1 Thessalonians 2 — Paul continues his encouragement to the church but includes a few more details of the affliction that is being experienced, including his own treatment while in Philippi (read Acts 16 for more info). In the midst of suffering, Paul admonishes to make it our mission to please God rather than mankind (1 Thessalonians 2:4). It’s this statement that serves as the impetus for Paul’s ministry, and this is the foundation for why Paul is so enthusiastic over the church in Thessalonica to begin with. They were the epitome of serving for the sake of God’s pleasure in spite of the persecution swirling around them! Oh to be like them!
Here are a few linguistic correlations that stand out between chapters 1 and 2:
“…we were emboldened by our God to speak…” (1 Thess. 2:2)
“…our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power…” (1 Thess. 1:5)
“You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers.” (1 Thess. 2:10)
“We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inpired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 1:3)
“For you became imitators of God’s churches…” (1 Thess. 2:14)
“As a result, you became an example to all the believers…” (1 Thess. 1:7)
“As a result, they are constantly filling up their sins to the limit, and wrath has overtaken them at last.” (1 Thess. 2:16)
“…Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thess. 1:10)
One brief note of eschatological implication mentioned here and throughout 1 Thessalonians is the concept of God’s wrathful judgment that is coming. Is Paul speaking present day or future Day? In the context of chapters 1 and 2, Paul is referencing something not unlike the days of Noah as described in Genesis 6:5 which reads, “Then the LORD saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time…” Jesus is quoted in John 3:36 as saying, “The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” Those who continue to live in the folly of unbelief are under God’s judgment even now, and their consequence of sin is upon them. And yet, there will be a Day of ultimate divine reckoning that the apostle clearly mentions which will put to end once for all time the wickedness of mankind (see also 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23-24).
This is quite the love letter from Paul to this church! He lavishes them with praise and adoration because of their dedication to serving the Lord though undergoing stressful afflictions. Are we any different? How should we then live in our culture today? When persecutions flair up against God’s people–His Church, will we respond with Thessalonica-like faithfulness? Or will we flee in the face of “outrageous treatment”?
Glorify. Train. Engage. 
I enjoyed your take as to what’s going on in I Thessalonians.
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Good thoughts on this text, I appreciate it. 1) did you know that as the advertisements scroll by one of them is for California Psychics? I always wonder if they know all this stuff, why they don’t just call me and let me know? 2) Great question at the end of your thoughts, what do you think will be the differences between those who do and those who don’t?
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1) Sorry about the psychics….ha! But the site is free so it’ll come with random ads.
2) I think one difference would be JOY. Those who are faithful will experience the joy their faithfulness brings; those who shy away won’t. True believers who shy away may even feel shame by their lack of faith. A good example from church history is Thomas Cranmer who recanted his faith only to feel shame because of his fear, but he eventually confessed faith again, restoring his own dignity while also giving hope to the surviving Reformers and then was martyred for his faith.
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