Devotions

So Great A Salvation

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We live in an age where God has revealed his plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is in Hebrews 1:2 “heir of all things” and the one that in Hebrews 1:3 “made purification for sins” and in Hebrews 2:3 “when it was spoken through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard” all while in Hebrews 2:4 “God was testifying at the same time by signs and wonders and various miracles and distributions of the Holy Spirit according to his will”. Now, we see him, in Hebrews 2:9 “but we see Jesus, … crowned with glory and honor”. Now, we are to remember what God has done and in Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, sharers in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession”.

He Has Spoken To Us By A Son

Hebrews 1:1–4

You Are My Son

Hebrews 1:5–14 

So Great A Salvation

Hebrews 2:1–4
There is this phrase, “lest we drift away” that follows “because of this” in Hebrews 2:1 that is designed to get our attention. It is a three part construct with this in the middle, “it is all the more necessary that we pay attention to the things we have heard”. The word was spoken, and it was spoken by God, and it declares Jesus Christ as “heir of all things” in Hebrews 1:2 and as the one that “made purification for sins” in Hebrews 1:3. And “when it was spoken through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard” in Hebrews 2:3, in

Hebrews 2:4 “God was testifying at the same time by signs and wonders and various miracles and distributions of the Holy Spirit according to his will”.

What Jesus spoke, what God confirmed by his voice from heaven and with miracles of the Holy Spirit is “so great a salvation” in Hebrews 2:3. It is this message, this action of God on behalf of man, it is “because of this” that “it is all the more necessary that we pay attention”. 

What Is Man That You Remember Him

Hebrews 2:5–9
The little we understand about angels is that they are powerful, eternal beings. Those that follow God, follow his word immediately and absolutely. And yet, in

Hebrews 2:5 “For he did not subject to angels the world to come, about which we are speaking”.

Then, there is man, in Hebrews 2:7 “You made him for a short time lower than the angels”. But God did not leave us there under the one who took dominion over the earth, the devil himself. Now though in

Hebrews 2:9 “but we see Jesus, for a short time, made lower than the angels, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that apart from God he might taste death on behalf of everyone”.

God has chosen man and in

Hebrews 2:8 you subjected all things under his feet. For in subjecting all things, he left nothing that was not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him,

We are still in this mixed world where the devil still has sway in the earth, but Jesus Christ has taken the keys and has been “crowned with glory and honor” and “the world to come” is coming.

Bringing Many Sons to Glory

Hebrews 2:10–18 

Consider Jesus

Hebrews 3:1–6
Moses was a great man, the one that God used to deliver the children of Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. The commandments, the law, the temple, the priesthood of Aaron, and the sacrifices were established through him as God’s faithful servant in

Hebrews 3:5 And Moses was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony to the things that would be spoken

These things though, only brought the knowledge of sin and the reality of the penalty, death. Now, in Jesus Christ, God has revealed in

John 1:29 On the next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Now, we are to “hold fast our confidence” in Hebrews 3:6 and believe and keep our eyes on him as it says in

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, sharers in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Hebrews 1:1-14
  • Hebrews 2:1-18
  • Hebrews 3:1-11
Devotions

My God Will Fulfill Your Every Need

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Paul talks about the position he had in the world before he came to Christ, yet all of that, he has dismissed in Philippians 3:7 “But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have considered loss because of Christ”. He is now a part of a new kingdom and he says in Philippians 3:20 “For our commonwealth exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”. Though he says in Philippians 4:12 “I know how both to make do with little and I know how to have an abundance. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to have an abundance and to go without”, he still prays for those helping and providing for his needs in Philippians 4:19 “And my God will fulfill your every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. 

I Press on Toward the Goal for the Prize

Philippians 3:5–14
If anyone in his generation had a reason to boast about their accomplishments, it was Paul. Not only was he born a Hebrew, but he was born of the right Hebrew family, “of the tribe of Benjamin” in Philippians 3:5. It seems also that he was not born to just any family, but to a devout one, making sure Paul was “circumcised on the eighth day” and, while he doesn’t say it here, they had the means for Paul to be well educated by Gamaliel, “A first-century ad teacher of the law of Moses, under whom Paul studied (Acts 5:34; Acts 22:3). He was part of the school of Hillel and a member of the Sanhedrin.”1

To his birthright, Paul added three things that defined him in

Philippians 3:5-6 “according to the law a Pharisee, according to zeal persecuting the church, according to the righteousness in the law being blameless”.

