Back to Home Page | Back to Index |

1 Thessalonians Chapter Two

 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To glean from Paul's example how preachers should conduct themselves
 among brethren with whom they labor
 
2) To appreciate how the thought of seeing each other at the coming of
 Jesus should affect our attitude towards one another
 
SUMMARY
 
Having reflected upon their reception of the gospel, Paul now reflects
upon his own conduct while with them. He describes the manner of his 
preaching as one that was free of guile, deceit, flattery, and 
covetousness. Seeking not the glory of men, but of God, he spoke with 
boldness despite conflict, and was gentle among them as a nursing 
mother would be with her own children (1-8). His manner of life was 
sacrificial, working hard not to be a burden to them, behaving 
devoutly, justly, and blamelessly while among them. As a father does 
his own children, he exhorted, comforted and charged them to walk in a 
way worthy of God who was calling them into His own kingdom and glory 
(9-12).
 
Paul then begins to reflect upon the concern that he has for their 
condition. Thankful for their reception of his gospel as the word of
God and not of men, he writes how they had imitated the churches in 
Judea in receiving the word among much persecution by their own 
countrymen (13-16). Even though it has only been a short time since he
has seen them, he has desired to come to them time and again, but Satan
had hindered him. His longing to see them is due to his view of them
as his hope, joy and crown of rejoicing in the presence of Jesus when
He comes again (17-20).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. REFLECTIONS REGARDING HIS CONDUCT (1-12)
 
 A. THE MANNER OF HIS PREACHING (1-8)
 1. Not in vain, but with boldness in the midst of abuse (1-2)
 2. Not in deceit, impurity, or guile, but as pleasing God (3-4)
 3. Not with flattery, covetousness, nor seeking glory from men by
 making demands as apostles of Christ (5-6)
 4. As a nursing mother, with gentleness and affection he imparted
 not only the gospel but his own life as well (7-8)
 
 B. THE MANNER OF HIS LIFE (9-12)
 1. Worked night and day, so as not to be burden while preaching
 the gospel (9)
 2. Behaved in a devout, just, and blameless manner (10)
 3. As a father would his own children, he exhorted and comforted
  them, encouraging them to walk worthy of God who calls them
 into His kingdom (11-12)
 
II. REFLECTIONS REGARDING HIS CONCERN (13-20)
 
 A. THANKFUL FOR THEIR RECEPTION OF THE WORD (13-16)
 1. They received his message as it was in truth, the word of God
 which works effectively in those who believe (13)
 2. They became imitators of the churches in Judea (14-16)
 a. Suffering persecution from their own countrymen (14a)
 b. Just as those in Judea received from the Jews (14b)
 1) Who killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets (15a)
 2) Who persecuted the apostles, forbidding them to speak to
 the Gentiles (15b-16a)
 3) Who are piling up their sins, and upon whom wrath has 
 come (17)
 
 B. CONCERNED FOR THEIR WELFARE (17-20)
 1. He is eager to see them again (17)
 2. He had wanted to come to them, but Satan hindered him (18)
 3. Because they are his hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing in the
 presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming (19-20)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Reflections regarding his conduct (1-12)
 - Reflections regarding his concern (12-20)
 
2) What had Paul endured prior to coming to Thessalonica? What was his
 attitude when he arrived? (2)
 - Suffered spiteful treatment at Philippi (cf. Ac 16:16-40)
 - Bold in his God to speak the gospel of God
 
3) What did NOT characterize his conduct while at Thessalonica? (3-6)
 - Deceit
 - Uncleanness
 - Guile
 - Pleasing men
 - Flattering words
 - A cloak for covetousness
 - Seeking glory from men
 
4) What figure does Paul use to describe his treatment of them? (7)
 - As a nursing mother cherishes her own children
 
5) What did Paul impart to them along with the gospel of God? (8)
 - His own life
 
6) What DID characterize his conduct while at Thessalonica? (9-10)
 - Laboring night and day so as not to be a burden
 - Devout, just, and blameless
 
