But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and Gods coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5, ESV). 1 Thess. 2:17 torn away. Paul had been forcedly separated from his spiritual children (cf. Acts 17:5–9). His motherly (1 Thess. 2:7) and fatherly instincts (v. 11) had been dealt a severe blow. Lit., the Thessalonians had been orphaned by Paul’s forced departure. 1 Thess. 2:18 Satan hindered us. Satan, which means “adversary,” continually attempted to tear down the church that Christ promised to build (cf. Matt. 16:18). He was said to be present at the churches of Jerusalem (Acts 5:1–10), Smyrna (Rev. 2:9–10), Pergamum (Rev. 2:13), Thyatira (Rev. 2:24), Philadelphia (Rev. 3:9), Ephesus (1 Tim. 3:6–7), and Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1–11). He thwarted Paul in the sense that a military foe would hinder the advance of his enemy. This could very possibly refer to the pledge that Jason made (Acts 17:9), if that pledge was a promise that Paul would not return to Thessalonica. 1 Thess. 2:19 crown of boasting. The Bible speaks of eternal life like a wreath awarded for an athletic victory. It is spoken of in terms of: 1) the imperishable wreath that celebrates salvation’s victory over corruption (1 Cor. 9:25); 2) the righteous wreath that celebrates salvation’s victory over unrighteousness (2 Tim. 4:8); 3) the unfading wreath of glory that celebrates salvation’s victory over defilement (1 Pet. 5:4); 4) the wreath of life that celebrates salvation’s victory over death (James 1:12, Rev. 2:10); and here 5) the wreath of exultation, which celebrates salvation’s victory over Satan and mankind’s persecution of believers. at his coming. “Coming,” or parousia, lit. means “to be present.” It can be understood as: 1) actual presence (Phil. 2:2); 2) moment of arrival (1 Cor. 16:17); or 3) expected coming (2 Cor. 7:6). In regard to Christ and the future, it can refer to: 1) Christ’s coming at the rapture (1 Thess. 4:15), or 2) Christ’s second coming prior to his 1,000-year millennial reign (Matt. 24:37; Rev. 19:11–20:6). Paul referred directly to Christ’s coming four times in 1 Thessalonians (see also 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:15; 5:23) and once indirectly (1:10). Context indicates Paul most likely refers here to Christ’s coming for the rapture of the church. 1 Thess. 3:1 bear it no longer. The agony of separation between spiritual parent Paul and his children in Thessalonica became unbearably painful (cf. v. 5). at Athens alone. Paul and Silas stayed behind while Timothy returned (v. 2). This would not be the last time that Timothy went to a church in Paul’s place (cf. 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10; Phil. 2:19–24; 1 Tim. 1:3). 1 Thess. 3:2 establish . . . exhort . . . your faith. This was a common ministry concern and practice of Paul’s (cf. Acts 14:22; 15:32; 18:23). Paul’s concern did not focus on health, wealth, self-esteem, or ease of life, but rather the spiritual quality of life. Their faith was of supreme importance in Paul’s mind as evidenced by five mentions in 1 Thess. 3:1–10 (see also 3:5–7, 10). Faith includes the foundation of the body of doctrine (cf. Jude 3) and their believing response to God in living out that truth (cf. Heb. 11:6). 1 Thess. 3:3 destined. God had promised Paul future sufferings when he commended him to ministry through Ananias (Acts 9:16). Paul reminded the Thessalonians of this divine appointment so that they would not think that: 1) God’s plan was not working out as evidenced by Paul’s troubles, or 2) Paul’s afflictions demonstrated God’s displeasure with him. To think that way would upset the church’s confidence in Paul and fulfill Satan’s deceptive purposes (1 Thess. 3:5). Cf. 2 Cor. 4:8–15; 6:1–10; 11:23–27; 12:7–10. 1 Thess. 3:4 suffer affliction. Paul had told them to expect him to suffer as he had already suffered before his Thessalonian experience (2:14–16; Acts 13–14). During (Acts 17:1–9) and following (Acts 17:10–18:11) his time at Thessalonica, Paul also knew tribulation. 1 Thess. 3:5 the tempter. Satan had already been characterized as a hinderer (2:18) and now as a tempter in the sense of trying/testing for the purpose of causing failure (cf. Matt. 4:3; 1 Cor. 7:5; James 1:12–18). Paul was not ignorant of Satan’s schemes (2 Cor. 2:11; 11:23) nor vulnerable to his methods (Eph. 6:11), so Paul took action to counterattack Satan’s expected maneuver and to assure that all his efforts were not useless (cf. 1 Thess. 2:1). ~notes taken from the ESV MacArthur Study Bible
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 18:22:14 +0000
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