Paul came to understand that these things that had defined his position, his value as a human being were not what mattered and he said in

Philippians 3:7 But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have considered loss because of Christ.

Paul came to understand that it was, in

Philippians 3:8b-9 “that I may gain Christ and may be found in him, not having my righteousness which is from the law, but which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith,

Paul’s mission, his life, his value, was a lifelong aspiration to come into the fullness of the stature of Christ, to fulfill the perfect will of God in his life as he says in

Philippians 3: 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Our Commonwealth Exists in Heaven

Philippians 3:15–21
There is a prize in serving God, it is in fulfilling the “upward call of God in Christ Jesus in Philippians 3:14. And here, Paul says in Philippians 3:15 “Therefore as many as are perfect, let us hold this opinion” and then in

Philippians 3:16 Only to what we have attained, to the same hold on.

There is a higher call that we are to press onto, but there are also real truths that we have learned and are to hold onto. It is a forward march, a forward race that began as we were translated into his kingdom and now in

Philippians 3:20 For our commonwealth exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

and we are being transformed to be like him, conformed in

Philippians 3:21 who will transform our humble body to be conformed to his glorious body, in accordance with the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Rejoice in the Lord Always

Philippians 4:1–9 

My God Will Fulfill Your Every Need

Philippians 4:10–20
In our age, people measure success by wealth, by possessions or power or social standing. Paul talks of learning the secret, he has faith in God, he is content with what he has in

Philippians 4:12 “I know how both to make do with little and I know how to have an abundance. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to have an abundance and to go without”.

and Paul immediately follows this statement with an often quoted verse, in

Philippians 4:13 “I am able to do all things by the one who strengthens me”.

Paul is not distraught when he is lacking what he needs. When he has full support, he is able to gather his team together and accomplish great work. By a vision, Paul went into Macedonia, and here we find that as he was leaving, in

Philippians 4: 15 “no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone”.

This is not a complaint, it is the beginning of a prayer, that as they have given, there would be for them, “increases to your account” in Philippians 4:17 and now Paul’s prayer for them in

Philippians 4:18–19 “But I have received everything in full and have an abundance … a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fulfill your every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”.

All the Saints Greet You

Philippians 4:21–23

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Philippians 3:5-21
  • Philippians 4:1-23

References

  • 1. Major Contributors and Editors. (2016). Gamaliel I. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Devotions

Christ is Proclaimed

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Paul has one thing in mind, one motivation for his life, that in Philippians 1:20 “with all boldness, even now as always Christ will be exalted in my body”. There are those that are opposing the gospel, just as they opposed Jesus himself. We, as Paul did and as Jesus demonstrated, must humble ourselves and proclaim the truth of Christ’s resurrection wherever the Spirit of God leads us, even in the midst of “evil workers”. For us, he says in Philippians 3:1 “my brothers, rejoice in the Lord” and he says in Philippians 3:3 “we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus”. 

Christ is Proclaimed

Philippians 1:18–26
There have been many disputes in the Church about how to present the gospel and who is qualified to preach and by what authority do they speak. Paul has an interesting perspective, he has faith in God to accomplish salvation for him personally and for the progress in the faith of others. This is how Paul says it in Philippians 1:18 “whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this, I rejoice”. So, as long as the name of Jesus Christ is proclaimed for people to hear, the Spirit will do his work and he trusts God to deal with the people.

Paul also says he has faith in God that he will not be put to shame, that his work will not be wasted or unfruitful in

Philippians 1:20 “according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will be put to shame in nothing, but with all boldness, even now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether through life or through death”.

He also says that for him “to die is gain” in Philippians 1:21 but to live, in Philippians 1:22 “But if it is to live in the flesh, this is fruitful work for me”. There is work for him to do every day that he has breath and that is “for your progress and joy in the faith” in Philippians 1:25.

