BRUCE C WEARNE continues his look at I Thessalonians…
And this was because our Good News did not come to you only in words, but also in power, of the Holy Spirit, with great assurance, as you came to know what we were [up to] by your reception of us. And in aligning yourselves with us and the Lord, you welcomed the word [we brought] in [the context of] great affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit Himself.
And so, [in response to this affliction], you had become an example to those who believe in Macedonia and Achaia. As a matter of fact, it was from you that the Word of the Lord sounded forth, to be heard not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also as a faith that is spread abroad far and wide, so that there is no need for us to add anything to it because they are telling us about our particular encounter with you, and how you turned from idols to serve the living and true God and to patiently expect His Son from out of the heavens whom He raised from the tomb, Jesus, the One who is delivering us fully from the [full expression of] anger that is [indeed] on the way. – I Thessalonians 1:5-10/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
STANDING TOGETHER: The support of the church at Thessalonica for Paul and his companions has itself helped in the spread of the Gospel. PICTURE: Nick Abrams/Unsplash
“Paul’s letter at this point is one in which he, as one sent to proclaim the Good News, has informed his Thessalonian fellow-believers that their support has itself proclaimed the Good News far and wide.”
When Paul makes mention of the powerful working of the Holy Spirit, this is no magical formulae, some sacred linguistic ritual by which he hopes he has got things right – this is a reverent recognition of his utter dependence upon the Lord God for rightly responding to what has so evidently taken place. Paul emphasises that he, with the church of Thessalonians, are caught up in a development that leaves him continually thankful, utterly a part of their community.
It is as if he is reminding them that, though they had received the Good News from their hands – the hands of himself, Silvanus and Timothy (Acts 17:1, see also 16:1-5), so also they had been led to offer them welcome, to hospitably consider this proclamation and whether it was indeed what the Law and the prophets had anticipated.
When we read of the situation in which the seed of the Gospel was planted at Thessalonica, we notice those opposing Paul and Silas described by Luke as “intensely jealous” Jews.
Something of their grasp of God’s covenant infuriated these fellow Jews. They were propelled into a state not unlike Saul’s frenzy years earlier, at the beginning of his persecution campaign. (Paul learned from Jesus that such fury is the attempt to abrogate the 10th Commandment.) And so these opponents of God’s Anointed not only hired thugs, they also obsequiously made their appeal to the local authorities in terms of a religious piety generated by obedience to Caesar. It is in this context that Paul gives a reminder about the coming judgement of God. And this is when Jason, stood up. Not only did he stand up on behalf of Paul and Silas who had been ferreted away to Beroea. But in doing so publicly he acknowledged support for them from among “the church of Thessalonians”.
Paul’s letter at this point is one in which he, as one sent to proclaim the Good News, has informed his Thessalonian fellow-believers that their support has itself proclaimed the Good News far and wide. And those who have been called to “turn from idols” are not only Gentiles. Macedonia and Achaia and further besides have also heard this significant proclamation. The Gospel proclaimed to all the world also proclaimed to Jews a renewal of the call of the Living God to the people that had been set apart to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
There is no cause for complacency but the life of those caught up in the Good News of Jesus Christ, the One God raised from the grave, is in expectation of a future glorious fulfilment – in God’s own time – and the complete victory over all evil and the afflictions and disturbances that should be expected along the way. In the meantime, those believing are commanded to be active in patient expectation.
OPEN BOOK: I THESSALONIANS – SOUNDING FORTH THE ‘WORD OF THE LORD’
BRUCE C WEARNE continues his look at I Thessalonians…
And this was because our Good News did not come to you only in words, but also in power, of the Holy Spirit, with great assurance, as you came to know what we were [up to] by your reception of us. And in aligning yourselves with us and the Lord, you welcomed the word [we brought] in [the context of] great affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit Himself.
And so, [in response to this affliction], you had become an example to those who believe in Macedonia and Achaia. As a matter of fact, it was from you that the Word of the Lord sounded forth, to be heard not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also as a faith that is spread abroad far and wide, so that there is no need for us to add anything to it because they are telling us about our particular encounter with you, and how you turned from idols to serve the living and true God and to patiently expect His Son from out of the heavens whom He raised from the tomb, Jesus, the One who is delivering us fully from the [full expression of] anger that is [indeed] on the way. – I Thessalonians 1:5-10/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
STANDING TOGETHER: The support of the church at Thessalonica for Paul and his companions has itself helped in the spread of the Gospel. PICTURE: Nick Abrams/Unsplash
“Paul’s letter at this point is one in which he, as one sent to proclaim the Good News, has informed his Thessalonian fellow-believers that their support has itself proclaimed the Good News far and wide.”
When Paul makes mention of the powerful working of the Holy Spirit, this is no magical formulae, some sacred linguistic ritual by which he hopes he has got things right – this is a reverent recognition of his utter dependence upon the Lord God for rightly responding to what has so evidently taken place. Paul emphasises that he, with the church of Thessalonians, are caught up in a development that leaves him continually thankful, utterly a part of their community.
It is as if he is reminding them that, though they had received the Good News from their hands – the hands of himself, Silvanus and Timothy (Acts 17:1, see also 16:1-5), so also they had been led to offer them welcome, to hospitably consider this proclamation and whether it was indeed what the Law and the prophets had anticipated.
When we read of the situation in which the seed of the Gospel was planted at Thessalonica, we notice those opposing Paul and Silas described by Luke as “intensely jealous” Jews.
Something of their grasp of God’s covenant infuriated these fellow Jews. They were propelled into a state not unlike Saul’s frenzy years earlier, at the beginning of his persecution campaign. (Paul learned from Jesus that such fury is the attempt to abrogate the 10th Commandment.) And so these opponents of God’s Anointed not only hired thugs, they also obsequiously made their appeal to the local authorities in terms of a religious piety generated by obedience to Caesar. It is in this context that Paul gives a reminder about the coming judgement of God. And this is when Jason, stood up. Not only did he stand up on behalf of Paul and Silas who had been ferreted away to Beroea. But in doing so publicly he acknowledged support for them from among “the church of Thessalonians”.
Paul’s letter at this point is one in which he, as one sent to proclaim the Good News, has informed his Thessalonian fellow-believers that their support has itself proclaimed the Good News far and wide. And those who have been called to “turn from idols” are not only Gentiles. Macedonia and Achaia and further besides have also heard this significant proclamation. The Gospel proclaimed to all the world also proclaimed to Jews a renewal of the call of the Living God to the people that had been set apart to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.
There is no cause for complacency but the life of those caught up in the Good News of Jesus Christ, the One God raised from the grave, is in expectation of a future glorious fulfilment – in God’s own time – and the complete victory over all evil and the afflictions and disturbances that should be expected along the way. In the meantime, those believing are commanded to be active in patient expectation.
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