The Reception of the Good News in Thessalonica
Introduction
Paul’s reflections on the Thessalonians’ response to the gospel and the opposition they faced.
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 NLT
The Reception of the Good News in Thessalonica
13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
14 And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews. 15 For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity 16 as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last.
Examine the Scriptures:
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 NLT
The Reception of the Good News in Thessalonica
13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us,
Paul gives thanks a second time.
- Paul is thankful that the Thessalonians recognized the divine origin of the gospel message. (More about this shortly.)
The first time:
1 Thessalonians 1:2 NLT
2 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.
A third time:
1 Thessalonians 3:9 NLT
9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence.
Paul was a very thankful person, and his letters consistently show a spirit of gratitude toward God and toward other believers.
Paul is giving us some good behavior to imitate.
(repeat) 13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us,
you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas.
Paul was not sharing “mere human ideas”.
- Paul had received the gospel message directly from Jesus Christ, not from any human teacher or apostle.
Paul clearly says in Galatians 1:11-12
Galatians 1:11-12 NLT
Paul’s Message Comes from Christ
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is.
The “word of God” here refers to the message spoken by Paul and his co-workers.
Paul praises the Thessalonians for recognizing the divine origin of the gospel message.
What did Paul preach?
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NLT
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Acts 17:3 NLT
3 He (Paul) explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NLT
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
2 Thessalonians 2:14 NLT
14 He (God) called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Paul preached the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
- The Thessalonian Christians recognized the supernatural truthfulness of the Gospel that Paul preached as the Holy Spirit brought this conviction home to their hearts.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 NLT
5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true.
And this word continues to work in you who believe.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
The Word of God deeply penetrates a person’s inner life.
It can discern between what is merely human (soul) and what is spiritual (spirit) – what comes from our own desires versus what comes from God.
God’s Word penetrates to our deepest motives, thoughts, and attitudes, uncovering what’s hidden.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
- The gospel is not merely persuasive speech but God’s living message that changes hearts.
- The Thessalonians’ changed lives and steadfast faith are evidence of this divine work within them.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NLT
The Faith of the Thessalonian Believers
2 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
14 And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews.
The early Jewish Christian churches in Judea were persecuted by fellow Jews who rejected Jesus as Messiah.
Acts 8:1& 3 NLT
8:1 … Persecution Scatters the Believers
A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 … 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.
The Thessalonian believers faced opposition from their fellow citizens (Current verse 2:14)
Both groups faced persecution for their faith in Christ:
- Paul’s expresses his gratitude for the Thessalonians’ faithfulness and endurance under persecution.
Sharing in Christ’s sufferings and those of other believers shows true discipleship.
Knowing that other believers suffered for the same faith offers courage and perspective.
Believers who follow Christ can expect persecution; this unites them with other faithful communities.
15 For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too.
Stephen refers to this when he address the Council.
Stephen Addresses the Council
The Council was made up of chief priests, scribes, and elders
Acts 7:51-54 NLT
51 “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! 52 Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. 53 You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”
54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage.
- Believers who follow Christ can expect persecution.
Suffering for the gospel is not unique, but part of a larger story of faithfulness shared by all who follow Christ.
Resistance to God’s messengers has been consistent through the ages, from prophets to apostles.
Some Jews were responsible for persecution taking place in Thessalonica.
Paul can relate to this on a personal basis.
They (referring to some of the Jews) fail to please God and work against all humanity
16 as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins.
But the anger of God has caught up with them at last.
Simply put:
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- Persistent opposition to God’s work ultimately brings judgment.
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“the anger of God has caught up with them at last.” likely refers to God’s present and impending judgment on unbelief.
Some see it as pointing to a foretaste of judgment already experienced, such as national turmoil or persecution.
Others see it as prophetic, anticipating the coming destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
It might even refer to the ultimate and universal judgment by God at the end of time — when every person, living and dead, will stand before God to give an account of their life.
However you interpret this, the phrase emphasizes that continued opposition to God’s work inevitably brings judgment.
