Previously I shared with you from 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 with a continued focus on being above reproach. Today I am going to conclude this particular focus in 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12. Paul writes, “For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:9–12). The apostle and his coworkers didn’t receive financial support from the Thessalonians while ministering in Thessalonica. There were occasions when Paul worked to support himself because of certain factors in the local church or the region where the church was located. The factors may have been spiritual immaturity in the church, financial limitations, or even a proliferation of false teachers who preached for financial gain. Paul didn’t want to be confused with these false teachers for hire. But, be aware that the Philippian church sent financial support to Paul in Thessalonica on more than one occasion (Phil. 4:16). So, it is not as though Paul was entirely unsupported while ministering in Thessalonica.
In verse 10, Paul asserts that the church in Thessalonica and the Lord himself know that these gospel workers were above reproach in their lives, message, and ministry methods. These servants were holy (ὁσίος), righteous (δικαίως), and blameless (αμέμπως). Consider this for a moment, brothers and sisters, Paul and his co-laborers honored the Lord through being above reproach. Additionally, their lives were not an unnecessary distraction from the gospel of God. The Lord and the Thessalonians were witnesses to the life Paul and his fellow servants. Paul writes elsewhere, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:1–2). God’s servants are stewards of God’s message, the gifts they have received, and the calling upon their lives.
Paul concludes this particular thought by stating he and his co-workers discipled the Thessalonians like a father would his children (11). Remember that Paul stated that he and his co-workers were gentle toward the Thessalonians as a nursing mother would be toward her own children (7). A Christian father has a God-given responsibility to lead and teach his children to know Christ and honor him in their lives. He disciples his children by life example, discipline, and instruction. The apostle and his fellow gospel workers did just that in the lives of the Thessalonian saints (12). They exhorted (παρακαλοῦντες “to urge strongly, appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage”[1]and encouraged (παρμυθούμενοι “console, cheer up τινά someone”[2]) and charged (μαρτυρόμενοι “to urge someth. as a matter of great importance, affirm, insist, implore”[3]) them to live in a way that is worthy of God. All three participles speak of urging believers to honor the Lord in every area of life. Paul and his fellow gospel workers had modeled God-honoring living and they were instructing the Thessalonians how to do so as well. The apostle and his co-workers were exhorting the Thessalonians toward Christ-like lives characterized by Spirit-empowered obedience of God’s commands.
The Lord graciously chose us to be a part of his kingdom and glory. No one would know Christ, unless God intervened in our lives. We have become citizens of God’s kingdom. We will rule and reign with the Lord Jesus Christ in his kingdom for all eternity (Rev. 1:6; 20:6; Dan. 7:18, 22). This is our identity, brothers and sisters. We are in Christ. We belong to the Lord and we have the privilege of knowing and serving him. The grace of God has been lavished upon us in his Son Jesus Christ. May we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in a way that is above reproach for the glory of God and our joy.
[1] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 765.
[2] Ibid., 769.
[3] Ibid., 619.