Lead Lives Worthy of the Gospel of Christ

Philippians 1:27–30

United in Spirit, Having One Purpose

Philippians 2:1–4 

He Humbled Himself

Philippians 2:5–11
This phrase, think this in yourselves” is a little awkward for us in

Philippians 2:5 “Think this in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus”

The message Paul is conveying is, as “The oldest manuscripts read, “Have this mind in you,” … (see on Php 2:4, and Php 1:24) … Christ, the one pre-eminently who sought not His own, but “humbled Himself” (Php 2:8), first in taking on Him our nature, secondly, in humbling Himself further in that nature (Ro 15:3).”1

We are to follow Jesus as the example, as the way we are to walk in the earth. As it says in

Acts 10:38 Jesus of Nazareth—how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him.

Jesus didn’t come seeking his own way, he came as a servant proclaiming the way of the kingdom of God. Even more than that, Jesus took every criticism, every accusation, every condemnation even to the point of death. But his death was only the beginning as in

Philippians 2:9 “Therefore also God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name”

The One at Work in You is God

Philippians 2:12–18

Sincerely Concerned About Your Circumstances

Philippians 2:19–24

Consider Such People Highly Honored

Philippians 2:25–30 

Worship by the Spirit of God

Philippians 3:1–4
Beware! This seems like an odd statement to be included here as Paul talks about “my brothers, (who he encourages to) rejoice in the Lord” in Philippians 3:1 and he makes the claim that “we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus” in Philippians 3:3. We have faith in God. We have put our trust in the work Jesus Christ did to redeem us. We know the Spirit of God, the voice that now speaks to us spirit to spirit.

There is though, a stark contrast between having this confidence in God and those that have confidence in the flesh. They are described using the word “Beware” twice in

Philippians 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the mutilation.

Here, the dogs are “the abominable” (compare Rev 21:8, with Rev 22:15; Mt 7:6; Tit 1:15, 16).2 And the “evil workers—(2 Co 11:13), (are) “deceitful workers.” … men who “worked,” indeed, ostensibly for the Gospel, but worked for evil: “serving not our Lord, but their own belly” (Php 3:19; compare Ro 16:18).3 And, the mutilation, where “Circumcision had now lost its spiritual significance, and was now become to those who rested on it as any ground of justification, a senseless mutilation. Christians have the only true circumcision, namely, that of the heart”3

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Philippians 1:18-30
  • Philippians 2:1-30
  • Philippians 3:1-4

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 363). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
  • 2. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 365). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
  • 3. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 366). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Devotions

That the Word of the Lord May Progress

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We are accepted by God the moment we accept Jesus Christ. This is just as when Jesus came of age and was baptized before he did any work of ministry in Matthew 3:17 And behold, there was a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” But Jesus did go on to preach the gospel of the kingdom and was even obedient to death. Paul’s prayer for them was not that they be saved, they are saved, but that in Christ, in 2 Thessalonians 1:12 he (the Lord) might fulfill every desire for goodness and work of faith with power”. After accepting Christ, our role in the earth is to stand and to pray as Paul did in 2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 “that the word of the Lord may progress and be honored … 2 and that we may be delivered from evil and wicked people”. 

That You May be Considered Worthy of the Calling

2 Thessalonians 1:1–12
Paul continues his prayer for them in

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 for which purpose we also pray always for you, that you may be considered worthy of the calling of our God, and he might fulfill every desire for goodness and work of faith with power, 12 in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This began with his prayer for them in 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 and included his admonition to them in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 “that you progress even more” and again in 1 Thessalonians 4:10 “to progress even more”. There is in them, the fruit of faith and endurance that others can see in

2 Thessalonians 1:4–5 so that we ourselves boast in you in the churches of God about your patient endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring, 5 a proof of the righteous judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, on behalf of which also you are suffering.

 

They Did Not Accept the Love of the Truth

2 Thessalonians 2:1–12
The Thessalonian church understood that there was opposition, there was affliction. Paul explains the spiritual force behind it in

2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is at work already; only the one who now restrains will do so until he is out of the way

There is one, Satan, that brings “lying wonders”, “unrighteous deception” in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10. But every person still has the ability to choose. There are those that in 2 Thessalonians 2:10 “did not accept the love of the truth so that they would be saved” and in 2 Thessalonians 2:12 “who did not believe the truth, but delighted in unrighteousness”. For those who refused the truth, in

2 Thessalonians 2:11–12 And because of this, God sends them a powerful delusion  so that they will believe the lie, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but delighted in unrighteousness.