7) What figure does Paul use to described the manner in which he 
 exhorted them? (11)
 - As father does his own children
 
8) How did Paul want them to walk? (12)
 - Worthy of God who calls them into His own kingdom and glory
 
9) How had the Thessalonians received the word of God which they heard
 from Paul? (13)
 - They welcomed it not as the word of men, but as the word of God
 
10) What is said about the Word of God and those who believe it? (13)
 - It effectively works in those who believe
 
11) Who had the Thessalonians imitated in the way they received the 
 gospel? In what way? (14)
 - The churches of God in Judea
 - Suffering from their own countrymen
 
12) What had the Jews done? (14-16)
 - Killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets
 - Persecuted the apostles, forbidding them to offer salvation to the
 Gentiles
 
13) Who had hindered Paul from coming back to Thessalonica? (18)
 - Satan
 
14) How did Paul view the Thessalonians? (19-20)
 - His hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord
 Jesus Christ at His coming
 - His glory and joy

A Preacher Worthy Of Imitation (2:1-12)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In our previous lesson we mentioned the value of a good role
 model...
 a. It demonstrates what can be done
 b. It provides direction for what should be done
 c. It inspires one to do what ought to be done
 -- The church at Thessalonica certainly serves as "A Church Worthy 
 Of Imitation"
 
2. In the second chapter of 1st Thessalonians, we find Paul reflecting
 upon...
 a. His preaching while at Thessalonica - 1 Th 2:1-8
 b. His conduct while at Thessalonica - 1 Th 2:9-12
 -- From which we learn that Paul certainly serves as "A Preacher
 Worthy Of Imitation"
 
[Just as churches would do well to emulate the church at Thessalonica,
so preachers would do well to imitate the example of the apostle Paul
while he worked with them. But not just preachers; all Christians
would benefit by imitating the example of Paul. Consider therefore...]
 
I. THE MANNER OF HIS PREACHING
 
 A. WITH BOLDNESS...
 1. Paul preached with boldness - 1 Th 2:1-2
 a. Despite his previous persecution at Philippi
 b. Despite the persecution at Thessalonica
 2. Such boldness was not natural for Paul, or for others
 a. Paul often experienced fear and trembling - 1 Co 2:3
 b. Timothy needed encouragement to be bold - 2 Ti 1:6-8
 3. But he found boldness "in our God"
 a. For which reason he asked others to pray for him, that God 
 would grant him boldness - Ep 6:19-20
 b. Others also looked to God when in need of boldness - Ac 
 4:29,31
 -- To proclaim the word with all boldness, look to God for 
 courage!
 
 B. WITH TRUTH AND HONESTY...
 1. Paul preached the truth, not error - 1 Th 2:3
 2. He did so with honesty, not through impure motives or trickery 
 - 1 Th 2:3; 2 Co 4:2
 3. Note the need for both truth and honesty:
 a. It is not enough to speak the truth, we must do so honestly
 b. It is not enough to be honest, we must speak the truth
 -- Let's strive to have both truth and honesty! - cf. 2 Co 2:17
 
 C. PLEASING GOD, NOT MEN...
 1. Paul was aware that God had trusted him with the gospel - 1 Th 
 2:4
 a. As an expression of grace - Ep 3:8
 b. As an example of mercy and longsuffering - 1 Ti 1:11-16
 2. Therefore it was God he sought to please, not man - 1 Th 2:4
 a. Knowing that it is God who tries the heart - He 4:13
 b. Knowing that this is what made him a true servant of Christ
 - Ga 1:10
 -- Be concerned with pleasing God, not gaining the popularity of 
 men!
 
