Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, October 31st, 2024
the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
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Bible Commentaries
Luscombe's Commentary on Selected Books of the NT Luscombe's NT Commentary
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Luscombe, Manly. "Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2". Luscombe's Commentary on Selected Books of the NT. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/mlc/1-thessalonians-2.html. 2021.
Luscombe, Manly. "Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2". Luscombe's Commentary on Selected Books of the NT. https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (50)New Testament (17)Gospels Only (1)Individual Books (12)
Verses 1-4
III. The relationship of the writers to the church, 2:1-3:13
A. Proper motive in preaching, 2:1-4
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
discussion questions
1A. How would you bring the gospel to a city where it had never been before?
1B. Is it possible to preach "in vain"? __________
A. How could it become vain? __________
B. Discuss casting "pearls before swine." ( Mat_7:6 ) _________________
2A. In what sense do Christians today experience - -
A. Suffering ________________________
B. Shameful treatment (world) __________
C. Shameful treatment (brethren) _______
D. Conflict in preaching _______________
2B. Do we have the boldness of Peter? ( Act_4:13 ) _______________________
A. Why do we lack that boldness? ______
B. Are we cowards? __________________
C. Is it a lack of confidence? ____________
3 For our exhortation [was] not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts
discussion questions
3A. What is "exhortation"? _____________________
3B. How can the gospel of Christ be preached in deceit? ___________________
3C. What is the "uncleanness" of this verse?
3D. Explain how "guile" can destroy the gospel message. ___________________
4A. Are preachers "ordained" to preach? _______
A. How was Paul "approved of God"? ____
4B. Do some preachers try to please men? _____
4C. How does God try the hearts? ____________
4D. How can we "try the spirits"? ( 1Jn_4:1 ) ___
Verses 5-12
B. The proper conduct in daily living, 2:5-12
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God [is] witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. been...: or, used authority
discussion questions
5A. Have you ever heard a preacher use flattering words? __________________
A. Why would he try to flatter others? ____
B. What is flattery? ___________________
5B. What is covetousness? _________________
A. How is it cloaked? _________________
B. Can you think of some ways that preachers are covetous? __________
6A. How do preachers seek glory from the church? ________________________
6B. How do men seek the glory of the world? ___
6C. How can position or power be used to seek glory? _____________________
6D. Can men be apostles today? _____________
A. How would you respond to one who claimed to be an apostle? ______
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
discussion questions
7A. Describe how a preacher can preach as a nurse with a child? ____________
7B. Is there a place for "hell fire and brimstone" preaching? ________________
8A. What must be imparted in the preaching of the gospel?
____ A. Death, burial and resurrection of Christ
____ B. The plan of salvation
____ C. Righteousness, judgment, and eternity
____ D. Proper Christian living, moral values
8B. Does God require us to impart our "own souls" in preaching? _____________
9A. How does preaching include - -
A. Labor _________________
B. Travail (pain) ___________
C. Day and night __________
9B. What is included in the "work of the preacher"?
10 Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his children,
12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
discussion questions
10A. What do you look for in the life of a preacher, elder, leader? ____________
10B. Define the following terms - -
A. Holy ___________
B. Righteous _______
C. Unblaemable ______
10C. How should we "behave" in the house of God? ( 1Ti_3:15 ) _________
11A. Should you call the preacher "father"? Why, or why not? _______________
11B. Discuss the importance and use of these terms - -
A. Exhorting _______
B. Encouraging _____
C. Testifying ______
Verses 13-16
C. The preaching was the Word of God, 2:13-16
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews:
15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: persecuted us: or, chased us out
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost
discussion questions
13A. When you first heard the gospel, did you accept it? ___________________
13B. Did you try to argue with the preacher over what he said? ______________
13C. Were you hearing the words of God or men? ________________________
13D. Did you hear the sermon as it is in truth? ___
13E. How does the word of God "work in us" who believe? __________________
14A. Should we look at what other congregations are doing? ________________
14B. What is the source of our suffering? ______
15A. Who killed Jesus - Jews - Romans - Apostles - Us? ___________________
15B. Did the Jews desire to please God? ( Rom_10:2 ) ___________________
16A. Have you ever been forbidden to speak of your faith? _________________
16B. Who will punish such evil men? __________
Verses 17-20
D. Concern for the church, 2:17-3:10
1. Paul's desire to return, 2:17-20
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
19 For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? rejoicing: or, glorying
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
discussion questions
17A. Why was Paul "taken" from them? ________________
17B. Why did Paul want to return? __________________
17C. Why is it important to "see their face"? ____________
18A. Who kept Paul from returning to them? ______________
A. Who gave Paul a thorn in the flesh? ( 2Co_12:7 ) ___________
B. How does Satan work to hinder the church today?
19A. What is the real reward (hope, joy, crown) of Paul? ___________
19B. Does this verse teach some sense of "heavenly recognition" in the resurrection at the second coming?