1. Comfort in persecution - 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
2. The coming of Christ - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
3. Instruction in conduct - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; 3:1-18
H. Paul's second missionary journey concludes - Acts 18:18-22
I. Paul's third missionary journey begins
1. Antioch (Syria) to Ephesus - Acts 18:23-28
2. At Ephesus - Acts 19:1-41
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each aboundeth; (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
charity - G26 - From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast.
aboundeth - G4121 - From G4119; to do, make or be more, that is, increase (transitively or intransitively); by extension to superabound.
This puts me in mind of the article written by Francis Shaffer, The Mark of the Christian which exhorts us as Christians to have love for one another.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
Do we? Have love, one for another? As Christ commanded? What does it mean to love the brethren? How does that play out in real life?
:-D I probably ask more questions, than I get answered. LOL!
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
beloved - G25 - Perhaps from ἄγαν agan (much; or compare [H5689]); to love (in a social or moral sense).
beginning - G746 - From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank).
chosen - G138 - Probably akin to G142; to take for oneself, that is, to prefer. Some of the forms are borrowed from a cognate (ἕλλομαι hellomai), which is otherwise obsolete.
salvation - G4991 - Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally).
sanctification - G38 - From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier.
belief - G4102 - From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier.
truth - G225 - From G227; truth.
This verse stuck out to me primarily because I know saints which do not yet understand the doctrine of election and every time I see the word chosen, elect, etc. it impacts me. How many times did I read through Scripture and those words never touched me? Too many to count. Only God, by HIS grace and mercy could open my understanding to the truth of His word.
Therefore, brethren stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Hmmm...traditions which ye have been taught.
Gill's commentary: And hold the traditions which ye have been taught: meaning the truths of the Gospel, which may be called traditions, because they are delivered from one to another; the Gospel was first delivered by God the Father to Jesus Christ, as Mediator, and by him to his apostles, and by them to the churches of Christ; whence it is called the form of doctrine delivered to them, and the faith once delivered to the saints: and also the ordinances of the Gospel which the apostles received from Christ, and as they received them faithfully delivered them, such as baptism and the Lord's supper; as well as rules of conduct and behaviour, both in the church, and in the world, even all the commandments of Christ, which he ordered his apostles to teach, and which they gave by him; see 2Th_3:6. And so the Syriac version here renders it, "the commandments": and these were such as these saints had been taught by the apostles, under the direction of Christ, and through the guidance of his Spirit; and were not the traditions of men or the rudiments of the world, but what they had received from Christ, through the hands of the apostles:
I wonder if Paul were to observe the churches in existence today, would we received the same commendation? Is the Bride clinging to the traditions given by Christ and the apostles? Or, have we, like Israel, incorporated additions? Additions, which are not substantiated by the Word? Taken on, as Israel did, practices of the heathen? Attempting to wash the pagan practices and 'christianize' them, hoping our offering to Father will be acceptable? What was Israel's fate for mixing in heathen practices with that ascribed by the Lord?
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. (Acts 18:21)
What feast? Why was Paul still keeping the feasts? Okay there is a division amongst my commentaries and online research. Some say Passover, some say Pentecost. All agree that some of Paul's fervency *may* be attributed to the increased number of people to whom he could present the gospel.
So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. (Acts 19:27)
Diana, the goddess, in danger. Really? Hmmm, perhaps more accurately those who make lucre for making and promoting idolatry are in danger of losing $$$.
Father you have told us that our thoughts are not Yours, that as the heaven for height and the ocean for depth, so far are Your thoughts in comparison to ours. Lord, we, Your betrothed are in need of Your cleansing touch. Lord, open the eyes of Your people to see where idolatry has gained a foothold. Show us Lord where we have been deceived and taken on the leaven of the world. Continue to raise up godly men to preach and teach the Word of God and to correct Your bride, preparing for her coming bridegroom.
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