Paul Warns them Against Idleness Part 3
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. KJV
The fact that Paul (an Apostle of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ) provided his own food and shelter among the new belivers in the city of Thessalonica when he could have (because of his authority as an Apostle) commanded the members of this new Church to support him, makes the fact that some of the believers there who now were slothful and spunging off the generosity of others in the Church makes Paul send this command to them and to all others who would desire to become like them. Not only were some of these people freeloading, but they then used there time to gossip, that is, divulge personal information about other people without their consent causing Paul much grief. This word had come to the Apostle Paul most likely from the report he received from Timothy after he came back from visting the Church there, so Paul writes this to them acknowledging his awareness of what was going on with some, "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies." (2 Thessalonians 3:11) (KJV).
The little English phrase 'are busybodies' is used this one time only in the entire New Testament and it is translated by one Greek word periergazomai which simply means a meddler, that is, an officious annoying person who intrudes and interferes with other peoples affairs unwantedly and in an offensive manner. In other words, believers are not to be actively going about meddling in the affairs of others causing them problems by intruding unwantedly in their business just as the Apostle Peter (in his first letter) warned believers then and we believers now to avoid suffering for Christ by virtue of doing things that are harmful, hateful, and hurtful to other people (even to our enemies the two-legged devils) when he wrote these words, "If you are censured {and} suffer abuse [because you bear] the name of Christ, blessed [are you--happy, fortunate, to be envied, with life-joy, and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward condition], because the Spirit of glory, the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. {On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.} But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or any sort of criminal, or as a mischief-maker (a meddler) in the affairs of others [infringing on their rights]." (1 Peter 4:14-15) (Amplified Bible).
In the short time the Apostle Paul was with them physically, he had commanded them to do just the opposite of being busybodies or meddlers when he reminded them of such in his very first letter to them with these words, "To make it your ambition {and} definitely endeavor to live quietly {and} peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you, So that you may bear yourselves becomingly {and} be correct {and} honorable {and} command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] {and} having need of nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) (Amplified Bible).
In stark contrast to this behavior of meddling in other peoples business was Paul's desire to see everyone taking care of their own affairs without causing trouble for others in the Church but instead being mindful to do good to one another void of gossip and tale telling, so Paul makes this command to them "Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." (2 Thessalonians 3:12) (KJV). So in distinct opposition to their meddling or bustling about in the affairs or business of others, they should work or labor for their own food and shelter without making boastful assertions of doing just that, but instead minding their business and taking care of their own things. The little English phrase 'them that are such' is used here by the Apostle to describe the busybodies and it is translated by one Greek word toioutos meaning truly this, that is, of this sort (to denote character or individuality): - like, such (an one). In other words, Paul wants all of his admonitions, warnings, and commands to be directed only at the individuals who are idle meddlers in the business of others.
"What a degrading thing to live on the bounty or mercy of another, while a man is able to acquire his own livelihood! He who can submit to this has lost the spirit of independence; and has in him a beggar’s heart, and is capable of nothing but base and beggarly actions. Witness the great mass of the people of England, who by their dependence on the poor rates are, from being laborious, independent, and respectable, become idle, profligate, and knavish; the propagators and perpetrators of crime; a discredit to the nation, and a curse to society. The Apostle’s command is a cure for such; and the Church of God should discountenance such, and disown them." Adam Clarke
"The Apostle Paul in giving his direction to Timothy on how the Churches should take care of widows in the congregation, also at the same time warned Timothy to be weary of being to freely to give to every widow, for some were using their status as such to spend their time doing just what Paul commands against here in this epistle to the Thessalonians and that is being busybodies in the affairs or business of others as he declared to Timothy with these words, 'But refuse [to enroll on this list the] younger widows, for when they become restive {and} their natural desires grow strong, they withdraw themselves against Christ [and] wish to marry [again]. And so they incur condemnation for having set aside {and} slighted their previous pledge. Moreover, as they go about from house to house, they learn to be idlers, and not only idlers, but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say {and} talking of things they should not mention. So I would have younger [widows] marry, bear children, guide the household, [and] not give opponents of the faith occasion for slander or reproach. For already some [widows] have turned aside after Satan. If any believing woman {or believing man} has [relatives or persons in the household who are] widows, let him relieve them; let the Church not be burdened [with them], so that it may [be free to] assist those who are truly widows (those who are all alone and are dependent).' (1 Timothy 5:11-16) (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…
I am a Christian Writer of non-fiction primarily and a little fiction. My purpose for forming this site is to Edify Christians with my writing and reach the lost with the uncompromising Gospel of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church 2nd Letter Volume 20
Paul Warns them Against Idleness Part 2
2 Thessalonians 3:8-10 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. KJV
Paul continues on in his declaration to these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica and we believers today of how he never even considered being a freeloader or one who lived lavishly, luxuriously, or largely (that is living large which is the common expression today) off of the sweat equity of others, as if this was the reason our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ left the Ivory Palace of His Throne in Heaven to enter a weak human body and live in this world of woe and die a brutal and horrible death to save sinners and make them rich or wealthy with earthly temporal stuff that will all be burned up into nothing upon His 2nd Coming (2 Peter 3:10), of course this is not the purpose of the Gospel. So again Paul continues to use himself as an example of a true believers conduct to money and to what it should be used for by the believer, for Paul worked to earn his own money, not to become rich, but that he would be able to eat bread without sponging off of the toil, travail, and treasure of others, even though (as an Apostle of Jesus Christ) he had every right to receive money from this Church to supply his needs and necessities. The reason he did not do what was his right as an Apostle was to set an example for these new believers in the city of Thessalonica and most important to him was not to be a burden to them financially, so he reminds them of this very fact with these words written, "Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:" (2 Thessalonians 3:8) (KJV).
Paul wanted this message to reverberate throughout the entire Church that it was not the will of God that believers should freeload or sponge off of other believers taking advantage of their generosity. Paul wanted to completely distiguish himself from the false apostles and distance himself from their behavior of always having their hand out for a gift or an offerring, for they only were interested in monetary gain just as Paul described them to brother Titus with these words, "For there are many disorderly {and} unruly men who are idle (vain, empty) {and} misleading talkers and self-deceivers {and} deceivers of others. [This is true] especially of those of the circumcision party [who have come over from Judaism]. Their mouths must be stopped, for they are mentally distressing {and} subverting whole families by teaching what they ought not to teach, for the purpose of getting base advantage {and} disreputable gain." (Titus 1:10-11) (Amplified Bible). Think of it, one of the men who will sit on one of the twelve (12) Thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel (our Lord Jesus Christ said this) (Matthew 19:28) paid for what he needed during his time in the city of Thessalonica and in the other cities as well. Did he have to? Of course not, but he wanted to and did, so that he might show that someone who truly loved them as brothers and sisters would not be desirous of getting or taking from them, but more wanted to give to them the whole counsel of God, that is the Word of God.
Paul immediately reminds them of his position, for he was an Apostle of Jesus Christ appointed directly by our Lord, Master, and Savior Himself to be 'the Apostle to the Gentiles', therefore, he had the authority, that is, the power and the right to receive all of his goods and services from their treasure as he writes with these words, "Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us." (2 Thessalonians 3:9) (KJV). The little English phrase 'an ensample' is translated by one Greek word tupos meaning (figuratively) style or resemblance; specifically a sampler (type), that is, a model (for imitation). It was not that Paul did not use his authority and right as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, for he did so with the Philippian Church (Philippians 4:15) because he was confident in their ability to not misunderstand and become idle freeloading off one another. To reinforce this idea, Paul now reminds them of what he apparently taught them by his own actions and by what he directed and commanded them while he lived among them for the short time with these words, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10) (KJV). Paul does not want the freeloaders to be sustained in their freeloading status, but that those giving (of their generosity) to them would stop. The command was for those who were unwilling to work, but rather had their hands out willingly to take from others.
