1 Thessalonians 2:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

NIV: We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.

NASB: nor did we seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though we could have asserted our authority as apostles of Christ.

CSB: and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others.

NLT: As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.

KJV: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

NKJV: Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

Paul and his missionary companions did not try to make a name for themselves among the Thessalonians and others. Nor did they demand money from their audience. They did not use their apostolic credentials as a means of getting anything from those to whom they preached the gospel. Their goal was to serve and to give of themselves on behalf of others. They were servants for Jesus' sake (2 Corinthians 4:5). However, as apostles, they were worthy of financial support. By contrast, orators and philosophers combed the Roman Empire, entertaining audiences and collecting money from them. Also, they hoped to become famous.

Paul and his coworkers ministered in the tradition of Jesus, the greatest minister of all. He taught his followers to renounce prestige and to serve humbly. He explained, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

First Thessalonians 2:1–8 recalls Paul's brief three-Sabbaths visit to Thessalonica (Acts 17:2). He had served the Lord there honorably in the face of strong opposition. His message at Thessalonica was the pure gospel of God, and the Thessalonian believers had witnessed his holy, righteous, and blameless conduct. Here, Paul testifies that his intent was only to please God, not men, and that he strove to care for the Thessalonian believers as a mother would care for a child.

Paul begins to flesh out the general ideas he mentioned in chapter 1. Here in chapters 2 and 3, he further explains how he came to preach to the Thessalonian people. Paul particularly notes that his good conduct, proving his unselfish motivations, was instrumental in his success. The warm response of the people also endeared them to Paul, making him long to visit them again. Unfortunately, Paul was prevented from doing so, a struggle he attributes to Satan. Paul once again expresses his gratitude for the Thessalonian Christians' ability to honor God despite persecution.

Chapter 1 briefly introduced the relationship between Paul and the Christians at Thessalonica. This introduction is expanded in chapter 2, where Paul gives additional details about how he came to preach there, why he left, and what he has heard of their spiritual progress. Chapter 3 will round out this glowing report with a reference to a visit from Paul's friend and student, Timothy.

The apostle Paul's second missionary journey included a visit to the prominent Greek city of Thessalonica. This stood alongside a major land route and boasted a busy seaport. A number of individuals believed Paul's message (Acts 17:1–4), but an angry mob forced Paul to leave the city after his brief stay. Later, while in Athens, Paul received a glowing report: the believers at Thessalonica were growing spiritually and serving God fervently. However, they had questions about the Lord's return, including what happens to a believer who dies before that day. And, as all churches do, they had some areas in which they were falling short. In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, written about AD 51, he addresses these developments. Paul expresses gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and frequently makes references to Christ's impending return.

Accessed 11/24/2024 4:22:20 PM