1 Thessalonians Chapter 2 Breakdown

1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.

The Thessalonians understand the Apostles came with truth and purpose.

2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

The Apostles were treated with violence in Philippi, but they held fast to their convictions to continue to preach the gospel of YHWH during their heavy conflict.

3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

The urging of the Apostles was not deceit, in error, nor was it out of uncleanness.

I find it interesting Paul uses the term uncleanness here because Paul only knew the Old Testament and the Old Testament usage of the word unclean is defined as defiled or foul. This means even after Christ’s death on the cross, there was still uncleanness or defiled things in this world. Basically, not every single sin is wiped clean, not all uncleanness was made clean.

4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

The Apostles have been approved by YHWH with teaching the Gospel. They do not teach a message which is pleasing to men, but a message pleasing to YHWH and YHWH can then test the hearts of men to see if they truly love Him.

This verse is absolutely fascinating to me. Considering for example the earlier idea of unclean. Take for example swine. We all know swine was considered unclean in the Old Testament. Now, let’s get real here, it is men who want swine flesh to be clean because it is men who love their bacon, sausage and ham. It is pleasing to men to go against the Old Testament law and say swine is now clean. Just something to consider. The masses of men are not and never have been pleased in the ways of YHWH. The masses much prefer the ways of the world, which directly contradict the ways of our Father in heaven.

5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.

Paul and the apostles did not flatter the men they spoke with while teaching the gospel. They also did not attempt to make something that is not the case appear true. They call YHWH as witness. 

Considering men do not prefer the law of God, especially men who were engulfed in the pagan ways of the world, to not lie to them and to not flatter them simply means they came at them with the truth of God and told them they must change their ways to fit His word.

6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

The apostles were not looking for attention from men. They had the ability to demand certain attention and preferential treatment because of the message they were bringing.

7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

Instead, the apostles treated those who they taught as children whom they loved.

8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

The apostles truly love the Thessalonians and gave them the gospel along with themselves.

9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

The apostles did everything they could in order to not be a burden to the Thessalonians. They pulled their own weight while in the city.

10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

The Thessalonians are witnesses to the honest behavior of the apostles while they were with them. 

They treated all the people as their own children in order to show them how to walk worthy of God.

Exodus 16:4

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.

Again interesting parallels between Paul’s writings and the Old Testament keep popping up throughout the New Testament. YHWH wants us to walk in His law, meaning to obey it. Paul talks about his teachings showing men how to walk worthy of God. The terminology used in both is so very similar, I find it difficult to understand this as meaning something new or different.

13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, 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.

Because the Thessalonians received their message as truth and not simply ideas of men, the apostles thank YHWH endlessly. This word also has been working within the Thessalonians.

14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

The Thessalonians became like the church of YHWH within Judea in terms of following their example. The Thessalonians had went through many of the same persecution as those in Judea. Men from Thessalonica were killing others who believed and preached the gospel of YHWH. They implemented laws forbidding the teaching of salvation to gentiles. All this was attributed to them as sin.

17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.

The apostles have a strong desire to return to Thessalonica physically, but state they have been with them in heart the whole time.

18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.

Satan has been keeping Paul and the others away from the Thessalonians.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.

The Thessalonians are the glory and joy of the apostles because of their belief in the word of YHWH.