How did Paul and his companions demonstrate the authenticity of their apostolic mission among the Thessalonians?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

Paul demonstrates the authenticity of his ministry by recalling their fearless preaching following mistreatment at Philippi, their rejection of flattery, greed, and human praise, their tender maternal care and night-and-day labor, and the Thessalonians' reception of their message as the true, living word of God amidst persecution.

Chapter breakdown

Paul reminds the Thessalonians that the initial arrival of the missionaries among them was not in vain. Even though the apostles had previously suffered brutal outrages and shameful indignities during their mission at Philippi, they found supernatural boldness in God to proclaim the divine message in Thessalonica amidst great vigilance and anxiety. Their preaching did not originate from ideological delusion, sensual impurity, or deceitful cunning; having been thoroughly tested and approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, they speak not to curry mortal favor, but to satisfy God who searches the secrets of human hearts. At no point did they resort to flattering rhetoric or masked avarice, calling God to witness their motives, nor did they pursue human prestige from the Thessalonians or anyone else. Although they possessed the legitimate authority as Christ's chosen apostles to claim material support, they chose instead to become humble little ones in their midst, caring for the converts with the tender gentleness of a nursing mother cherishing her infants. Burning with affectionate yearning, the missionaries were eager to share not merely the message of God, but their very lives and souls, because the believers had grown exceedingly precious to them.

The apostle appeals to their memory of the labor and toil the missionaries undertook, working night and day so as not to impose an economic burden upon anyone while proclaiming the gospel. Both the converts and God Himself stand as witnesses to the spotless sanctity, uprightness, and blameless conduct that characterized the missionaries toward all who believed. Like a devoted father guiding his sons, Paul personally appealed to, encouraged, and charged each believer to conduct their life in a manner worthy of God, who calls them into His own sovereign kingdom and heavenly glory. For this reason, the apostles offer unceasing gratitude to God, because when the Thessalonians heard the proclaimed word, they welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the operative word of God that actively transforms the lives of believers.

This supernatural conviction was demonstrated when the Thessalonians became imitators of the Christian assemblies in Judea, enduring fierce mistreatment from their own fellow citizens just as the Judean faithful suffered from the Jews Paul describes as persecuting the churches. Those adversaries, who killed the Lord Jesus and the ancient prophets while driving out the apostles, displeased God and set themselves in opposition to all humanity by attempting to prohibit the proclamation of salvation to the Gentiles. Challoner's annotation explains that by continuously obstructing the gospel, they filled up the full measure of their iniquities, bringing upon themselves divine retribution that abides to the end. Although the apostles were physically separated from the community for a brief season in outward appearance though never in heart, Paul strove repeatedly to visit them in person, yet his journey was impeded by Satanic hindrance. Nevertheless, the apostle looks forward with joy, declaring that the Thessalonian believers constitute his supreme hope, his joy, and his glorious crown before the Lord Jesus Christ at His future coming.

The story inside

Paul recalls confidence in God after mistreatment at Philippi, denies deceit, flattery, covetousness and pursuit of human glory, and describes care like a nurse and father. The missionaries worked night and day to avoid burdening the converts. Paul thanks God for their reception of the word and compares their suffering to the churches in Judea, describing opponents who obstructed Gentile preaching. The edition explains the measure of sins and continuing wrath. Paul recalls attempts to return hindered by Satan and names the Thessalonians his glory and joy.

Lessons worth keeping

1
Paul’s account distinguishes pleasing God from seeking flattery, money or human praise.
2
The missionaries worked night and day to avoid being chargeable; the chapter does not identify a particular trade.
3
Paul reports persecution and hindered travel without abandoning his desire to see the community or his joy in it.

Test your recall

Why did Paul and his companions choose to labor night and day with their own hands while preaching the gospel in Thessalonica?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 133730–133739
2:2. But having suffered many things before and been shamefully treated, (as you know) at Philippi, we had confidence in our God, to speak unto you the gospel of God in much carefulness. 2:3. For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit. 2:4. But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proveth our hearts.
Lines 133746–133756
2:7. Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children: 2:8. So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us. 2:9. For you remember, brethren, our labour and toil: working night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you, we preached among you the gospel of God.
Lines 133758–133765
2:10. You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and without blame we have been to you that have believed: 2:11. As you know in what manner, entreating and comforting you (as a father doth his children), 2:12. We testified to every one of you that you would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Lines 133767–133774
2:13. Therefore, we also give thanks to God without ceasing: because, that when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but (as it is indeed) the word of God, who worketh in you that have believed. 2:14. For you, brethren, are become followers of the churches of God which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus: for you also have suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they have from the Jews:
Lines 133795–133798
2:19. For what is our hope or joy or crown of glory? Are not you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 2:20. For you are our glory and joy.