Bible Study
September 19, 2025 (CSB)
1 Thessalonians 2:1 – 4 (CSB)
“Jesus the Heart Doctor”
“For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result. 2 On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. 3 For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. 4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts.”
I like the positive approach Paul took in writing this letter. In verse one he says, “Our visit was not without result.” The ESV says, “was not in vain.” The Message age says, “no waste of time.” Ministry is never a waste of time.
In Philippi Paul and Silas were brutalized before they went to Thessalonica. They were physically beaten (Acts 16:22 -3), arrogantly treated with false accusations, (Acts 16:20 -21), jailed (Acts 16:24) and illegally punished in spite of their Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37). While in Thessalonica they were accused of civil treason (Acts 17:7).
Paul speaks of a life lived in purity. He say he did not come from error or impurity. Impurity would imply a life pure of sexual wickedness. His manor of life was pure; he was not deceptive in his teaching. Paul may have been teaching about false doctrine that came into the church to discredit what Paul had taught. He was on a divine appointment for God.
He had approval, integrity, and devotion to the message of the cross and of the saving work of Jesus. Our mission in 2025 should be nothing less than example Paul gave us.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 