 D. WITHOUT FLATTERY OR COVETOUSNESS...
 1. Paul did not resort to flattering words to gain an audience 
 - 1 Th 2:5
 a. He undoubtedly knew that using flattery was dangerous - Pro 
 29:5
 b. Flattery is a tool used by false teachers - 2 Pe 2:18
 2. Nor did Paul resort to using covetousness, either to persuade 
 or for his own personal gain - 1 Th 2:5
 a. Covetousness is another tool of false teachers - 1 Pe 2:1-3
 b. Paul was careful not to take advantage of his brethren, 
  becoming wealthy off of them - Ac 20:33; 2 Co 11:9; 12:17
 -- Win souls through the truth, not flattery, and avoid any 
 semblance of taking advantage of brethren for monetary gain
 
 E. WITHOUT SEEKING FOR GLORY FROM MEN...
 1. Paul was careful not to seek glory from them or from others 
 - 1 Th 2:6
 a. As an apostle of Christ it would have been easy to do
 b. He could have easily abused his authority, but he was 
 careful not to
 2. Any such glory would have been vain glory - Pro 25:27
 -- True servants do not seek glory from men, but from God!
 
 F. WITH GENTLENESS AND AFFECTION...
 1. He was gentle, like a nursing mother with her children - 1 Th 
 2:7
 a. As he counseled Timothy to be towards those in error - 2 Ti
 2:24-25
 b. As he instructed the spiritual to be toward those overtaken 
 in a fault - Ga 6:1
 2. He had affection for them, which prompted him to share not 
  just the gospel, but his own life - 1 Th 2:8
 a. Paul was a preacher who loved his brethren - cf. Ph 1:8
 b. For which he joyfully sacrificed his life as necessary 
 - cf. Ph 2:17
 -- Let gentleness and love for the brethren be apparent both in 
 our preaching and in life!
 
[Indeed, one cannot separate our preaching from our life. So as we
continue to learn what made Paul "A Preacher Worthy Of Imitation", we
focus our attention more closely on...]
 
II. THE MANNER OF HIS LIFE
 
 A. LABORING NIGHT AND DAY...
 1. Paul did not desire to be a burden, and so worked to support
 himself - 1 Th 2:9
 a. Not that it is inappropriate for preachers to be supported 
 - 1 Co 9:7-14
 b. Paul chose to preach the gospel without charge as a way of
 demonstrating his willingness to accept his calling as a 
 steward - cf. 1 Co 9:6,15-18
 c. So Paul often worked as a tent maker while preaching 
 - e.g., Ac 18:1-4
 2. His example should remind us of the sacrificial nature of our
 service
 a. Some may choose to support themselves like Paul did
 b. All should be available and accessible both night and day 
 - Ac 20:31
  c. Note also that we can serve by praying "night and day" 
 - 1 Th 3:10; 1 Ti 5:5
 -- The main point is that our service to God and one another is a 
 not a 9-5 job!
 
 B. DEVOUT, JUST, AND BLAMELESS...
 1. "Devoutly" depicts the nature of his service - 1 Th 2:10
 a. It was "holy" (NIV)
 b. It was "pure" (NRSV)
 2. "Justly" describes his dealings with his fellow man
 a. It was "upright" (NRSV)
 b. It was "righteous" (NIV)
 3. "Blamelessly" reflects his carefulness to be above reproach
 a. Something he was always careful about - Ac 24:16; 2 Co 6:3
 b. Even before he became a Christian - Ph 3:6
 -- All three of these graces are important; they impact our
 relationship to God, our relationship to our fellow man, and 
 help keep our reputation pure
 
 F. FATHERLY...
 1. Paul was like a father to them - 1 Th 2:11
 a. Exhorting and comforting them (encouraging them) - e.g., 
 1 Th 4:1
 b. Charging them as necessary (commanding them) - e.g., 2 Th 
 3:6,12
 2. For he was concerned about their walk (life) as a Christian 
 - 1 Th 2:12
 a. He wanted their walk to be worthy of God
 b. For God had called them into His kingdom and glory
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Certainly all preachers would do well to have the same kind of
 fatherly concern (and motherly gentleness and affection) that Paul
 had!
 
