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Commentary on "Friends Forever (1 Thess. 2:13-3:13)"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 5: Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - The Result of Timothy’s Visit (1 Thess. 3:6–10)

 

Overview

In this passage, 1 Thess. 3:6-10, Paul summarizes his reaction to the report Timothy brings back from Thessalonica.

 

Observations

The lesson author is most likely correct by concluding that it is very soon upon Timothy’s return when Paul writes this epistle. But then seems to overlook the obvious in that Paul begins what he is writing at verse one of chapter one and that what he says at the beginning is still true when he is in the middle of writing this epistle. Specificity, the claim is made by the lesson author that the words ‘always’ and ‘constantly’ (chapter 1 verse 2) are now absent from what Paul writes and that he now has a concern not present when he started writing. Really, isn’t this reaching a conclusion founded upon extremely little evidence? This is all one epistle and whatever Paul says about his feelings toward them at the beginning must still be true and unaltered in the middle of what he is writing. Whatever Paul’s reaction was upon hearing Timothy’s report may have been it is certain he didn’t change or modify what he wanted to say to them in the middle of what he was writing to them. Paul’s abrupt departure from them in Thessalonica would be reason enough for him to be concerned about their growth in spiritual maturity and why he expresses the intense desire to return to them.

Furthermore, none of us today will ever reach a point of perfect righteousness while living here in this sin fallen world and to no longer need this kind of spiritual nurturing. Paul’s concern for them is the same concern all wise Christian leaders should have for both themselves and their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

This passage will be true right up to the return of our Savior:

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5-10 ESV)

 

Summary

  1. Paul does not reveal within this passage what he feels they may be lacking in their faith. However, we can get a clue of what that may have been by the topics he covers in his two epistles to the Thessalonians. What we do know is that Paul and his co-workers left Thessalonica rather abruptly before the Thessalonians had a chance to become well-grounded in spiritual maturity. This alone could easily account for his concern and explain why he says what he says. We know, since he says it numerous times, is that his desire for them centers on growing in spiritual love for one another.
     
  2. We also know that all Holy Spirit led Christians who are still alive when the Lord returns will continue to grow in sanctification right up to the moment they are caught up into the clouds with him.

 

GO TO DAY 6

 

Copyright 2012 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised August 4, 2012. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Camp Verde, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

Official Adventist Resources

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