Verse 13
• “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing” - Thankful for their belief in the word of God and it’s working in them – 2Thess 1:3, Rom 1;8,
• “Received the word of God which ye heard of us” – What Paul preached was the word of God – Gal 1:11-12, Col 1:25, 2Peter 3:15-16.
• “Ye received it not as the word of men” – Which Paul warns against - 1Cor 2:4,13, Eph 5:6, Col 2:4.
• “as it is in truth the word of God” – John 17:17, Eph 1:13, Col 1:5, 2Tim 2:15 – How they knew - 1Cor 14:37, Rom 15:19, 1Thess 1:5.
• “Which effectively worketh also in you that believe” – Gods word has power – Rom 1:16, 1Cor 1:18.
i. Heb 4:12, Eph 6:17 – Rom 10:17, 2Tim 3:16-17.
Verse 14-16
• “Ye becam followers of the churches in Judea” – Only in suffering persecution of the Jews….. “For ye also have suffered” – Paul/Saul persecuted the church in Judea – Gal 1:13, Acts 8:.1. The High priest persecuted them in Jerusalem – Act 5:26-29,40-41.
• “Which are in Christ” – How? – John 15
• “Ye also suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews” – This is how they are followers of the churches in Judea. Jews used others to persecute – Acts 17:8-9,13.
• “Killed the lord Jesus and their own prophets” – Matt 23:34-35, Acts 7:52, Acts 2:23.
• “And have persecuted us” – Acts 17:5,13, 2Cor 11:24.
• “Forbidding us to speak to Gentiles that they might be saved” – This is how they are contrary to all men and please not God – Acts 9:15, 1Tim 2:4
• “To fill up their sins always” – Matt 23:27-34, Gen 15:16.
• “For the wrath is come upon them” – Rom 1:18, 2:5….. Them, not the Thessalonians – 5:2,9
VERSE 17-18
• “Being taken from you” – They left Thessalonica not of their own accord – Acts 17:10
• “We endeavored to see your face” – Paul had a desire to be there in person among them.
• “But Satan hindered us” – Rom 1:13, 15:22 (Roman’s does not attribute the hindering to Satan)
ii. Satan has ministers – 2Cor 11:13-14 and he is opposed to the gospel – 2Cor 4:3-4
VERSE 19-20
• “For what is our hope, Joy, Crown of rejoicing” – Not a physical crown to wear but the Thessalonians being the fruit of their ministry – 1Cor 9:24-27,
• “Are not even ye in the presence of Jesus…. at his coming? – 2Cor 1:14, Phil 2:16,4:1.
• “For ye are our glory” – Being his spiritual children – Psalm 127:3, Prov 17:6 – 1Thes 2:7,11 1Cor 4:15.