"We were incessantly employed, either in preaching the Gospel, visiting from house to house, or working at our calling. As it is very evident that the Church at Thessalonica was very pious, and most affectionately attached to the Apostle, they must have been very poor, seeing he was obliged to work hard to gain himself the necessaries of life. Had they been able to support him he would not have worked with labor and travail night and day, that he might not be burdensome to them; and, as we may presume that they were very poor, he could not have got his support among them without adding to their burdens. To this his generous mind could not submit; it is no wonder, therefore, that he is so severe against those who would not labor, but were a burden to the poor followers of God." Adam Clarke
"It would seem from this that the evil of which the Apostle here complains had begun to operate even when he was with them. There were those who were disposed to be idle, and who needed the solemn command of an Apostle to induce them to labor. They should not be supported by the Church. This was a maxim among the Jews and the same sentiment may be found in Homer, Demosthenes, and Pythagoras. The maxim is founded in obvious justice, and is in accordance with the great law under which our Creator has placed us; Genesis 3:19. That law, in the circumstances, was benevolent, and it should be our aim to carry it out in reference to ourselves and to others. The law here laid down by the Apostle extends to all who are able to work for a living, and who will not do it, and binds us not to contribute to their support if they will not labor for it. It should be regarded as extending: to the members of a Church - who, though poor, should not be supported by their brethren, unless they are willing to work in any way they can for their own maintenance. to those who beg from door to door, who should never be assisted unless they are willing to do all they can do for their own support. No one can be justified in assisting a lazy man. In no possible circumstances are we to contribute to foster indolence. A man might as properly help to maintain open vice." Albert Barnes
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…
2 Thessalonians 3:8-10 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. KJV
Paul continues on in his declaration to these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica and we believers today of how he never even considered being a freeloader or one who lived lavishly, luxuriously, or largely (that is living large which is the common expression today) off of the sweat equity of others, as if this was the reason our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ left the Ivory Palace of His Throne in Heaven to enter a weak human body and live in this world of woe and die a brutal and horrible death to save sinners and make them rich or wealthy with earthly temporal stuff that will all be burned up into nothing upon His 2nd Coming (2 Peter 3:10), of course this is not the purpose of the Gospel. So again Paul continues to use himself as an example of a true believers conduct to money and to what it should be used for by the believer, for Paul worked to earn his own money, not to become rich, but that he would be able to eat bread without sponging off of the toil, travail, and treasure of others, even though (as an Apostle of Jesus Christ) he had every right to receive money from this Church to supply his needs and necessities. The reason he did not do what was his right as an Apostle was to set an example for these new believers in the city of Thessalonica and most important to him was not to be a burden to them financially, so he reminds them of this very fact with these words written, "Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:" (2 Thessalonians 3:8) (KJV).
Paul wanted this message to reverberate throughout the entire Church that it was not the will of God that believers should freeload or sponge off of other believers taking advantage of their generosity. Paul wanted to completely distiguish himself from the false apostles and distance himself from their behavior of always having their hand out for a gift or an offerring, for they only were interested in monetary gain just as Paul described them to brother Titus with these words, "For there are many disorderly {and} unruly men who are idle (vain, empty) {and} misleading talkers and self-deceivers {and} deceivers of others. [This is true] especially of those of the circumcision party [who have come over from Judaism]. Their mouths must be stopped, for they are mentally distressing {and} subverting whole families by teaching what they ought not to teach, for the purpose of getting base advantage {and} disreputable gain." (Titus 1:10-11) (Amplified Bible). Think of it, one of the men who will sit on one of the twelve (12) Thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel (our Lord Jesus Christ said this) (Matthew 19:28) paid for what he needed during his time in the city of Thessalonica and in the other cities as well. Did he have to? Of course not, but he wanted to and did, so that he might show that someone who truly loved them as brothers and sisters would not be desirous of getting or taking from them, but more wanted to give to them the whole counsel of God, that is the Word of God.
Paul immediately reminds them of his position, for he was an Apostle of Jesus Christ appointed directly by our Lord, Master, and Savior Himself to be 'the Apostle to the Gentiles', therefore, he had the authority, that is, the power and the right to receive all of his goods and services from their treasure as he writes with these words, "Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us." (2 Thessalonians 3:9) (KJV). The little English phrase 'an ensample' is translated by one Greek word tupos meaning (figuratively) style or resemblance; specifically a sampler (type), that is, a model (for imitation). It was not that Paul did not use his authority and right as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, for he did so with the Philippian Church (Philippians 4:15) because he was confident in their ability to not misunderstand and become idle freeloading off one another. To reinforce this idea, Paul now reminds them of what he apparently taught them by his own actions and by what he directed and commanded them while he lived among them for the short time with these words, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10) (KJV). Paul does not want the freeloaders to be sustained in their freeloading status, but that those giving (of their generosity) to them would stop. The command was for those who were unwilling to work, but rather had their hands out willingly to take from others.
"We were incessantly employed, either in preaching the Gospel, visiting from house to house, or working at our calling. As it is very evident that the Church at Thessalonica was very pious, and most affectionately attached to the Apostle, they must have been very poor, seeing he was obliged to work hard to gain himself the necessaries of life. Had they been able to support him he would not have worked with labor and travail night and day, that he might not be burdensome to them; and, as we may presume that they were very poor, he could not have got his support among them without adding to their burdens. To this his generous mind could not submit; it is no wonder, therefore, that he is so severe against those who would not labor, but were a burden to the poor followers of God." Adam Clarke
"It would seem from this that the evil of which the Apostle here complains had begun to operate even when he was with them. There were those who were disposed to be idle, and who needed the solemn command of an Apostle to induce them to labor. They should not be supported by the Church. This was a maxim among the Jews and the same sentiment may be found in Homer, Demosthenes, and Pythagoras. The maxim is founded in obvious justice, and is in accordance with the great law under which our Creator has placed us; Genesis 3:19. That law, in the circumstances, was benevolent, and it should be our aim to carry it out in reference to ourselves and to others. The law here laid down by the Apostle extends to all who are able to work for a living, and who will not do it, and binds us not to contribute to their support if they will not labor for it. It should be regarded as extending: to the members of a Church - who, though poor, should not be supported by their brethren, unless they are willing to work in any way they can for their own maintenance. to those who beg from door to door, who should never be assisted unless they are willing to do all they can do for their own support. No one can be justified in assisting a lazy man. In no possible circumstances are we to contribute to foster indolence. A man might as properly help to maintain open vice." Albert Barnes
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…
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church 2nd Letter Volume 19
Paul Warns them Against Idleness Part 1
2 Thessalonians 3:6-7 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; KJV
It seems that the Apostle Paul had received some bad news concerning some of the brothers in the Church @ Thessalonica concerning them taking their understanding that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ would soon return for them in the rapture to an extreme point causing them to freeload, mooch or live off the generosity of the other believers in the Church there causing them to have to work even harder and longer. The Apostle Paul wants to immediately (by this letter) straighten out or put things in there proper order concerning how these believers were to conduct themselves as pilgrims here on the earth away from their heavenly home by first declaring to them these words, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6) (KJV). To begin with the Apostle Paul makes it very clear that he is not making a suggestion here, that is, something they could accept or reject, but he says emphatically 'we command' you and this little English phrase is translated by one Greek word paraggello meaning to transmit a message, that is, (by implication) to enjoin: - give in charge, give commandment, declare. This command or charge to them is by not Paul's authority, but in 'the name' of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The little English phrase 'the name' is translated by one Greek word onoma which means in this case a name (literally or figuratively), (authority, character): In other words, Paul the Apostle commands these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica by Christ Authority given to him as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, therefore, when they disobey these words from Paul, then they are disobeying Christ Jesus our Lord Himself. The command Paul goes on to give is that those who are not freeloading, mooching, or sponging off the labors of others 'withdraw yourselves' from those who are freeloading. This little English phrase 'withdraw yourselves' is translated by one Greek word stello meaning properly to set fast (stall), that is, (figuratively) to repress (reflexively abstain from associating with): - avoid, withdraw self. In other words, Paul wants the obedient brothers to avoid association with the disobedient brothers and to abstain from giving to them which upholds and continues their freeloading and sponging. Paul when he lived among them the short few weeks he and those with him were there set the example of how they ought to live among one another, "For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;" (2 Thessalonians 3:7) (KJV) as he, Silas, and Timothy did not live off the resources of the believers there, but they supplied their own needs and this is what Paul means by the 'traditions which he received of us'.
Similiar to what Paul said to the Romans in closing his letter to them with these words, "I appeal to you, brethren, to be on your guard concerning those who create dissensions and difficulties {and} cause divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which you have been taught. [I warn you to turn aside from them, to] avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites {and} base desires, and by ingratiating and flattering speech, they beguile the hearts of the unsuspecting {and} simpleminded [people]. For while your loyalty {and} obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you well versed {and} wise as to what is good and innocent {and} guileless as to what is evil." (Romans 16-17-19) (Amplified Bible). Paul, although his time in their physical presence was brief, set the example of how a Christian brother should conduct themselves when living among others. Paul, Silas, and Timothy did not freeload and act as gluttons eating and drinking the food and drink of others without providing for themsleves, even though Paul (as an Apostle of Jesus Christ) had every right to live from preaching the Gospel to them.
