1 Thessalonians ~Chapter 3/Thursday Bible Study

In this letter, Paul wanted the ^Believers in *Thessalonica to see the **Christ in His totality.

Christ is the Believer's hope of salvation both now and at His coming. When He returns, He will deliver (1:10; 5:4-11); reward (1:19); perfect (3:13); resurrect (4:13-18), and sanctify (5:23) all who trust Him.

Throughout this letter is an unmistakable emphasis upon steadfastness in the Lord (3:8) and a continuing growth in faith and love, in view of the return of Christ (1:3-10; 2:12-20; 3:10-13; 4:1 thru 5:28). The theme is not only the returning 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.

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1 Thessalonians ~ Chapter 3/Thursday Bible Study

Timothy's Visit to Thessalonica

"So, when we could no longer bear it, we thought it best that we should return to Athens alone. And then we sent ^^Timothy on to you. He is ***Elohim's servant, our brother and fellow-worker in the #Gospel of Christ. His mission (errand, task, assignment) was to strengthen (prop up, sustain, nerve up, energize, refresh, restore, tone up) you and to encourage (cheer, inspire) you in the Faith. We  want no one to lose courage (heart, spirit, soul; nerve, grit) because of his troubles (distress, disturb, annoy, vex, bother, worry), for even you know that troubles are bound (leap, spring) to come. We, too, had warned (tip off = alert) you of this when we were with you, that trials (testing) would soon befall (happen to) us, and what we said has come to pass, as you know.

On this account (matter), when I could no longer bear (stand up under) the suspense (waiting), I sent him to you that I might learn about your faith, dreading (fearing) to think that perhaps the tempter (luring) *!Satan had persuaded (argue into) you to forsake (leave, turn back on) it, and then our labor would have been in vain (for nothing). Timothy has now returned to us from you. He brings us good news about your faith and love. He tells us also that you always remember us kindly and long (strong desire) to see us, just as we think of you and long to see you once more. These things have cheered us, brethren, in the  midst of all our afflictions (troubles) and needs. Especially the news about your faith has brought cheer. It brings to us renewed life when we hear that you stand firm in the ****Lord. (vv. 1-8)

Paul's Gratitude to Elohim

How can we give Elohim sufficient thanks in your behalf for all the joy you give us as we come before Him? Indeed, we pray early and late that we may see your faces once more and that we may help you in supplying what is lacking (empty) in your faith. May Elohim our Father and the Lord Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, then, guide our steps to you! May the Lord increase (gain) your love toward one another and to all men, and make it overflowing (more than), even as is our love for you! And so may He make your hearts strong, free from fault and holy (perfect) before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, together with all His ^^^Saints!" (vv. 9-13)

^Believers: worshiper; worshippers.

*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.

**Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.

Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.

***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.

****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.

*!Satan = the prince of evil spirits and adversary of God.

#Gospel = teaching or revelation of Christ; the living Word of God.

^^Timothy = son of the devout Jewish woman, Eunice, and a Greek father, Timothy became a follower of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach when Apostle Paul preached the Gospel in Lystra, Timothy’s hometown. Paul invited the young convert to accompany him on his second missionary journey; and was sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the fellowship there. After another journey with Paul, Timothy was sent to Corinth to straighten out some problems upsetting the fellowship there.

Timothy later looked after Paul during Paul’s imprisonment. Timothy subsequently was asked to go to Ephesus to represent Paul, and received the two letters from Paul that bear Timothy’s Name. Timothy – these letters reveal, was like a son to Paul. The last word in the New Covenant

About this sensitive, sickly, but faithful young helper was that he was imprisoned but finally released. Acts 16:1, 17:14-15, 18:5, 19:22 & 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4;17 & 16:10; 2 Corinthians1:1 & 19; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3:2, & 6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 & 2 Timothy; Philemon 1; and Hebrews 13:23.

^^^Saint = In its most basic sense, a saint is a “holy one,” someone who is set apart for Elohim’s special purposes. As a result, every follower of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach is a Saint. In most of his letters, the Apostle Paul refers to the recipients as saints, including the church at Corinth, where there were significant moral and theological problems! The New Covenant writers draw their use of the word saints (“holy ones”) from the Old Covenant. Particularly important is Exodus 19:5-6, where Elohim refers to Israel as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” 1 Peter 2:9 applies this same language to believers: “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

**1 Thessalonians 2: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/03/1-thessalonians-chapter-2thursday-bible.html

2 CORINTHIANS ~ Chapter 7/Thursday Bible Study

It has been quite a while since I have posted my weekly Scripture studies – there have been a lot of changes in my life, and I took time to “go to the mountaintop” for meditation rest, and renewal … as Yeshua did many times.

But, it is time now to pick up the slack, and get back on track 😉

I hope you will enjoy this post as much as I enjoyed reading it, and posting it – time spent with God’s Word is always a joy, and time well spent 😊

Saul (aka Paul): The great Apostle to the Gentiles, Saul was born at Tarsus of Cilicia into a proud and strict Pharisee family, and given the Hebrew Name Saul. He was as equally proud of being born a Roman Citizen. A highly educated Jew, Saul studied in Jerusalem under Rabbi Gamaliel, and religiously observed the requirements of The Law. Saul, however, had misgivings about his ability to keep every part of The Law, and believed that legalism could not bring about the right relationship with Elohim. Although Saul had never met Yeshua during His earthly mission, he had encountered the earliest Believers, and he recognized the threat that belief in Yeshua posed to Judaism: Saul quickly became the most ardent prosecutor of the Early Church – and he was an approving onlooker at Stephen’s martyrdom, and was carrying lists of suspected Christian believers in Damascus, when he experienced a radical life change. His conversion on the Damascus Road changed the course of Christian faith … and civilization … itself. Temporarily blinded, Saul – the prosecutor who had been confronted by Elohim hayyim (the Living Lord) Yeshua (Jesus), was led to Ananias’ house/was baptized “Paul”, then smuggled out of town to escape reprisals.

