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Below is the Audio Script:
The Apostolic Example
Memory Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:4
4 But as we have been approved by
God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but
God who tests our hearts.
In this week’s lesson we cover the first half of the second
chapter of 1 Thessalonians. We should
remember that this was originally a letter written in a specific time and place
for a specific group of people under certain circumstances. With this in mind we ought also to remember
that the chapter and verse division was added after the fact. So, the beginning of one chapter is always a
continuation of the previous chapter.
In this case the first verse is an addition to verse 9 of
the previous chapter. We know this
because there is a similar expression on both verses. Let us read both verses.
1Th 1:9 For they themselves shew of
us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from
idols to serve the living and true God;
1Th 2:1 For yourselves, brethren,
know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
The key phrase here is: “shew of us what manner of entering
in we had unto you” from chapter 1 verse 9 and “know our entrance in unto you”
from chapter 2 verse 9. The key words in
these phrases are entering and entered.
They are the same word in the Greek: eisodos. In the context of the letter (More on that
later) this word means conduct or behavior.
Now, it is evident in Verse 1 of chapter 2 who it is that
knows about Paul and his companions behavior, but who is the “they” in verse 9
of chapter 1. It turns out the word in
Greek is not “they” but apaggello, which means good tiding or report. This word has the same root as the Word from
which we derive Evangelism. The report
or good news that came from Thessalonica showed how Paul and his Companions
behaved among them.
About the word eisodos: it actually means place of entrance
or entry way. It is a compound word from
eis: a preposition that means, “into, unto, to, towards, for, among.” The other word in eisodos is hodos, which
means either journey or traveled way (properly) or a course of conduct, a way
(i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding (metaphorically). Since, Paul is not talking about traveling,
but about what he did and how we behaved, it would follow that the use of the
word eisodos (entry or entrance) is the metaphorical one.
Paul is actually saying that, “you know how we conducted
ourselves with you, and your own conduct after conversion shows how we
conducted ourselves.” The rest of the
portion of the chapter that we are studying this week is an explanation of what
Paul is saying. Every point made in this
portion of the chapter is to distinguish themselves from the itinerant speakers
that roamed through the empire, seeking followers and a stream of income. Ellen White says,
“While Paul was careful to set before his
converts the plain teaching of Scripture regarding the proper support of the
work of God, . . . at various times during his ministry in the great centers of
civilization, he wrought at a handicraft for his own maintenance. . . . “It is
at Thessalonica that we first read of Paul’s working with his hands in
self-supporting labor while preaching the word [1 Thess. 2:6, 9; 2 Thess. 3:8,
9].
We will read the verse referred to:
1Th 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory,
neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the
apostles of Christ.
1Th 2:9 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.
2 Thessalonians 3:8-9 8 nor did we
eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and
day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have
authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
This is one example of how they were different than those
itinerant preachers. Other verses to
distinguish themselves are:
1Th 2:3 For our exhortation was not
of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
1Th 2:5 For neither at any time
used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is
witness:
1Th 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory,
neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the
apostles of Christ.
Paul also wanted to defend himself, et al, from the
accusations the Jews made that they were causing upheaval. We read in the following verses,
1Th 2:7 But we were gentle among
you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
1Th 2:8 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.
1Th 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God
also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that
believe:
1Th 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted
and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
You cannot be causing trouble when your conduct is as
described above. Of course the only
reason Paul and his companions were able to behave that way is because of their
dependence on God. Paul says that, “we
were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention”
(1 Thes. 2:1).
To speak boldly is to speak without fear. And we know from
scripture that fear and love (agape) cannot coexist. We know this because
“Perfect [or complete] love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18). According to
Paul, in Romans 5:5, “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Ghost which is given unto us.” This was the same Sprit that Ananias said would
fill Paul (Acts 9:17). And, Acts 13:9 states that Paul was full with the Holy
Spirit. The Holy Spirit shed God’s love abroad in the heart and mind of Paul,
and thus he spoke openly and lovingly of Jesus, without fear. The same Spirit
that gave them power [boldness] gave them love.
