Apostolic Goodwill, 2 Thess 1:1-12

Apostolic Goodwill

II Thess 1:1-12

The book of Second Thessalonians must be understood in its real-life context. If not, it devolves to a set of ideas that may or may not seem practical to the modern believer. I believe its message is very relevant. There are many things to consider about present realities and future hopes couched in the language of apostolic concern for this little church made up of mostly former Jews from the synagogue.

We looked at the revolt after the synagogue meeting. Many wanted to stand with Paul, Silas and Timothy. A riot ensued. The believers were chased off. At some point they returned. Silas and Timothy were sent to check up on them. The news came back. I Thess was written, in part, to answer some of those questions and to comfort them in their troubles.

At some point Silas and Timothy made it back to Paul. They gave a full report. Paul wanted to continue to encourage them in the Christian faith, so he wrote this second epistle. Again, it is sent from all three members of the apostolic band--an apostle, an elder, and an evangelist.

Let's read the text. 2 Thess 1:1-12 is one unit expressing many different facets of Apostolic Goodwill as this church seeks to be faithful followers in the kingdom of Christ under his lordship and kingly rule.

The Text:

1. Apostolic Greetings

2 Thess 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

2. Apostolic Prayers

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, A. because your faith grows exceedingly,

B. 3b and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

3. Apostolic Boasting

 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God

4b. for your (A.) patience and (B.) faith

4c.

in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 

4. Apostolic Conclusions

5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God,

5b that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 

5. Apostolic Comfort--GOD TAKES NOTICE and ACTS

6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 

TOWARD YOU

7and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 

6. Apostolic Warning--TOWARD THE OTHERS

8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe,

7. Apostolic Explanation

WHY

10b because our testimony among you was believed. 

8. Apostolic Ambitions

11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Some Observations:

1. Apostolic Greetings

2 Thess 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Apostolic led group believes in the viability of and the godly character of this body of believers. This letter was expected to find them continuing in the wholesome realities that were present among. Character born out of intense tribulation. They stayed together. They paid the price of following Christ together. If there was ever a church that needed grace and the cessation of conflict from outsiders, it was this group who had been together about nine months when this second letter was written.

Notice the grace and peace is from the same source as the One in whom they are resting for eternal life. The Apostolic band graciously uses "God our father" and the Lord Jesus Christ. The believers in Thessalonica are on the same footing before God as the others. There is an implication of adoption in both of these verses. What a wonderfully comforting reality it is in times of trouble--God is my Father, God is our Father, he has adopted me--he will take care of his sons and daughters. And, we will see more about that in a few verses.

2. Apostolic Prayers

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting,

In the prayer life of Paul, Silas and Timothy, this particular church is a subject of their prayers. They are prayed for regularly--thank God always--is how it is put.

We are told some of the reasons for these constant prayers:

A. because your faith grows exceedingly,

Faith is made up of two parts; THE OBJECTIVE REALITY of a body of truths--as Jude puts it, to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered. THE SUBJECTIVE is the affect of the faith in us and upon us as individuals and a church. The metaphor is used of walking by faith….

Everywhere you went in the ancient world, you had to walk or be carried. Walking by faith is a powerful picture of the Christian life. When we walk, especially with others, like the people in this body of believers was doing, life slows down, conversations take place, people work with one another to all get to the same place safely.

The objective side of faith works to inform the subjective side of it so that we don't fall into all sorts of isms that are really these two sides out of balance.

The Thessalonians must have had and understood that balance and it was growing exceedingly. What a thrill this must have been to these three men who were taken with the people and their story. The church was understanding more of the doctrine of Christianity and how to put it into practice.

There is more evidence for this in the second part of this verse:

B. 3b and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

Growing exceedingly in the faith and their love of each one of them abounds toward every one else. What a blessed time it must have been to be a part of the work of God in that city.

