The plain open doorway of a synagogue on a Thessalonian side street on a Sabbath morning, men and women seen from behind going in, sunlight on the stone threshold.

The Book of

1 Thessalonians 2

Paul remembers how he lived among them: gentle as a mother, steady as a father, and working night and day.

20 verses≈ 4 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

Tap any post to go deeper

In this chapter

Where we are

1Thank GodFaith, love and hope at work
2:1–16Among youGentle as a mother, firm as a fatherChapter 2
2:17–3:13Torn awayTimothy brings good news
4:1–12Please GodHoly, loving, quiet lives
4:13–5:28Until He comesHope, readiness, life together

Paul’s Ministry

You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi.

But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.

Not this, but this

Whiteboard

Paul clears away every wrong motive a traveling speaker might have: tricks, flattery, money, applause. What is left is one reason. God had trusted him with the gospel, and God, “who examines our hearts,” was the One he wanted to please.

For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.

not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4

As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness! Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.

Question

Quick question

Paul tells the Thessalonians whose approval he was really living for.

Paul says he speaks to please God. What does he say God examines?

Paul

A worker’s hands stitching heavy goat-hair cloth at a wooden bench by the light of one clay oil lamp late at night.

Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.

0:17

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children— encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Reflect

Like family

Paul did not just preach and leave. He was “gentle among you, like a nursing mother,” he shared “our own lives as well,” and he treated each one “as a father treats his own children.” Who has been that kind of mother or father in the faith to you? And who might God be asking you to share your life with, not only your words?

you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.

Paul’s Longing to Visit

Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.

For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.

Pray

At work in you

Paul thanked God that His word was “now at work in you who believe,” and he longed for the day when he would see his friends “in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming.” Thank God for His word and the work it is doing in you. Then pray for someone you love but cannot be with right now, and ask God to keep them standing firm until that day.

You’ve experienced

1 Thessalonians 2

0 of 5 chapters read

A verse to carry with you

And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

or swipe left