Paul begins his first letter to the Thessalonans by mentioning himself, Silvanus, and Timotheus (Timothy). In the first three chapters Paul elaborates on the heartfelt love that he and his companions have for the Thessalonians, speaking of repeated prayers and thanksgiving to God for them.

Imagine if those who claim to be apostles in our time, communicated to their followers such care and concern.

Paul begins with his greeting that we often see in his other letters, Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

He then says the following:

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. v.3-4

Now consider what Paul has just mentioned as the cause of thanks which he, Silvanus, and Timothy mentioned in their prayers to God. They continuously remembered the work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope which was at work in the lives of the Thessalonian believers.

Now, this is important, because Paul, and his companions had ministered the gospel in such a way that Paul declares, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. ~ 2:8 

Have you ever heard any minister, anywhere, speak like that? 

Paul’s approach to gospel ministry was quite different from what we see among many ministers in modern times. Paul’s calling wasn’t occupational employment. He didn’t travel around being housed at the expense of the churches, collecting offerings, then moving on to the next church, preaching the same sermons over and over again.

Paul and his company lived among the people and invested in them, and if you don’t keep this in mind as you read this letter,  you will miss out on much of Paul’s message and why he loved them so intensely.

The Thessalonians were not just church people (church folk) to Paul. They were family and friends in whom Paul and his ministry companions had invested much time with regards to developing real, and lasting relationships. Paul declares, For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. ~ v. 5

Many times this verse gets attention when we want to argue that the gospel is more than just preaching a sermon, and that there should be miracles and healings, since Paul says, our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost.

I think we miss the point when we read this text that way. Now, I am sure that God’s power to heal and work miracles is indeed included in Paul’s reference to power, but I want you to see how this verse works within the context. Let’s read it again in view of what Paul says afterwards. 

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

I think the emphasis Paul is making when he says our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, is the life changing impact that the gospel had in the lives of the Thessalonians. The gospel wasn’t just words from a sermon. The gospel that Paul and his company ministered actually changed the lives of the Thessalonians, so much so that they were living as Kingdom people and the power of the gospel was now working through their lives influencing others.

They had become examples to the believers in Macedonia, and Achaia, and the knowledge of their faith in God had spread abroad. And this was greatly encouraging to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.

Now let’s consider what Paul says next.

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Now, let’s pause for just a moment and consider some of what Paul has just said. Notice that he says, our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain. Not being fruitless for the sake of Christ really mattered to Paul. The theme of not laboring in vain is something that comes up repeatedly in Paul’s letters, and it is going to show up again in this one. In his letter to the Galcatins, Paul pleads with the Galatians not to go down the road of mixing grace with the law. Paul writes the following to the Galatians: But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain. ~ Galatians 4:9-11

Not only did Paul care about his labor in the Lord not being in vain, but he cared about those whom he had discipled, that their labor would not be in vain. He says to the Corinthians,  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:58 

As we move through the first part of the second chapter of 1 Thessalonians 2, we see that Paul also valued the importance of integrity in gospel ministry. He writes, our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile.

How often do we hear about unscrupulous ministers who are greedy, or caught in sexual misconduct, or other such things which bring a reproach on the gospel of Christ. The sad reality is occupational ministry is often a job, and for some it becomes a lucrative business. Yet for Paul, it was about the people he served. Paul’s acknowledgement of his apostleship, which we often see in his letters, wasn’t a spiritual power trip as it is often with those who claim to be apostles in our day. Paul’s apostleship was about his love of service for the people to whom God had sent him, and nothing gave Paul more joy than their growth and development in the Lord.

Paul continues:

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:4-6

Take note of Paul’s mention of not being burdensome. This is another thing that we see elsewhere in Paul’s letters. Not being burdensome meant that Paul and his company weren’t expecting to free load at the Thessalonians’ expense. Paul did not expect the churches to take care of him, but worked to pay his own way. Paul also expected those who worked alongside him to do the same.

Consider Paul’s words to the Corinthians regarding this matter.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:11-18 

Preaching the gospel and making disciples for Christ at his own expense, really mattered to Paul, and after reminding the Thessalonians that they had not been burdensome to them, Paul says, But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9

Compare Paul’s word to the Corinthians with that which he says to the Thessalonians. To the Corinthians he says, What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. And to the Thessalonians he writes, For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians Paul will remind them of this.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12

Paul’s approach to ministry is the polar opposite of many modern day ministers, who spend much time garnering support from their followers. Some of them even parade themselves as examples of God’s blessings of prosperity even though their wealth is accumulated from the hard work of their donors and those who buy their merchandise.

You may never hear this from anyone else, but I am free so I will tell you, these “ministers” would never make it working alongside Paul. Those who served in ministry with Paul had to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.

Working for the Lord without monetary compensation is more noble than being paid for one’s ministry service. And I’ll just leave that truth hanging right there.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with ministers being financially supported, this is a scriptural practice. However, if those who have the privilege of having paid positions in ministry would cease to serve in God in similar ministry roles if they weren’t monetarily compensation, then they’re doing it for the wrong reason. In other words, being paid a salary by a church doesn’t make a minister a true Pastor. Being called of God does. Consider Peter’s admonition to those called as Shepherds:

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. ~ 1 Peter 5:2-4

It might also be worth mentioning that those who have answered the call of God on their lives, yet receive no monetary compensation for their labor in the Lord, are no less ministers of Christ than those who have paid positions in organized ministry. The Western Church needs a paradigm shift in this regard.

Being paid does not give any minister an elevated status over those who are not. We who follow Christ and serve him in ministry, are all brethren, answerable to One Lord for the call he has put on each of our lives.

Paul continues:

Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. ~ v 10-13

Paul reminds them of the godly integrity he and his ministry companions displayed while among them, and how they not only cared for them as nurse cherishing her children but also as a nurturing Father would. Paul then tells them that when they received the Word of God from Paul and his company, they did not receive it as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God. This was having a tremendous effect on them, for God’s word was bringing forth spiritual fruit in their lives.

I don’t think we ought to read this from the angle of Paul saying, “what we preached was divine and anointed, because we were God’s men and his words came through us.” This is exactly how some preachers attempt to convey it, to give credibility to their own preaching and teaching as being from God, and to get a reaction from the people.

I think we should understand that Paul is summing up everything: the gospel message about Jesus which they declared, the godly behavior and integrity in their conduct, not being a financial burden, and their fatherly care and love. This is why the lives of the Thessalonians were transformed by the gospel message of Paul and his ministry companions, and this they had turned from idols to serve the true and Living God. The gospel in word and deed is the gospel which was preached, not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost. This, the Thessalonians received as the Word of God which was working mightily in them. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. ~ 1 Corinthians 4:20

The change in the lives of the Thessalonians by the power of God was the reward Paul sought after. Thus he writes, For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:19-20