2. But not only preachers...how much better it would be if all members
 of the church served one another as Paul served his brethren!
 a. With boldness, truth and honesty, seeking to pleasing God and not
 men
 b. Without flattery, covetousness, or seeking glory from men
 c. With labor night and day, seeking to be devout, just, and 
 blameless
 -- With the gentleness and affection of a nursing mother, and the
 guidance and encouragement of a caring father
 
Yes, the apostle Paul is indeed "A Preacher Worthy Of Imitation"...for
such reasons every Christian would do well to heed his admonition as
found in another place:
 
 "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." (1 Co 11:1)

The Effective Word Of God (2:13)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. We have seen the character of the church in Thessalonica - 1 Th 1:
 3-10
 a. Their faith, love and hope
 b. Their worthy example to others in Macedonia and Achaia
 
2. To some degree, the condition of the church may have been due to the
 diligent and caring nature of Paul's ministry while with them - 1 Th
 2:1-12
 
3. But it could not have happened without their willingness to receive
 the word of God...
 a. Preached to them by Paul, Silas, and Timothy
 b. Which they received as the word of God
 -- Which worked effectively in them - 1 Th 2:13
 
[In our text (1 Th 2:13), we are reminded of the effectiveness of God's
Word for those who believe it. In this study, I wish to expand upon
this thought in order to increase our appreciation for and reception of
the Word of God in our lives...]
 
I. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GOD'S WORD
 
 A. LIVING, POWERFUL, ABLE TO DISCERN...
 1. The word of God is no dead letter - He 4:12
 2. Just as Jesus' words were both spirit and life - Jn 6:63
 
 B. PRODUCES FAITH...
 1. As we hear (or read) it, it is able to develop faith in our 
 hearts - Ro 10:17
 2. This it does through the evidence it presents - cf. Jn 20:
 30-31
 
 C. HAS POWER TO SAVE...
 1. For it contains the gospel, God's power unto salvation - Ro
 1:16-17
 2. Which is able to save our souls - Ja 1:21
 
 D. CAUSES ONE TO BE BORN AGAIN...
 1. By the word of God, He has brought us forth - Ja 1:18
 2. For the word of God is an incorruptible seed, by which one is 
 born again - 1 Pe 1:22-23
 
 E. KEY TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH...
 1. We grow by virtue of the word of God - 1 Pe 2:2
 2. Just as newborn babes grow by virtue of their mother's milk
 
 F. HELPS TO OVERCOME SATAN...
 1. John praised young men who overcame Satan through the Word of 
 God - 1 Jn 2:14
 2. Of course, Jesus overcame Satan by appealing to the Word - Mt 
 4:1-11
 
 G. POSSESSES POWER TO SANCTIFY...
 1. As praised by the Psalmist - Psa 19:7-11
 2. As prayed by Jesus - Jn 17:17
 
  H. PRESERVES BOTH YOUNG AND OLD...
 1. The young cleanse their way by taking heed to it - Psa 119:9
 2. The elders were told they could guard against false teachers 
 and apostasy with the help of God's word - Ac 20:28-32
 
[Such are the many benefits of the wonderful Word of God. It truly is
"The Effective Word Of God"! But as indicated in our text, God's word
must be properly received...]
 
II. FOR GOD'S WORD TO BE EFFECTIVE
 
 A. MUST BE RECEIVED WITH FAITH...
 1. For it is works in those who believe - 1 Th 2:13
 2. For it is God's power unto salvation to those who believe - Ro
 1:17
 3. For it does not profit those who do not receive it with faith 
 - He 4:2
 
 B. MUST BE RECEIVED WITH MEEKNESS...
  1. The word must be received in meekness if it is to save - Ja 
 1:21
 2. For such is the person God is willing to guide and teach - Psa
 25:9
 
 C. MUST BE RECEIVED BY DOERS...
 1. Not just hearers of the Word - Ja 1:22-25
  2. It is in obeying the Word that our souls are purified - 1 Pe 
 1:22
 
 D. MUST BE FERVENTLY DESIRED...
 1. Like newborn babes longing for their mothers' milk - 1 Pe 2:2
 2. For the one who meditates on it day and night is truly blessed 
 - Psa 1:1-3
 
 E. MUST ABIDE IN US...
 1. If we are to be strong, and overcome the wicked one - 1 Jn
 2:14
 2. If we are not to sin against God - Psa 119:11
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Is the living, powerful Word of God effective in our lives?
 a. Is it producing faith, saving us by causing us to be born again?
 b. Is it producing spiritual growth, manifested by overcoming Satan,
 living holy lives whether we are young or old?
 
