1 Thessalonians 2 Part 1 Faithful Ministry Amidst Persecution

A record of Paul's suffering before he reached Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2  For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2)  But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 

Paul begins the next chapter expressing his comfort that his gospel ministry among the Thessalonians was not in vain. 

Gospel preaching is not empty or fruitless. Rather, it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe (See Romans 1:16).

He reminds the church how badly he and Silas were treated at Philippi and yet the Lord enable them to boldly preach the gospel of Christ at Thessalonica.

He acknowledged the contention raised by the unbelieving Jews and the ongoing strife that he faced when he preached. 

However, all the persecution Paul endured was worth it all because the Lord saved many people at that time of tumult. 

A demon possessed girl hindered Paul at Philippi.

Acts 16:16-18  And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17)  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18)  And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 

We know this was a harassing, evil spirit in the young maid. She followed Paul and Silas around for several days and this hindered the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul therefore turned and commanded the unclean spirit to leave her in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The spirit had no choice but to comply when Jesus' power was brought to bear upon the situation. 

Paul cast out the unclean spirit from the young maid.

Acts 16:19-21  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20)  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21)  And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 

This account is similar to what happened to Paul at Ephesus, when men who made silver idols suddenly lost income because gospel preaching converted many souls to Christ. 

Those who handled the young maid saw that she could no longer produce income because the unclean spirit was gone out of her. 

Therefore, they "caught" Paul and Silas by laying hands on them, seizing them to drag them before local magistrates. 

These wicked men brought false charges against Paul and Silas, hoping to restrain them from preaching the gospel.

Paul and Silas beaten and thrown into prison.

Acts 16:22-24  And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23)  And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24)  Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 

At this point, the evil doers stirred up a mob and the magistrates responded by commanding them to be severely beaten. 

Paul and Silas were turned over to the jailor who was instructed to put them in the most secure part of the jail.

Thus, Paul and Silas ended up in the innermost part of the prison, and had their feet placed in iron shackles, as if they were murderers.

We know the next part of the story, that there was an earthquake that made all the chains fall off and the prison doors to open. The jailor was ready to commit suicide because he assumed that all the prisoners had escaped.

In reality, Paul admonished all the prisoners to stay in place. The jailor then took Paul and Silas to his home, cared for their wounds and was born again when Paul preached the gospel.

The magistrates were afraid after learning they had beaten Romans.

Acts 16:35-40 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. 36)  And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. 37)  But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. 38)  And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. 39)  And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. 40)  And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. 

Paul and Silas could have filed formal charges with the Roman provincial governor. Had they done so the Philippians who beat two Roman citizens would have been severely punished. 

The converted Jailor told Paul that he and Silas were free to go but Paul refused because his rights as a Roman citizen were violated. 

This put great fear into the magistrates hearts and they came greatly humbled, pleading with Paul to leave the prison and the city.

Paul and Silas left the prison and stayed at the home of Lydia with other new Christians, where they recounted what had happened.

Then, after comforting the Philippian Christians, Paul and Silas journeyed on to Thessalonica. 

We will suffer when we seek to live a holy life for Jesus Christ. 

2 Timothy 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

The Spirit of God moved Paul to include the account of his sufferings in his letter to the Thessalonians. Paul's sufferings served as an example for all Christians.

We shall see that this church did indeed suffer for the cause of Christ. 

This is why the Holy Spirit moved Paul to include a record of his own suffering, so that the Thessalonians would not be discouraged when they faced suffering.

Jehovah builds His church as He sees fit and we are His willing workers. 

Psalm 127:1-5  Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 2)  It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. 3)  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4)  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5)  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. 

Paul used Psalm 127 as a reference point for effective gospel ministry. Jehovah must build the house, His church as He sees fit. If Jehovah is not the central mover in all of the apostle's work, then it is a vain, empty effort.

God sovereignly divides up gospel labor so that none are overburdened. Whereas, trying to do it all in the energy of our flesh is vain, fruitless work.

The goal of gospel preaching is seeing the Spirit of God bring souls to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, spiritual children are a heritage from Jehovah. 

We can see how this Psalm applies personally to Paul when he preaches the gospel and plants churches. The increase of God's church for His glory. 

As an apostle who endlessly traveled near and far to spread the gospel, Paul found great satisfaction because his quiver was full of arrows, a metaphor for having many spiritual children. 

Let us learn to expect persecution when we share the gospel and when we seek to live a godly life. 

Let us commit all things to God, and seek our strength and direction from Him.

Let us be faithful to live according to the gospel as we share it with others.

Let us rejoice whether we suffer or are at peace, knowing that our All Wise Father will work all things out for His glory and our good (See Romans 8:28).

Bob