Paul’s Example to the Thessalonian Brothers (1 Thess. 2:1-8)

The text reads, “For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.  But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

Paul’s example of endurance in the face of persecution provides the perfect proof that his message was genuine and his motives pure.  We are going to attempt to draw out a few points relative to his method of leadership and his example for the saints in Thessalonica to follow.

He points out that his arrival was not in vain because it provided the perfect scenario to prove the sincerity of his words. He came prepared to preach the gospel in much affliction and they knew that he had suffered in Philippi, being shamefully treated.    God, who tests hearts (v. 4) can testify to the truthfulness of his claims and so could any honest witness among them.  The evidence to support this is seen in the following ways.

First, he came to Thessalonica with boldness to declare the gospel of God to them.  Knowing the severe risks to themselves, he and his companions left Philippi with the intent to continue preaching the word.  He didn’t quit, alter the message, or change his approach.   If he had been working from his own initiative and plans of grandeur, he would have learned that this isn’t working.   

Second, this context provided proof that his message was not based on how well it would be received.   That kind of preaching would reveal a different motivation as “men-pleasers” (Gal.1:10, Eph. 6:6-8).  The text explains that his “appeal did not spring from error, impurity, or any attempt to deceive” (v. 3).    This alludes to his message and his motives.   Why would anyone risk their lives for a lie and gain a reputation for being a fraud?  He claims that he and his comrades had been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel (v. 4) and the evidence for it is the nature of the message that demands radical life-altering decisions.     As an ambassador, Paul was entrusted with a message that was not his message.   Therefore, he writes, “so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”   

Third, false teachers are so defined by their motives.  They may indeed speak lies in hypocrisy, but a false teacher may speak the truth and still be a false teacher.   It is unlikely that they would speak only the truth, but just a little arsenic is all it takes to kill.  However, false teachers are always characterized by impure motives.  Paul describes them as users of  “flattering words” motivated by greed (v. 5).  Their motives are not easily revealed at first.   But, make no mistake about Paul’s example.   He removes any opportunity for someone to claim he had impure motives or was preaching for money, power, or prestige.  

Fourth,  Paul’s approach and method of leadership stand in contrast to the approach of the Church Fathers.   Whether they were seeking glory from people is for God to know and handle.  But, the leadership model between them and Paul is very different.   He writes, “We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.  So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us (verses 7-8; 11-12).   Paul states that he could have made demands as an apostle of Christ.    Not only is his approach superior in its effect, but Paul needed to leave a good example for others who would come after him.   Ironically,  Paul could have made demands but did not; the Church Fathers should not have but did.     

Fifth, the demands of an apostle implied the right to receive monetary support from them (cf. 1 Cor. 9:6-15).   The reception of the gospel message was so important that he remove any ulterior motive in the messenger.  The messenger was removed from the assessment of the message so that it remains in its rawest and purest form, unhindered by man.   It is so common for human beings to reject a product or offer based on the one promoting it.   

Lest some believer thinks that the message is fraudulent because of the messenger, Paul “worked night and day” to eliminate the possibility of that accusation.   This fits the entire context of his conduct that gives testimony to the genuineness of himself and his message.  Secondarily, Paul does not want to be a burden to any of them while preaching the gospel to them (v. 9).   This model of conduct is to be imitated by the brethren so that they “walk worthy of God.”