2. If the Word of God is not making a powerful impact in our lives,
 could it be...
 a. We are not receiving it with faith and meekness?
 b. We are not receiving it with the intention of obeying it?
 c. We have not fervently desired it, so that it can not abide in us?
 
If such is the case, then we haven't taken the Word of God seriously.
We have treated it no differently than the word of men. May the church
of the Thessalonians always serve to remind us how we ought to receive
it...
 
 "...you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,
 the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."
 (1 Th 2:13)

The Sins Of The Jews (2:14-16)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
 
1. In our text, Paul reveals how the Thessalonians suffered persecution
 - 1 Th 2:14
 a. It was at the hand of their own countrymen - cf. Ac 17:5-10
 b. In this they were imitators of the churches in Judea, who were 
 also persecuted by their countrymen - Ac 8:1; 12:1-4
 
2. Mentioning the Judaean persecution, Paul lists the sins of the Jews
 - 1 Th 2:15-16
 a. This passage might be construed by some as anti-Semitic
 b. But it really isn't, for it comes from the heart of one who 
 loved his Jewish brethren - cf. Ro 9:1-5; 10:1-2
 
[A careful consideration of these verses and related passages can
provide food for thought, especially regarding the grace of God, His
longsuffering, and the danger of despising it. Let's begin our
consideration by looking more closely at what this passage says
about...]
 
I. THE SINS OF THE JEWS
 
 A. THEY KILLED THE LORD JESUS...
 1. Which Peter was not hesitant to proclaim - Ac 2:23,36; 3:
 14-15; 4:10; 5:30
 2. Those who were personally involved accepted responsibility for
 this act - Mt 27:25
 
 B. THEY KILLED THEIR OWN PROPHETS...
 1. They killed prophets in the days of Elijah - 1 Ki 19:10
 2. They killed prophets, including Zechariah, despite the reforms 
 of Jehoida the priest - 2 Chr 24:14-21
 3. As summarized by Ezra, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, and Stephen - 2 Chr
 36:16; Neh 9:26; Jer 2:30; Ac 7:52
 
 C. THEY PERSECUTED THE APOSTLES...
 1. In Jerusalem the apostles had been beaten and threatened - Ac 
 5:40
 2. Ultimately there was the death of James, and the imprisonment 
 of Peter - Ac 12:1-5
 3. Paul had been persecuted in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra - Ac
 13:50; 14:1-6,19 
 4. He had been run out of Thessalonica and Berea by the Jews - Ac
 17:5-10,13-14
 
 D. THEY DID NOT PLEASE GOD...
 1. As rebuked by Moses in the wilderness - Deu 9:7
 2. As described by God to His prophet Ezekiel - Ezek 2:3
 
 E. THEY WERE CONTRARY TO ALL MEN...
 1. Tacitus describes them as "cherishing hatred against all 
 others"
 2. Juvenal says "They would not even point out the way to any one
 except of the same religion; nor, being asked, guide any to a
 fountain except the circumcised."
 3. Diodorus Sicuhs describes them as "those alone among all the
 nations who were unwilling to have any intermingling with any 
 other nation, and who regarded all others as enemies"
 -- As quoted by Barnes in his commentary on 1 Th 2:15
 
 F. FORBIDDING THEM TO SPEAK TO THE GENTILES...
 1. As happened at Antioch of Pisidia - Ac 13:42-51
 2. The idea that Gentiles could now be included among God's 
 people was abhorrent to many Jews, as indicated by their 
 reaction in Ac 22:21-22
 3. Even some Jewish Christians demanded that Gentiles had to be
 circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved 
 - Ac 15:5
 
[In this manner the Jews as a nation of people had been filling up the
measure of their sins, and the fullness of God's wrath was about to
come upon them (perhaps the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD - cf. Mt
23:29-39). 
 