After a brief sojourn in Arabia, Paul visited Jerusalem and stayed briefly with Peter and James; Yeshua’s brothers (born of his earthly Mother, Mary). After this visit, Paul apparently lived quietly for several years in Cilicia, preaching the Gospel and supporting himself by weaving the black goat hair material for tents that was a famous product for the area near Tarsus. He was called by Barnabas, his acquaintance from Jerusalem, to help the dynamic Christian Church in Antioch. Shortly afterwards, the Antioch Christians sent Paul and Barnabas on a preaching mission through Cyprus and Asia Minor. On this, and subsequent journey’s, Paul stirred up heated opposition by his preaching. His presentation of the Gospel was resented in Jewish circles because it usually split local synagogues – on the other hand, his efforts were quickly opposed by members of the Christian community, who insisted that it was necessary to keep the requirements of the Jewish Law before one could become a Christian Believer. The infant Church was torn with controversy over Paul’s preaching.

Paul insisted that man is saved by what Elohei has done through Yeshua Ha’Mashiach – not by what man does in keeping The Law. The controversy was partially resolved by a Church Council in Jerusalem, when the leaders agreed that Paul’s point was valid, and that he could continue to welcome Gentiles to the Faith without compelling them to be circumcised.

Paul’s subsequent ministry was packed with high adventure, heavy responsibilities, and deep suffering. As the greatest Christian missionary, he organized and encouraged young Churches throughout Asia Minor: and even crossed over to Europe. Much of the New Covenant (New Testament) was written by Paul in the form of letters dashed off to his “problem” churches, or to his friend’s needing advice.

Against the advice of his associates, he insisted on going in person to Jerusalem with a special offering collected for the poor. Extremists among the Jewish authorities arranged for his arrest and imprisonment. After languishing two years under arrest without trial, Paul insisted on a hearing before the emperor. He had a harrowing trip to Rome, was apparently acquitted, then re-arrested. All traditions agree that Paul was beheaded before another lengthy imprisonment, probably during Nero’s bloody persecution period. Acts 13:38; Romans; 1 & 2 Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; 1 & 2 Thessalonians; 1 & 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; and 2 Peter 3:15.

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2 CORINTHIANS ~ Chapter 7; Saul’s (Paul’s) Appeal for a Renewal of Fellowship within the Body of Believers.

“With promises like these, beloved, let us make ourselves clean from everything that defiles body and soul, and strive toward perfect holiness in the fear of *Elohim. Receive us into your hearts. We have not wronged anyone. We have not corrupted anyone. We have not made profit out of any man. I am not saying this to condemn you, for I have already told you that you are dear to us, both to die together and to live together. I trust you; I am proud of you; I am much encouraged by you; I rejoice in spite of our troubles. (vv.1-4)

Comfort Brought by Titus’ Report

Already when we come to Macedonia we had troubles – we could not rest our bodies. We were oppressed on every side; we had fighting’s and fears within. But Elohim, Who lifts up the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus. And not only did his coming comfort us, but also the comfort that you had given him was a help. For he told us how you longed to see us, how sorry and zealous you were in my behalf, all of which made me rejoice the more. (vv. 5-7)

Frank Letter and It’s Results

Even though I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret having sent it; although I did regret it at the time, when I heard that it had caused you sorrow. Now I am happy about it, not because you were unhappy, but because your grief brought you to **repentance. Your grief was then as Elohim would have it to be, so that you suffered no harm from us in any way. For the grief that Elohim approves of results in a repentance that leads to salvation, and leaves no regrets. A worldly grief, on the other hand, results in death.

Take note how this Godly sorrow has worked in you; what earnestness it worked in you, what eagerness to defend yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what willingness to discipline! In every way you have cleared yourself in this matter. (vv. 8-11)

Paul’s Confidence in the Corinthians

I wrote to you, but really not so much on account of the man who was doing wrong nor for the sake of the one who was suffering wrong, but rather to let you see yourselves, as before Elohim, how devoted (dedicated, loyal, dutiful, faithful, committed, resolute, unwavering, purposeful, persevering) to us you really are. All this has given us comfort. And, in addition to our own comfort from you, we have been still more overjoyed at Titus’ joy, because he was refreshed in spirit by all of you. You see, if I had boasted of you to him, I have not been put to shame. For just as all I said to you was true, so what I said about you to Titus, in a boasting (possessing, enjoying, lay claim to) way, proved to be true. His heart goes out to you more than ever now, as he recalls the way all of you obeyed (submitted, followed, observed, yielded to) him and how you received (acknowledged, heard, grasped, welcomed) him with respect (consideration, accept) and reverence (hold to the highest regard). It gives me joy to say that you have justified (proved, upheld) my good opinion of you in every way. (vv. 12-16)

 

*Elohim (from the Hebrew word, el-o-heem) = the Supreme God. Exceedingly great and mighty.

**Repentance (from the Greek word, metanoia: met-an’-oy-ah) = compunction (for guilt, includ. Reformation); by implied reversal of previous decision: to think differently or afterwards (i.e., to reconsider).

 

**2 CORINTHIANS 6: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-corinthians-chapter-6.html