Endure Difficulties
June 20
After his greeting in 2 Thessalonians 1, Paul says that he ought to always give thanks for the church at Thessalonica. Behind the word ought is a word that conveys much more than what it seems. The Greek word conveys an obligation. (2 Thessalonians 1:3) He says that it is fitting to thank God for this church. Paul says that he is always obligated to give thanks for them. Not just occasionally, but always.
He also says that the faith and love of the church are increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3) But not just a little, but he says their faith is flourishing and increasing exceedingly beyond measure. Paul also says that their love is significantly increasing more than enough. These are direct answers to prayer that Paul prayed for (1 Thessalonians 3:10; 12).
Paul says that he boasts about them among other churches. (2 Thessalonians 1:4) Elsewhere, (1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17) Elsewhere, Paul says that if anyone boasts, they should boast in the Lord. So, Paul is saying here that he boasts about what God is doing among them. The Thessalonians are “doing the deal”. And they’re doing it well. They are an example for all believers to follow.
Paul then turns to the difficulties that the church is facing. In nine verses (2 Thessalonians 1:4–12) he uses the words affliction, suffering, or persecution six times. And when Paul speaks of the church persevering and enduring, he uses a Greek word which means to “remain under”. It is the “capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances.”[1]
This church is successfully enduring hardships. So, is it possible for anyone to read through this section of the Bible and believe the pablum of the Prosperity Gospel? In other words, is it possible to read these verses and honestly say that God promises that believers should only expect – and experience – success and happiness? Are the Prosperity teachers reading the same Bible? It’s important that we read the Bible in its context – its entire context to adequately understand and apply it. It’s difficult statements like these that encourage us when we endure hardship and persecution.
Application
Obligated. How often do you feel obligated to give thanks for someone? Specifically, how often do you feel obligated to thank God for your church? And not just occasionally, but all of the time.
[1] Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains, Electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., vol. 1, United Bible Societies, 1996, p. 307.