2
THESSALONIANS 1:1-6
PURIFICATION
THROUGH PERSECUTION
Paul, and Silvanus, and
Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ:
This is a
follow-up letter to the Thessalonian believers from Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and
Timotheus (Timothy). Paul writes with the authority of being an apostle. Silas, Paul’s fellow missionary, and Timothy,
Paul’s “son in the faith,” were in agreement and endorsing this letter. Paul once again
emphasizes the equality of God the Father and Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:2 Grace unto
you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Strong’s Exhaustive
Concordance
Charis – graciousness of
manner or act: lit. fig., or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon
the heart, and its reflection in the life
“Grace and peace to you” was
a greeting used by Paul in all his letters. Grace as defined above was asking
the Lord to effect change in their lives. With the word peace, Paul was
indicating his desire that the Lord set their lives in order, make them whole,
and give them rest.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are
bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your
faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each
other aboundeth;
Paul was eager
to bless God the answer to his prayers for the Thessalonian believers.
2 Thessalonians
3:12 (NIV) May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and
for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
He gave the Lord
the credit for the growth seen in the church at Thessalonica as evidenced by
their faith and love.
2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we
ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in
all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Paul and his
co-workers bragged about the way the Thessalonians were tenaciously steadfast
and unwavering in their faith as they endured traumatic persecutions. As a proud
father tells about his children, Paul told others about those he had the
privilege of discipling who continued serving the Lord faithfully.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a
manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy
of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
John MacArthur Study Bible
Suffering is not to be
thought of as evidence that God has forsaken them, but evidence that He is with
them, perfecting them (cf. Matt. 5:10; Rom 8:18; 2 Cor. 12:10).
Many people
believe erroneously that if you are suffering, God is not with you. Whether the
suffering is due to persecution, illness, or physical challenges, God has not
abandoned you, His child. The reality is that suffering is a tool in God’s hand to mold us
into the image of Christ, like the fettling knife used by the potter. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted
worthy to suffer.
Acts 5:40-41 And
to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them,
they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them
go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they
were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
I had to
reprogram my brain to know that my weakness is a perfect vehicle through which
Jesus can show His strength.
2 Corinthians
12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is
made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
PONDER
THIS: Suffering, particularly due to
persecution for the faith, is not necessarily a punishment. As a potter trims away bits of clay to shape
a vase into something beautiful, as a refiner purifies the metal with fire, God
uses suffering to perfect and mature His children.
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