1 Thessalonians 2 - Introduction

Outline:

I. Paul's preaching among the Thessalonians: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

A. His pure motives: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

B. His unselfishness: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

II. The Thessalonians reception of his preaching: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

A. They accepted it as the Word of God: 1 Thessalonians 2:13

B. They accepted it despite hardship: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

III. An explanation of his inability to return: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

“The brief mission in Thessalonica had been brought to an ignominious end. The public riot and the legal charges against the missionaries were so serious that they were persuaded to make. humiliating night flight from the city. Paul's critics took full advantage of his sudden disappearance. In order to undermine his authority and his gospel, they determined to discredit him. So they launched. malicious smear campaign. By studying Paul's self-defense it is possible for us to reconstruct their slanders. ‘He ran away', they sneered, ‘and hasn't been seen or heard of since'. Obviously he's insincere, impelled by the basest motives. He's just one more of those many phony teachers who tramp up and down the Egnatian Way. Paul also determined to reply to the charges which were being leveled at him, not out of pique or vanity, but because the truth of the gospel and the future of the church were at stake. First, he defends his conduct when he was in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:1-16). Secondly, he explains his involuntary departure from the city, his subsequent inability to go back and his determination to visit them again as soon as he can (1 Thessalonians 2:17-1 Thessalonians 3:13)” (Stott pp. 45-46).

“After Paul left Thessalonica, some people, most likely (unbelieving) Jews, had apparently accused him of being. flatterer,. deceiver, immoral, and money hungry” (Fields p. 51).