Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“whenever he should come to be glorified on that day by his saints and to be marveled at by all who believe, because our testimony was believed among you, for which purpose we also pray always for you, that you may be considered worthy of the calling of our God, and he might fulfill every desire for goodness and work of faith with power, in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:10-12)

Paul’s first letter to the church at Thessalonica was written around 51 AD, probably a few months after the first letter. Paul was still in Corinth with Timothy and Silas. In those months things have come up that Paul needs to address. He revisits a few things from his first letter and he extends his teaching on the Day of the Lord, reassuring the church that in the end good prevails. Evil WILL be called to account. The Day of the Lord hadn’t happened yet (it still hasn’t). It was (and is) a certainty in the future when the wicked will stand before God. The persecutions they were facing were bad, but didn’t signify the end of the world. He exhorted them to stand firm and not be led astray. The end was coming, but hadn’t happened yet.

Chapter one is Paul’s thanksgiving for the church and his prayer for them. He is joyful that their trust in Jesus is ever-growing. He prays that they would be made worthy of God’s calling, fulfilling His will in every way.

Chapter two is talking about the man of sin who had not yet come, but would and would stand for all that God does not. Paul exhorted the believers to stand firm in their trust in Jesus. Not listen to those who said they had missed it. They were strong in their belief and they would be vindicated.

Chapter three is Paul’s request for prayer that the gospel message would spread far and wide. He leaves them with a reminder that they were to be fruitful, working and not being idle. When he was with them he worked constantly, not because he didn’t deserve being cared for by them, but so he could set them an example when he left. He closes with a blessing.

“Therefore, I urge first of all that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people, on behalf of kings and all those who are in authority, in order that we may live a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable before God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, the testimony at the proper time, for which I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am speaking the truth, I am not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-7)

1 Timothy was written around 62-63 AD. It was a typical response letter. Jewish rabbis and their students had a question-response relationship. Paul already knew of Timothy’s situation. The questions had been asked. Here Paul is responding and giving his answers and opinions. It shows the closeness of their relationship and the respect between them. Like a father, Paul was giving Timothy advice on how to navigate his position in the Ephesian church and how to walk in Jesus as he did so.

Chapter one is Paul’s enthusiastic greeting followed by a warning about false teachers. Those teaching false doctrines needed to be told to stop. They divert people from proper godly teaching and development with endless genealogies and myths. The Word needed to be taught properly, used properly, and the gospel message spread.

Chapter two is instructions for proper worship. It is so easy to get caught up in emotion or in particular spiritual gifts without thought to how it will impact outsiders or even if it is a benefit to the church itself. Some things are best in private, others in public, and all in their proper order to make it true worship and not chaos. The uneducated were not to teach the educated. Or to break up a service asking questions best asked in private.

Chapter three is Paul’s essay on the standards for godly leaders. It is worthwhile work. But they must be above reproach. They lead by example. They need to be of good character. People whose word can be trusted. Paul expresses his hope to visit Timothy soon, but gives the list of qualifications in case he is delayed and Timothy needs to appoint someone before Paul gets there. Godly character should be an aspiration of all believers.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Paul

Key Verse(s): 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10; 2:13-17; 3:1-5; 1 Timothy 1:3-11; 2:1-7; 3:1-13