1 Thessalonians 2 : For the Glory of God

Verse 3: Our exhortation does not come from deceit or impurity, nor is it made with trickery.

Verse 4: But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak not to please men, but God, who tests our hearts.

◇ Paul showed the model of a gospel preacher. He preached the gospel with Silas in Philippi and suffered imprisonment, hardship, and humiliation. Despite such suffering, they did not complain or grumble but sang praises and prayed (Acts 16:16-40), and continued to preach the gospel in Thessalonica.

Paul did not preach the gospel for his own benefit. He gained no advantage through preaching the gospel and did not want to cause any harm to those who listened. Therefore, he did not flatter or please people with his words, nor did he try to show himself off to others. He humbly and kindly preached the gospel in silence, out of love, for the glory of God alone.

Paul and his companions worked day and night while preaching the gospel (verse 9). What kind of situation were they in? Just a few days earlier, they had been severely beaten in Philippi and imprisoned. They walked for several days to reach Thessalonica, exhausted and weary. They might have been in a ragged state, but they still worked day and night to preach the gospel. They were not ashamed of their appearance because the gospel they preached was not based on deceit, impurity, or trickery, but entrusted to them by God. Moreover, preaching the gospel was not for their own glory but for the glory of God.

Paul treated the Thessalonian believers like his own children. He cared for them as a nurse cares for a baby. He showed boundless kindness and love when comforting and caring for them, and when admonishing them, he was strict and stern like a parent.

We live in a world where hired preachers dominate and temptations abound with all sorts of sweet talk. The trust and authority of preachers have fallen to the ground and disappeared. When preaching the gospel for the glory of God, preachers had trust and authority. The trust and authority of a preacher come from God. When a servant works diligently for the master, he receives recognition, but what happens when a servant works for himself? Will he not be beaten and driven away?

♧ Lord, let us follow the example of Paul and his companions and preach the gospel for Your glory! Holy Spirit, lead us in truth!