THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS giving to God for it. Are we like Paul in this? There were faults among the TJiessalonians, but Paul wisely and lovingly mentions the commendable things first. Paul’s thanks for them were constant, not occasional. With his thanks went unceasing prayers (cf. Rom. 1:9; Eph. 1:16; Col. 1:9; 1 Thess. 3:10; 2 Tim. 1 :3). Paul must have spent much time in prayer. This is evident from the number of churches and individuals to whom he writes that he was praying for them without ceas ing. There were three things that Paul bore in mind that led him to give thanks for the Thessalonian believers.. (1) their “ work of faith.” They had a faith that showed its reality by work ing. (2) Their “ labor of love.” The word translated “ labor” is a much stronger word than the word translated “ work.” (3) Their “ patience (or endurance) of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.’’ Faith works, love labors, hope endures. The object of hope is a Person rather than an experience. It is our Lord Jesus Himself (cf. Tit. 2:13, R. V.; 1 John 3:3, R. V.). Their faith, love and hope were all of them “ before our God and Father.” Faith comes first, because frcSm it springs love (cf. Gal. 5:6; 1 John 4:19, R. V.), and from love springs hope, and again and again we find this order in the Bible. Paul gives Jesus His full name and title, “ Lord Jesus Christ.” He delighted to dwell upon the fact that He was 'Lord and Saviour (Jesus) and God’s annointed, prophet, priest and king, (Christ). The whole name brings out both the human ity and Deity of our Lord Jesus. Paul gives thanks for the Thessalonian church because he knew their election of God, i. e., that God had chosen them to salvation, holiness; likeness to Jesus, and to service (cf. 1 Pet. 1:2; Eph. 1: 4, 5; Rom. 8:29). In the R. V. the “ of God” is connected with the “ beloved” and not with election, and this is right as far as the manuscript evidence is concerned, but their election was of God though it is not so specifically stated in the verse. The evidence of their election was that when Paul had preached the Gospel unto them, that Gospel had not come “ in word only,” i. e., mere words of exposition and elo quence, “ but also in power,” i. e., it had moved their hearts. And this power was not the power of human persuasion and eloquence, but of the “ Holy Ghost” (cf. 1 Cor. 2:4, 5; Acts 1 :8), “ in the Holy Ghost.” This
1107
resulted in their conversion and regen eration and proved their election. Paul appeals to the known conduct of him self and friends among them. He says, “ ye know what »manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake.” This conduct sprang from love. It was not to win applause,-but “ for your sake.” Happy the preacher of the Gospel whose preaching is “ not in word only” but “ in power” and “ in the Holy Ghost,” and whose conduct is exempl ary, and that for the sake of those to whom he preaches. The Gospel came to them also “ in much assurance” of its truth. It always comes “ in much assurance” when it comes “ in the Holy Ghost.” The Gospel preached “ in the Holy Ghost” has tfemendous self-evi dencing power. TUESDAY, Dec. 24. 1 Thess. 1:6, 7. As a result of the Gospel being “ not in word only” but “ also in power, and in the Holy Ghost,” the Thessalonians became imitators of Paul and his com panions. Paul lived the Gospel he preached, and so their reception of the Gospel made them like him. In becom ing imitators of Paul they became also “ imitators of the Lord.” If we should imitate some preachers we certainly would not be imitators of the Lord. They had “ received the word in much affliction.” The opposition by the Jews at Thessalonica was very bitter (cf Acts 17:5-10; 1 Thess. 2:14; 3:2-5)! But with the affliction was great joy, “ joy of the Holy Ghost.” The Holy Spirit is the author of the deepest and most abiding joy that a human heart can know, the only real joy (Gal. 5:22- Rom. 14:17; Isa. 61:1, 3; Heb. 1:9- John 4:14; 7:37-39). Affliction for Christ’s sake and the “ joy of the Holy Ghost” very often go hand in hand (cf. 1 Pet. 4:14; Acts 5:41). The word came with such power in the Holy Ghost and had such effect in their lives that they “ became an example (type or pattern) to all that believe in Mace donia (the province in which Thess alonica was) and in Achaia (the prov ince in which Corinth was, where Paul was now stopping)/’ The church in Thessalonia was quite a model church and it will pay us to study it well. WEDNESDAY, Dec. 25. 1 Thess. 1:8-10 From the church of the Thessalon ians “ the word of the Lord” had “ sounded forth (like the clear, far-
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs