Tuesday- Thursday Bible Studies
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b y Dr. ' I lLloyd T. Anderson J Pastor, Bethany L Baptist Church, i W est Covina,
THESSALONIANS Chapter 2
I. Paul attests to the purity of his motives —I Thess. 2:1-12. Erdman, “the first chapter of the epistle is in substance a thanksgiving based on the knowledge of the divine election of the Thessalonians. This election is proved by the apostle’s mis sion and by the conduct of the believ ers. But Paul now enlarges on the na ture of this mission (w . 1-12).” A. Paul was clean, bold and error free -2 :1 -6 . The purpose of Paul in dwelling more fully upon his ministry there, is evidently to meet the criticisms of his accusers as reported to him by Timothy. The word “For” in v. 1 links what follows with what precedes, but on this occasion it goes back to 1:9. In I Thess. 1:9, Paul cited “outsiders” as .witnesses to his ministry, but now he says he needed no outsiders to bear wit ness, for they could-d 9 that very thing of him. Rutherford, “the word ‘your selves’ is emphatic—‘you, at any rate, have no need to be told.’ ” The word “ brethren” as used in 2:1 is very in teresting and means “from the same womb” — all believers are united through the new birth in a new bond of affection. This section (2:1-12) is a
veritable manual for pastors. Here, Paul opens up his heart and reveals his motives and thrusts. He had been ac cused of insincerity and love of money. Morris, “Paul’s emphatic calling on the Thessalonians to witness, did 2 things: 1) It showed his confidence in them. 2) It revealed that all the facts for'his vindication were common knowledge to all. His ministry (2:1) was spiritual ly productive and proved his sincerity and (2:2) his courage and boldness were well known. In I Thess. 2:3 he refers to the vera city and truth of his message. “Exhor tation” means “appeal”; “ deceit ” means “not out of error as a source”; “un cleanness” means “moral impurity” — Paul was clean of all sensual sins and “guile” which means “to catch with bait — as a trap.” B. Paul was tender, affectionate and prayerful — 2:7-11. He was not ex cathedra, selfish or crafty in his approach to them. “Nurse” means “a nursing mother” — Paul helped them as a mother her child. Paul was “affectionately desirous” — (v. 8). (Moulton & Miligan) the verb is rare and occurs only here in the New 20
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