Bible Study/Commentary

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

 

 

A1 Scripture

B1 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 EMTV (17) But we, brothers, being unwillingly separated from you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, were all the more eager to see your face with much desire. (18) Therefore we desired to come to you--I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us. (19) For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (20) For you are our glory and joy.

B2 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 GNB (17) As for us, friends, when we were separated from you for a little while---not in our thoughts, of course, but only in body---how we missed you and how hard we tried to see you again! (18) We wanted to return to you. I myself tried to go back more than once, but Satan would not let us. (19) After all, it is you---you, no less than others!---who are our hope, our joy, and our reason for boasting of our victory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes. (20) Indeed, you are our pride and our joy!

 

A2 Outline

B1 Absence

C1 Not physical but in heart

C2 Hindered by Satan

B2 Thessalonians

C1 Cause

D1 Hope

D2 Joy

D3 Reason to boast

C2 To whom--Jesus Christ

C3 Glory and joy

 

A3 Notes

B1 1 Thessalonians 2:17

C1 Absence

D1 Went to preach in another place

D2 They had been gone about 6 months

D3 The words "unwillingly separated" is the Greek word aporphanizo which means abandoned as in orphaned. It is the sadness of a parent losing their children.

E1 "I will not leave you orphans; I am coming to you. (John 14:18 EMTV).

E2 The word orphan (comfortless in KJV) is a related word.

D4 The reason they left was the ill treatment they had received. "Then the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away during the night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (Acts 17:10 EMTV)

C2 The word "desire" is the Greek word epithumia. It means in a bad sense lust for something God does not approve, money for instance. In the good sense the word means to long for, as we long to be home, for our family, for heaven, for good health, etc.

D1 They could not be there for various reasons (preaching responsibilities primarily), but they still thought of them and wanted to visit them o so badly.

D2 Obviously we note here that some desires, lusts, are OK with God.

B2 1 Thessalonians 2:18

C1 Satan is the great deceiver.

D1 The word satan means adversary, which is certainly the case here.

D2 Compare "Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not stretch out your hand against him!" So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD." (Job 1:9-12 NRSV)

D3 Satan

E1 Afflicts Christians Job 1:9-12

E2 Has authority over non-Christians Acts 26:18

E3 Blinds unbelievers to the Gospel of Christ 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

E4 Fights the saints 2 Thessalonians 2:9

E5 Is a murderer Hebrews 2:14

E6 Tempts so people will sin 1 Chronicles 21:1

E7 Can cause sickness (not all sickness is from the devil, most is because we live in a curse world) Job 2:7, Luke 13:16

E8 Lies John 8:44

E9 Deceives

F1 His promises are lies Genesis 3:5

F2 Wrests and twists the plain, normal sense of the Scriptures Matthew 4:6

F3 He carries out plans against God's people and how they want to serve Jesus (preach the Gospel, live holy, avoid sin, etc.)

F4 Appears as an angel of light (preventing he is god or an angel sent by God) 2 Corinthians 11:14

E10 Jesus defeats him. Luke 4:13, John 12:31, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 1 John 3:8, and Revelation 20:10

C2 Hinders

D1 The word "hinders" is the Greek word egkoptō.

D2 This means to cut into, that is, impede, hinder. The word has been used in Greek regarding a road. The road was cut into, that is, made something that a vehicle could not travel on it.

D3 It is used as "weary" in "But that I not weary you any longer, I beseech you to hear us briefly in your graciousness." (Acts 24:4 EMTV) Here it is used as to hold you back from something, waste your time, delay your work, etc.

D4 How satan hindered them is not known. Maybe it is left unknown to comfort all of us who are hindered by satan is various ways.

B3 1 Thessalonians 2:19

C1 Hope, or joy, or crown of boasting brings the idea that these Christians bring much joy into Paul's and the other missionaries' lives.

C2 Boosting here would have the idea of complimenting them to others as in we might do when talking to others about our children.

C3 A special joy will be had at judgment day when Paul and the missionaries see these Christians welcomed into heaven and the joy of God.

C4 The coming of Jesus Christ

D1 The Greek word is parousia.

E1 It means a coming along side, so in this case any way it will be us alongside Jesus.

E2 He comes for us.

E3 It is used also for arrivals.

E4 It is used in Matthew 24:3; Matthew 24:27; Matthew 24:37; Matthew 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6-7; 2 Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 1:26; Philippians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 1:16; 2 Peter 3:4; 2 Peter 3:12; 1 John 2:28.

D2 Jesus Christ has 3 main "comings."

E1 First as a suffering Messiah, the Passover Lamb, to die on the cross for sinners, paying the penalty for sin.

E2 Second as a Savior for the dead and living saints before the Tribulation.

E3 Third as a Judge to deal with the wicked, with Israel, to set up His kingdom on earth, the Millennium, and eternity.

B4 1 Thessalonians 2:20

C1 Encourages the saints with these words.

C2 Encouraging words stimulate spiritual growth and development as they do in any situation.