God Has Chosen You as First Fruits

2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 

That the Word of the Lord May Progress

2 Thessalonians 3:1–5
Paul asks for prayer in

2 Thessalonians 3:1–2 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may progress and be honored, just as also it was with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from evil and wicked people, for not all have the faith.

but why would he ask this? Isn’t the Lord able to do whatever he wants? We sometimes forget that Satan has dominion in the earth (see Jesus temptation in Matthew 4:8–10, see the response of the demons in Matthew 8:27). But Jesus taught his disciples how to pray in

Matthew 6:9–10 Therefore you pray in this way: “Our Father who is in heaven, may your name be treated as holy. 10 May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.

In Christ, we have dominion on the earth and can invoke God’s will “on earth as it is in heaven” and we can invoke that will now. This is why Jesus said in

Luke 10:2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest that he send out workers into his harvest.

and this is why Paul asks them to pray “that the word of the Lord may progress and be honored … and that we may be delivered from evil and wicked people”. These are prayers for us to continually bring before the Lord in

Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Working with Quietness, Eat Your Own Bread

2 Thessalonians 3:6–15

May the Lord of Peace Grant You Peace

2 Thessalonians 3:16–18

The One Who Began a Good Work Will Finish It

Philippians 1:1–8

Filled With the Fruit of Righteousness

Philippians 1:9–11

The Progress of the Gospel

Philippians 1:12–17

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
  • Philippians 2:1-17
Devotions

Progress Even More

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There are times when we wonder about what will happen in other peoples lives, Paul did as one responsible for delivering the gospel to them. And, there are times when, just as Paul did, we need some intervention to move from worry, concern, and fear about how things will work out to get ourselves into a place of faith. God promises us a future and a hope, an expected end in Christ, to be filled with the Holy Ghost and bearing the full fruit of joy and peace and … Paul comes to the right place and prays for them in 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13 “and may the Lord cause you to increase and to abound in love for one another and for all, just as also we do for you, 13 so that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints”. It is the Lord that is the author and finisher of faith in Hebrews 12:2. So, finally, Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11 “we urge you, brothers, to progress even more, and to aspire to live a quiet life”. 

I Sent in Order to Know Your Faith

1 Thessalonians 3:1–5
When we are separated from those we care about, it is natural for us to wonder, and we often imagine the worst. Paul had told them there would be afflictions and these would result from “the new, separate identity of the converts over against the larger society of which they had been a part”.1

Paul not only wants to know how they are progressing, but he is also intent on giving them the support they need to overcome any adversity in

1 Thessalonians 3:1–3 “Therefore when we could bear it no longer … we sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, in order to strengthen and to encourage you about your faith, 3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed for this.

Paul wants them to know that he stands with them, as does the Lord and “The concluding part of verse 3 is a sobering reminder that afflictions are not to be taken as something strange and unusual for the believer: we were destined for them. Paul links himself with the Thessalonians with his use of we and he uses an expressive verb (keimai, practically the perfect of tithēmi), used for example of ‘a city set on a hill’ (Matt. 5:14), and of Paul as being ‘put here’ for the defense of the gospel (Phil. 1:16). There is a sense of immovability about it, of unchangeable divine appointment.2 

Stand Firm in the Lord

1 Thessalonians 3:6–13
Paul’s mind is set at ease because in 1 Thessalonians 3:6 “Timothy has come to us from you and has brought good news to us of your faith and love”. Now Paul is no longer concerned that they may be tempted (see 1 Thessalonians 3:5) but is encouraged in

1 Thessalonians 3:7–8 because of this, brothers, we have been comforted because of you in all our distress and affliction through your faith, 8 because now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

Now, Paul’s thoughts turn to “thanks” in 1 Thessalonians 3:9 and he lifts a prayer of faith, for them in

1 Thessalonians 3:12–13 and may the Lord cause you to increase and to abound in love for one another and for all, just as also we do for you, 13 so that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

This is the Will of God, Your Sanctification

1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 

We Urge You, Brothers, to Progress Even More

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12
When we hear this phrase, “progress even more”, we might think:

  • do more works: do more miracles, heal more sick, feed more poor, visit those in prison …
  • develop as disciples: study God’s word, learn of Him …
  • be filled with the Spirit: and demonstrate word of wisdom, word of knowledge, gifts of faith, gifts of healing …

What Paul says though, is first, in

1 Thessalonians 4:9 But concerning brotherly love, I do not have need to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,

and then, he says “progress even more” in

1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 and to aspire to live a quiet life, and to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12 so that you may live decently toward those outside, and may have need of nothing.

