Loving in the Face of Opposition
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Trouble in the Text: The Apostles were pursued with violence.
Remember Luke’s story of Paul and Silas’s imprisonment in Philippi (Acts 16:16–40)
The opposition from Jews and the attack on Jason (Acts 17:1–9).
agōn, which the nrsv translates as “opposition,” figuratively refers to a public debate. Paul refers to the ridicule to which traveling moral philosophers were routinely subjected.
It was not the physical distress that disturbed him but the insult offered to his Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37).
The Apostles had freedom and confidence in proclaiming the gospel. Bold or frank speech also plays a role in Acts, when the Jerusalem community prays for boldness in the face of persecution.
Not From Deceit (vv. 3-7a)
o First, the letter does not otherwise suggest that Paul felt himself to be on the defensive with the Thessalonians.
o Second, it was common for philosophers who wished to distinguish themselves from disreputable figures who presented themselves to the public as teachers
o Denying self-interest, Paul speaks with frankness and prepared to endure the scorn of others in order to tell the truth. They will not be swayed by something as evanescent as a crowd’s approval or disapproval. It is the self-description of a serious philosopher and need not suggest that Paul seeks to respond to charges made against him.
Paul affirms that he has been “approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel.”
For Paul, public approval is only a by-product of his fundamental task of pleasing God (v. 4).
Trouble in the World: We often need to face opposition and need to know if it is worth enduring.
Was Paul Protesting Too Much?
o Today, there is much that is not forgotten a person’s history, we can find many records on paper and online. It is said, once it is put on the internet, it is never forgotten.
The announcement of any leader was not acting out of deceit or greed would almost certainly be heard as an act of self-defense.
o We might assume that Paul has been charged with gross improprieties, and this is his apology for his behavior.
o “The lady doth protest too much, methinks” is a line from Hamlet by William Shakespeare, in response to Lady Gertrude, referring to an argument over her lack of fidelity.
· This line of defense was common among Hellenistic philosophers.
o Our personal histories need to evaluated and processed in context before we can ask for approval, because once in leadership, much can be damaged.
o Opposition comes as we disagree with others; this is guaranteed.
o What we do when opposition comes will serve to define us.
o We are defined by our motives.
· “Whose approval or opposition is most important to us?”
o Paul answers that question for him and the other apostles here.
o God knows the motives of our heart, but we must deduce it from past actions.
Grace in the Text: The Apostles loved the Thessalonians despite opposition.
· This is the first time the word “apostle” appears; includes Timothy and Silvanus
o Paul defines an apostle as one commissioned by God for the particular task of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1), one whose vocation is evident from the response of others to the gospel (1 Cor. 9:1–2).
o “we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”
§ The Greek idiom at work here literally means “we were able to be weighty.”
§ The demands might be financial. The apostles were not greedy, although they might have asked for support. He has not taken money from believers so that no one can claim he had taken advantage of them.
· Tender Nurture (vv. 7b–8)
o “we were infants among you,”
§ Similar Greek words for “infants” (Gr. nēpioi) and “gentle” (Gr. ēpioi), a difference of a single letter; probably implying both.
§ The apostles were not burdens, making many demands, but were as unassuming among the Thessalonians.
o “nurse tenderly caring for her own children.”
§ Note Paul’s comparison of women’s roles in the nurture of children instead of further patriarchal standards.
§ The use of nurses, wet nurses, or lactating nurses in particular, was widespread in the Greco-Roman world.
§ The nurse was and is a beloved figure.
o “caring for her own children.” A connection between the nurse and her own children is much more intense.
o The apostles regard the Thessalonians as so dear that they share their very lives. As a mother or father loses their self in the concerns of their children.
· Equipped with the Gospel inspired by God and given boldness to preach with power from the Holy Spirit, the Apostle’s mission was not devoid of power.
o Regardless of the circumstances, the Apostles spoke with courage or boldness.
o Paul recalls that “our coming to you was not in vain” (v. 1). The confidence expressed here stands in tension with the anxiety revealed later.
o Common sense might have dictated that Paul and his companions enter Thessalonica with caution, instead the apostles were encouraged.
§ To have courage, or to be emboldened (Gr. parrhēsiazomai), was a trait highly prized in a philosophical teacher.
§ The philosopher carefully determines whether the circumstances favor bold or frank speech. Paul contradicts this idea
· His boldness is not a personal characteristic or skill. It is derived from God.
· Paul is bold despite circumstances that might have warranted silence.
o For Luke, bold speech is a sign of the church’s witness to the resurrected Lord.
o Paul attempted to emulate Jesus’ ministry.
o Jesus ministry was Loving in the Face of Opposition:
Jesus exposed motives that they might be confronted or affirmed.
Jesus sought peace between God and others.
Jesus applied Scripture to each situation.
Jesus prayed for the Father’s will to be done.
Jesus remained silent for a time.
Jesus loved without restraint.
Grace in the World: God loves us despite our opposition.
· As disciples, we are called into the ministry of Jesus Christ
o Only God can reveal true motives.
o We are to offer a place for their confession and forgiveness and reveal God’s plan for continual healing growth of the whole person, as Jesus did.
o This is what it means to make disciples and baptizing in the name of God who loves us into healing and reconciliation despite our oppositions to God’s goodness.
o We are called to be disciples every day of the week, not just on Sundays.
§ Reveal God’s plan for our lives.
§ Offer a (any) place for confession and forgiveness.
§ Offer prayer for God’s direction.
§ Live life together remaining hopeful that God brings healing and growth.
· If you are not a disciple of Jesus Christ and it sounds like something you want to be a part of, would you ask God to reveal to your motives, ask forgiveness for any selfishness and sin, and ask God for help to love as God does. When you do this, it is essential for you to live life together with those who have faith and hope in Jesus Christ to bring healing and growth. By this we are known by our love.