“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“
So, affectionately longing for you,
The words “affectionately longing” means to have a strong affection for, a yearning after. The gospel team had a yearning […]
Archive for May, 1999
“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“
Another aspect of the love we give the people to whom we minister is sacrificial hard work.
For you remember, brethren,
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians […]
“You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe…“
The manner in which the gospel team conducted their ministry at Thessalonica is another indication of their selfless service.
You are witnesses,
The Thessalonians were witnesses as to the conduct ofthe gospel team. They saw how Paul, Silvanus, […]
“You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe…“
and justly
The gospel team lived their lives in accordance with what is right. “Justly” carries the idea of real, genuine and true. They clearly understood what God teaches in the Word and lived their lives accordingly.
“Awake […]
“You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe…“
and blamelessly
The word “blamelessly” connotes the idea that no one can sustain a charge against us. No one can make any charges against us. We are people without blame.
No Thessalonian could blame the gospel team for […]
“You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe…“
we behaved ourselves among you who believe
The word “behaved” literally means to become. The gospel team came on the scene in Thessalonian with the three points of integrity listed earlier in this verse.
Principle:
Our lips and our lives […]
“…as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children…“
In describing how the gospel team nurtured the Thessalonians, Paul now changes his metaphor from a nursing mother to a father.
as you know how
For the fourth time, Paul appeals to the Thessalonians’ knowledge of […]
“…as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children…“
and comforted,
The word “comforted” is literally to speak soothingly to. The word “comforted” carried the idea of stimulating to the earnest discharge of duties. It comes from two Greek words: with and counsel or […]
“…as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children…“
and charged
The word “charged” signifies to bear witness, affirm, insist, attest, invoke, implore, summon as a witness. The team solemnly affirms certain principles. They adjure the Thessalonians to move beyond where they are at […]
“…as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children…“
every one of you,
The team “charged” each believer personally. They challenged them to move beyond the status quo. Although there were many believers in Thessalonica (Acts 17:4), they played no favorites. The team dealt with […]