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Bible Commentaries
1 Thessalonians 2

Luscombe's Commentary on Selected Books of the NTLuscombe's NT Commentary

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Verses 1-4

III. The relationship of the writers to the church, 2:1-3:13

A. Proper motive in preaching, 2:1-4

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

discussion questions

1A. How would you bring the gospel to a city where it had never been before?

1B. Is it possible to preach "in vain"? __________

A. How could it become vain? __________

B. Discuss casting "pearls before swine." ( Mat_7:6 ) _________________

2A. In what sense do Christians today experience - -

A. Suffering ________________________

B. Shameful treatment (world) __________

C. Shameful treatment (brethren) _______

D. Conflict in preaching _______________

2B. Do we have the boldness of Peter? ( Act_4:13 ) _______________________

A. Why do we lack that boldness? ______

B. Are we cowards? __________________

C. Is it a lack of confidence? ____________

3 For our exhortation [was] not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts

discussion questions

3A. What is "exhortation"? _____________________

3B. How can the gospel of Christ be preached in deceit? ___________________

3C. What is the "uncleanness" of this verse?

3D. Explain how "guile" can destroy the gospel message. ___________________

4A. Are preachers "ordained" to preach? _______

A. How was Paul "approved of God"? ____

4B. Do some preachers try to please men? _____

4C. How does God try the hearts? ____________

4D. How can we "try the spirits"? ( 1Jn_4:1 ) ___

Verses 5-12

B. The proper conduct in daily living, 2:5-12

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God [is] witness:

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. been...: or, used authority

discussion questions

5A. Have you ever heard a preacher use flattering words? __________________

A. Why would he try to flatter others? ____

B. What is flattery? ___________________

5B. What is covetousness? _________________

A. How is it cloaked? _________________

B. Can you think of some ways that preachers are covetous? __________

6A. How do preachers seek glory from the church? ________________________

6B. How do men seek the glory of the world? ___

6C. How can position or power be used to seek glory? _____________________

6D. Can men be apostles today? _____________

A. How would you respond to one who claimed to be an apostle? ______

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

discussion questions

7A. Describe how a preacher can preach as a nurse with a child? ____________

7B. Is there a place for "hell fire and brimstone" preaching? ________________

8A. What must be imparted in the preaching of the gospel?

____ A. Death, burial and resurrection of Christ

____ B. The plan of salvation

____ C. Righteousness, judgment, and eternity

____ D. Proper Christian living, moral values

8B. Does God require us to impart our "own souls" in preaching? _____________

9A. How does preaching include - -

A. Labor _________________

B. Travail (pain) ___________

C. Day and night __________

9B. What is included in the "work of the preacher"?

10 Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

discussion questions

10A. What do you look for in the life of a preacher, elder, leader? ____________

10B. Define the following terms - -

A. Holy ___________

B. Righteous _______

C. Unblaemable ______

10C. How should we "behave" in the house of God? ( 1Ti_3:15 ) _________

11A. Should you call the preacher "father"? Why, or why not? _______________

11B. Discuss the importance and use of these terms - -

A. Exhorting _______

B. Encouraging _____

C. Testifying ______

Verses 13-16

C. The preaching was the Word of God, 2:13-16

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: persecuted us: or, chased us out

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost

discussion questions

13A. When you first heard the gospel, did you accept it? ___________________

13B. Did you try to argue with the preacher over what he said? ______________

13C. Were you hearing the words of God or men? ________________________

13D. Did you hear the sermon as it is in truth? ___

13E. How does the word of God "work in us" who believe? __________________

14A. Should we look at what other congregations are doing? ________________

14B. What is the source of our suffering? ______

15A. Who killed Jesus - Jews - Romans - Apostles - Us? ___________________

15B. Did the Jews desire to please God? ( Rom_10:2 ) ___________________

16A. Have you ever been forbidden to speak of your faith? _________________

16B. Who will punish such evil men? __________

Verses 17-20

D. Concern for the church, 2:17-3:10

1. Paul's desire to return, 2:17-20

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? rejoicing: or, glorying

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

discussion questions

17A. Why was Paul "taken" from them? ________________

17B. Why did Paul want to return? __________________

17C. Why is it important to "see their face"? ____________

18A. Who kept Paul from returning to them? ______________

A. Who gave Paul a thorn in the flesh? ( 2Co_12:7 ) ___________

B. How does Satan work to hinder the church today?

19A. What is the real reward (hope, joy, crown) of Paul? ___________

19B. Does this verse teach some sense of "heavenly recognition" in the resurrection at the second coming?

Bibliographical Information
Luscombe, Manly. "Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2". Luscombe's Commentary on Selected Books of the NT. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/mlc/1-thessalonians-2.html. 2021.
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