Toward the end
of his first letter to the Thessalonian church, Paul wrote several
short, concise and important activities for them to follow. They were
to honor their fellow-laborers and authorities, and they were to
“warn” the
“unruly”, “comfort
the feebleminded”, “support
the weak” and “be
patient toward all men”.
In
chapter five and verse fifteen, Paul shared how they were to “not
to render evil for evil”
but to “follow that which is
good”
where we read:
See that
none render evil for evil unto any man;
but ever follow that which is good,
The
verse begins, “See that none render evil for
evil unto any man;”
Paul began with the word, “See”
which means “perceive, know, become
acquainted with and experience” “that none
render” or “no one and not in the least
deliver, give away for one's profit what is one's own, sell, pay off,
discharge what is due, give back, requite, restore or recompense in a
bad sense” “evil”
which means “of a bad nature, wickedness, perniciousness and
destructiveness” “for evil”
or “over against and before a bad nature, wickedness,
perniciousness and destructiveness” “unto
any man” which refers to “certain people
or whomsoever”. Though the Thessalonians might receive “evil”
from others, they were not to reciprocate the wicked actions brought
against them.
The
verse continues, “but ever follow that which is good,” Paul
went on to add, “but” which is a disassociation
conjunction word which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, in
objection and exception” “ever follow” or “at any and
all times run swiftly to, press toward, pursue, seek eagerly and
earnestly to acquire” “that which is good” or “things
that are of good constitution or nature”. The Thessalonian church
members were to be in a constant pursuit of “good, pleasant,
agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent and distinguished” activities
rather than retribution for “evil”.
Finally the verse says, “both
among yourselves, and to all men.”
Paul continued with, “both”
or “also, indeed, even and therefore” “among
yourselves” which refers to the
Thessalonian church members both “reciprocally and mutually” “and
to all men” which means “each, every,
any, all, the whole and everyone”. The Thessalonians were not only
to seek good for themselves, but also for one another and any person
who was around them.
As
we think through this verse, we can see how it is natural to desire
retribution when “evil” is committed against us. It seems
our natural reaction is to “repay” them with that which they have
given to us. We can remember that Paul is writing this after the
non-believing Thessalonians treated him so badly that he had to leave
their town, and if that wasn't enough, they sent a team of people to
“Berea” to bring “evil” upon Paul and his
companions again. (See Acts 17). As Paul cared for the people within
the church of Thessalonica, he knew reciprocation of “evil”
would only harm them, and they should rather “ever follow that
which is good”. As the Lord Jesus speaks to our hearts through
His Holy Spirit concerning this, perhaps we have those who have
treated us with “evil”, and our natural response may be to
retaliate. Let us hear Paul's words, forsake retribution, and “ever
follow that which is good” not only for ourselves, but also for
our fellowman, in Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Next
time Paul tells the Thessalonians to “rejoice evermore”,
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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