Page 18 - Pauline Epistles Student Textbook

greedy nor sought glory from them or others. Based on v6, glory appears to mean monetary or any
material staff for their upkeep. Gene L. Green argues that praise/glory could possibly refer to honor,
prestige, or fame sought by so many rhetoricians and sophists in those days. To the πολιτάρχας
(politarchas [City Officials; Acts 17:6b]), money, honor, and public reputation was their motivation.
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Strikingly though, that was not going to be viewed as wrong because apostles, as he said to the
Corinthians, have the right to feed from where they work. He backed his argument with the Old
Testament passage (cf. 1 Cor. 9:3-18; Deut. 24:4).

The Apostles’ Holiness, Righteousness, and Blamelessness (1 Thess. 2:8-12)

8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of
God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a
burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God
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also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know
how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you
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and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
(ESV)

Apostles’ Longing for the Believers at Thessalonica (1 Thess. 2:17-20)

17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we
endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to
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come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or
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crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.
(ESV)

Paul touches on the subject concerning how they left Thessalonica in person but not in the heart
(v17a). The Greek word, ἀπορφανισθέντες (aporphanisthentes [“to be orphaned”]) conveys the
sense of children who have been orphaned or parents who have been bereft of their children. In
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this passage though, it is quiet opposite. It is the apostles who were orphaned from the Thessalonian
believers. Recalling what happened (cf. Acts 17:1-5), it is fair to argue that the use of that verb “to be
orphaned” is figurative denoting the manner of the apostles’ flight from Thessalonica. It was violent,
un-peaceful, and disheartening. Also, it depicts the reality of despair in the apostles’ hearts caused
by the untimely and unwitting leaving behind of people who were not only young but needing milk
for nourishment from their mother on daily basis. Also, the apostles had become both parents; a
mother (cf. 2:7) and a father (cf. 2:11). Notice that Paul again beautifully uses words, mother and
father, which should be comprehended as metaphorical, translating the strong familial bond
between the believers at Thessalonica and the apostles. However, in reinforcement of their longing
for them, the same hearts which were despairing, also endeavored with great desire to see them
face to face (v17b). The derivation for the English word endeavor (ESV/KJV), made every effort
(HCSB/NIV), tried very hard (NLT), is σπουδάζω (spoudazō). That verb, as Leon Morris suggests,
“combines the ideas of speed and diligence, and conveys an impression of eagerness, of making a
quick and serious effort.” Along with that verb is another noun, ἐπιθυμίᾳ (epithymia) from which
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we draw our English words, desire and lust. It is used here to demonstrate radical passion for the

33 Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians: The Pillar New Testament Commentary, 124.

34 Wanamaker, The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistles to the
Thessalonians, 120.

35 Morris, 1 & 2 Thessalonians: The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 66.

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