1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Text (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

11 as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying, 12 to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.

Translation and Paraphrase

11.

(We truly behaved unblameably toward you,) even as ye know how that (we dealt with) each one of you as a father (would deal with) his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging, and testifying (to you).

12.

That you would be walking (that is, conducting yourselves) worthily of God, who calls you into his kingdom and (his) glory.

Notes (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

1.

During the short time Paul was with the Thessalonians, he exhorted every one of them, meaning each one individually. This in itself is an astounding accomplishment. (How did he ever have time to do manual labor in addition to all of this personal exhorting?) Concerning the meaning of the word exhort or exhortation, see notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:3, paragraph 2.

2.

Paul not only exhorted them, but also comforted them, The ministry of comforting and consoling people is most needful. This world has an abundance of things that cause grief, fear, and sorrow, and a scarcity of comforting. Real comforting means very much to people.

3.

Paul had behaved toward them as a father would behave toward his own children, (The word own is important, and should be in the translation, as also in 1 Thessalonians 2:7.) Any father worthy of his position would instruct his children in the right way to live, and urge them to do it. Paul had done that very thing to the Thessalonian disciples.

Paul did not have the Thessalonians addressing him as Father Paul, in the fashion of the Roman Catholic clergy. (Remember, Jesus said, Call no man your father upon the earth. Matthew 23:9.) But even so, Paul was a spiritual father to the Thessalonians in every sense that a man can be. 1 Corinthians 4:15: For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet ye have not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

4.

Paul urged them that they walk worthy of God. The word, worthy, means of equal weight. We must imagine a set of balances, with God in one side. On the other side of the balances, we must place our walk (or manner of life), and it must be worthy (of equal weight) of God. This may seem impossible, Whether it is impossible or not, it is certainly difficult. Paul had to exhort and testify repeatedly to the Thessalonians to get them to do this.

Probably we ought not to say that it would be impossible to be worthy of God, since Paul taught us to walk worthy of God not only here, but in other places as well. Vol. 1 Thessalonians 1:10: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord. See also Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27 (in American Standard version); 2 Thessalonians 1:5. (Also see notes on 2 Thessalonians 1:11, paragraph 4.)

5.

For specific instructions about how we ought to walk (or live), see 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, the section entitled, The walk of the Christian.

6.

How sublime and dignified a Christian's character may become! It is actually possible to walk worthy of God. Paul's good record among the Thessalonians was crowned by his efforts to stimulate his converts to the noblest possible way of living.

7.

Notice that we are called unto (or into) God's kingdom and glory. The kingdom of God is visible as the church on earth. (B. W. Johnson.) There are many Scripture verses that indicate that the kingdom of Christ has already been established on earth, and is practically synonymous with the church. Here are a few:

Colossians 1:13God hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

Matthew 16:18-19I will build my church. and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

Revelation 1:9I John. am your brother, and companion. in the kingdom. of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:28Ye are come. to the general assembly and church.. Wherefore having received a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

(See also the Special Study on page 250, The Throne of His Father David.)

8.

Of course the kingdom of God will extend into the future life in a more glorious form. 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Peter 1:11.

9.

The glory of God which we share includes such future promises as the resurrection of the dead, transformed bodies, the new heaven and earth, and other glories.

STUDY SUGGESTIONS

1.

At this point in your study of I Thessalonians, we urge you to turn back to the outline of chapter two, and review the points in this section, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, which is called Paul's work among them.

2.

Also it would be well for you at this time to turn ahead to the Did You Learn? questions, following the notes on 1 Thessalonians 2:16. You should now be able to answer questions 1 to 29.