Paul conducted himself in this same manner with the Corinthian believers whom he spent 18 months living among when he wrote this to them, "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 9:11-18) (Amplified Bible).
Paul was not like the false apostles who readily, regularly, and routinely had their hand out wherever they went taking money and goods from the people they were supposedly helping, but instead they were only enriching themselves from place to place. Paul (being genuine and authentic) never saw his preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a way to live the high life or to get earthly wealth, but only as the way to see men and women freed from clutches of the devil, the beast, and the false prophet and adopted into the family of God forever, for Paul had already reminded them of his conduct amongst them in his first letter when he wrote these words to them then, "For you recall our hard toil and struggles, brethren. We worked night and day [and plied our trade] in order not to be a burden to any of you [for our support] while we proclaimed the glad tidings (the Gospel) of God to you. You are witnesses, [yes] and God [also], how unworldly and upright and blameless was our behavior toward you believers [who adhered to and trusted in and relied on our Lord Jesus Christ]. For you know how, as a father [dealing with] his children, we used to exhort each of you personally, stimulating {and} encouraging and charging you to live lives worthy of God, Who calls you into His own kingdom and the glorious blessedness [into which true believers will enter after Christ's return]." (1 Thessalonians 2:9-12) (Amplified Bible), so we see here Paul just continuing his affirmation of his behavior among them in the closing Chapter of this his second letter to them.
"From his high expectations of the Advent, the Apostle turns to the prosaic commonplaces of daily toil. There was need for this, because the expectation of the speedy return of Christ was disarranging the ordinary course of life and duty. People were neglecting the common round of daily tasks, and idlers were imposing on Christian generosity. Against these the Apostle sets his own example of sitting far into the night at his tent-making. The best attitude for those that look for their Lord is not in pressing their faces against the oriel window, to behold the chariot of their returning Master, but in plying their toil with deft hands and consecrated hearts." F. B. Meyer
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…
2 Thessalonians 3:6-7 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; KJV
It seems that the Apostle Paul had received some bad news concerning some of the brothers in the Church @ Thessalonica concerning them taking their understanding that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ would soon return for them in the rapture to an extreme point causing them to freeload, mooch or live off the generosity of the other believers in the Church there causing them to have to work even harder and longer. The Apostle Paul wants to immediately (by this letter) straighten out or put things in there proper order concerning how these believers were to conduct themselves as pilgrims here on the earth away from their heavenly home by first declaring to them these words, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6) (KJV). To begin with the Apostle Paul makes it very clear that he is not making a suggestion here, that is, something they could accept or reject, but he says emphatically 'we command' you and this little English phrase is translated by one Greek word paraggello meaning to transmit a message, that is, (by implication) to enjoin: - give in charge, give commandment, declare. This command or charge to them is by not Paul's authority, but in 'the name' of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The little English phrase 'the name' is translated by one Greek word onoma which means in this case a name (literally or figuratively), (authority, character): In other words, Paul the Apostle commands these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica by Christ Authority given to him as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, therefore, when they disobey these words from Paul, then they are disobeying Christ Jesus our Lord Himself. The command Paul goes on to give is that those who are not freeloading, mooching, or sponging off the labors of others 'withdraw yourselves' from those who are freeloading. This little English phrase 'withdraw yourselves' is translated by one Greek word stello meaning properly to set fast (stall), that is, (figuratively) to repress (reflexively abstain from associating with): - avoid, withdraw self. In other words, Paul wants the obedient brothers to avoid association with the disobedient brothers and to abstain from giving to them which upholds and continues their freeloading and sponging. Paul when he lived among them the short few weeks he and those with him were there set the example of how they ought to live among one another, "For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;" (2 Thessalonians 3:7) (KJV) as he, Silas, and Timothy did not live off the resources of the believers there, but they supplied their own needs and this is what Paul means by the 'traditions which he received of us'.
Similiar to what Paul said to the Romans in closing his letter to them with these words, "I appeal to you, brethren, to be on your guard concerning those who create dissensions and difficulties {and} cause divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which you have been taught. [I warn you to turn aside from them, to] avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites {and} base desires, and by ingratiating and flattering speech, they beguile the hearts of the unsuspecting {and} simpleminded [people]. For while your loyalty {and} obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you well versed {and} wise as to what is good and innocent {and} guileless as to what is evil." (Romans 16-17-19) (Amplified Bible). Paul, although his time in their physical presence was brief, set the example of how a Christian brother should conduct themselves when living among others. Paul, Silas, and Timothy did not freeload and act as gluttons eating and drinking the food and drink of others without providing for themsleves, even though Paul (as an Apostle of Jesus Christ) had every right to live from preaching the Gospel to them.
Paul conducted himself in this same manner with the Corinthian believers whom he spent 18 months living among when he wrote this to them, "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 9:11-18) (Amplified Bible).
Paul was not like the false apostles who readily, regularly, and routinely had their hand out wherever they went taking money and goods from the people they were supposedly helping, but instead they were only enriching themselves from place to place. Paul (being genuine and authentic) never saw his preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a way to live the high life or to get earthly wealth, but only as the way to see men and women freed from clutches of the devil, the beast, and the false prophet and adopted into the family of God forever, for Paul had already reminded them of his conduct amongst them in his first letter when he wrote these words to them then, "For you recall our hard toil and struggles, brethren. We worked night and day [and plied our trade] in order not to be a burden to any of you [for our support] while we proclaimed the glad tidings (the Gospel) of God to you. You are witnesses, [yes] and God [also], how unworldly and upright and blameless was our behavior toward you believers [who adhered to and trusted in and relied on our Lord Jesus Christ]. For you know how, as a father [dealing with] his children, we used to exhort each of you personally, stimulating {and} encouraging and charging you to live lives worthy of God, Who calls you into His own kingdom and the glorious blessedness [into which true believers will enter after Christ's return]." (1 Thessalonians 2:9-12) (Amplified Bible), so we see here Paul just continuing his affirmation of his behavior among them in the closing Chapter of this his second letter to them.
"From his high expectations of the Advent, the Apostle turns to the prosaic commonplaces of daily toil. There was need for this, because the expectation of the speedy return of Christ was disarranging the ordinary course of life and duty. People were neglecting the common round of daily tasks, and idlers were imposing on Christian generosity. Against these the Apostle sets his own example of sitting far into the night at his tent-making. The best attitude for those that look for their Lord is not in pressing their faces against the oriel window, to behold the chariot of their returning Master, but in plying their toil with deft hands and consecrated hearts." F. B. Meyer
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…
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church 2nd Letter Volume 18
Paul Request their Prayers for him and those with him Part 2
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. KJV
Paul's initial words of prayer were to them requesting their prayers for him and those with him, but in his true mode, motive, and manner the Apostle cannot spend much time in prayer until or unless he once again crys out to our Heavenly Father for the well being and safety of others, even though he himself was always and at all times in constant danger of his life (as we have documented in previous studies/commentaries), so we again find him turning his prayers back to the protection of the new believers in the city of Thessalonica with these words to begin with, "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." (2 Thessalonians 3:3) (KJV). In the last two (2) studies/commentaries we defined the English phrase 'shall stablish' (Greek word sterizo) and the English word 'evil' (Greek word poneros), but the English word 'keep' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word phulasso meaning to watch, that is, be on guard (literally or figuratively); by implication to preserve; to keep or to save. In other words, Paul again wants to assure these new believers in the Church @ Thessalonica that it is our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ Himself who will strengthen, set fast, and sustain them in their faith in Him, while at the same time guarding and protecting them from the attempts and attacks by the evil one the devil to turn them away from the truth of the Gospel and even to kill them physically.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is forever 'faithful' and this English word is translated by the Greek word pistos meaning objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believing, faithful, sure, and true, just as Paul even made known to the carnal Corinthian Church concerning our Lord Jesus' faithfulness to them with these words, "And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless {and} irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship {and} participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:8-9) (Amplified Bible). Paul is confident in these believers (not because of them, or because of himself, Silas, or Timothy), but because he has 100% assurance that our Lord Jesus Christ will make known to the inner man and inner woman of everyone of them in the Church that what Paul has taught them in person and by these letters are His will and commands, so Paul now writes these words to them, "And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you." (2 Thessalonians 3:4) (KJV).
