The Strand Study Bible

Written From Corinth During Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

I THESSALONIANS 2:1-11

2003

have been 7 burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. Spiritual parenting – The role of a mother 7 But we were gentle among you, even as 8 a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, 9 because we would not be 10 chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Spiritual parenting – The role of a father 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

1. Acts 16:12-24 2. Acts 17:1-3 3. I Cor 15:1-4 4. Gal 1:10

I Thessalonians 2 Paul and Silas (The model servants) Date Written - c. AD 52

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, 1 at Philippi, we were 2 bold in our God to speak unto you the 3 GOSPEL OF GOD with much contention. 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; 4 not as pleasing men, but God, 5 which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, 6 when we might

5. Prov 17:3:8 6. I Cor 9:6-18 7. that is, “for financial support” - II Cor 11:7-9 & 12:13 & II Thess 3:8 8. or, “nursing mother” 9. I Cor 9:6-18 10. that is, “for financial support” - II Cor 11:7-9 & 12:13 & II Thess 3:8

2:2 This word ( gospel ) is the Greek Word HXDJJHOLοQ ( euaggelion ) and means “ good news or good tidings .” According to Romans 1:16, Ephesians 1:13, I Corinthians 15:1-4 and Galatians 1:6-10, there is only one gospel that saves. Abraham trusted the facts of the Gospel (Gen 15:6, Rom 4:1-3,9 and Jn 8:56) approximately 1,925 years before the birth of Jesus (Gen 12:1-3 and Gal 3:6-8). Like Abel before him ( Gen 4:4 ), Abraham came to know that the sacrifices he offered pictured God’s SACRIFICE to come (Gen 22:6-8 and Heb 11:17-19). Moses and the Israelites also trusted the facts of the Gospel (Heb 4:1-2), as did the prophet Isaiah (Isa 52:7 & 53:1 and Rom 10:14-17). Again, there is only one Gospel and it has not changed since the beginning of creation (Gal 1:6-9, Titus 1:2 and Rev 13:8). 2:6 a This word ( burdensome ) is the Greek Word EDUHL ( barei ) and denotes a weight, and in this case anything that makes a demand on one’s resources. What Paul was talking about here was the tithe . Since the Thessalonican church was still young and immature, Paul decided not to be a burden to them by demanding that they tithe to meet his needs (I Cor 9:1-14). There were three churches from which Paul decided not to take the tithe, due to their initial immaturity as newborn babes in Christ: (1) Corinth (I Cor 9:18 and II Cor 11:7-9 & 12:13,16); (2) Thessalonicia (I Thess 2:6-9 and II Thess 3:8); and (3) Ephesus (Acts 20:33-35). 2:6 b Paul, Silas and Timothy were all considered apostles of Christ. An apostle was a specially gifted believer who was “sent forth” to start something for God. The first twelve apostles were not the only apostles given to the Church. They were just the first apostles. Besides apostles, Christ gave to the Church three other specially gifted believers: prophets , evangelists , and teaching pastors – Eph 4:11,12 . The reason for these four specially gifted believers was to bring about three purposes: (1) A unity amongst all believers ( for the perfecting of the saints ); (2) A unity within the work of the local church ( for the work of the ministry ); and (3) An edifying (or, building up) of the body of Christ ( for the edifying of the body of Christ ). NOTE - God designed His work in order that there would be no disjointing, dysfunction, or disharmony within the body (I Cor 12:12-26), all for the sole purpose of reaching the lost for which Christ died. Whenever a local church allows God’s apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teaching pastors to work freely amongst them for the sole purpose of reaching the lost, a unity amongst the brethren and within the work will become the spirit of that local church. *A unity amongst all believers (teaching pastors are responsible for this kind of unity ). *A unity within the work of the local church (apostles and prophets are responsible for this kind of unity ). *An edifying (or, building up) of the body of Christ (evangelists, teaching pastors, prophets, and apostles are all responsible for this kind of edifying ). 2:7 Spiritually speaking, like God ( Isa 66:12-13 ), Paul became both a mother ( nurse - vs 7-9) and a father (vs 10-11) to the baby believers at the church of Thessalonica. Paul knew that if God’s kids were to grow spiritually, they would need the help of other Christians who would know how to both “mother” and “father” them in a biblical way. Unlike humans, God opposes raising his children in a single parented atmosphere. Unfortunately, for many local churches, that’s exactly what happens to their spiritual newborns. Because the “supposedly” mature saints of God within that local church fail to both “mother” and “father” their newly saved brothers and sisters in Jesus properly, God’s babies often get raised in dysfunctional settings (churches). NOTE -In order to raise functional children for God, God’s people need to start emulating the descriptive verbiage Paul uses to describe his role in “mothering” and “fathering” newborn believers. Note the five different expressive words that Paul uses to describe the mother’s role concerning spiritual parenting: 1. Gentle - This word ( gentle ) is the Greek word KSLοL ( epioi ) and means “ mild .” Epioi is used to describe the sweet nurturing relationship that exists between a mother and her baby. This word is used twice in the NT (I Thess 2:7 and II Tim 2:24) and