BRUCE C WEARNE looks at a passage in I Thessalonians in which Paul expresses his worries and solidarity for the church in Thessalonica…
And so, when we could bear it no longer, we were content to remain alone in Athens when we sent Timothy, our brother and fellow labourer in Christ’s Good News, to strengthen you and to encourage you in the faith so that none be distracted during these trials. For you know full well that we are appointed to endure in such trials, just as we had explained to you when we were with you, and as you are [keenly] aware.
So it was when I could bear it no longer that I sent [word] to know [how things stood with] your faith, in case the one who tempts had tempted you and our labour had been in vain.
But now when Timothy returned to us after visiting you, announcing the good news of your faith and love, and that you are in perpetual gratitude to us, wanting to see us as much as we are wanting to see you, this, brothers [and sisters] has us so greatly encouraged by your faith [as you share] in all our distress and trials. For if we live it is because you have been established to do so [with us] in the Lord.
For indeed how can we [ever] return thanks to the Lord, with all the joy with which we rejoice because of you [and so], in the presence of our God, with our very earnest praying night and day, pleading intensely that we might see you face to face, to make good for you any deficits [persisting] in your faith.
Now may our Lord make you flourish abundantly, in love to one another and all people, even as [He does] for us toward you!
And so, before our God and Father we pray that He may strengthen your hearts with holiness in the presence of our Lord Jesus Himself with all of His saints. – I Thessalonians 3:1-8/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
STANDING TOGETHER: Paul spoke of the solidarity he felt for those believes in Thessalonica despite his absence. PICTURE: Daan Stevens/Unsplash.
Paul makes his anxieties known but does so in this fulsome expression of deepest Christian solidarity. They are joined in the Good News. He encourages them to look beyond the current conflict to further face-to-face contact.
Paul had characteristically found lots of work for himself to do in Athens. But then his efforts in Thessalonica could not be forgotten. The Thessalonians were still on his mind. What was to be their lot? How were those taught by himself and Silas to fare in the context of this political struggle and accusations of treason? Has he, in effect, placed them in an invidious position where they can hardly help themselves? Perhaps his efforts have now gone “pear-shaped”!
Perhaps what the Thessalonians had learned of Christ Jesus from a concerted re-reading of the Law and the prophets had been buried in the political conflict that had erupted with the synagogue at its epicentre? Perhaps…perhaps. Will these new Christians be able to stand firm? What now the public reputation of the Good News in that place?
Paul is frank. Yes, he had been on the brink of despair. Yes, he had feared that his work had been in vain. And he tells them so.
The Good News (this is not merely“good news” because we feel good) with which Timothy returns is a deepening confirmation of their union in the Lord. And Paul confirms that the church of Thessalonians is part of his life , the life of those going from place to place with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
And indeed, he says, we are very much in need of hearing that you Thessalonians are standing boldly and steadfastly. We are in this together.
“You are our life,” he says, “even as we are called of God to ensure you have resources enough to continue on in faith.” Paul makes his anxieties known but does so in this fulsome expression of deepest Christian solidarity. They are joined in the Good News. He encourages them to look beyond the current conflict to further face-to-face contact. They have sent their Good News greetings with Timothy whose return has provoked this letter. He now reciprocates in like terms.
Paul’s own character comes through here. Consider how many times he has virtually said the same thing, over and over, repeating and deepening, his affirmation of unity with this congregation. First one way, then another. It has been overflowing from his pen as he writes, or from that of the scribe as he dictates, telling the recipients that their message to him has been so important to him – it is not just the content that informs him that his work with them has not been in vain. It is, to say it again (and again) that they his “glory and delight” (2:20).
OPEN BOOK: I THESSALONIANS – REVEALING PAUL’S HEART
BRUCE C WEARNE looks at a passage in I Thessalonians in which Paul expresses his worries and solidarity for the church in Thessalonica…
And so, when we could bear it no longer, we were content to remain alone in Athens when we sent Timothy, our brother and fellow labourer in Christ’s Good News, to strengthen you and to encourage you in the faith so that none be distracted during these trials. For you know full well that we are appointed to endure in such trials, just as we had explained to you when we were with you, and as you are [keenly] aware.
So it was when I could bear it no longer that I sent [word] to know [how things stood with] your faith, in case the one who tempts had tempted you and our labour had been in vain.
But now when Timothy returned to us after visiting you, announcing the good news of your faith and love, and that you are in perpetual gratitude to us, wanting to see us as much as we are wanting to see you, this, brothers [and sisters] has us so greatly encouraged by your faith [as you share] in all our distress and trials. For if we live it is because you have been established to do so [with us] in the Lord.
For indeed how can we [ever] return thanks to the Lord, with all the joy with which we rejoice because of you [and so], in the presence of our God, with our very earnest praying night and day, pleading intensely that we might see you face to face, to make good for you any deficits [persisting] in your faith.
Now may our Lord make you flourish abundantly, in love to one another and all people, even as [He does] for us toward you!
And so, before our God and Father we pray that He may strengthen your hearts with holiness in the presence of our Lord Jesus Himself with all of His saints. – I Thessalonians 3:1-8/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
STANDING TOGETHER: Paul spoke of the solidarity he felt for those believes in Thessalonica despite his absence. PICTURE: Daan Stevens/Unsplash.
Paul makes his anxieties known but does so in this fulsome expression of deepest Christian solidarity. They are joined in the Good News. He encourages them to look beyond the current conflict to further face-to-face contact.
Paul had characteristically found lots of work for himself to do in Athens. But then his efforts in Thessalonica could not be forgotten. The Thessalonians were still on his mind. What was to be their lot? How were those taught by himself and Silas to fare in the context of this political struggle and accusations of treason? Has he, in effect, placed them in an invidious position where they can hardly help themselves? Perhaps his efforts have now gone “pear-shaped”!
Perhaps what the Thessalonians had learned of Christ Jesus from a concerted re-reading of the Law and the prophets had been buried in the political conflict that had erupted with the synagogue at its epicentre? Perhaps…perhaps. Will these new Christians be able to stand firm? What now the public reputation of the Good News in that place?
Paul is frank. Yes, he had been on the brink of despair. Yes, he had feared that his work had been in vain. And he tells them so.
The Good News (this is not merely“good news” because we feel good) with which Timothy returns is a deepening confirmation of their union in the Lord. And Paul confirms that the church of Thessalonians is part of his life , the life of those going from place to place with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
And indeed, he says, we are very much in need of hearing that you Thessalonians are standing boldly and steadfastly. We are in this together.
“You are our life,” he says, “even as we are called of God to ensure you have resources enough to continue on in faith.” Paul makes his anxieties known but does so in this fulsome expression of deepest Christian solidarity. They are joined in the Good News. He encourages them to look beyond the current conflict to further face-to-face contact. They have sent their Good News greetings with Timothy whose return has provoked this letter. He now reciprocates in like terms.
Paul’s own character comes through here. Consider how many times he has virtually said the same thing, over and over, repeating and deepening, his affirmation of unity with this congregation. First one way, then another. It has been overflowing from his pen as he writes, or from that of the scribe as he dictates, telling the recipients that their message to him has been so important to him – it is not just the content that informs him that his work with them has not been in vain. It is, to say it again (and again) that they his “glory and delight” (2:20).
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