Paul completely trusted our Lord Jesus Christ concerning these believers in Thessalonica, that is, he was fully persuaded that they would see Paul's letters to them as not being from Paul, but as being from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and His direct commands to them, just as our Lord Jesus Himself directed the first Apostles to do just before He Ascended back to Heaven with these words, "Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close {and} consummation of the age. {Amen (so let it be).}" (Matthew 28:20) (Amplified Bible). These believers and we believers today left on our own would never give any time, talents, or treasure to God the Father, but because our Lord Jesus has confirmed to us that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), then we can be confident in Him working in us and for us as Paul declares to these believers in Thessalonica with these words, "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ." (2 Thessalonians 3:5) (KJV).
The English word 'direct' is translated by the Greek word kateuthuno meaning to straighten fully, that is, (figuratively) direct: - guide. In other words, when our Christian walk becomes crooked, curved, and even corrupt, it is our Lord Jesus Christ always there with us to bring us back into the 'narrow way' (Matthew 7:13-14) by His loving hand of grace and even His stern hand of correction by chastening (Hebrews 12:5-11). It is always and at all times up to each one of us to keep ourselves in the love of God, that is, to guard our inner man and inner woman from corruption that will put a cover over God's love to us and in us, for only when we are obedient to His Will and His Word will we know by experience the love that our Lord Jesus Christ has for us and shows to us every day and at all times when we can see it, sense it, and succumb to it. When we do this then we can also be enabled by Him to live constantly in 'patient waiting' for Him and this little English phrase is translated by one Greek word hupomone meaning cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting), for living outside of the 'love of God' does not bring to us endurance or cheerful hoping, but it brings only regret for our wrong direction, repudiation of the truth of the Word of God, and rebuke by the chastening hand of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"They had disorderly men, wicked men, and the evil one or the devil, to contend with; God alone could support and give them the victory; He had promised to do it, and He might ever be confided in as being invariably faithful." Adam Clarke
"Not primarily in you, for you have hearts like others, but in the Lord. It is remarkable that when Paul expresses the utmost confidence in Christians that they will live and act as becomes their profession, his reliance is not on anything in themselves, but wholly on the faithfulness of God. He must be a stranger to the human heart who puts much confidence in it even in its best state." Albert Barnes
"The Apostle gathers up the whole sum of his desires for his friends, and presents to us the whole aim of our efforts for ourselves, in these two things, a steadfast love to God, and a calm endurance of evil and persistence in duty, unaffected by suffering or by pain. If we have these two we shall not be far from being what God wishes to see us." Alexander MacLaren
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…
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. KJV
Paul's initial words of prayer were to them requesting their prayers for him and those with him, but in his true mode, motive, and manner the Apostle cannot spend much time in prayer until or unless he once again crys out to our Heavenly Father for the well being and safety of others, even though he himself was always and at all times in constant danger of his life (as we have documented in previous studies/commentaries), so we again find him turning his prayers back to the protection of the new believers in the city of Thessalonica with these words to begin with, "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." (2 Thessalonians 3:3) (KJV). In the last two (2) studies/commentaries we defined the English phrase 'shall stablish' (Greek word sterizo) and the English word 'evil' (Greek word poneros), but the English word 'keep' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word phulasso meaning to watch, that is, be on guard (literally or figuratively); by implication to preserve; to keep or to save. In other words, Paul again wants to assure these new believers in the Church @ Thessalonica that it is our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ Himself who will strengthen, set fast, and sustain them in their faith in Him, while at the same time guarding and protecting them from the attempts and attacks by the evil one the devil to turn them away from the truth of the Gospel and even to kill them physically.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is forever 'faithful' and this English word is translated by the Greek word pistos meaning objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believing, faithful, sure, and true, just as Paul even made known to the carnal Corinthian Church concerning our Lord Jesus' faithfulness to them with these words, "And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless {and} irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship {and} participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:8-9) (Amplified Bible). Paul is confident in these believers (not because of them, or because of himself, Silas, or Timothy), but because he has 100% assurance that our Lord Jesus Christ will make known to the inner man and inner woman of everyone of them in the Church that what Paul has taught them in person and by these letters are His will and commands, so Paul now writes these words to them, "And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you." (2 Thessalonians 3:4) (KJV).
Paul completely trusted our Lord Jesus Christ concerning these believers in Thessalonica, that is, he was fully persuaded that they would see Paul's letters to them as not being from Paul, but as being from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and His direct commands to them, just as our Lord Jesus Himself directed the first Apostles to do just before He Ascended back to Heaven with these words, "Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close {and} consummation of the age. {Amen (so let it be).}" (Matthew 28:20) (Amplified Bible). These believers and we believers today left on our own would never give any time, talents, or treasure to God the Father, but because our Lord Jesus has confirmed to us that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), then we can be confident in Him working in us and for us as Paul declares to these believers in Thessalonica with these words, "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ." (2 Thessalonians 3:5) (KJV).
The English word 'direct' is translated by the Greek word kateuthuno meaning to straighten fully, that is, (figuratively) direct: - guide. In other words, when our Christian walk becomes crooked, curved, and even corrupt, it is our Lord Jesus Christ always there with us to bring us back into the 'narrow way' (Matthew 7:13-14) by His loving hand of grace and even His stern hand of correction by chastening (Hebrews 12:5-11). It is always and at all times up to each one of us to keep ourselves in the love of God, that is, to guard our inner man and inner woman from corruption that will put a cover over God's love to us and in us, for only when we are obedient to His Will and His Word will we know by experience the love that our Lord Jesus Christ has for us and shows to us every day and at all times when we can see it, sense it, and succumb to it. When we do this then we can also be enabled by Him to live constantly in 'patient waiting' for Him and this little English phrase is translated by one Greek word hupomone meaning cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting), for living outside of the 'love of God' does not bring to us endurance or cheerful hoping, but it brings only regret for our wrong direction, repudiation of the truth of the Word of God, and rebuke by the chastening hand of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"They had disorderly men, wicked men, and the evil one or the devil, to contend with; God alone could support and give them the victory; He had promised to do it, and He might ever be confided in as being invariably faithful." Adam Clarke
"Not primarily in you, for you have hearts like others, but in the Lord. It is remarkable that when Paul expresses the utmost confidence in Christians that they will live and act as becomes their profession, his reliance is not on anything in themselves, but wholly on the faithfulness of God. He must be a stranger to the human heart who puts much confidence in it even in its best state." Albert Barnes
"The Apostle gathers up the whole sum of his desires for his friends, and presents to us the whole aim of our efforts for ourselves, in these two things, a steadfast love to God, and a calm endurance of evil and persistence in duty, unaffected by suffering or by pain. If we have these two we shall not be far from being what God wishes to see us." Alexander MacLaren
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…
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church 2nd Letter Volume 17
Paul Request their Prayers for him and those with him Part 1
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. KJV
Paul the 'great Apostle', so we think of him today and in many times even earlier than ours, but he was not great because he was a great man, but he was great because he was empowered by God the Holy Spirit, yet even with this reality, the great Apostle Paul needed and more than needed wanted the prayers (for him and those with him) from every believer he communicated with and even these young believers in the city of Thessalonica. Paul had just finished another one of his prayers for these new believers in Thessalonica and immediately upon doing so he makes a request for their prayers for him with these words, "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:" (2 Thessalonians 3:1) (KJV). Even though Paul had spoken by the power of the Holy Spirit and a man was blinded who opposed Paul and his preaching of the Gospel of Christ, however, he still needed and wanted these believers prayers. Why? Because God the Father's ears are at all times tuned into hear the petitions made to Him from any of His adopted sons or daughters. Paul knew that his strength, steadfastness, and sustenance spiritually was all tied into and connected with the lives of other faithful believers in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Notice what Paul request their prayers for him be about 'that the Word of the Lord may have free course', for the devil's main objective is to silence the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that sinners will not hear and will not be saved. The devil affirms Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and every other form of false worship or spirituality because that keeps sinners from the One and Only Truth Jesus Christ who only can save, sanctify, and secure sinners eternally. The little English phrase 'may have free course' is translated by one Greek word trecho which is a primary verb meaning to run or walk hastily (literally or figuratively), that is, to go on swiftly, without any interruption.
