Paul had sent Timothy to *Thessalonica; and he wrote this epistle in A,D. 51, as his response to Timothy's good report.
Most of the Thessalonian converts were **Gentiles who came out of ***idolatry. This would imply an extensive ministry directed to the Gentiles after Paul's initial work with the Jews and gentile God-fearers.
Paul worked "night and day" during his time there. He may have begun to work immediately, but Paul supported himself by tent-making, which took many hours away from his ministry - requiring a longer stay to accomplish the extensive work of evangelism and teaching that took place in that city.
Throughout this letter is an unmistakable emphasis upon steadfastness (firm, constant, steady) in the ****Lord, and a continuing growth in faith and love in view of the return of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3-10; 2:12-20; 3:10-13 & 4:1 thru 5:28).
The theme of this epistle is not only the return of Christ, but also the life of the Believer in every practical relationship, each aspect of which can be transformed and illuminated by the glorious prospect of His eventual return.
**********
1 Thessalonians ~ Chapter 2/Thursday Bible Study
On Unashamed Workmen
"You yourselves can testify, brethren, that our visit to you was not without results. As you know, we had already been at Philippi. There we had been ill-treated and insulted. But nevertheless, we were bold when *****Elohim wanted us to preach the #Gospel to you, and that in the face of much opposition (obstacles, hostile objections) awaiting us. And as you will remember, we did not make our appeal by advocating (to plead in favor of) false doctrines (a set of believes, held and taught), nor did we have any impure motives or practice any sort of deceit (fraud, guile, cunning; false, hollow; to mislead the mind of-). But Elohim had deemed us fit to be entrusted (to put into someone's care with assigned responsibility) with the Gospel, and so we preach it not to please men but to please Elohim, who looks at our hearts. (vvs. 1-4)
Paul's Tender Love
We have never at any time used words of flattery (false speaking), as you know, nor did we ever have greedy motives which we attempted to cover up, and *!Elohei Ha’Elohim, Himself, is our witness. And we have never sought praise from men, either from you or from anyone else, although as Christ's ##apostles we could have made heavy demands. On the contrary, we came among you gently, like a nurse who cares for her own children. Because we longed for you devotedly (strongly attached), we desired nothing better than to bring the Gospel to you, even to give our own lives because you had become so dear to us. (vvs. 5-8)
Paul's Independence
Brethren, you remember how we worked and toiled (to labor when tired). As we preached Elohim's Gospel to you, we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone of you. Both you and Elohim are witnesses to our conduct towards you believer's - that it was holy, righteous, and blameless. You know how we treated each one of you. As a father dealing with his children we exhorted (strongly encouraged) you and comforted you. And we admonished (strongly advise or urge) each one of you to lead a life worthy of Elohim, Who has called you into His own kingdom and glory. (vvs. 9-12)
The Thessalonians' Brave Endurance of Persecution
We always are thankful to Elohim also for this reason, that when you accepted the Word of God we preached, you accepted it not as the word of men but as the Word of God; for that it really is, and it is now at work in you who believe. Brethren, you became imitators of the churches of Elohim in **!Yeshua Ha'Mashiach that are in Judea. And so you have suffered the same things from your own countrymen as those churches had to suffer from the Jews (reference here is towards the orthodox rabbinic Jews, not Christ-believing Jews) - they killed Yeshua Ha'Mashiach as well as their own prophets. They drove us before them. They still continue to displease Elohim and show hostility to all mankind. For they try to prohibit us from preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. Alas, they are always piling up their sins to the limit, and Elohim's wrath will come upon them to the uttermost! (vvs. 13-16)
Paul's Hinderances
Now, brethren, we have been separated from you for some time, in person but not in spirit. We have longed to see you face to face again, and we have tried eagerly to make that possible. Speaking for myself, I, Paul, have tried to come to you once and again, but ###Satan has hindered (created difficulties to delay) us from coming. When Yeshua Ha'Mashiach returns, what hope and joy we shall have, what a prize to display before Him, when it will be such as you! Yes indeed, you are our glory and our joy!" (vvs. 17-20)
*Thessalonica = (θεσσαλονίκη, in classical writers also θεσσαλονικεία and θετταλονίκη); In Paul's time, Thessalonica was a large and important town of Macedonia = a prominent seaport with commercial success, and the Capital of Macedonia with roughly 200,000 in population; visited by Paul on several occasions, and the seat of a Church to which two of his letters were addressed. This prosperous city was located on the Via Ignatia, the main road from Rome to the East, within sight of Mount Olympus, legendary home of the Greek pantheon.
**Gentile = a person who is not Jewish. The word stems from the Hebrew term ha-goyim, which means “the nations” … meaning nations of the world that were not Hebrew.
***Idolatry = the worship of idols.
****Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.
The word “Lord” has a wide range of uses; it can be a simple respectful “Sir” or a more formal, “Master.” But the New Testament also uses “Lord” of God. The word “Christ” is the anglicized form of the Greek word meaning “anointed one” or “Messiah.” “Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us that Jesus is both the promised Messiah and our God.
*****Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾּlōhīm: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.
*!Elohei Ha’Elohim (Hebrew word: אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים) = God of gods; above all gods.
**!Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.
Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages
#Gospel = teaching or revelation of Christ; the living Word of God.
##Apostles = An Apostle was specifically chosen by Jesus to spread the gospel after his death and resurrection. The twelve apostles were Jesus' closest disciples; there are no apostles alive today.
###Satan = the prince of evil spirits and adversary of God.
**1 Thessalonians 1: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/03/1-thessalonians-chapter-1thursday-bible.html
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