Free Bible Commentary
“1 Thessalonians 2:17-20”
Categories: 1 Thessalonians“But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”
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The Thessalonian brethren were Paul’s “hope”. Sometimes we meet certain people or see their righteous or heroic actions, and they give us a renewed hope for humanity. In the morally upside down society that we live in, just seeing ordinary people taking a stand for truth and righteousness gives us renewed hope that all is not lost, and that, maybe, this world just might be a decent place for our children and grandchildren to grow up in. The Thessalonians obeyed the Gospel in the midst of great persecution and antagonism, and yet their faith was vibrant and their love was resilient (3:6). This filled Paul with hope that the seed he had planted within them would grow to maturity and carry them into eternity.
The Thessalonian brethren were Paul’s “joy”. It is difficult to describe the kind of joy that our children bring into our lives and fill our hearts with. Sometimes I just find myself looking at my young daughter with a smile on my face, even when she is in the middle of doing nothing in particular. When she asks me why I am smiling, I usually say something like “I just love you so much that it makes my heart happy.” Joy is a “calm delight” that fills the mind and soul and buoys and uplifts our hearts. It filled Paul with joy and delight to know that his young “children” in the faith were spiritually alive and well and striving to do what was pleasing to the Lord.
The Thessalonian brethren were Paul’s “crown of exultation”. A “crown of life” awaits all children of God who live and die in faithfulness to the Lord (Revelation 2:10). The Thessalonian Christians were a victory crown for the Apostle Paul because he had the confident hope that Satan had lost several more immortal souls when the Lord had won them to truth and obedience to the Gospel. There is no greater joy than to have a hand in helping another human being to be delivered from the domain of Satan’s darkness, and translated into the kingdom of the Beloved Son of God (Colossians 1:13). Paul exulted in these precious brethren at the prospect of Christ carrying them home to glory when He returns in all His magnificence and splendor.
Our Lord Jesus is coming at the hour of His Father’s choosing (verse 19). Are you ready for that day?
Please come study the Bible and worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ, and start learning what you need to do to make your life right with God in preparation for the Lord’s Return.
We are located at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville Kentucky.
We have Bible study period at 9:30 AM on Sundays and 7:30 PM on Wednesdays.
We have worship services at 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM on Sundays.
Please read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
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