In other words, Paul wants them to pray for our Heavenly Father to protect him and those with him from being confined so that they are not able to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth as he declared did happen for some time keeping him from the brothers and sisters in the Church @ Rome as he wrote with these words also requesting their prayers for the same purpose, "Thus my ambition has been to preach the Gospel, not where Christ's name has already been known, lest I build on another man's foundation; But [instead I would act on the principle] as it is written, They shall see who have never been told of Him, and they shall understand who have never heard [of Him]. This [ambition] is the reason why I have so frequently been hindered from coming to visit you. But now since I have no further opportunity for work in these regions, and since I have longed for enough years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing [through Rome] as I go [on my intended trip] to Spain, and to be aided on my journey there by you, after I have enjoyed your company for a little while." (Romans 15:20-24) (Amplified Bible). Paul wants them to pray also that the Gospel 'be glorified' among all the sinners who hear it and obey it and are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb our Lord Jesus Christ. The little English phrase 'be glorified' is translated by one Greek word doxazo meaning to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application): - to magnify. In other words, Paul wants to not only be able to proclaim the Gospel in many places, but he wants to see the Gospel (as it can do and does in the inner man and inner woman of repentant sinners) be glorified in the lives of every person that believes.
Just as he saw with some who believed in Antioch as documented for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "As they [Paul and Barnabas] went out [of the synagogue], the people earnestly begged that these things might be told to them [further] the next Sabbath. And when the congregation of the synagogue dispersed, many of the Jews and the devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked to them and urged them to continue [to trust themselves to and to stand fast] in the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God. The next Sabbath almost the entire city gathered together to hear the Word of God [concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God]. But when the Jews saw the crowds, filled with envy {and} jealousy they contradicted what was said by Paul and talked abusively [reviling and slandering him]. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out plainly {and} boldly, saying, It was necessary that God's message [concerning salvation through Christ] should be spoken to you first. But since you thrust it from you, you pass this judgment on yourselves that you are unworthy of eternal life {and} out of your own mouth you will be judged. [Now] behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has charged us, saying, I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring [eternal] salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior). And so the Word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through Christ] scattered {and} spread throughout the whole region." (Acts 13:42-49) (Amplified Bible). The continuing of this is exactly what Paul seeks their prayers for to our Heavenly Father and this is exactly what the devil wants to stop.
The next portion of Paul's prayer request concerned their prayers for him and those with him to be delivered from the instruments of the devil, that is, the two-legged devils that do the physical work for him of persecuting all believers and trying to do anything to stop them from declaring the truth Jesus Christ throughout the earth as he says to them with these words, "And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith." (2 Thessalonians 3:2) (KJV). Paul from the very beginning of his walk with our Lord Jesus Christ was under the attack of the devil through the two-legged devils trying to kill him everywhere he showed up and it continues up to the point of this letter written to the believers in Thessalonica around A.D. 50, which meant Paul had been a Christian now for almost 20 years, yet he is still pursued by men belonging to the devil to silence him. The little English phrase 'we may be delivered' is translated by one Greek word rhuomai meaning to rush or draw (for oneself), that is, rescue: - deliver. The English word 'unreasonable' is translated by the Greek word atopos meaning out of place, that is, (figuratively) improper, injurious, amiss, harm, unreasonable. The English word 'wicked' is translated by the Greek word poneros meaning hurtful, that is, evil (properly in effect or influence, figuratively calamitous; - bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked.
In other words, even though some men hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they do not receive it and therefore have no real faith in the One True God, so they belong to the devil and they do his bidding under the sun by going about to murder those who belong to and love our Lord Jesus Christ, for this is what Paul meant when he said this to them in his first letter, "For you, brethren, became imitators of the assemblies (Churches) of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea, for you too have suffered the same kind of treatment from your own fellow countrymen as they did [who were persecuted at the hands] of the Jews, Who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassed {and} drove us out, and continue to make themselves hateful {and} offensive to God and to show themselves foes of all men, Forbidding {and} hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (the nations) that they may be saved. So as always they fill up [to the brim the measure of] their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever]! But since we were bereft of you, brethren, for a little while in person, [of course] not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great longing to see you face to face, Because it was our will to come to you. [I mean that] I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], but Satan hindered {and} impeded us." (1 Thessalonians 2:14-18) (Amplified Bible).
"Paul always wanted the prayers of other believers 'in Christ' for him because he knew that prayer is the one thing the devil cannot stop a child of God from doing, so he exhorted these believers in Thessalonica to pray for him and those with him to be able to continue to get the Word of the Lord out into the world that the elect (who are appointed unto salvation) will hear and believe just as he prayed for those in the Church @ Rome to do also with these words, "I appeal to you [I entreat you], brethren, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love [given by] the Spirit, to unite with me in earnest wrestling in prayer to God in my behalf. [Pray] that I may be delivered (rescued) from the unbelievers in Judea and that my mission of relief to Jerusalem may be acceptable {and} graciously received by the saints (God's people there), So that by God's will I may subsequently come to you with joy (with a happy heart) and be refreshed [by the interval of rest] in your company. May [our] peace-giving God be with you all! Amen (so be it)." (Romans 15:30-33) (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…
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. KJV
Paul the 'great Apostle', so we think of him today and in many times even earlier than ours, but he was not great because he was a great man, but he was great because he was empowered by God the Holy Spirit, yet even with this reality, the great Apostle Paul needed and more than needed wanted the prayers (for him and those with him) from every believer he communicated with and even these young believers in the city of Thessalonica. Paul had just finished another one of his prayers for these new believers in Thessalonica and immediately upon doing so he makes a request for their prayers for him with these words, "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:" (2 Thessalonians 3:1) (KJV). Even though Paul had spoken by the power of the Holy Spirit and a man was blinded who opposed Paul and his preaching of the Gospel of Christ, however, he still needed and wanted these believers prayers. Why? Because God the Father's ears are at all times tuned into hear the petitions made to Him from any of His adopted sons or daughters. Paul knew that his strength, steadfastness, and sustenance spiritually was all tied into and connected with the lives of other faithful believers in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Notice what Paul request their prayers for him be about 'that the Word of the Lord may have free course', for the devil's main objective is to silence the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that sinners will not hear and will not be saved. The devil affirms Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and every other form of false worship or spirituality because that keeps sinners from the One and Only Truth Jesus Christ who only can save, sanctify, and secure sinners eternally. The little English phrase 'may have free course' is translated by one Greek word trecho which is a primary verb meaning to run or walk hastily (literally or figuratively), that is, to go on swiftly, without any interruption.
In other words, Paul wants them to pray for our Heavenly Father to protect him and those with him from being confined so that they are not able to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth as he declared did happen for some time keeping him from the brothers and sisters in the Church @ Rome as he wrote with these words also requesting their prayers for the same purpose, "Thus my ambition has been to preach the Gospel, not where Christ's name has already been known, lest I build on another man's foundation; But [instead I would act on the principle] as it is written, They shall see who have never been told of Him, and they shall understand who have never heard [of Him]. This [ambition] is the reason why I have so frequently been hindered from coming to visit you. But now since I have no further opportunity for work in these regions, and since I have longed for enough years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing [through Rome] as I go [on my intended trip] to Spain, and to be aided on my journey there by you, after I have enjoyed your company for a little while." (Romans 15:20-24) (Amplified Bible). Paul wants them to pray also that the Gospel 'be glorified' among all the sinners who hear it and obey it and are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb our Lord Jesus Christ. The little English phrase 'be glorified' is translated by one Greek word doxazo meaning to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application): - to magnify. In other words, Paul wants to not only be able to proclaim the Gospel in many places, but he wants to see the Gospel (as it can do and does in the inner man and inner woman of repentant sinners) be glorified in the lives of every person that believes.
Just as he saw with some who believed in Antioch as documented for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "As they [Paul and Barnabas] went out [of the synagogue], the people earnestly begged that these things might be told to them [further] the next Sabbath. And when the congregation of the synagogue dispersed, many of the Jews and the devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked to them and urged them to continue [to trust themselves to and to stand fast] in the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God. The next Sabbath almost the entire city gathered together to hear the Word of God [concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God]. But when the Jews saw the crowds, filled with envy {and} jealousy they contradicted what was said by Paul and talked abusively [reviling and slandering him]. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out plainly {and} boldly, saying, It was necessary that God's message [concerning salvation through Christ] should be spoken to you first. But since you thrust it from you, you pass this judgment on yourselves that you are unworthy of eternal life {and} out of your own mouth you will be judged. [Now] behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has charged us, saying, I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring [eternal] salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior). And so the Word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through Christ] scattered {and} spread throughout the whole region." (Acts 13:42-49) (Amplified Bible). The continuing of this is exactly what Paul seeks their prayers for to our Heavenly Father and this is exactly what the devil wants to stop.
