THEY RECEIVED THE WORD

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Key verse: 13

NIV

13 And we also thank God continually(A) because, when you received the word of God,(B) 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. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators(C) of God’s churches in Judea,(D) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people(E) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus(F) and the prophets(G) 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(H) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.(I) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.[a]

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),(J) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.(K) 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan(L) blocked our way.(M) 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown(N) in which we will glory(O) in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?(P) Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory(Q) and joy.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or them fully
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

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

Paul's Longing to See Them Again

17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, (O)in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire (P)to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan (Q)hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or (R)joy or crown of boasting (S)before our Lord Jesus at his (T)coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Or without ceasing
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
  3. 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
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or completely, or forever
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Paul was thankful that the Thessalonians accepted the gospel as the word of God, not a human idea. When they believed in Jesus, God worked in them, and they were changed. They imitated the church in Judea as their model. Their changed beliefs and lifestyle created suspicion among polytheists. But the real persecution came when Jewish believers stood firm on the gospel that Jesus is the Messiah. Then, the Jews, who crucified Jesus, intensely persecuted them. By faith, the believers endured.

The devil doesn’t want anyone to believe in Jesus as the Messiah or live a gospel lifestyle. He tempts us not to receive the word: You can believe in God -- but not Jesus as God. You can read the Bible -- but don’t repent and trust Jesus as your Savior. You can go to church -- but don’t surrender your life to Jesus to obey his world mission command. Persecution is the evidence that we received the word, believed in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and he is working in us.

Paul expected that they were being persecuted, and twice he tried to visit them, but was blocked. Paul loves them so much because of their simple faith to receive the word, that he views them highly as his crown and joy when Christ will appear! Who is your crown and joy when Jesus comes?

Prayer: Father, thank you for your life-saving work through the Word to lead others to Christ.

One Word: Lead others to receive the Word