Now it is important to stress that these were not the words of an anti-
Semite. Paul loved his brethren in the flesh (Ro 9:1-5; 10:1-4). They
are simply facts of history, given objectively by a Jew who himself had
been guilty of the same things! Consider how Paul described
himself...]
 
II. THE SINS OF ONE JEW (PAUL)
 
 A. HE HAD BEEN A BLASPHEMER...
 1. Prior to his conversion - 1 Ti 1:12-13
  2. Compelling even others to blaspheme the name of Christ - Ac 
 26:9-11 
 
 B. HE HAD BEEN A PERSECUTOR...
 1. Wreaking havoc of the church - Ac 8:3; 9:1-2; 26:9-10
 2. An indication of his zeal for his Jewish faith - Ph 3:6
 
  C. HE HAD BEEN AN INSOLENT MAN...
 1. "a violent aggressor" (NASB), "injurious" (KJV) - 1 Ti 1:13
 2. "It does not mean merely doing injury, but refers rather to 
 the manner or spirit in which it is done. It is a word of 
 intenser signification than either the word 'blasphemer,' or
 'persecutor,' and means that what he did was done with a 
 proud, haughty, insolent spirit. There was wicked and 
 malicious violence, an arrogance and spirit of tyranny in what
 he did, which greatly aggravated the wrong that was done."
 (Barnes)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. So what is the point? Certainly Paul was not anti-Semitic...
 a. What he says was not true of all Jews
 1) Many had become Christians (e.g., the apostles, Paul himself)
 2) There were churches "in Judea" - cf. 1 Th 2:14
 b. Any Jew who came to Christ would be "grafted" back in - cf. Ro
 11:23-24
 c. The Gentiles as a group were not much better - cf. Ro 1:18-32
 
2. But there are important lessons to be learned...
 a. The danger of even God's chosen people falling away - He 3:12-4:2
 b. The wonderful grace of God for those willing to repent
 1) As seen in the life of Paul - 1 Ti 1:12-16
 2) As still extended to the Jews - Ro 11:1-5,23
 c. The wrath of God coming upon those who refuse His grace - cf. Ro
 2:4-11
 1) To those who obey not the gospel - 1 Pe 4:17; 2 Th 1:7-9
 2) To those who persist in sin - He 10:26-31
 
As we are therefore reminded of how some of the Jews fell from grace,
may it serve to caution us not to receive God's grace in vain:
 
 "We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to
 receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: `In an acceptable
 time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped
 you.' Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of 
 salvation." (2 Co 6:1-2)

What Is Our Hope, Glory, And Joy? (2:17-20)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Soon after the church at Thessalonica was started, Paul was forced
 to leave...
 a. Unbelieving Jews had created problems for some of the members 
 - cf. Ac 17:5-9
 b. Paul and Silas had to be sent away by night - Ac 17:10
 
2. In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul reflects upon their abrupt
 departure...
 a. How it created an eager desire to see them again - 1 Th 2:17
 b. How Satan had hindered them from fulfilling that desire - 1 Th
 2:18
 c. Prompting him to ask the question: "For what is our hope, or 
 joy, or crown of rejoicing?" - 1 Th 2:19
 
3. We do well to ask ourselves the same question...
 a. What is our hope? For what do we long with desire and 
 expectation?
 b. What is our joy? What gives us true happiness and satisfaction?
 c. What is our crown of rejoicing? What provides the highest degree
 of joy in our lives?
 -- Is our answer the same as Paul's? Should it be?
 
[As we consider what our answer should be, let's examine more closely
our text and the answer Paul gave...]
 
