1 Thessalonians 2

2:1,2“Our visit to you” refers to Paul's first visit to Thessalonica recorded in Acts 17:1-9. The Thessalonians knew that Paul had been imprisoned in Philippi just prior to coming to Thessalonica (see Acts 16:11-17:1). Fear of imprisonment did not keep Paul from preaching the Good News. If God wants us to do something, he will give us the strength and courage to boldly speak out for him despite any obstacles that may come our way. Boldness is not reckless impulsiveness. Boldness requires courage to press through fears and do what is right. How can we be more bold? Like the apostles, we need to pray for that kind of courage. To gain boidness, you can pray for the Holy Spirit's power, look for opportunities to talk about Christ, and start right where you are being bolder in even small ways.

2:3This pointed statement may be a response to accusations from the Jewish leaders who had stirred up the crowds (Acts 17:5). Pau! did not seek money, fame, or popularity by sharing the Good News. He demonstrated the sincerity of his motives by showing that he and Silas had sutfered for sharing the Good News in Philippi. People become involved in ministry for a variety of reasons, not all of them good or pure. When their bad motives are exposed, all of Christ's work suffers. When you get involved in ministry, do so out of love for Christ and others.

2:4-8In trying to persuade people, we may be tempted to alter our position just enough to make our message more palatable or to use flattery or praise. Paut never changed his message to make it more acceptable, but he did tailor his methods to each audience. Although our presentation must be altered to be appropriate to the situation, the truth of the Good News must never be compromised.

2:5It’s disgusting to hear a person butter up someone. Flattery is phony, and it covers up a person’s real intentions, Christians should not be flatterers. Those who proclaim God’s truth have a special responsibility to be honest. Are you honest and straightforward in your words and actions? Or do you tell people what they want to hear in order to get what you want or to get ahead?

2:6-8When Paul was with the Thessalonians, he didn’t flatter them, seek their praise, or become a burden to them. He and Silas completely focused their efforts on presenting God's message of salvation to the Thessalonians. This was important! The Thessalonian believers had their lives changed by God, not Paul; it was Christ's message they believed, not Paul's. When we witness for Christ, our focus should not be on the impression we make. As true ministers of Christ, we should point to him, not to ourselves.

2:7That Paul and his companions “were like children” among the Thessalonians does not mean they were immature or untrained. Rather, Paul was making the point that, like children, they were honest, straightforward, and without guile in their presentation of the gospel and of their lives.

2:9Although Paul had the right to receive financial support from the people he taught, he supported himself as a tentmaker (Acts 48:3) so that he wouldn’t be a burden to the new Thessalonian believers.

2:11No loving father would neglect the safety of his children, allowing them to walk into circumstances that might be harmful of fatal. n the same way, we must take new believers under our wing until they are mature enough to stand firm in their faith. We must help new Christians become strong enough to influence others for the sake of the Good News.

2:12By his words and example, Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to live in a way God would consider worthy. Is there anything about your daily life that would embarrass God? What do people think of God from watching you?

2:13Paul said that the word of God continued to work in the believers’ lives. Paul knew that God’s words are not mere Sermons or documents but a real source of transforming power. This Bible you hold in your hands is full of real and living power. Its words are transforming lives all over the world every day. Read it. Encourage fellow believers to read it. Encourage non- Christian friends to read it. All who do so, truly seeking to learn, will be touched by its power. They will never be the same.

2:14Just as the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem were persecuted by other Jews, so the Gentile Christians in Thessalonica were Persecuted by their fellow Gentiles. Persecution is discouraging, especially when it comes from your own people. When you take a stand for Christ, you may face opposition, disapproval, and ridicule from your neighbors, friends, and even family members.

2:14When Paul refers to the Jews, he is talking about certain Jews who opposed his preaching of the Good News. He does Not mean all Jews. Many of Paul's converts were Jewish. Paul himself was a Jew (2 Corinthians 11:22).

2:15Having believed the Good News and accepted new life in Christ, apparently many Thessalonians thought that they would be protected from death until Christ returned. Then, when believers began to die under persecution, some Thessalonian Christians Started to question their faith. Many of Paul's comments throughout this letter were addressed to these people, as he explained what happens when believers die (see 4:13ff).

2:15,16Why were so many Jews opposed to Christianity? (1) Although the Jewish religion had been declared legal by the