1 Thessalonians 2:1–20 (NKJV)
1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. 17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Paul, speaking for himself and his coworkers, writes, “we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” These are very telling words, for they point us to a very important aspect which marks a faithful pastor: that he be not a man-pleaser, but a God-pleaser. Many a preacher, both today and throughout history, has given in to the ways of the world and delivered messages that tickle itching ears, soften the fangs of the Law, and speak an impotent Gospel that does little more than say nice things about God. These are not true preachers, but they are, as our Lord said, “false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Mt. 7:15). They are pretenders, using Bible-y sounding words, but accomplishing only the devil’s work. They are to be avoided at all costs because the cost of listening to and following them is an eternally damning one. And the reason that is so is because, as Jesus once tersely said to Peter, they “do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men” (Mt. 16:23).
Paul says, “we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.” Pastors and lay-folk alike are encouraged to be gentle but clear as they present the Gospel to others. Knowing that the Holy Spirit works through the Word, our happy task is to “speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15), and then let the Holy Spirit do His thing, not depending on our delivery, style, or personality, but on the efficient power of God’s Word alone. Paul then thanked God on behalf of himself and his companions because the Thessalonians had received their message “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God.” The Thessalonians were modeling the Bereans of Acts 17 who heard Paul and Silas’ preaching and still “searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so” (17:11). This is also our happy task as Christians, to make sure that what our pastor is preaching and teaching is soundly Scriptural, and not a message of men. In this way God is glorified and His church is built up in the saving truth of Christ.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, make all pastors confident and bold to preach only Your Word and truth. Amen.
