Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church Volume 5

Paul Affirms his Conduct among these Thessalonians Part 2

1 Thessalonians 4:4-5 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: KJV

When we last left Paul's discourse here concerning his conduct among the people of Thessalonica, we found him denouncing any form of cunning, craftiness, or chicanery being associated with himself or the men who were with him and their preaching of the Gospel of Christ, now Paul goes on deeper and more specific with his only motive for coming to their city with his message and it is, "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 4:4) (KJV). Paul declares to them that it was God who trusted him with this most important and critical redemptive saving message to humanity (Acts 9:6 & Acts 9:15), therefore, it was God only whom Paul was to please. The English phrase 'we were allowed' is translated by one Greek word dokimazo by implication meaning to approve. The English phrase 'to be put in trust' is translated by one Greek word pisteuo by implication meaning to entrust, that is, to confide in someone or to put something into the care or protection of someone. In other words, our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ trusted the Apostle Paul to handle the Gospel of Grace with honesty, sincerity, and truth just as he declared to the believers in Corinth when he wrote to them these words, "For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God's Word [shortchanging and adulterating the Divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity {and} the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight {and} presence of God." (2 Corinthians 2:17) (Amplified Bible).

It was not Paul's intention to hurt the feelings of the men and women in the city of Thessalonica, but it was Paul's intention and purpose to only declare the Gospel as he received it directly from our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is God/Christ who knows the 'hearts' of all men and women. This English word 'heart' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word kardia meaning (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind), therefore, we see that it is utter foolishness to prostitute the Gospel of Grace for personal gain, greed, or glory because the persons true motives are always known by God, even if he or she can fleece or rip off many people as the Apostle Jude wrote of such men and women with these words, "Woe to them! For they have run riotously in the way of Cain, and have abandoned themselves for the sake of gain [it offers them, following] the error of Balaam, and have perished in rebellion [like that] of Korah!" (Jude 1:11) (Amplified Bible). However, this was not Paul as he affirms himself to them in even more detail with these words, "For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:" (1 Thessalonians 2:5) (KJV). Paul did not approach the city and engage in conversation with the people there and use flattering words praising them and feeding their vanity to win favor with them, but instead he declared that they were sinners (just as he was) in desperate need of the One True and Only God's forgiveness, which was then and is now found only in, by, and through Jesus Christ (John 14:6), here Paul reminds them of his actions among them as he declares here that they knew.

Paul also wanted to remind them that as an Apostle of Christ, had he every right to receive material things from them, but he declined to do so, just as he did in the city of Corinth as he wrote to the Corinthian believers with these words, "For in the Law of Moses it is written, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn. Is it [only] for oxen that God cares? Or does He speak certainly {and} entirely for our sakes? [Assuredly] it is written for our sakes, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher ought to thresh in expectation of partaking of the harvest. If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits? If others share in this rightful claim upon you, do not we [have a still better and greater claim]? However, we have never exercised this right, but we endure everything rather than put a hindrance in the way [of the spread] of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ. Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple get their food from the temple? And that those who tend the altar share with the altar [in the offerings brought]? [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel. But I have not made use of any of these privileges, nor am I writing this [to suggest] that any such provision be made for me [now]. For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone make void {and} deprive me of my [ground for] glorifying [in this matter]. For if I [merely] preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast, for I feel compelled of necessity to do it. Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)! For if I do this work of my own free will, then I have my pay (my reward); but if it is not of my own will, but is done reluctantly {and} under compulsion, I am [still] entrusted with a [sacred] trusteeship {and} commission. What then is the [actual] reward that I get? Just this: that in my preaching the good news (the Gospel), I may offer it [absolutely] free of expense [to anybody], not taking advantage of my rights {and} privileges [as a preacher] of the Gospel." (1 Corinthians 9:9-18) (Amplified Bible). Note: "What a vivid and graphic contrast we find in this man Paul verses the many men we see today who flaunt about in their $3,000 suits and drive around in their Rolls Royce and fly far and wide in their private Jets announcing that this is the lifestyle that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ wants, wishes, and wills for every Christian on earth to live and if you just sow a seed (money into my ministry) or pay me for a prophecy God will turn it over tenfold and you too will have the earthly things that I have in Jesus Name! If you believe this, then you believe in the Tooth Fairy & Santa Clause!"

"Paul preached in great conflict of soul because of his passionate desire for the salvation of men. In this, many of the notable servants of God have shared; and we shall not attain to the great end of our ministry unless the seeds we sow are steeped in prayers and tears. The Apostle viewed the Gospel as a sacred deposit left with him by God on man’s behalf, 1 Thessalonians 2:4. Do we sufficiently realize that as Christ is our Trustee, entrusted with God’s gift for us, so we are executors of His bequests to our fellow-men, who will have serious charges to bring against us if we hoard for ourselves what was meant for them? The questions which should sustain and quicken us are: 'What does God think of my service?-Is He pleased?'" F. B. Meyer

"The Apostle Paul was no extra ordinary Christian, he just believed God and His Word and desired to order his life accordingly. By no means was he perfect and let us never place him on a pedestal to be worshipped. Paul was no more a saint than you reading Christian friend or I writing am, but what made him stand out was that he was 'all in' for Christ because he knew that there were men, women, boys, and girls who would believe by hearing his message of the Gospel and it was predestined for him to speak this message to them, so no matter the consequences to himself as he declared with these words to Brother Timothy he endured attacks, 'Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] risen from the dead, [as the prophesied King] descended from David, according to the good news (the Gospel) that I preach. For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction {and} even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained {or} imprisoned! Therefore I [am ready to] persevere {and} stand my ground with patience {and} endure everything for the sake of the elect [God's chosen], so that they too may obtain [the] salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with [the reward of] eternal glory.' (2 Timothy 2:8-10) (Amplified Bible)." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…