As Paul greeted
the Thessalonians in his second letter, he told them he “was
bound to thank God for” them “because” their “faith
grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of” them
“toward each other abounds”.
In chapter one and verse four of his letter, Paul said he and his
companions “glory”
in them for their “patience and faith” where
we read:
So that we
ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience
and faith
in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure:
The
verse begins, “So that we ourselves glory in you in the
churches of God for your patience
and
faith...” Paul
began with the words, “So that we
ourselves” which
refers to Paul and his traveling companions “glory”
or “bask, boast, joy and rejoice” “in
you” which
refers to the Thessalonian church members “” “in
the churches”
which is the Greek word “ekklēsia”
and means “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into
some public place or an assembly of Christians gathered for worship
in a religious meeting” “of God”
or “the Godhead bodily and trinity comprised of God the Father,
Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “for
your patience”
or “steadfastness, constancy and endurance” “and
faith” which
means “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler
of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through
Christ”. Paul and his traveling companions “rejoiced” over the
“steadfastness and constancy” as well as the “beliefs” of the
Thessalonians.
The
verse goes on to say, “...in all your persecutions and
tribulations that you endure:”
Paul went on to add, “in all your persecutions”
which means “maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage and abuse ”
“and tribulations”
which literally means “pressing, pressing together or pressure”
and metaphorically means “oppression, affliction, tribulation,
distress and straits” “that you endure”
which refers to the Thessalonian church members “holding erect and
firm, sustaining, and bearing”. The Thessalonians suffered
“mistreatments” and “oppressions” because of their trust and
faith in Jesus Christ, and they continued to “hold firm” in their
beliefs in spite of them.
When
we think through these words of Paul, we must admire this young,
vibrant and faithful group of people. The Thessalonians suffered
“persecutions and tribulations”
because of their faith in Jesus, and yet, they continued to follow
Him. We should be inspired by their great “faith”
and “patience” as
they held fast to Jesus no matter what they encountered. Many people
believe themselves persecuted because of their trust in Jesus, and
some of them “give up”. Let us note how Paul “rejoiced” or
“gloried” in their
endurance for keeping the “faith”
and continuing in “patience”,
and may we also seek to be known as the “company of Christians who
are hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe our
own religious rites, hold our own religious meetings, and manage our
own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for
order's sake”. In other words, to be known as the “faithful
and patient” “church
of God”.
Next
time Paul tells the Thessalonians how he desire for them “to
be counted worthy of the kingdom of God”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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