1Th 2:1-12 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Thess 2:1-3:13: 2:1–3:13 The body of this letter begins by discussing Paul’s and his associates’ character (2:1-12 ) and the way the Thessalonians received the Good News (2:13-16 ). It then emphasizes Paul’s sincere care for the church, telling of his attempts to return to visit them (2:17-20 ) and his decision to send Timothy to them when he himself could not come (3:1-5 ). Finally, it tells of Paul’s joy over Timothy’s good report (3:6-9 ) and his prayers to get back to the church himself (3:10-13 ). This lengthy defense is Paul’s response to criticisms of his abrupt departure and prolonged absence. 2:1 The Greek word translated visit often refers to entry into a city. Ancient orators were known for their grand entrances into a town. Paul’s entrance to Thessalonica should be judged by its credible results rather than its lack of pomp or ceremony.

Summary for 1Thess 2:1-3:13: 2:1–3:13 ^a The body of this letter begins by discussing Paul’s and his associates’ character (2:1-12 ^b) and the way the Thessalonians received the Good News (2:13-16 ^c). It then emphasizes Paul’s sincere care for the church, telling of his attempts to return to visit them (2:17-20 ^d) and his decision to send Timothy to them when he himself could not come (3:1-5 ^e). Finally, it tells of Paul’s joy over Timothy’s good report (3:6-9 ^f) and his prayers to get back to the church himself (3:10-13 ^g). This lengthy defense is Paul’s response to criticisms of his abrupt departure and prolonged absence. 2:1 ^h The Greek word translated visit often refers to entry into a city. Ancient orators were known for their grand entrances into a town. Paul’s entrance to Thessalonica should be judged by its credible results rather than its lack of pomp or ceremony.
2:2 ⁱ Despite the dishonor and pain Paul and Silas had suffered in Philippi (Acts 16:19-40 ^j), they showed courage by preaching confidently in Thessalonica.
2:4 ^k In the ancient world, those entrusted with a public office had to be tested and approved. The Thessalonians (2:3 ^l) and God served as two witnesses to the purity of Paul’s motives.
2:5 ^m Flattery was a common means of getting financial gain from others. Paul denies that he flattered the Thessalonians in order to be given money. He again calls both the Thessalonians and God as witnesses (cp. 2:10 ⁿ; Deut 19:15 ^o; 2 Cor 13:1 ^p; 1 Tim 5:19 ^q).
2:7 ^r we were like children: Some manuscripts read we were gentle. Paul and his associates did not wield their apostolic authority to make demands (cp. Matt 20:25-28 ^s).
2:9 ^t Paul and his associates engaged in manual labor to support themselves while in the city (cp. Acts 18:1-4 ^u; 1 Cor 9:12-18 ^v) as an example to the Thessalonians (2 Thes 3:8-9 ^w) and to avoid becoming an economic burden to them.
2:10 ^x Both God and the Thessalonians were witnesses (see 2:5 ^y) that Paul’s conduct was devout and honest, terms used in ancient literature to describe obedience to both divine and human laws.
2:11 ^z In the ancient world, the moral instruction of children was a fundamental obligation of fathers. Roman fathers could be harsh, but Plutarch advised Greek fathers to use praise, reason, exhortations, and good counsel when teaching children to avoid vice and embrace virtue. Paul describes himself as this kind of father to the Thessalonians.
2:12 ^aa What God would consider worthy is a life lived in harmony with the high standards he expects of those called (4:7 ^ab) to share his Kingdom and glory (Rom 8:17-18 ^ac; Col 1:27 ^ad; 2 Thes 2:14 ^ae).