2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

Every pastor can understand Paul’s situation: addressing a problem he’s already addressed. In 1 Thessalonians Paul attempted to comfort and strengthen the church in Thessalonica because of the persecution they were experiencing. That persecution has continued, and Paul’s second letter to the congregation is an effort to shore up their faith with instructions and encouragement. This is emphasized by Paul’s repeating the same greeting found in his first letter with one addition. Paul adds the words “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:2). This was Paul’s way of emphasizing that these words are not just his.

In verses 3-4, Paul attempts to lift the spirits of the Thessalonian Christians by affirming the right things they are doing. Paul offers thanks for two specific things: their growing faith and their love for one another.

It is interesting that Paul says he “must” (v. 3) give thanks to God for these spiritual traits found in that church. Thanksgiving is an obligation, but one we can ignore. Paul recognized that whatever strengths the Thessalonians possessed were gifts from God and therefore worthy of thanksgiving. There is a temptation for pastors and church members to brag on their church because of some spiritual traits or ministry accomplishments. Paul’s admonition to thank God instead of thanking ourselves is one we should take to heart.

Many of the congregations to whom Paul addresses himself could not and would not have been characterized as loving and growing in faith. The Corinthian congregation comes to mind as a community that experienced frequent conflict. That’s the reason Paul gives his extended explanation of the importance of love in 1 Corinthians 13. No such admonition is necessary for the Thessalonians.

Paul admits that he boasts about the Thessalonians’ steadfastness and faith in the face of persecution. Those words must have been very pleasing to the church in Thessalonica, but I wonder how it was received by other congregations. Comparing churches is a dangerous business for any minister, but Paul did it regularly. For the Thessalonians this was an affirmation of who they were. Every congregation—just like every individual Christian—falls short in some way, but every congregation also has strengths. Finding traits that are praiseworthy is a good pattern for every pastor and Christian. It is a pattern that every spouse, every parent, every friend ought to follow. Perhaps the secret to praising others is to follow Paul’s example and give God thanks for the good gifts we see in others.

Paul’s praise should not be taken to mean that the church at Thessalonica had no problems. It did. There was uncertainty about the “day of the Lord.” There was evidence of the works of Satan in the congregation. Some of the church members were not working and had become dependent on the congregation. Paul addresses these concerns, but he starts with affirmation.

Paul begins by affirming the good things that are happening in Thessalonica. It is these characteristics that will sustain the Thessalonian Christians in the face of persecution. But Paul wants more from the Thessalonians and he contends that God does too. Paul couches this desire in a prayer. It’s a prayer about what the Thessalonians can be.

Paul’s prayer is also a prayer that is stimulated by their unjust suffering. His prayers for them aren’t a “now and then” occurrence. Paul claims to “always” (v. 11) pray for them. The question for us is What stimulates our prayers? Is it our own needs, our own desires, our own situation? Surely, we should pray about these things. Unfortunately, that’s where some Christians stop. Shouldn’t the suffering that goes on in our world motivate us to pray? The people who keep up with Christian persecution say that thousands of Christians are dying as martyrs for their faith every year. Does that fact motivate you to pray? It’s easier, of course, to pray for people we know by name. Paul knew these Thessalonians, and their suffering was personal for him. We can make the suffering of Christians in our world personal too. We do it by learning their names and learning about their suffering.

Paul prays for two primary things. First, he prays that the Thessalonians will be worthy of God’s call. What call? It’s the call to follow Christ, to join God’s family, and to build the kingdom of God. It’s a call to accept the discipline of Christ. For these Christians who were suffering, it was a reminder that Christ suffered in order to show himself worthy of the calling God had given him.

Second, Paul prays that God will complete their good intentions and hard work. This is a problem for all Christians. Do our good intentions and our work for the Kingdom make a difference? Paul is praying that God will complete what the Thessalonians desire to do. Because we all have good intentions that go unfulfilled and hard work that never shows results, this is a prayer that every Christian can pray.

What is the goal of Paul’s thanksgiving and prayers? It is that the Thessalonian Christians will glorify Christ in and through them. I once heard a Bible teacher say, “Paul’s favorite phrase is ‘in Christ.’ ” That Christ lives in every Christian is a sacred idea for every believer. The way we live our lives is a testimony of the power of Christ to overcome our weaknesses and shortcomings. As Paul emphasizes, it is the “grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 12) that makes it possible to live the godly life—even in the face of persecution.