Good morning,
The Book of 2 Thessalonians addresses the Persecution, The Day of the Lord, and idleness in view of the Second Coming. Today we will look at verses 1-5 in which Paul commends the Thessalonians for their faith, charity (love), patience in light of the persecution they were enduring.
The believer’s calling concerning persecution for the cause of Christ
- God’s blessing on the persecuted (1-5)
Paul writes this chapter to encourage the Thessalonians during a time of persecution and suffering.
- Paul’s greeting to the Thessalonian Church (1-2)
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Paul’s thanksgiving for the Thessalonian Church (3)
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
- Paul’s glory in the Thessalonian Church (4)
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
- Paul’s confidence in the Thessalonian Church (5)
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Can God say about us that our faith is growing, that we are loving people, that we have patience? We are without serious persecution in our lives. So the question is “Do we need extreme persecution to walk closer to God?” It seems that we as blessed of the Lord without persecution should be doing the most to present the gospel to others, train them to do the same, and teach the Word of God to whoever will listen.
That is what Paul is commending the Thessalonians of doing. How about us?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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