by Darrel Cline (darrelcline biblical-thinking.org)
Chapter # 1 Paragraph # 2 Study # 2 February 21, 2024 Broadlands, Louisiana (Download Audio)
I. The Overall Paragraph In Terms Of Its Focus.
A. Paul's prayers because of the response the Thessalonians gave to the message of the Gospel.
1. Began with "thanksgiving".
a. "Eucharistoumen" is a "transitioned" word that began with "extending grace" but ended up with "gratitude for grace extended".
b. Paul referred to his "giving of thanks" in regard to the Thessalonians in five of the texts of 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
1) In 1:2, it is the "first word out of his mouth" (metaphor) beyond his introductory comments in 1:1.
a) In 1:1 there is the first reference to "grace" and it is in a primary place in Paul's desires for the Thessalonians.
b) If granted as a desire (1:1) that is, then, responded to (1:2), there will be more of a reason for "giving thanks" (the "response") ... it is an upward spiral.
2) In 2:13, it is a repeated response because of the Thessalonians' reception of Paul's proclamation of The Word of God as The Word of God.
a) This is a clear indication of the fact that Paul's understanding of what happened in Thessalonica was "of grace" from God.
b) The reason for this understanding was rooted in Paul's experiences as a preacher of The Word.
(1) There were, in Paul's experiences, situations where he proclaimed The Word and people rejected it even as Jesus suggested would happen (Mark 6:11). This would be evidence of a "lack of grace from God" in that situation for divine reasons of which Paul was not privy.
(2) Likewise, there were, in those experiences, situations where it was clearly obvious that the Spirit of God was pouring out "grace".
(3) According to 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, this reality of varied responses by people was under the dominion of God, not His messengers.
3) In 5:18, Paul urges the giving of thanks upon the Thessalonians "in every situation".
a) This indicates that Paul's understanding included the reality that "in every situation" there is/has been "a dispensing of grace" even though it may be for the "believer" rather than the hearers of the message.
b) This, however, also indicates that not all "believers" grasp the fact of a "present grace in every situation" because the appearance of the situation has a strong impression of negativity (i.e., like The Cross) that tends to capture the attention of those "in that situation".
4) In 2 Thessalonians 1:3 we have a repeat of the recognition of "grace given" in the form of an exceeding growth in both "faith" and "love" in the lives of the Thessalonians.
5) And, finally, in 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul repeats how he is "bound to give thanks" because they have been "chosen to salvation from the beginning".
a) This is the final, but foundational, issue of "gratitude".
b) When God unveils the hidden reality of "grace extended", "gratitude" should be the immediate and continuous response.
c. When all of these references to the giving of thanks because of the revelation of "grace extended" are pulled together, we find that "giving thanks" may well be the ultimate expression of "faith".
1) When unbelief is dominant, there is only dissatisfaction, complaint, destructive expression and behavior, and it is obvious that "unbelief" is sitting squarely in the driver's seat.
2) But when "faith" is dominant, there is "gratitude" along with peace of mind and heart and "recognition" that God's working is being hidden for the most part.