4:1).
First Paul talks about the method. What does “not pleasing men” mean? Unpleasing is not unpleasant. To be a man-pleaser means being a yes man, an apple polisher, a spineless person with no courage of convictions. It implies preoccupation with what others say, do and think of you, an obsession with their acceptance, approval and applause.
George Whitefield said, “It is a poor sermon that gives no offense; that neither makes the hearer displeased with himself nor with the preacher.”
There is a “for” or reason in verses 4- 5, followed by an amazing combo of five “not” or “oute” in Greek, subdividing to three issues – flattery (outward), mask (inward), glory (upward), the last with three “not.” Flatter (kolakeia) is the outward sweet talk. Mask (prophasis) is the cover for greed inside. Glory (doxa) is to be lifted up. Flattery is the mouth, mask is the face, and glory is the head. The first requires a big mouth, the second becomes a big liar, and the third is to be a big man.
Be Open to Others
7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
I came across an internet entry titled “Top 10 Reasons You SHOULD NOT Be a Nurse,” with the following reasons:
1. If you are doing this for the money.
2. If you are doing this for the fame.
3. If you faint at the sight of blood (Writer: “I see blood more than I see water most shifts.”)
4. If you have a sensitive sense of smell.
5. If you like sitting down for your job.
6. If you have a small bladder or cannot hold your water.
7. If you don’t like change.
8. If you don’t like continuing education and/or continually learning.
9. If you don’t have good personal skills (people skills).
10. If you don’t know how to care about your care
http://scrubsmag.com/top-10-reasons-you-should-not-be-a-nurse/
Paul is at his most affectionate in this chapter. The key word is to be gentle lie a nurse, the TLC (tender loving care) approach of Paul. Gentle is to be kind in nature and nurture, attitude and action, being and behavior. “Mother” is an odd, overstated and outnumbered translation because most translations beg to differ. KJV, RSV and ASV translate it as “nurse” and NASB and ESV as “nursing mother,” but none as “mother.” There is a reason Paul prefers nurse (trophos) to mother (meter). One is that he is a man, impossible to be a mother. The second, he is unmarried. Third, nurse is for all people, but mother is for one’s family.
A nurse in Paul’s case is not one whose duty is to the sick, injured or hospitalized. That is a job. A nurse is one who takes care, looks after, and tends to people. A nurse has to administer the Florence Nightingale TLC approach. TLC means tender loving care. In real estate terminology, it means extra work, minor repairs and fixer upper.
The more important part of the analogy is the action “cherish” (thalpo), which is to warm, to brood, to foster. Cherish is an action and not a feeling, a verb and not a noun. The options for this translation is “cherish,” to consider loved, valuable, costly, treasure, not just any child but her own child. Cherish is to protect without being overprotective, to provide without pampering,
“Loved you so much” (homeiromai) is found only in verse 8, and nowhere in the Bible. KJV translates it as “being affectionately desirous,” NASU as “having so fond an affection,” and NKJV as “affectionately longing for you,” but the idea of similar-mindeness (homo) is missing. The feelings were mutual for it to work.
The important phrase to accompany the word “gentle” is the phrase “delight to share.” “Delight” (eudokeo) is also an understatement. In the gospels, this is solely applied to none other but Jesus Christ, in whom God is “well pleased” (Matt 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22). It means more than happy, to be overjoyed, of utmost pleasure.
There is more to the word “to share” (metadidomi) lives in verse 8 than meets the eye. The traditional KJV translation is “impart” (Luke 3:11, Rom 1:11, 1 Thess 2:8) or “give” (Rom 12:8, Eph 4:28). Share is an understatement. Sharing has the idea of retaining a share, but impart (KJV) means having no share. It is given over or forsaking all, not holding back or saving some.
Conclusion: Is your life all about minding your own business, living in your comfort zone, and rising to the top? How have you demonstrated Christ in your life? Are you willing to suffer the shame and sacrifice your all for Christ? Do you live a life pleasing to God or a life merely pleasing your boss, wife, kids and yourself? Are you gentle, genuine and generous to others?