The next portion of Paul's prayer request concerned their prayers for him and those with him to be delivered from the instruments of the devil, that is, the two-legged devils that do the physical work for him of persecuting all believers and trying to do anything to stop them from declaring the truth Jesus Christ throughout the earth as he says to them with these words, "And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith." (2 Thessalonians 3:2) (KJV). Paul from the very beginning of his walk with our Lord Jesus Christ was under the attack of the devil through the two-legged devils trying to kill him everywhere he showed up and it continues up to the point of this letter written to the believers in Thessalonica around A.D. 50, which meant Paul had been a Christian now for almost 20 years, yet he is still pursued by men belonging to the devil to silence him. The little English phrase 'we may be delivered' is translated by one Greek word rhuomai meaning to rush or draw (for oneself), that is, rescue: - deliver. The English word 'unreasonable' is translated by the Greek word atopos meaning out of place, that is, (figuratively) improper, injurious, amiss, harm, unreasonable. The English word 'wicked' is translated by the Greek word poneros meaning hurtful, that is, evil (properly in effect or influence, figuratively calamitous; - bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked.
In other words, even though some men hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they do not receive it and therefore have no real faith in the One True God, so they belong to the devil and they do his bidding under the sun by going about to murder those who belong to and love our Lord Jesus Christ, for this is what Paul meant when he said this to them in his first letter, "For you, brethren, became imitators of the assemblies (Churches) of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea, for you too have suffered the same kind of treatment from your own fellow countrymen as they did [who were persecuted at the hands] of the Jews, Who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassed {and} drove us out, and continue to make themselves hateful {and} offensive to God and to show themselves foes of all men, Forbidding {and} hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (the nations) that they may be saved. So as always they fill up [to the brim the measure of] their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever]! But since we were bereft of you, brethren, for a little while in person, [of course] not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great longing to see you face to face, Because it was our will to come to you. [I mean that] I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], but Satan hindered {and} impeded us." (1 Thessalonians 2:14-18) (Amplified Bible).
"Paul always wanted the prayers of other believers 'in Christ' for him because he knew that prayer is the one thing the devil cannot stop a child of God from doing, so he exhorted these believers in Thessalonica to pray for him and those with him to be able to continue to get the Word of the Lord out into the world that the elect (who are appointed unto salvation) will hear and believe just as he prayed for those in the Church @ Rome to do also with these words, "I appeal to you [I entreat you], brethren, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love [given by] the Spirit, to unite with me in earnest wrestling in prayer to God in my behalf. [Pray] that I may be delivered (rescued) from the unbelievers in Judea and that my mission of relief to Jerusalem may be acceptable {and} graciously received by the saints (God's people there), So that by God's will I may subsequently come to you with joy (with a happy heart) and be refreshed [by the interval of rest] in your company. May [our] peace-giving God be with you all! Amen (so be it)." (Romans 15:30-33) (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…
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church 2nd Letter Volume 16
Paul Prays Blessings & Comfort over Their Lives
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. KJV
Paul just finished up in the last three (3) verses exhorting, envoking, and encouraging these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica to 'stand fast' in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, so it flows, follows, and finishes here in this second Chapter of his second letter that he would now declare to them that this Same Jesus (Acts 1:11) that Acsended into Heaven on a cloud out of the Disciples sight or view is the One who will give them and us today the strength, power, and courage to stand for Him and the truth of His Gospel and Holy Word, just as it is He who will soothe the hearts and minds (the inner man and inner woman) of His own as Paul begins to declare with these words, "Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace," (2 Thessalonians 2:16) (KJV). It is our Lord Jesus who knows already the attacks, assaults, and attempts by our enemy the devil that will come our way to derail us from steadfast love for Him and it is He who will provide grace that we may endure and overcome everyone of the enemies approaches.
As we declared in the last study/commentary, we are feeble in our faith walk often on our sojourn, that is, we lack the spiritual strength to wage war with the enemy and overcome, but Paul here is reassuring these believers in Thessalonica and we believers today wherever in the world we may happen to be and in whatever condition, circumstance, or crisis we may find ourselves that it is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God the Father who will give us 'consolation through grace' whenever, wherever, and however we need it. Consolation meaning the comfort that comes to us from Him in all our times of dissapointment and also the sense of relief He gives to us during our times of affliction (caused because of our stand for Him and for the Gospel of Grace as the only way for man's sins to be forgiven). These believers in Thessalonica and we believers today are the 'beloved' of God the Father as we declared again in the previous Volume 15, so likewise Paul reminds them and us that we are so greatly loved (even despite our persecutions and afflictions that at times to us seem to have no ending).
Because of His great love for us they and we can receive solace, that is, emotional strength for trusting and believing this to be true, just as Paul addressed the believers in Rome in this manner at the beginning of His letter to them, "To [you then] all God's beloved ones in Rome, called to be saints {and} designated for a consecrated life: Grace {and} spiritual blessing and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:7) (Amplified Bible). Paul was well aware of spiritual battles or spiritual warfare with the devil, for everywhere he went there was an attempt upon his life and he was often throne into jail by people doing the will of the devil as he tried to silence the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but remember what Paul wrote to Brother Timothy, "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 2:9-10) (Amplified Bible).
With this recollection of Paul's resolve for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord and the Gospel of Grace, we understand better these final words in Paul's brief second prayer for these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica when he says, "Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." (2 Thessalonians 2:17) (KJV). You see Paul had experienced this very 'comfort' directly from our Lord Jesus Himself that he now prays for these Thessalonian believers to receive as well as we believers in Christ today. This English word 'comfort' is translated by the Greek word parakaleo which simply and sweetly means to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): The English word 'hearts' is translated by the Greek word kardia meaning the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); The English word 'stablish' is translated by the Greek word sterizo meaning to set fast, that is, (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm: - strengthen.
In other words, Paul knew of what he prays here for others, for he had prayed it for himself often and received the calling near, the comfort in his thoughts and feelings, and the strength in his inner man from our Lord Jesus' Words, Grace, and Presence, for one example was when he was in the midst of the Pharisees and Sadducees who were about to attack and kill him, but our Lord Jesus Christ intervened by sending the Roman soldiers down to take Paul from among them and bring him to the Roman barricks, now this is what happened the following night, "And [that same] following night the Lord stood beside Paul and said, Take courage, {Paul,} for as you have borne faithful witness concerning Me at Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." (Acts 23:11) (Amplified Bible).
"The hope of the Gospel was the resurrection of the body, and the final glorification of it and the soul throughout eternity. This was the good hope which the Thessalonians had; not a hope that they should be pardoned or sanctified, etc. Pardon and holiness they enjoyed, therefore they were no objects of hope; but the resurrection of the body and eternal glory were necessarily future; these they had in expectation; these they hoped for; and, through the grace which they had already received they had a good hope - a well-grounded expectation, of this glorious state." Adam Clarke
"They were a young Church, just delivered from paganism. Like lambs in the midst of wolves, they stood amongst bitter enemies, their teacher had left them alone, and their raw convictions needed to be consolidated and matured in the face of much opposition. No wonder then that over and over again, in both letters, we have references to the persecutions and tribulations which they endured, and to the consolations which would much more abound. But whatever may have been their specific circumstances, the prayer which puts special emphasis on comfort is as much needed by each of us as it could ever have been by any of them. For there are no eyes that have not wept, or will not weep; no breath that has not been, or will not be, drawn in sighs; and no hearts that have not bled, or will not bleed. So, dear friends, the prayer that went up for these long since comforted brothers, in their forgotten obscure sorrows, is as needful for each of us—that the God who has given everlasting consolation may apply the consolations which He has supplied, and 'comfort our hearts and stablish them in every good word and work.'" Alexander MacLaren
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…
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. KJV
Paul just finished up in the last three (3) verses exhorting, envoking, and encouraging these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica to 'stand fast' in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, so it flows, follows, and finishes here in this second Chapter of his second letter that he would now declare to them that this Same Jesus (Acts 1:11) that Acsended into Heaven on a cloud out of the Disciples sight or view is the One who will give them and us today the strength, power, and courage to stand for Him and the truth of His Gospel and Holy Word, just as it is He who will soothe the hearts and minds (the inner man and inner woman) of His own as Paul begins to declare with these words, "Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace," (2 Thessalonians 2:16) (KJV). It is our Lord Jesus who knows already the attacks, assaults, and attempts by our enemy the devil that will come our way to derail us from steadfast love for Him and it is He who will provide grace that we may endure and overcome everyone of the enemies approaches.
