1 Thessalonians - Chapter 2

If you were accused of a crime you did not commit, how would you respond? This is what happened to Paul, and this letter is his response.


1 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.

Paul tells the Thessalonian church his teaching them was not in vain. Although Paul, Silas, and Timothy had been treated harshly and suffered for spreading the gospel, they had done it anyway and were glad they had persevered.

3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

Their teachings had not been for any wrong reasons. There were no selfish alternative motives as their accusers claimed. But they had done what God had entrusted them to do.

5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were (gentle) like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

In their teaching, they never used flattery to win anyone over or asked for anything from their listeners. Neither did they do anything to glorify themselves—even though, as Christ’s apostles, they would have had every right to ask for assistance with the creature comforts. But they were gentle and loving and treated their listeners as sick children. And they did this because they loved them and had not only taught them the gospel, but devoted their hearts and souls to them.

9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.

They worked for their keep rather than be a burden on anyone as they taught the gospel.

10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.


Paul asked that they remember how well they had behaved – holy and just—how they had comforted them and taken care of them the way a father cares for his children, so they could become children of God.

From the way this reads, it is obvious the enemies of the Christians were attacking Paul’s character, trying to make him look like an opportunist who was trying to take these people for a ride (a con-artist). Paul is writing here to defend himself. He reminds them he never asked anything of them or took anything from them. He also reminds them he had done nothing but love them and he had been unselfish in his preaching and had lived as an example to them as a good Christian.

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Paul is thankful that these people accepted what he had preached as coming from God, and therefore they had been transformed by God.

14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

The Thessalonians to which this letter was written had become followers of the Church of God in Jesus Christ, and because of their devotion they had suffered from persecution from both Gentiles and Jews.

Jews had killed Jesus and their own prophets and had persecuted Paul and his fellow Christians, and God was not pleased by their actions. These Jews were not good for mankind because they were forbidding the teaching of salvation. Therefore, Paul says, they will suffer God’s wrath.

Verses 15-16 indicates the Jews had chased Paul out of Thessalonica and were still relentlessly venting their wrath against the rest of the Christians Paul had left behind in the newly established church. Paul tries to comfort them by explaining that all Christians, and even Christ Himself, had suffered for their beliefs and this suffering was to be expected. He also tells them there is no hope of repentance for those who do the persecuting and no escape for their doom on the Day of Judgment.

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.

Although Paul, Silas, and Timothy could not be with the Thessalonians in person, their hearts were with them and they desired to see them soon. They would have been back with them, but Satan prevented it. Paul had tried twice to return to them, only to be stopped by Satan.

Acts 16:6-7: “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.”

We learn from the Book of Acts that Paul was kept from going to certain places by the Holy Spirit, but in his letter to the Thessalonians he says he was hindered by Satan. How he knew when it was the Holy Spirit hindering him and when it was Satan, arch-enemy of the church, is an unanswered question we can only guess about, but Paul knew the difference.

19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Once again Paul ends the chapter with a mention of Christ’s eventual return. He tells the Thessalonian Christians they were the reason for his and Silas’ and Timothy’s joy and they made all their suffering worthwhile. Then he expresses that on the day of Christ’s return when He gives Paul his rewards, his brightest star (or his best accomplishment) will be the Thessalonian Church (“his hope, joy, crown & glory”) because so many souls had been won for Christ.


We judge the success or failure of our work with other people by how they respond. There are certain standards of behavior Christians should follow as they try to reach out to people. They should be unselfish and caring of the other person’s soul and their needs.


Paul was an example to the Thessalonians in showing them how to be a Christian:

• He was courageous and steadfast – no matter how much persecution he faced, he continued to do God’s will; (verse 1-2)

• He was gentle and affectionate – he loved his fellow Christians and tried to encourage them by treating them as a father did his child; (verse 5-8)

• He was full of integrity – he worked for his own keep and never asked anything from anyone; (verse 9)

• He was an example – by the way he lived and treated other people; (verse 10-12)

• He was eager to please God rather than man. (verse 3-4)