2 Thessalonians 1 (2)

Pray Psalm 124.8.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

Read 2 Thessalonians 1.3.

Reflect.
1. Are we “bound” to pray for our fellow believers? What does that mean?

2. In what sense do we hope to “obtain” a salvation which we already possess? 

Meditate.
The progress of the church in Thessalonica moved Paul to pray even more for them. We’re not sure how he learned about conditions among the believers there, but they were sufficiently troubling to lead him to write this second epistle. We’ll take a closer look at those troubles a bit later.

At the same time, the faith of the believers in Thessalonica, though they were struggling against false teaching, remained strong and growing.

Paul said he was “bound to thank God always” for the Thessalonians. The Greek says, “we ought always to thank God.” His gratitude to God was because of their continuing faith and growth in the Lord. Their faith was growing “exceedingly.”Super-growing is what the Greek says. What would have been the evidence (Heb. 11.1) of that? More works of love toward one another. Continuing boldness in their witness. Faithful submission to church leaders. Constancy in prayer. Continuing sanctification of believers and the church as a whole. We should all want such super growth in our faith.

Paul was especially grateful that the Thessalonians were continuing in love for one another. Love is the key indicator of discipleship (Jn. 13.15) and the mark of a healthy, growing church (Eph. 4.16). Their abounding in love toward one another drew out constant prayers of thanksgiving from Paul, because here was the evidence that his labors were bearing fruit. He was glad for the growth and witness of the Thessalonians. And he was glad to see that his work there had not been in vain.

Prepare.
1. Why is it a good idea to give thanks to God for evidence of growth in our fellow believers?

2. What would super growth look like in your church? In the churches in your community? In your own walk with and work for the Lord?

3. Meditate on John 13.15 and Ephesians 4.16. Why must abounding in love be our goal as believers and churches? Are all the various ministries of your church focused on helping believers increase in love?

And how, you say, can faith increase? It does so when we suffer something horrible for the sake of faith. It is a great thing for faith to be solidly established and not to be carried away by some sophistry. But when the winds assail us, when the rains burst upon us, when a violent storm is raised on every side and the waves follow upon one another, that fact that we are not shaken is a proof that faith grows, grows abundantly and becomes more exalted. John Chrysostom (344-407 AD), Homilies on 2 Thessalonians 2

O Lord, be by my side today, and help me to increase in faith and love as I…

Pray Psalm 124.
As you pray, know that the Lord is on your side throughout this day. Let this embolden you to seek the Lord for great things.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 124 (Neumark: If Thou but Suffer God to Guide Thee)
If You had not been with us, Jesus – 
Let all who love You say with pride – 
When foes rose up to fright and seize us, 
They would have swallowed us alive!
Refrain v. 8
Our help is in Your Name, O Lord, 
Who made creation by Your Word.

When all their anger flared against us, 
The flood would us have swept away; 
Torrents and waters sore had drenched us, 
Were not You all our hope and stay!
Refrain

Blessed be the Lord who has not given 
Us to our foes to be devoured.
We shall escape and rise to heaven
By His eternal grace and power.
Refrain

T. M. Moore

Where do 1 and 2 Thessalonians fit in the unfolding of God’s covenant? Order our workbook, God’s Covenant, and find out how all Scripture fits within this redemptive framework (click here).

Forward today’s study to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link to the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Paul’s ministry and prepare for your own.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).