Paul, a Model Servant (A Study)

I Thessalonians 2

Paul starts off talking about his manner of preaching and how comfortable he is about how he was received by the Thessalonians. He tells them his preaching isn’t about useless or foolish questions, but sound and solid truth.

I. He was bold to speak to them and not discouraged by how he was treated in Philippi (v.2) He and Silas had been put in the stocks.

1. Suffering for a good cause should sharpen our resolve about holy matters rather than weaken or blunt them.

2. The gospel when it was first set out in the world was met with opposition and those that preached it did in great agony and risk.

II. Paul begins to defend himself V.3 We should witness with great sincerity. Paul was comforted by his own honesty and sincerity towards the gospel and so should we. And there should be evidence of our sincerity (works) like Paul.

1. V. 4 We are put in trust of the gospel. Remember the gospel we preach is not our own, so we must be careful to keep it pure.

2. b. Our purpose is to please God and not men or ourselves

3. c. He avoided flattery. He did not give vane hopes. He did not make his ministry a cloak for covertness or power.

4. d. He could have used his position as an Apostle to lord it over people and acquire great esteem but he did not.

III. Paul was instead, gentle about their behavior V.7 NOTE: This is how God first deals with us, in gentleness and graciousness, like a nurse attends a child.

1. He accommodated himself to all men, and became all things to all men. (1 Corinthians chap. 9) In other words adapt as much as you can in non-sinful ways.

2. V.8 Paul was willing to not only give them the gospel but himself and labor to do them good. Note: we should be good not only at being a Christian, but being tood to our friends, family, and relations.

IV. He mentions their faithful discharge of work  V.11

V. He describes how they received the gospel properly, not as words of men but has the truth from God. V. 13-16

1. Men’s words, in this case the Jewish church had been an obstacle to the gospel, as the church can sometimes be.

2. Paul gave thanks for their reception of the gospel. They were a constant cause of thankfulness.

VI. Paul apologizes for being absent V. 17-19

1. He was involuntarily forced away from them and sent unwillingly to Berea (Acts.17:10

2. Though he was absent in body he was present in heart

3. He desired to see them again He tried to see them but was hindered by Satan. NOTE: Satan is a constant hinderance to the work of God

4. Paul assure them of his affection for them.