I. PAUL'S HOPE, GLORY, AND JOY
 
 A. WE READ OF HIS DESIRE TO SEE THEM...
 1. He had been "taken away" from them - 1 Th 2:17
 a. He is referring to his necessary departure - Ac 17:10
 b. He uses a word that implies a painful bereavement, like a 
  child taken away from his or her parents (Barnes)
 2. He had been away from their presence only "a short time" 
 - 1 Th 2:17
 a. Exactly how long, we do not know
 b. Probably no more than a year, if not months
 3. He "endeavored more eagerly" to see them "with great desire" 
 - 1 Th 2:17
 a. Note the repeated emphasis of his longing to see them
 b. His desire likely heightened by the manner in which he had
 to leave them
 
 B. WE LEARN WHAT PREVENTED HIM...
 1. He wanted to come to them "time and again" - 1 Th 2:18
 a. Either from Berea or Athens
 b. But he was hindered 
 2. It was Satan who hindered him - 1 Th 2:18
 a. He attributes the persecution by his fellow Jews to Satan
 1) It was the unbelieving Jews who were hounding him
 2) They were following him from place to place - Ac 
 17:5,13; cf. Ac 14:19
 3) They were possibly his "thorn in the flesh", "the 
 messenger of Satan" alluded to in another epistle - cf.
 2 Co 12:7-10
 b. Satan was the ultimate source behind the persecution 
 suffered by the early church - cf. 1 Pe 5:8-9; Re 2:10
 
 C. WE DISCOVER PAUL'S HOPE, GLORY, AND JOY...
 1. The Thessalonians were Paul's "hope", because he hoped to see
 them at the coming of the Lord - 1 Th 2:19
 2. They were his "joy" or "crown of rejoicing", in anticipation
 of seeing them in the presence of Jesus - 1 Th 2:19
 3. They were his "glory" and "joy" - not just in the future, but
 in the present as well - 1 Th 2:20 ("you are our glory and 
 joy")
 
[Paul's hope, glory, and joy were his brethren in Christ, especially
those he had taught and brought to the Lord. Not just the
Thessalonians, but others as well (cf. Ph 4:1). 
 
And it works both ways: At the coming of Christ, Paul would be the
source of joy for those he taught (cf. 2 Co 1:14). Now let's consider
what ought to be...]
 
II. OUR HOPE, GLORY, AND JOY
 
 A. FOR SOME CHRISTIANS, IT MAY BE...
 1. Their possessions
 a. Their hope is in the acquisition of material things
 b. Their glory (pride) is in what they have obtained
 c. Their joy (happiness) is in the pleasure such things give 
 them
 -- But such things are perishable and susceptible to theft, 
 they draw us away from God; therefore it is folly to have 
 them as our hope, glory and joy - cf. Mt 6:19-21,24; 1 Jn
 2:15-17
 2. Their jobs
 a. Their hope is in the advancement of their careers
 b. The glory (pride) is in how far they have come
 c. Their joy (happiness) is in the money, power, or prestige 
  they have obtained
 -- But our jobs and all that they bring can be fleeting 
 (especially in today's job market, with frequent downsizing
 and lack of company loyalty to employees); they shall one 
 day come to nought - cf. 2 Pe 3:10
 3. Their families
 a. Their hope is what their families may become
 b. Their glory (pride) is what their families have become
 c. Their joy (happiness) is in the relationship they enjoy 
  with their families
 -- While certainly more noble (and rewarding) than possessions 
 or jobs, even our families are limited in the joys and 
 glory they can bring; death ends our relationship as 
 family, and if they are not Christians, what does that do 
 for our hope? Cf. Mt 10:37; 12:46-50
 
 B. FOR ALL CHRISTIANS, WHAT IT SHOULD BE...
 1. Our hope should be to see each other in heaven!
 a. To see each other with Jesus in the presence of the Lord at 
 His coming
 b. What a wonderful occasion, what a glorious reunion!
 2. Our glory should be seeing each other in the presence of the 
 Lord!
 a. Serving the Lord faithfully now
 b. Being glorified together with Jesus when He comes - cf. 
 2 Th 1:10-12
 3. Our joy should be the happiness coming from our working 
 together in the Lord!
 a. The joy experienced by John when he saw others walking in 
 the truth - 2 Jn 4; 3 Jn 3-4