PAUL'S ARRIVAL IN THESSALONICA
Paul reminded the Thessalonian brethren that the purpose of his coming
and the message preached in that coming were not empty. Either they
had heard or he had told them about the beating and imprisonment he
and Silas had endured at Philippi (Acts 16:1-40). If they had... [ Continue Reading ]
MOTIVES BEHIND PAUL'S PREACHING
In a city filled with idol worship, the presentation of a religious
message without trickery being used for personal gain would surely
impress the hearers. Also, Paul and his associates had not preached
with any impure motives from a moral standpoint. The word "guile... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL'S CONDUCT AMONG THEM
Paul, and those with him, had not used insincere praise to get the
attention of those in Thessalonica, nor had they disguised some
selfish desire for monetary gain. To verify the truthfulness of his
words, the apostle called on the Thessalonians' memory of his actions
and G... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WITNESSED PAUL'S LOVE AND BEHAVIOR
Paul's love for them was so intense that he was ready to pour out his
very life for them in the preaching of the gospel. One who preaches
the gospel with the right motives has such a love for souls that he
readily shares the gospel and even his life in the ho... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BRETHREN AND THE JEWS--TWO RESPONSES TO THE GOSPEL
There were those unbelievers at Thessalonica who had not been
receptive to the truth (Acts 17:11). This may have made Paul even more
thankful for the believers. He was thankful they had received God's
word and accepted it through obedient belief... [ Continue Reading ]
A DEEP DESIRE TO SEE THEM
Paul had been forced to leave, or orphaned as his word means, the
newborn Christians in Thessalonica against his personal desire, as can
be seen when he says, "having been taken away from you." While he was
not physically with them, his heart never left them. He had a stro... [ Continue Reading ]