This love wasn't a selfish love where they sought things for themselves. The love worth commending is a love of care for and selfless giving to others. It is likely that many suffered great and grave difficulties for their conversion to this new faith of Christianity. Yet, the Lord was with them in a special way.

What a wonderful example this little church has been to others throughout this age. The realities of what they experienced and what they believed helped them through many a difficult time--as God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ gave them that grace and peace.

The church was even obedient in acts of love. And, we know what those were. In the context of this particular church, they are all of the items we saw in 1 Thess 5 at the end of the chapter.  Those are what the church was commanded in varying degrees. This must be what they followed through to do:

14 Now we exhort you, brethren,

(1) warn those who are unruly,

(2) comfort the fainthearted,

(3) uphold the weak,

(4) be patient with all. 

(5) 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 

(6) 16 Rejoice always, 

(7) 17 pray without ceasing, 

(8) 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

(9)19 Do not quench the Spirit.

(10) 20 Do not despise prophecies. 

(11)21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 

(12)22 Abstain from every form of evil. 

Have you ever thought of these as being manifestations of Christian love and goodwill? Towards other believers, that is exactly what they are. And the THESSALONIANS ARE COMMENDED FOR THEIR LOVE.

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

What is the proof of the Spirit's work of working this thorough-going love added to their faith? What the Apostles wrote, but also that love is produced in the life of a believer by the Holy Spirit…and the fruit of the spirit is love…..

It sounds like a great church to be a part of. God can do the same today in the bodies of Christ we represent. He can do it here, he can do it in Escondido, he can do it in Welwyn Gardens, Limerick, ME, Topsham, ME, and you add the rest of the churches you know about.

It's no wonder there was some….

3. Apostolic Boasting

 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God.

Without getting carnal, and for the glory of God, the Apostolic Band told other churches about the church in Thessalonica. The little, young, fledgling church became an example to others churches of God. We are told two specific items that they boasted about:

4b. for your (A.) patience and (B.) faith

PATIENCE IS A DIFFICULT THING TO LEARN. It is usually learned in the school of tribulation and suffering. It is the fruit of it. In their patience waiting in faith for God to work, we read….

4c. in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 

They relied on God and one another in love through any and all tribulations they endured. God, their God was with them.

4. Apostolic Conclusions

5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God,

This is the hardest phrase in this section to understand. It seems more likely to me that this has to do with God allowing or causing the tribulation and suffering they endured so that HE could manifest in and through them the difference in following Christ as a faithful subject in his kingdom or still being in and acting like the world--who hated the Lord.

The choice of God to mold their character in the furnace of affliction and their response of love and faith, leads to the words at the second part of the verse….

5b that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 

They were still suffering even in the presence of a wonderful faith and love in action….

5. Apostolic Comfort--GOD TAKES NOTICE and ACTS

6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 

Did you catch that? God will not forget those who have troubled his churches. He will repay those who trouble you. We are told what God will repay them with…tribulation.

There is coming a time either in this age or in the judgment to come when God is going to avenge his people and his own glory. For some, they will experience tribulation in this life in this age. It isn't always apparent. But, in my many years as a believer, I have seen too many things among professing believers to dismiss them as merely circumstantial. I don't know dogmatically when God judges or chastens, but I know he does.

And, then there are unbelievers who God will payback. WE must be patient. It may not be until the final judgment, but all will find God's justice on that final day--it will be a fearful thing.

BUT TOWARD YOU

7and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 

How long must we endure hardship, suffering and persecution--if it comes--until Christ comes or he calls us home. He will give us rest--and, I don't mind admitting how much I look forward to it. But, as we take encouragement, there is…..

6. Apostolic Warning--TOWARD THE OTHERS

8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, WOW! Reread…

7. Apostolic Explanation

What else will happen at the same time?

10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe,

What is the difference between these groups of men and women, boys and girls?

WHY

10b because our testimony among you was believed. 

It is the presence of faith that is active in the life--exceedingly active in patience and love among other Christian graces.

8. Apostolic Ambitions

11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.