lonica would have been rendered fruit less: “Our labor should be in vain.” This brief but moving recital of the mission of Timothy reveals the throb bing heart of the apostle and indicates how even so mighty a mind was de pendent upon the sympathy and assist ance of his friends. II. The joyful tidings. Ch. 3:6-10 The anxiety felt by Paul for the Thessalonians had been keen. What an unspeakable relief, then, had come to him when he learned from Timothy that his fears had been unfounded and that amidst all their persecution his converts had stood steadfast in their faith! Nor was it of their faith alone that Timothy had spoken. He had told of their affection for the apostle. He “brought us glad tidings of your faith and love.” They were eager for a re union, as was Paul: “Longing to see us, even as we also to see you.” The good news gave the apostle cour age to face his own persecution and sufferings. Of such courage there was great need. He had reached Corinth alone without friends or funds. Around him had been a black night of pagan corruption. Against him had been launched the most vicious attacks by the Jews. He had been, at least figura tively, in the shadow of death. How ever, the good news brought by Timothy gave him new life. It was one of the chief of these factors which brought him in triumph through what has been called his “Corinthian crisis.” It is to be noted that this rejoicing is said to be “before our God.” Paul is thankful for the courage and faith of his converts, and thus for the success of his work in Thessalonica, yet it is to God himself that his thanksgiving is directed—to “our God,” “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Furthermore, this joy and gratitude are expressed in ceaseless prayer that Paul may be permitted to revisit his friends in Thessalonica and may do something to add to the completeness of their Christian life, or, in his own words, “Night and day praying exceed ingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in make perfect that which is lacking in your faith.” Paul does not impute per fection to his readers. He indicates, however, that their defects are not serious. In the closing sections of the epistle he w ill give them instructions and advice, such indeed as he would bring them were he privileged to see them face to face. Yet so firm and un shaken has been their faith, so real their loyalty to him arid their allegi ance to Christ, that now the loving heart of the great apostle is filled with joy and gratitude at the report of their condition brought to him by Timothy, his devoted and trusted friend.
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Radio Studies in I Thessalonians by Dr. Lloyd T. Anderson
was so constantly in his mind and is so prominent in these letters' to the Thessalonians. At the appearing of Christ Paul’s hopes for his followers w il be realized, his joy because of them w ill be full, his pride in them w ill be justified. “For ye are,” he adds, “ (and ye w ill be) our glory and our joy.” Morris, “Such deep affection for his friends are separation from them, and ignorance of their welfare, intoler able.” “Wherefore when we could no longer forbear,” he writes, “we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone; and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the gospel of Christ.” The words “left behind” and “alone” intimate that the mission of Timothy involved a real sacrifice on the part of Paul. It was a sacrifice of love. The purpose of Timothy’s mission is summed up in the words, “To estab lish you, and to comfort you concern ing your faith.” That there was need of such strengthening and cheer Paul and his readers knew full well. The bitter hatred which had driven Paul from the city had been expressed in persecuting the Christians whom he had left behind. Timothy, therefore, had been sent back on this mission of encouragement to prevent any persons from being allured from the right path in the midst of their suffering; or, as the apostle states, “That no man be moved by these afflictions.” Their sufferings should have occa sioned no surprise. They were fully aware that suffering for the sake of Christ is a necessary experience in Christian life: “For yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed.” As to this the apostle had warned them: “For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction even as it came to pass, and ye know.” “For this cause,” expecting such con tinued and increasing persecution of the Thessalonian Christians, Paul—as well as Silas — but Paul, as the one more keenly alive to the peril of his converts—had sent to learn whether their faith was steadfast, or, “That I might know your faith.” He feared “lest by any means the tempter had tempted” them. The sufferings are attributed to Satan as their source. He might have taken advantage of their distress to beguile these believers from their faith. If so, the missionary efforts of Paul and his companions in Thessa
I. The Mission of Timothy. Chs. 2:17 to 3:5 Erdman, “Christian friendships are of priceless value. Such is the main message of these paragraphs. Here Paul pours out his very heart in expressing his love for the Thessalonians. He ex plains that his devotion to them made him w illing to be left alone in Athens and to send to them his beloved associ ate, Timothy, that he might learn of their condition and might strengthen their faith.” Various reasons are assigned for such a vehement expression of affection. Paul has been maligned by his ene mies. They have misrepresented the character of his ministry on Thessa- lonica and seem to have insinuated that his failure to return was due to a lack of interest in his converts. The first charge he has met by reviewing his work in Thessalonica, and by de scribing the reception it had received. Ch. 2:1-16. This was Paul’s defense of his conduct. It was his “apologia pro vita sua.” He is now explaining his absence. Chs. 2:17 to 3:5. It is called his “apologia pro absentia sua.” However, the passionate language, more probably is due, not to any re ported criticism of the apostle’s failure to return to Thessalonica, but rather to the loving sympathy felt for his friends and to his deep solicitude for their welfare. “But we, brethren,” writes the apostle, possibly contrasting his love with the malice of Jews of whom he had just written, “being bereaved of you for a short season”—as orphaned children, broken-hearted and alone— “in presence not in heart”—that is, out of sight but not out of mind— “endeavored the more exceedingly to r see your face w ith great desire.” A real effort had been made. The deter mination was fixed not only once, but “once and again.” “Satan hindered us,” Paul declares. Vine says, “Paul’s failure to revisit Thessalonica was due to no lack of I _ love on his part. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying?” asks Paul; and he at once adds, “Are not even ye?” These dear friends are the Objects of fiis highest hopes, the source ! of his deepest joy . . . These relations to his converts will be complete “be fore our Lord Jesus at His coming.” In the writings of Paul, there is frequent mention of that glorious event which
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