WORD
11 For you know how, like a father with his children,
12 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. 1TH 2:11-12
Act 17 gives us the account of how the church in Thessalonica was birthed. The gospel was preached, people responded, and persecution quickly followed, which led to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy being separated from the new believers. This letter to the Thessalonians is their attempt to encourage the church to remain true to their faith in Christ. One specific way they did this was reminding them of their love for and relationship with each other. While waiting for the fulfillment of the coming kingdom of Christ, the church at that time encountered persecution and affliction. Yet, they were called to live, serve, and persevere in community. Today, we will look at what it means to be in church community while we wait for Christ’s glorious return together.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1TH 5:11
2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
Teach and urge these things.
John Gill
Those who have believing masters—That believe in one God, in opposition to the Gentiles, that held many gods, and in Jesus Christ, in distinction from the Jews; who believed in him with the heart, and professed him with their mouths, and held the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. What is said before, is said to servants that had unbelieving masters; who would be ready to blaspheme, should they act amiss. Servants were under a snare both ways, through the insinuations of false teachers; who suggested, that their service was not consistent with their Christian liberty; that they ought not to serve wicked men, because being called of God, they were advanced above them; nor good men, because they were upon a level with them. But the apostle teaches another doctrine;
Must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers—Of the same family named of Christ, and of the same household of God, and of faith, and have the same father; for though with regard to spiritual blessings, privileges, and ordinances, they were equal; yet not with regard to temporal and civil affairs; and therefore should not treat them with less respect, or be more backward to obey their lawful commands, on that account:
Rather they must serve—More heartily, and with a greater good will, as to the Lord; these masters belonging to him, and being engaged in his cause; which they, their servants, by yielding a cheerful obedience to them, are assisting in: and the rather,
Since those . . . are believers—Faithful in lesser things, in giving to them, their servants, what is just and equal, proper food and suitable garments, and their just wages; and in using their wealth and riches in a good way, for the interest of Christ, the assistance of the poor saints, and the spreading of the gospel; and so in greater things, by holding fast the profession of their faith, adhering to Christ, his truths and ordinances: or “since those . . . believing, or believers”; it is the same word as before used; and therefore they should be precious to them, and high in their esteem; for faith is a precious grace, and such as have it are chosen of God, and precious:
Who benefit by their good service—Of the free grace of God; of redemption and salvation by Jesus Christ, and of all spiritual blessings in him; and therefore should serve them the more cheerfully. The Syriac version renders it, “such as enjoy rest in,” or “are refreshed by their service”; or “by their service to them,” as the Arabic version: the sense is, that when believing servants serve their believing masters readily and faithfully, their masters are well pleased with them, delight in their service, and consider it as a benefit to them, and a kindness done them; and which therefore should animate and encourage them to serve them. Some understand these characters of
Believers and beloved—Of the servants’ themselves; that because they are such; therefore they should serve, and not despise their believing masters; and particularly the last clause, which may be rendered, “who in return receive a benefit from them,” as food, garments, and wages; and besides, they are used with humanity and kindness, and in a manner becoming Christians; to which agrees the Ethiopic version, which renders it, “who will receive and help you”; will take care of you, and assist you, and supply you with what is proper and necessary:
And beloved—Of God, who had chosen them to salvation; and of Christ, who had redeemed them by his blood; and of the saints, who are taught of God to love one another; and this is another reason why they should be served, and not despised:
Teach and urge these things—The Syriac and Arabic versions add them; the servants. The apostle was not above instructing and exhorting persons of such a capacity, and in so low a state of life; and it became Timothy to do so likewise; and every minister of the word.
They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” NUM 16:3
Sanhedrin 109b:16
Rav says: On the son of Peleth, did not repent on his own; rather, his wife saved him. She said to him: What is the difference to you? If this master, Moses, is the great one, you are the student. And if this master, Korah, is the great one, you are the student. Why are you involving yourself in this matter? On said to her: What shall I do? I was one of those who took counsel and I took an oath with them that I would be with them. She said to him: I know that all in the assembly are holy, as it is written: “For all in the assembly are holy” (Num 16:3), and they observe the restrictions of modesty. She said to him: Sit, for I will save you. She gave him wine to drink and caused him to become drunk and laid him on a bed inside their tent. She sat at the entrance of the tent.
13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession . . .
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1TI 6:2, 13, 17
Being in community means treating each other as family
But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 1TH 2:7
In 1Th 2 alone, Paul referred to those in the church as their brothers and children. They considered themselves mothers and fathers of the new believers, caring for them, encouraging them, and charging them to follow God. While our church community does not replace our natural families, we are blessed to have leaders who love us like sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters. How has someone in your church community been like family to you?
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die.” GEN 33:13
Rashi
That the nursing—An expression of “infants and babies” (Lam 2:11), “an infant” (Isa 65:20), “and two nursing cows” (1Sa 6:7). French enfantes.
That the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me—The sheep and herds which are nursing constitute a care upon me to drive them slowly.
If they are driven hard—Heb. וּדְפָקוּם, lit., and if they beat them, like “A sound! My beloved is knocking (דוֹפֵק)” (Son 5:2), knocking at the door.
If they are driven hard for one day, wearying them on the journey by making them run, all the flocks will die.
16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” JOH 21:15-17
Being in community means sharing lives
So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 1TH 2:8
The concern and love of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy was genuine. They didn’t just relate with the new believers as recipients of the gospel message. They shared their whole selves and lives with them. The relationship permeated every aspect of their lives. What do you think it means to “share lives”? Why is sharing lives important in serving Christ?
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—
12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. ROM 1:11-12
I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 2CO 12:15
Being in community means serving one another
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. 1TH 2:9
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy worked hard to preach the gospel, tend to their own needs, and serve others. They didn’t want to burden the church with their needs. In many of Paul’s letters, we see how he placed the burden on himself for his own needs, even when others could help. And beyond that, he would serve others without expecting anything in return. What labor and toil do you see people in your church community participating in today? Why do you think they serve this way?
15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
Rashi
Laid heavy burdens on the people—Heb. הִכְבִּידוּ, lit. made heavy. They made the tax heavy upon the people.
And took—They would take their daily ration from them for the tax after they had already given forty shekels of silver, and they were accustomed to doing this every year.
Even their servants—i.e., the servants of the governors.
18 Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. NEH 5:15, 18
Rashi
Now what was prepared—And every day they ate at my table one ox and six sheep and many birds.
Was prepared at my expense—Heb. נַעֲשּׂוּ, an expression of preparation, like (Gen 18:8): “. . . and the calf that he had prepared (עָשָּׂה).”
Prepared—Heb. בְּרֻרוֹת. Its interpretation is according to the context: six prepared sheep, like the matter that is stated (1Sa 25:18): “. . . five sheep already prepared (עֲשׂוּיוֹת).”
And every ten days—Heb. וּבֵין עֲשֶּׂרֶת יָמִים, lit. and between ten days. And every day they drank much wine, the amount that suffices for ten days.
Yet for all this—Heb. וְעִם זֶה; yet this procedure, for which I used to make such big expenditures.
Food of the tax, which is fit for the governor, I did not demand, and I did not request it of the people, for the service of the building of the wall was too heavy and strong on them.
. . . and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. ACT 18:3