As we declared in the last study/commentary, we are feeble in our faith walk often on our sojourn, that is, we lack the spiritual strength to wage war with the enemy and overcome, but Paul here is reassuring these believers in Thessalonica and we believers today wherever in the world we may happen to be and in whatever condition, circumstance, or crisis we may find ourselves that it is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God the Father who will give us 'consolation through grace' whenever, wherever, and however we need it. Consolation meaning the comfort that comes to us from Him in all our times of dissapointment and also the sense of relief He gives to us during our times of affliction (caused because of our stand for Him and for the Gospel of Grace as the only way for man's sins to be forgiven). These believers in Thessalonica and we believers today are the 'beloved' of God the Father as we declared again in the previous Volume 15, so likewise Paul reminds them and us that we are so greatly loved (even despite our persecutions and afflictions that at times to us seem to have no ending).
Because of His great love for us they and we can receive solace, that is, emotional strength for trusting and believing this to be true, just as Paul addressed the believers in Rome in this manner at the beginning of His letter to them, "To [you then] all God's beloved ones in Rome, called to be saints {and} designated for a consecrated life: Grace {and} spiritual blessing and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:7) (Amplified Bible). Paul was well aware of spiritual battles or spiritual warfare with the devil, for everywhere he went there was an attempt upon his life and he was often throne into jail by people doing the will of the devil as he tried to silence the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but remember what Paul wrote to Brother Timothy, "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 2:9-10) (Amplified Bible).
With this recollection of Paul's resolve for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord and the Gospel of Grace, we understand better these final words in Paul's brief second prayer for these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica when he says, "Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." (2 Thessalonians 2:17) (KJV). You see Paul had experienced this very 'comfort' directly from our Lord Jesus Himself that he now prays for these Thessalonian believers to receive as well as we believers in Christ today. This English word 'comfort' is translated by the Greek word parakaleo which simply and sweetly means to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): The English word 'hearts' is translated by the Greek word kardia meaning the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); The English word 'stablish' is translated by the Greek word sterizo meaning to set fast, that is, (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm: - strengthen.
In other words, Paul knew of what he prays here for others, for he had prayed it for himself often and received the calling near, the comfort in his thoughts and feelings, and the strength in his inner man from our Lord Jesus' Words, Grace, and Presence, for one example was when he was in the midst of the Pharisees and Sadducees who were about to attack and kill him, but our Lord Jesus Christ intervened by sending the Roman soldiers down to take Paul from among them and bring him to the Roman barricks, now this is what happened the following night, "And [that same] following night the Lord stood beside Paul and said, Take courage, {Paul,} for as you have borne faithful witness concerning Me at Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." (Acts 23:11) (Amplified Bible).
"The hope of the Gospel was the resurrection of the body, and the final glorification of it and the soul throughout eternity. This was the good hope which the Thessalonians had; not a hope that they should be pardoned or sanctified, etc. Pardon and holiness they enjoyed, therefore they were no objects of hope; but the resurrection of the body and eternal glory were necessarily future; these they had in expectation; these they hoped for; and, through the grace which they had already received they had a good hope - a well-grounded expectation, of this glorious state." Adam Clarke
"They were a young Church, just delivered from paganism. Like lambs in the midst of wolves, they stood amongst bitter enemies, their teacher had left them alone, and their raw convictions needed to be consolidated and matured in the face of much opposition. No wonder then that over and over again, in both letters, we have references to the persecutions and tribulations which they endured, and to the consolations which would much more abound. But whatever may have been their specific circumstances, the prayer which puts special emphasis on comfort is as much needed by each of us as it could ever have been by any of them. For there are no eyes that have not wept, or will not weep; no breath that has not been, or will not be, drawn in sighs; and no hearts that have not bled, or will not bleed. So, dear friends, the prayer that went up for these long since comforted brothers, in their forgotten obscure sorrows, is as needful for each of us—that the God who has given everlasting consolation may apply the consolations which He has supplied, and 'comfort our hearts and stablish them in every good word and work.'" Alexander MacLaren
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…
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church 2nd Letter Volume 15
Paul Exhorts the Believers to Stand Strong in Christ Jesus our Lord
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto He called you by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. KJV
It is a surety that every man and woman in this Church in the city of Thessalonica were confident in their faith in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and that it was real and not the product of 'the lie' caused by the strong delusions sent to those who did not truly believe the true Gospel of Grace, but having said this, they too (as well as we true believers today) are still subject to frailty and feebleness, therefore, because Paul knows this he now whats to reassure them in their faith causing them to feel sure of their salvation 'in Christ' and to give them even further confidence and certainty that they belong to Christ Jesus our Lord by writing these words, "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" (2 Thessalonians 2:13) (KJV). Opposite to those who have resisted, refused, and even rejected the truth of the Gospel and have fallen into and under strong delusion, these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica are believers of the truth, that is, again as we have said over and over is only One. The praise, honor, and glory for this reality is not due to the saved men and women in the Church @ Thessalonica, but it goes to God the Father.
The Apostle Paul declares to them that they 'are bound' to 'give thanks' always to God for them. The little English phrase 'are bound' is translated by one Greek word opheilo meaning figuratively to be under obligation (ought, must, should). The little English phrase 'give thanks' is translated by one Greek word eucharisteo meaning to be grateful, that is, (actually) to express gratitude (towards). In other words, the Apostle has a strong obligation (in his prayers, sermons, and teaching) to at all times express his gratefulness to God the Father for their salvation even as he did at the very beginning of his first letter to them, so he continues to do so even in this the second letter (1 Thessalonians 1:2-10). When Paul says here that 'God hath from the beginning chosen you for salvation', he does not mean that they were somehow deserving of salvation above others in the city of Thessalonica or somehow better than others in the city, but he means that every sinner everywhere that hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and responds in their inner man or inner woman, then these are the 'chosen' of God and this little English word is translated by the Greek word aihreomai which means to lift, by implication to take up or away; figuratively to raise; to take for oneself, that is, to prefer.
In other words, it is God the Holy Spirit that can see the inner man or inner woman of every sinner upon the earth and when any sinner hears the Gospel of Grace and their inner man or inner woman responds to the truth, then God the Holy Spirit immediately enters and regenerates, rebirths, and resurrects that dead in tresspasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) soul and makes us alive to God now for the first time and adopted by God the Father as a son or daughter, for it is just as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman believers with these words, "Because if you acknowledge {and} confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) {and} confirms [his] salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) (Amplified Bible) also these believers and we believers today now belong to our Lord Jesus Christ and are preferred by Him, that is, we are valued more than those who are not His own, that is best-loved or beloved by Him and now taken out of the world through 'sanctification of the Spirit', meaning they and we are purified and continually being purified by God the Holy Spirit through the washing of water by the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26).
The Apostle Paul now affirms to them the means by which they are the chosen of God and that is by the preaching of the Gospel of Grace to them as he declares here with these words, "Whereunto He called you by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 2:14) (KJV). The salvation of these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica and we believers today was determined before the foundation of the world just as Paul wrote with these words to the believers in Ephesus, "Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, {even} above reproach, before Him in love. For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]--[So that we might be] to the praise {and} the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:4-6) (Amplified Bible).
These Thessalonian believers and we believers today will partake of the same Glory as belongs to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as even He declared in His prayer to God the Father before His Crucifixion on the Cross for our sin, "I have given to them the glory {and} honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one: I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one {and} perfectly united, that the world may know {and} [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me [as Your gift to Me] may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me [Your love gift to Me]; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:22-24) (Amplified Bible). Now having said all of this to them and to us, there remains nothing better for us to do than to hold our ground in that which we have received no matter the opposition from the devil through his invisible devils and the two-legged devils on the earth, so Paul writes these words to them and to us, "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (2 Thessalonians 2:15) (KJV).
The little English phrase 'stand fast' is translated by one Greek word steko meaning to be stationary, that is, (figuratively) to persevere: - stand (fast); abide, continue, or remain. The English word 'hold' is translated by the Greek word krateo meaning to use strength, that is, seize or retain (literally or figuratively): - hold fast, keep, lay hold on, obtain, retain. The English word 'traditions' is translated by the Greek word paradosis meaning transmission, that is, (concretely) a precept; in this case the transmission of the Gospel of Grace or of Christ and all of its truth. In other words, because (as we have learned) there are evil men and imposters out and about purporting, proclaiming, and even pretending to be sent from God, but they are actually the products of a lying spirit dispensing error and lies to all who listen, therefore, the Apostle Paul exhorts these Thessalonian believers and we true believers today to persevere in the truth of the Gospel and of the Word of God keeping all of the truth or precepts, principles, commandments, and teachings in our inner man and inner woman, that is, the things they/we were taught by Paul, Silas, and Timothy in person (by word) and from a distance by these letters.
