1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 (September 2, 2025)

Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians

2 For you yourselves know, brothers,[a] that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery,[b] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle[c] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God constantly[d] for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men[e] but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,[f] 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last![g]

Footnotes

1 Thessalonians 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17

1 Thessalonians 2:5 Or with a flattering speech

1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts infants

1 Thessalonians 2:13 Or without ceasing

1 Thessalonians 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women

1 Thessalonians 2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time

1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or completely, or forever

Summary

Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his ministry among them, emphasizing that it was not in vain (vv. 1–2). Despite suffering in Philippi, he and his companions boldly proclaimed the gospel in Thessalonica. They did so, not to please man but to please God who tests hearts (vv. 3–4). They did not use flattery or seek personal gain, but instead cared for the Thessalonians as a mother would tenderly nurse her children (vv. 5–7). Out of deep affection, they shared not only the gospel but their very lives.

Paul recalls how he and his companions labored night and day to avoid being a burden, conducting themselves in holiness, righteousness, and blamelessness (vv. 9–10). He also exhorts them as a father would, urging them to walk worthy of God’s kingdom and glory (vv. 11–12). Paul then gives thanks that they received the gospel not as human words, but as God’s Word, which is at work in believers (v. 13).

Finally, he recognizes their suffering, noting that they became imitators of the churches in Judea, enduring persecution from their own people as Christ Himself was opposed (vv. 14–16). Paul soberly describes how their persecutors killed the prophets and the Lord Jesus, hindered the gospel, and continue to fill up the measure of their sins—yet God’s wrath has come upon them at last.

Who is God

God tests our hearts.

God does not test because He lacks knowledge, but to reveal what is truly in us and to refine us for His service. Just as a crucible refines gold (Proverbs 17:3), His testing purifies our motives so that we live not for human applause but for His glory. Paul’s ministry proved genuine because it was tested. Paul was not driven by flattery, greed, or the desire for glory, but by the call of God Himself.

He is also the God who entrusts His people with the gospel and calls them into His kingdom and glory.

And He is a God of justice, who ultimately brings wrath upon those who oppose Him and His Son (v. 16).

What is our Guilt

Our guilt is exposed in the very dangers Paul warns against. While he declares that his appeal did not spring “from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive” (v. 3), we recognize that our own hearts are easily drawn to such distortions of God’s truth. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that he and his companions spoke “not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (v. 4). Yet so often, we fall into the opposite trap—seeking human approval and fearing rejection more than we long for God’s pleasure.

Paul insists, “we never came with words of flattery, nor with a pretext for greed… nor did we seek glory from people” (vv. 5–6). But here again, our guilt is revealed. We often use words to gain favor, hide self-interest behind religious work, or crave recognition for ourselves rather than giving glory to God. Worst of all, Paul points to those who “killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out… hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved” (vv. 15–16). This is the nature of the human heart. We resist God’s Word and even silence the gospel when it threatens our comfort, power, or traditions.

How does Grace shine

Grace shines in Paul’s description of gospel ministry marked by gentleness, sacrifice, and parental love.

Such love is only possible through Christ, who gave not only His Word but His very life for us. Grace also shines in the Thessalonians’ response: they received the gospel as God’s Word and endured suffering with joy. This is the Spirit’s work. And grace shines most brightly in Jesus, who bore God’s wrath in our place—so that we are not destroyed as enemies but made children of God, called into His kingdom and glory.

Prayer

Father, you are the one who tests our hearts and calls us into your kingdom and glory. Forgive us when we seek human approval or serve you with selfish motives. Thank you for giving us your gospel, not as mere words but as your living Word that works in our lives. Help us to share not only the message but also our very lives with others, just as Christ gave Himself for us. Strengthen us to endure suffering with joy, and keep us faithful until the day when your kingdom is fully revealed. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.