WHY PAUL’S PREACHING WAS NOT IN VAIN

Dan Petty

For some reason, Paul wrote defensively in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Perhaps there were some opponents in Thessalonica who had misrepresented him. Possibly the apostle was just defending himself and other preachers, Silvanus, Timothy and others, in order to distinguish between themselves and charlatans. Paul wanted the brethren who read his letter to know that his motives were pure. So he appeals to the Thessalonians who knew for themselves that the visit of Paul and the other preachers was not in vain (v. 1). They had in fact fulfilled their purpose in coming to Thessalonica and preaching the gospel.

This raises a serious question for us. Why could Paul affirm with such confidence that his preaching was not in vain? What can we as preachers of the gospel learn today about what it takes to accomplish our mission in preaching?

First, Paul preached boldly. He writes that “we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition” (v. 2). Their preaching in Philippi (Acts 16) and then in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9) had been accompanied by conflict, even persecution, from without. Their willingness to preach under such pressure, especially after having just faced the same in Philippi, should serve as evidence of their earnestness and sincerity. The preacher of truth will certainly face opposition (2 Tim. 2:3, 9), but must never allow it to deter him from preaching with all boldness (Phil. 1:20).

Paul did not preach “from error” (v. 3). This word means a wandering from or forsaking the right path. Preachers of truth may sometimes be thought by the world to be mad (cf. Acts 26:24). If someone had accused Paul of being deluded or trying to deceive, they were certainly wrong.

He was not motivated by impurity (v. 3). Many of the pagan religions of Paul’s day were characterized by sensual, immoral practices. Paul wanted to assure the Thessalonians that he came with no carnal or impure interests, and that impurity of every kind stands in opposition to the sanctification to which saints have been called (1 Thess. 4:3, 7).

He was not trying to deceive anyone (v. 3). “Deceit” refers to a bait or snare. For Paul, the purpose of preaching was not to trick or entrap people, but to persuade them with the truth. Our preaching is not to be done in an atmosphere of trickery or cunning. Even truth itself suffers if we attempt to use guile to “outsmart” people in order to win them over.

Paul did not preach for what he could get out of it (vs. 4-6). Paul says he and the other preachers spoke as those “approved” or tested by God and found worthy to entrusted with the gospel (v. 4). If someone accused him of trying to please men, Paul affirms that their examination and approval are from God, not men (cf. Gal. 1:10). Since he had been entrusted with the gospel, it was important that he strive to fulfill that trust (1 Tim. 1:12; 1 Cor. 4:1). Paul is confident that his motives are pure, and he is perfectly willing for God to see into his heart and see that it is pure.

Paul never resorted to “flattery”, insincere words of praise designed to promote oneself. Nor did he allow his preaching to become a “cloak” or pretext for greed. Paul wrote that he never coveted any man’s silver or gold (Acts 20:33). Neither did he seek personal glory or prestige in his preaching. Preachers of the gospel of Christ must guard against the danger of seeking to display self rather than the message. As an apostle of Christ, Paul could have used his position to assert his authority or dignity, but he did not.

He cared for the brethren (v. 7-8, 11). Rather than throwing their weight around or making demands, even as apostles, Paul and the other preachers had dealt with them in kindness and gentleness. He describes his treatment of the brethren in terms such as the tender, affectionate, even sacrificial care of a mother for her children (vs. 7-8). Having such affection and such strong emotional concern for them, Paul says that all the time they were with them they were ready to spend themselves in their service. They were very “dear” to them. They loved them with a selfless, sacrificial love. At the same time, Paul also knew how to be firm, exhorting and encouraging and imploring in a fatherly fashion (v. 11; cf. 1 Cor. 4:14f). This provides a great picture of what preachers are to be – not detached or aloof, but truly caring and giving of themselves (cf. 2 Tim. 2:24-26).

Finally, Paul’s behavior was upright (v. 10). Paul can confidently say that his conduct was exemplary. He lived so as to try to set an impeccable example for them to follow (1 Thess. 1:5; 4:1; cf. 1 Tim. 4:12). We as preachers of the good news must take care that we do not weaken or even undermine the strength of the message we bring by failing to behave as Christians.

The result of the efforts of Paul and the other preachers was that their coming was “not in vain” (v. 1). Witness the fact that Paul states that “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of man, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe (2:13). Those who preach the gospel should pray for the same results.