What is the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 2:6? Nor did we seek praise from you Paul, Silas, and Timothy remind the Thessalonians that they never fished for compliments or applause. • Their aim was God’s pleasure, not human admiration (Galatians 1:10, John 5:41). • They had already told the believers they were “approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:4), so earthly flattery would add nothing. • By refusing to court popularity, they showed the young church how to measure ministry—by faithfulness, not fanfare (Proverbs 29:25, Colossians 3:23-24). or from anyone else The apostles’ refusal wasn’t limited to Thessalonian believers; it was universal. • In Lystra they tore their clothes rather than accept worship (Acts 14:11-15). • When crowds in Corinth divided over favorite teachers, Paul insisted, “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7). • By staying free of every person’s applause, they left no foothold for pride and no obstacle to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:5, Matthew 6:1-4). although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it The team possessed real, God-given authority. • Jesus had commissioned them (Luke 9:1-2), and the church recognized their right to support (1 Corinthians 9:4-14). • Yet they “worked night and day” so they would “not be a burden to any of you” (1 Thessalonians 2:9), echoing the principle later repeated in 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9. • By laying aside legitimate rights, they mirrored Christ, who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:5-7). • Their restraint guarded the fledgling believers from thinking the gospel could be bought or bartered (Isaiah 55:1, Revelation 22:17). summary 1 Thessalonians 2:6 shows apostles who could have insisted on deference yet deliberately chose humble, self-sacrificing service. They sought no praise, from Thessalonians or anyone else, even though Christ Himself had granted them full authority. Their example calls every believer to seek God’s approval above all, willingly surrendering personal rights so the gospel shines without obstruction. |
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