Scriptural text: Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
Lesson Context: Thessalonica was (and is) a Macedonian port city where Paul founded a church during his second missionary journey. His visit was quite controversial (Acts 17:1-5). The commotion Paul stirred was so intense that he had to escape by night (17:10). Paul and Silas had entered the synagogue in Thessalonica and argued from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. They ultimately persuaded some Jews and many Gentiles (Acts 17:1-4). Other Jews in the city became envious of Paul and Silas’ success. They persuaded the governing authorities to persecute the residents who believed in Christ.
l. Thanksgiving (l Thessalonians 2:13-16):
A. Accepting God’s Word.
V.13. “For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” The reason that the apostles constantly give thanks to God is because the Thessalonians received/accepted their word/message as the Word/Message of God, not as the word/message of men (v. 13). The reason for the apostles’ thanksgiving is not entirely clear in some translations. (David Gutz Bible Commentary)
B. Imitating God’s Churches (v. 14).
“For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which is Judaea are in Christ Jesus for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews.” The topic of l Thessalonians 2:14 is imitation. The main point is that the Thessalonians believers are imitating the churches that are in Judea. Verse 14 is the evidence supporting the claim in verse 13 that the Thessalonians received/accepted the Word of God. The Thessalonian imitation of the Judean churches is the evidence that the Thesssalonians received/accepted the apostles word/message as the Word/Message of God. (David Gutz Bible Commentary)
C. Seeing God’s Justice (vv. 15-16).
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.” 16a. “Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill their sins always.” The topic of verses 15-16 is the Jews who were mentioned at the end of verse 14, evidenced by the relative pronoun “who” at the beginning of verse 15 and evidenced by the fact that the content of verses 15-1] As such, verses 15-16 expand upon the identity of the Jews who were mentioned at the end of verse 14. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are giving the readers important information about the Jews.
16b. “For the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” The exact meaning of l Thessalonians 2:16c (“But wrath has come upon them at last.”) has proven notoriously difficult for biblical scholars for a number of reasons; Is the wrath mentioned God’s eschatological (end times) wrath or does it refer to an actual first-century event. (David Gutz Bible Commentary)
ll. Encouragement (l Thessalonians 2:17-3:5):
A. Paul’s Desire to Return (v. 17). 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.” In these words the apostle apologizes for his absence. 1. He tells them they were involuntarily forced from them. 2. Though he was absent in body, yet present in heart. He had still a remembrance of them, and great care for them. His desire and endeavour were to return again very soon to Thessalonica. (Matthew Henry Bible Commentary)