What is the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 2:15? Who killed both the Lord Jesus “who killed both the Lord Jesus…” (1 Thessalonians 2:15) • Paul speaks historically and directly: the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem pressed for Jesus’ crucifixion (Acts 2:23; John 19:11–16). • This statement neither erases Roman responsibility nor condemns all Jews; it targets the unbelieving leaders who rejected their Messiah (Luke 23:13–25). • Scripture consistently affirms that Christ’s death was both the will of sinful men and the sovereign plan of God for our redemption (Isaiah 53:10; Acts 4:27–28). And their own prophets “…and their own prophets…” (1 Thessalonians 2:15) • A tragic pattern: Israel rejected and often killed the very messengers God sent (2 Chron 36:15–16; Nehemiah 9:26). • Jesus lamented this history: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her” (Matthew 23:37). • Paul reminds the Thessalonians that opposition to God’s truth did not begin with Christ or the apostles—it stretched back through the centuries. And drove us out as well “…and drove us out as well.” (1 Thessalonians 2:15) • After Christ’s resurrection, the same hostility turned against His messengers. Paul and his team were hounded from city to city (Acts 13:50; 17:5, 13). • The Thessalonians themselves had witnessed this when a mob forced Paul to leave their city (Acts 17:1–10). • Suffering for proclaiming the gospel links modern believers with the first-century church (2 Timothy 3:12). They are displeasing to God “They are displeasing to God…” (1 Thessalonians 2:15) • Persistent rejection of God’s revelation incurs His displeasure (Romans 1:18; Hebrews 10:29). • God is patient, yet unrepentant opposition to His Son places a person under divine wrath (John 3:36). • Paul’s words serve as a sober reminder that God’s approval matters infinitely more than human applause (Galatians 1:10). And hostile to all men “…and hostile to all men.” (1 Thessalonians 2:15) • By suppressing the gospel, opponents hinder the only message that saves, thereby acting against the welfare of every person (1 Thessalonians 2:16; Acts 4:18–20). • Hatred of the gospel inevitably spills over into mistreatment of people, because love for God and love for neighbor rise and fall together (1 John 4:20). • The church must respond to such hostility with steadfast proclamation and Christlike love (Romans 12:17–21). summary Paul strings together five blunt charges to show that the same unbelief that crucified Christ also silenced prophets, expelled apostles, provoked God’s displeasure, and worked against the good of all humanity. The verse underscores the seriousness of rejecting divine revelation and heartens suffering believers with the assurance that their trials follow a long-standing pattern—and that God sees and will judge righteously. |
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