THEY RECEIVED THE WORD

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Key verse: 13

NIV

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.

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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