I Thessalonians 2:1-12

I Thessalonians 2:1-12

It is amazing how scripture speaks so clearly to our day and circumstances, even if written almost 2000 years ago. In these verses Paul talks about planting, his relationship with, the character of, and the results of the church.

Paul came to Thessalonica having been abused and mistreated in Philippi. If the gospel workers were doing their work for any earthly motive or compensation, it wasn’t worth it. They were not after power, money, glory, or ease of life. Much of the shame of the church has been the result of the career of ministry being a jobs program or shortcut to a personal agenda. The question is not “Would you do ministry if you were paid nothing?” That is only a beginning point. The question is, would you do it if you had to pay your own way, perhaps in blood? We need to be careful of easy, glib answers. It was costly for Paul to plant the church, but he did so out of love for God, which translated into how he cared for the church. 

In verses 5-9 we see the ‘parent’ love of Paul for this church. Rather than being a big shot that is separated from the adoring groupies and crowds, Paul describes his ministry in the most intimate terms of a nursing mother and a (less obvious) hardworking provider father. The very relationship of the church is formed by the close relationship and the labor of the minister. Sadly, too often, this is lost in the modern church, along with the internal character of the kind of church this relationship can form. Whereas Paul described his ministry in tender terms, we often try to make sure that people stay anonymous, and in so doing, we inhibit relationship building.

Paul’s impeccable moral character was displayed to these new believers. The description Paul gives of himself was upright and blameless. The word upright carries the implications of justice or fairness; the word blameless means even a nitpicking investigation could not produce a charge of corruption. Scandals large and small have done great harm to the cause of Christ, and they frequently form around power, money, and moral character.

The point of Paul’s pious behavior was not just personal integrity, important as that is, but it was to pass on that same moral strength. In one sense we can never fully “walk in a manner” worthy of the Gospel, but in another sense we move in that direction when we take each moment and decision and make that moment worthy of the Gospel. 

“Lord, help me to live each moment for Your glory. AMEN”