1 Thessalonians 2:14

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus Followersshould be imitators (R. V.), just as in ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:6: imitators of the apostles and of their Lord, the Thessalonians were imitating the Judæan Churches, and in the same respect, viz. in the willing endurance of suffering for the word's sake. Silas, be it remembered, had been an active member of the Church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:22; Acts 15:32), and through him especially the missionary band would be in communication and sympathy at this time with their brethren in Judæa.

More strictly, which are in Judæa in Christ Jesus (R. V.). "In Judæa" is the local, "in Christ Jesus" the spiritual habitatof these Churches. This latter phrase an expression characteristic of St Paul and frequent in subsequent Epistles signifies "in union and communion with Him, incorporated with Him who is the Head" of His Body the Church (Ellicott). It distinguishes the Christian from other Judæan communities which also claimed to be "Churches (assemblies) of God." Comp. note on "Church … in God the Father," &c., ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:1.

Observe the order Christ Jesus, a combination almost confined to St Paul, and which he employs when he thinks of Him in His actual Person and official character, as the present Head and Life of His people on earth; whereas Jesus Christis the historical order, and points to His earthly course and exaltation to Messiahship (see Acts 2:36).

"Church of God" is an O.T. expression, found in the Greek rendering of Nehemiah 13:1; Deuteronomy 23:1-3 (church of the Lord: congregation, A.V.); it denotes that the Church belongs to God, while it suggests, according to the derivation of ek-klesia, that its members are called out(of the world) by God(comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:12). In Galatians 1:22 the Apostle writes, more simply, "the Churches of Judæa which are in Christ."

This reference to the Home Churches creates a link between far-off Thessalonica and Judæa. The Thessalonians are not alone in their troubles; they are fighting the same battle as the mother Church and the first disciples of the Lord. Comp. Philippians 1:30, "having the same conflict which ye saw in me." Their union with Christ's persecuted flock in Its native land shewed that the Gospel was working in them to purpose (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and working everywhere in the same way.

for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews St Paul says the same, not like things. And this "for" represents a different word from the previous "for;" it is rather in that, not accounting for the Thessalonians imitating Judean example, but explaining wherein the imitation consisted.

The hostility of their fellow-townsmen formed a bitter ingredient in their afflictions (Acts 17:5-9). The Apostle tells them that it was the same with the primitive Churches in Judæa that, indeed, the murder of the Lord Jesus and of the old prophets, and the expulsion of the apostles, were due to feelings precisely similar to those aroused in their own city against themselves. This was a proof that they were in the true succession. Christ had said, "A man's foes shall be they of his own household." Such comfort has often to be given to young missionary churches.

But the Apostle has now to add words of awful severity respecting those whom his readers knew to be the prime instigators of persecution, both against themselves and him the Jews: