To this point, this has been a very rich verse to study. We have examined in some detail the gospel that Paul was preaching, as well as the method in which he delivered it. Not only was it a powerful message, but it was also accompanied with signs and miracles. Today, we're going to wrap up our look at this verse as we look at the character of Paul and his companions. So, if hearts and minds are ready to partake in spiritual truth, let's dig in!
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NASB) - for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (emphasis added)
The one thing about partaking in gospel ministry that is essential is coming to grip with the fact that having an upright character is just as important as the message you're delivering. It doesn't mean anything to come preaching a message that can change lives and deliver people from hell if the person delivering the message is living a life contrary to what he's teaching. This is a truth that Paul is highlighting at this point in his epistle; he is reminding the Thessalonians that he, Silvanus, and Timothy not only authenticated their message with signs & miracles, but they also let their character and behavior be a testimony to the gospel message.
The language used here is interesting, though. Instead of Paul emphasizing the point, but is instead stating it as a fact that the Thessalonians are well aware of. This provides a nice contrast to the "knowing" of verse 4. In verse 4 it was Paul and his team that knew of the Thessalonians election; but, here it is the Thessalonians who are able to testify to the character that these men exhibited. This presents an interesting dichotomy where we see the Apostle affirming the Thessalonians' belief in the gospel and we have the Thessalonians affirming the character and message of Paul. When taken together we get a beautiful picture of the true gospel message where it is delivered in the power of the Holy Spirit and accepted with open arms.
Getting back to the character of Paul and his team, it was obvious to the Thessalonians that their character was in line with the gospel that they were preaching to them. We find evidence of this by examining other passages of Scripture, particularly in his writings to the Thessalonians. In 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Paul speaks about how the Thessalonians were witnesses to their upright and blameless behavior toward them. When we move over to 2 Thessalonians 3:7 we see Paul speaking of how their character was disciplined, which caused the Thessalonians to follow after their example. Not only does Paul exhibit this type of character with the Thessalonian believers, but we find it elsewhere when he speaks of not walking in craftiness (2 Cor. 4:1, 2), admonishing others to practice after him (Phil. 4:9), and doing it all in humility (Acts 20:18, 19). Peter even chimes in with similar words in 1 Peter 5:3.
On top of all of this, Paul's ministry was marked with selflessness. Everything he did was for the sake of the Thessalonians and their acceptance of the gospel message. There was no personal motivation on Paul's part other than seeing the Thessalonians turn from their sin and put their faith in Jesus Christ. This example is illustrated for us perfectly in Paul's letter to the Corinthians when he talks about becoming all things to all men so that he might win some for the gospel, and doing it all for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:19-23). We also see in 2 Timothy 2:10 that it was for the sake of the gospel that he endured much hardship and persecution, which we will see later on in this study. The bottom line is that it didn't matter what Paul had to go through as long as he was able to deliver the gospel to people and see them accept Christ. If they did that, then, to him, it was worth all the heartache.
As believers today, the same needs to be true of us. We should carry the same attitude as Paul. We should have a desire to walk upright and blamelessly, living a life that is in correspondence to the gospel message that we're proclaiming to this world. Not only that, but we should be living our lives in such a way that we are "putting our lives on the line" for the sake of the gospel. That's not to say that we have to go to hostile areas and preach the gospel, but it means that we shouldn't be ashamed and we should be motivated to do whatever it takes to make sure that people hear about the good news of Christ. That is the thought that I want to leave you with as we conclude our look at Paul's prayer of thanksgiving. Next time, we'll begin our look at the Thessalonians' response to the gospel that Paul preached. Until then, do all for the sake of the gospel!