Our first priority as Christians is to Love the Lord, and then our neighbor as ourselves (see Mark 12:30–31), and then, as Paul says, “aspire to live a quiet life”. This life Paul is talking about is a life of faith in God where our needs are met. From that place, we are able to love those around us as it says in

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to cause all grace to abound to you, so that in everything at all times, because you have enough of everything, you may overflow in every good work.

The Dead in Christ Will Rise First

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

The Day of the Lord is Coming

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Always Pursue Good Toward One Another

1 Thessalonians 5:12–28

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

References

  • 1. Wanamaker, C. A. (1990). The Epistles to the Thessalonians: a commentary on the Greek text (p. 131). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
  • 2. Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, p. 71). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Devotions

Approved by God Entrusted with the Gospel

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Paul is not the only one, there are others that in Colossians 4:11 “are fellow workers for the kingdom of God”. Paul names gentiles and Jews that worked with him, but also names those in the local church who are faithful. Jesus spoke a parable saying in Matthew 33:14 “For many are called but few are chosen” and Jesus also said in Matthew 9:37–38 “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest that he send out workers into his harvest.” and we are admonished to, in Colossians 1:12 “giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you for a share of the inheritance of the saints in light”. Yet, there is still the doing of this Christian walk, there is still the living of our life as “faithful servant” that is in 1 Thessalonians 2:4 approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not as pleasing people but God, who examines our hearts.

From the Lord You Will Receive the Reward

Colossians 3:18-4:1

Speak the Mystery of Christ

Colossians 4:2–6 

Fellow Workers for the Kingdom of God

Colossians 4:7–18
Paul names those that are also workers in God’s kingdom. We sometimes think it was Paul and the apostles that did all of the work of spreading the gospel, and they certainly were witnesses as it says in

Acts 10:41–42 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen beforehand by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify solemnly that this one is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and of the dead.

Here though, Paul uses these phrases to describe the Gentile believers working with him in Colossians 4:7-9 “my dear brother”, “faithful servant”, “fellow slave”.

Then in Colossians 10-11 he speaks of Jewish believers and says in

Colossians 4:11 “… These are the only ones who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God from the circumcision, who have been a comfort to me.”

Then he mentions those in their own congregations, encouraging those that were known among them and asks them to read and share their letters with other area churches in

Colossians 4:16 And whenever this letter is read among you, see to it that it is read also among the Laodicean church, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

In their day, this was the way they had to share testimonies of what God was also doing in other places and there were many “fellow workers for the kingdom of God”.

An Example to All Those Who Believe

1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 

Approved by God to be Entrusted with the Gospel

1 Thessalonians 2:1–12
The people in the church at Colossae had come to know the great opposition Paul had faced in Philippi where “Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned in Philippi for advocating customs unlawful for Roman citizens (Acts 16:21). See Acts 16:19–391 but that had not hindered Paul in coming to them. As he says in Colossians 2:2 “ we had the courage in our God to speak to you the gospel of God”. And this Paul did because in

1 Thessalonians 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not as pleasing people but God, who examines our hearts.

The King James translates “approved” as allowed—Greek, “We have been approved on trial,” “deemed fit.” This word corresponds to “God which trieth our hearts” below. This approval as to sincerity depends solely on the grace and mercy of God (Ac 9:15; 1 Co 7:25; 2 Co 3:5; 1 Ti 1:11, 12).2

Paul also reminds them of these first encounters where he proved his faithfulness through his labor and demonstration of love among them as he says in

1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we became to you who believe.

You Received the Word From as the Word of God

1 Thessalonians 2:13–16 

We Were Eager With Great Desire to See Your Face

1 Thessalonians 2:17–20
There is great joy in seeing people grow and prosper in Christ as Paul describes in

1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Yet, in this world, we are sometimes separated from those we love and long to be with. This separation is not from the Lord, but is another tactic of our enemy who, as Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 “hindered us”. If there is anything holding us back from love, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost, it isn’t God but the thief, our enemy as it says in

John 10:10–11 The thief comes only so that he can steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Colossians 3:18-25
  • Colossians 4:1-18
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

References

  • 1. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Th 2:2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
  • 2. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 386). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.