Our Glory and Joy

The apostle Paul penned the following words to the new Christians at Thessalonica: “For who is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing?  Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2: 19-20). 

After Paul and Silas left Philippi, they traveled to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue of the Jews and there Paul preached Christ and Him crucified for three Sabbaths, reasoning from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and die and rise again from the dead. He was proclaiming that this same Jesus is the Christ. Some were persuaded including many God-fearing Greeks and leading women (Acts 17:1-4).

But Paul kept telling them in advance that they would suffer affliction (1 Thess. 3:4).  So now it is about to happen.  A band of jealous Jews and wicked men formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. They attacked the house of Jason looking for Paul and Silas.  After they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, accusing them of teaching another king than Caesar.   Jason and others had to sign a pledge to guarantee a safe and peaceful community or face confiscation of their property and possible death (Acts 17:5-9).

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea (Acts 17:10).  Yet, when the Jews at Thessalonica heard about Paul's preaching at Berea, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.  The brethren again sent Paul away leaving him alone at Athens while Silas and Timothy remained at Berea. Paul instructed those who escorted him to send Silas and Timothy to him as soon as possible (Acts 17:13-15).

Paul was worried about the faith of the new converts, and when he could endure it no longer, he sent Timothy to find out about their faith, for fear that they might have been tempted so much that Paul's labor would have been in vain. But Timothy strengthened and encouraged the new Christians  bringing good news that their faith and love had been strengthened deeper even under persecution because when they had received the word which they had heard from Paul and Silas, they accepted it, not as the word of men, but what it really is, the word of God (2:13b; 3:5).

Application:  Our theme for this year, “Let Us Press on to Maturity,” is taken from Hebrews 6:1. The Greek word here for ‘maturity’ is teleios, which has as its basic meaning, the arriving at a state of intelligence or even perfection.  Teleios is used in passages that show bringing something to an end or goal, to perfect or to finish something.  It is used in such familiar passages as Mt. 5:48 where ‘perfect’ (teleios) is a command for us to be like God. In 1 Pet. 1:9, it is the ‘end’ (teleios) of our faith, the salvation of our souls.   Also, it is used in James 1:4 (twice):  “…let endurance have its ‘perfect’ (teleios) work, that it may be ‘perfect’ (teleios) and entire, wanting nothing.”   Each passage shows continuous endurance to accomplish the desired end.

What will be our glory and joy as we stand in the presence of Jesus at His coming?  If it is only the things of this world, we will have no glory and joy because this world and the things of this world will be burned up and will pass away (1 Jn. 2:17; 2 Pet. 3:10).  

Paul's glory and joy were the souls he had brought to Jesus and encouraged along the way. This glory and joy will be eternal.

Let us encourage one another to press on to maturity that, as we stand in the presence of Christ at His coming, our glory and joy will be the souls we have brought to Him.

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