"In your calling, God has shown the purpose that He had formed from the beginning, to call the Gentiles to the same privileges with the Jews, not through circumcision, and the observance of the Mosaic law, but by faith in Christ Jesus; but this simple way of salvation referred to the same end - holiness, without which no man, whether Jew or Gentile, can see the Lord. They were to hear the truth - the doctrines of the Gospel. They were to believe this truth when they heard it preached. They were to receive the Spirit of God in believing the truth. That Spirit was to sanctify their souls-produce an inward holiness, which was to lead to all outward conformity to God. All this constituted their salvation - their being fitted for the inheritance among the saints in light. They were to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ - that state of felicity for which they were fitted, by being saved here from their sins, and by being sanctified by the Spirit of God." Adam Clarke
"As they were chosen to salvation, so they were called thereunto by the Gospel. Whom He did predestinate those He also called, (Romans 8:30). The outward call of God is by the Gospel; and this is rendered effectual by the inward operation of the Spirit. Note, Wherever the Gospel comes it calls and invites men to the obtaining of glory; it is a call to honour and happiness, even the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glory He has purchased, and the glory He is possessed of, to be communicated unto those who believe in Him and obey His Gospel; such shall be with Christ, to behold His glory, and they shall be glorified with Christ and partake of His glory." Matthew Henry
"Paul draws here no distinction between oral tradition and written tradition as was done later. The worth of the tradition lies not in the form but in the source and the quality of the content. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23 says: 'I received from the Lord what I also handed over (paredōka) unto you.' He praises them because ye 'hold fast the traditions even as I delivered them unto you.' The tradition may be merely that of men and so worthless and harmful in place of the Word of God (Mark 7:8; Colossians 2:6-8). It all depends. It is easy to scoff at truth as mere tradition. But human progress in all fields is made by use of the old, found to be true, in connection with the new if found to be true. In Thessalonica the saints were already the victims of theological charlatans with their half-baked theories about the second coming of Christ and about social duties and relations." Robertson's Word Pictures
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…
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto He called you by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. KJV
It is a surety that every man and woman in this Church in the city of Thessalonica were confident in their faith in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and that it was real and not the product of 'the lie' caused by the strong delusions sent to those who did not truly believe the true Gospel of Grace, but having said this, they too (as well as we true believers today) are still subject to frailty and feebleness, therefore, because Paul knows this he now whats to reassure them in their faith causing them to feel sure of their salvation 'in Christ' and to give them even further confidence and certainty that they belong to Christ Jesus our Lord by writing these words, "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:" (2 Thessalonians 2:13) (KJV). Opposite to those who have resisted, refused, and even rejected the truth of the Gospel and have fallen into and under strong delusion, these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica are believers of the truth, that is, again as we have said over and over is only One. The praise, honor, and glory for this reality is not due to the saved men and women in the Church @ Thessalonica, but it goes to God the Father.
The Apostle Paul declares to them that they 'are bound' to 'give thanks' always to God for them. The little English phrase 'are bound' is translated by one Greek word opheilo meaning figuratively to be under obligation (ought, must, should). The little English phrase 'give thanks' is translated by one Greek word eucharisteo meaning to be grateful, that is, (actually) to express gratitude (towards). In other words, the Apostle has a strong obligation (in his prayers, sermons, and teaching) to at all times express his gratefulness to God the Father for their salvation even as he did at the very beginning of his first letter to them, so he continues to do so even in this the second letter (1 Thessalonians 1:2-10). When Paul says here that 'God hath from the beginning chosen you for salvation', he does not mean that they were somehow deserving of salvation above others in the city of Thessalonica or somehow better than others in the city, but he means that every sinner everywhere that hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and responds in their inner man or inner woman, then these are the 'chosen' of God and this little English word is translated by the Greek word aihreomai which means to lift, by implication to take up or away; figuratively to raise; to take for oneself, that is, to prefer.
In other words, it is God the Holy Spirit that can see the inner man or inner woman of every sinner upon the earth and when any sinner hears the Gospel of Grace and their inner man or inner woman responds to the truth, then God the Holy Spirit immediately enters and regenerates, rebirths, and resurrects that dead in tresspasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) soul and makes us alive to God now for the first time and adopted by God the Father as a son or daughter, for it is just as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman believers with these words, "Because if you acknowledge {and} confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) {and} confirms [his] salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) (Amplified Bible) also these believers and we believers today now belong to our Lord Jesus Christ and are preferred by Him, that is, we are valued more than those who are not His own, that is best-loved or beloved by Him and now taken out of the world through 'sanctification of the Spirit', meaning they and we are purified and continually being purified by God the Holy Spirit through the washing of water by the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26).
The Apostle Paul now affirms to them the means by which they are the chosen of God and that is by the preaching of the Gospel of Grace to them as he declares here with these words, "Whereunto He called you by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 2:14) (KJV). The salvation of these believers in the Church @ Thessalonica and we believers today was determined before the foundation of the world just as Paul wrote with these words to the believers in Ephesus, "Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, {even} above reproach, before Him in love. For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]--[So that we might be] to the praise {and} the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:4-6) (Amplified Bible).
These Thessalonian believers and we believers today will partake of the same Glory as belongs to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as even He declared in His prayer to God the Father before His Crucifixion on the Cross for our sin, "I have given to them the glory {and} honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one: I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one {and} perfectly united, that the world may know {and} [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me [as Your gift to Me] may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me [Your love gift to Me]; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:22-24) (Amplified Bible). Now having said all of this to them and to us, there remains nothing better for us to do than to hold our ground in that which we have received no matter the opposition from the devil through his invisible devils and the two-legged devils on the earth, so Paul writes these words to them and to us, "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (2 Thessalonians 2:15) (KJV).
The little English phrase 'stand fast' is translated by one Greek word steko meaning to be stationary, that is, (figuratively) to persevere: - stand (fast); abide, continue, or remain. The English word 'hold' is translated by the Greek word krateo meaning to use strength, that is, seize or retain (literally or figuratively): - hold fast, keep, lay hold on, obtain, retain. The English word 'traditions' is translated by the Greek word paradosis meaning transmission, that is, (concretely) a precept; in this case the transmission of the Gospel of Grace or of Christ and all of its truth. In other words, because (as we have learned) there are evil men and imposters out and about purporting, proclaiming, and even pretending to be sent from God, but they are actually the products of a lying spirit dispensing error and lies to all who listen, therefore, the Apostle Paul exhorts these Thessalonian believers and we true believers today to persevere in the truth of the Gospel and of the Word of God keeping all of the truth or precepts, principles, commandments, and teachings in our inner man and inner woman, that is, the things they/we were taught by Paul, Silas, and Timothy in person (by word) and from a distance by these letters.
"In your calling, God has shown the purpose that He had formed from the beginning, to call the Gentiles to the same privileges with the Jews, not through circumcision, and the observance of the Mosaic law, but by faith in Christ Jesus; but this simple way of salvation referred to the same end - holiness, without which no man, whether Jew or Gentile, can see the Lord. They were to hear the truth - the doctrines of the Gospel. They were to believe this truth when they heard it preached. They were to receive the Spirit of God in believing the truth. That Spirit was to sanctify their souls-produce an inward holiness, which was to lead to all outward conformity to God. All this constituted their salvation - their being fitted for the inheritance among the saints in light. They were to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ - that state of felicity for which they were fitted, by being saved here from their sins, and by being sanctified by the Spirit of God." Adam Clarke
"As they were chosen to salvation, so they were called thereunto by the Gospel. Whom He did predestinate those He also called, (Romans 8:30). The outward call of God is by the Gospel; and this is rendered effectual by the inward operation of the Spirit. Note, Wherever the Gospel comes it calls and invites men to the obtaining of glory; it is a call to honour and happiness, even the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glory He has purchased, and the glory He is possessed of, to be communicated unto those who believe in Him and obey His Gospel; such shall be with Christ, to behold His glory, and they shall be glorified with Christ and partake of His glory." Matthew Henry
"Paul draws here no distinction between oral tradition and written tradition as was done later. The worth of the tradition lies not in the form but in the source and the quality of the content. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23 says: 'I received from the Lord what I also handed over (paredōka) unto you.' He praises them because ye 'hold fast the traditions even as I delivered them unto you.' The tradition may be merely that of men and so worthless and harmful in place of the Word of God (Mark 7:8; Colossians 2:6-8). It all depends. It is easy to scoff at truth as mere tradition. But human progress in all fields is made by use of the old, found to be true, in connection with the new if found to be true. In Thessalonica the saints were already the victims of theological charlatans with their half-baked theories about the second coming of Christ and about social duties and relations." Robertson's Word Pictures
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…
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