Torn Away from You: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Paul's pen moved. Timothy sat nearby, having delivered the news from Thessalonica.

Thank God continually. More thanksgiving. The letter overflowed with it.

When you received the word. Paralambano—to receive what is handed over. The word of God. Not Paul's opinions, not human philosophy—the word of God.

You accepted it not as a human word. They could have dismissed it. Rejected it as one more traveling teacher's pitch. But they didn't.

As it actually is. The reality. The word of God. Divine communication.

Which is indeed at work in you. Energeo—operating, being effective. The word wasn't dormant. It was working—transforming, shaping, empowering.

For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews.

Imitators again. Not deliberate copying but parallel experience. The churches in Judea—the original believers. Suffered from your own people—for the Judean churches, persecution from Jews; for the Thessalonians, persecution from fellow Greeks.

The same things. The pattern repeated. Following Jesus meant suffering from those closest.

Who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone.

The accusation against those who persecuted. Killed the Lord Jesus. Killed the prophets. Drove us out—Paul remembered Thessalonica's mob.

They displease God. The ultimate verdict. Hostile to everyone. Opposition to the gospel was opposition to humanity's good.

In their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

Keep us from speaking to the Gentiles. The mission opposed. Salvation hindered. The effort to stop the gospel.

They always heap up their sins. Ana-pleroo—fill up completely. The measure filling. To the limit.

The wrath of God has come upon them at last. The tense was debated. Had wrath already fallen? Or was it certain to fall? Either way—judgment.

But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.

Orphaned. Aporphanisthentes. The word hit hard. Not just separated—orphaned. Bereaved. The loss of children.

Being separated from you. The mob. The accusations. The nighttime escape to Berea. Torn away.

For a short time. It had been short. But it felt eternal.

In person, not in thought. The physical separation was real. But the mental connection remained. He thought of them constantly.

Intense longing. Epithymia—strong desire. We made every effort. He tried to return.

For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.

We wanted to come. The desire was genuine. Certainly I, Paul, did. Personal emphasis. Again and again. Multiple attempts.

But Satan blocked our way. Egkopto—cut off the road, impeded. Satan. The opposition wasn't just human. Spiritual warfare. The enemy preventing reunion.

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?

Rhetorical questions. What is our hope? What is our joy? What is our crown?

The answer was them. The Thessalonians. Paul's hope. Paul's joy. Paul's crown.

In the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes. At the parousia. The return. When Jesus appeared, Paul would present the Thessalonians.

Is it not you? The question assumed its answer.

Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Indeed. Emphatic. You are our glory and joy. The Thessalonians were Paul's trophy. Not money, not fame, not influence—them.

His children in the faith.

His crown of rejoicing.

His glory and joy.

Paul set down the pen. The longing was real. The separation painful. Satan had blocked the way.

But Timothy had gone. Timothy had returned. The news was good.

And the letter would go where Paul could not.

His words would embrace them.

His prayers would cover them.

His love would reach them.

Orphaned—but only in person.

Never in thought.

Never in love.