1 Thessalonians 2                                                                                 

Paul and the brethren are teaching.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

• You know how much we accomplished.

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

• The trouble Paul is talking about is in Acts 16:37-38 and Acts 14:5, when they were stoned when founding the church.
• Acts 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily (secretly)? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch (lead) us out.
  38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
• Acts 14:5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

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; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

• Our teaching didn't mislead, but was in accordance with Gods gospel.
• We spoke the truth pleasing God, who looks upon man's heart and knows his motives.

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

• We didn't say nice things just to impress people, nor hide under a cloak of greed.

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burden some, as the apostles of Christ.

• We didn't seek praise, and we certainly didn't want to be an expense to you.

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

• We cared for you.

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.

• Paul is saying, We spared with you, because you have won our love.
• We truly felt at ease among you, and we enjoyed being with you.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

• Not wanting to be an expense to them.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

• We tried to conduct ourselves exactly as a Christian should.

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

• We urged and directed you, or we just shepherded you like a flock.

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

• Note the word "called" again.
• God called those particular ones to whom Paul is speaking to.

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

• You accepted it as the Word of God.
• It proves itself over and over again.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own country men, even as they have of the Jews:

• You have followed the example of the churches in Judea and have suffered of your people the same as those in Jerusalem suffered of the Jews, meaning the Kenites and Paul identifies them in the next verse.

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

• Paul is talking about the Kenites here directly and pretty strongly.
• He's blaming the death of Christ upon them and accuses them of ungodliness.

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

• Paul says, here where the kenites forbid them to teach the Gentiles of salvation, thereby adding to the kenites sins and the wrath of God will descend on them to the uttermost.

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

• Evidently Paul liked them a lot and wanted very much to be with them and share more teachings with them.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

• These converts in the church of Thessalonians were his pride and joy, because he felt very strongly that they would remain strong in faith even until the coming of Christ..

 

• Exactly 2520 years from the exile of Benjamin, Iceland became an independent nation.

 

•  The first tribe to be conquered by the Assyrians was Manasseh, in 745 B.C. Exactly 2520 years later America became a nation on July 4, 1776.

 

• Study the book: Abrahamic Covenant, (A study outline of the identity of God's people) By E. Raymond Capt - page 25