A Ministry of Love, Not Authority — 1 Thess 2:1-12 Daily Word

Paul reminds the Thessalonians that his visit to them was not in vain. He recalls how, even amid suffering in Philippi, he boldly proclaimed the gospel by the strength of God — and how he cared for the believers not by asserting apostolic authority, but with the devoted love of a nursing mother.

[Scripture]

1 Thessalonians 2:1–12

[1] For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. [2] But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. [3] For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, [4] but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. [5] For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. [6] Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. [7] But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. [8] So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. [9] For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. [10] You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. [11] For you know how, like a father with his children, [12] we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (ESV)

[Daily Word]

Paul recalls his ministry among the Thessalonians with confidence that his visit was not in vain. Even amid suffering, he proclaimed the gospel by the strength of God, and cared for the believers not with apostolic authority, but with the tender love of a nursing mother.

1 Thessalonians chapter 2 opens with Paul’s firm conviction: “Our coming to you was not in vain.”

Today’s passage is a retrospective account of Paul’s missionary work in Thessalonica. To summarize: as Paul and Silas were traveling through the region of Macedonia, they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, cities west of Philippi. Bypassing those towns, they entered the synagogue in Thessalonica, where they reasoned from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead (Acts 17:2–3). Among those who heard their message, a great many came to faith in Jesus (Acts 17:4) — including “a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women,” as well as some Jews who converted and embraced the Christian faith.

However, when conservative Jews who valued tradition and authority saw that people were converting to Christianity, they stirred up trouble by hiring troublemakers to incite a riot, ultimately forcing Paul and Silas to leave the city. Yet despite the misunderstandings, false rumors, violence, and threats that accompanied this great uproar, Paul declares that his visit was not in vain — because both Jews and Greeks had turned to Christ.

Reflecting on the time he spent with the newly formed church in Thessalonica, Paul recalls that But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

Looking at this again through (Acts 16:20-28), Paul and Silas are arrested, beaten, and spend a night in the Philippian jail. When morning comes, the city magistrates send word as if nothing had happened, telling them they are free to leave the city. Paul, however, finds this situation unjust. So Paul makes it known that he is a Roman citizen, emphasizing that he was beaten publicly and thrown into prison without a trial.

The reason Paul refused to yield to social pressure or intimidation, standing firm in his position to the very end, is — as stated in verse 2 — because he relied on our God. In other words, for Paul, proclaiming the gospel of God was not a shameful thing, and he declares that one must stand and fight in the face of such circumstances.

This is because, in verse 3, “our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive.” Since proclaiming the gospel is the work God has entrusted to them, they must be bold. Above all, this mission is not needed in order to please people — it exists solely to please God.

The goal of Paul and Silas is solely to bring glory to God.

That is why, in (1 Cor 10:31), Paul writes to the church in Corinth and says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” And in verse 6, Paul says [ESV: 1 Thess 2:6-7] — meaning that while as apostles of Christ they could have asserted their authority, they instead chose to be gentle, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

At that time, the position of an apostle was one that commanded great respect from people, owing to the spiritual authority that came with the apostolic office.

Yet Paul and Silas chose to be ‘gentle’ in this situation. Gentleness is seen in the consistent, patient, and tender way a mother nurtures her children. In that sense, Paul is saying that he cared for the immature faith of the Thessalonians with a mother’s love and concern.

So in verse 8, he explains why we longed for you in this way: [8] So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. This is precisely the spirit of love that Jesus teaches the church — to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

In particular, the fact that Paul did this

1 Thessalonians, Paul’s ministry, proclamation of the gospel, spiritual authority, apostolic love

Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com