Pronunciation guideline:
O = the long o sound of the omega
A = the long a sound of the eta.
Verse 12
1. so then: introduces further explanation in view of
previously stated factors.
A. Verse 1:27 - live the Christian life, fulfilling the
3 issues of Christian testimony
1. Unity of attitude (spirit)
2. Unity of doctrinal content (soul)
3. Diligence in service
B. Verse 2:1 - The support and motivation
1. support:
a. encouragement from status IN Christ
b. Comfort from Divine love (experiential)
c. Fellowship with the Spirit - Divine guidance, walking in the Spirit
2. Motivation
a. affection response toward God
b. Compassion response toward others
C. Verse 2:12 - fulfill your salvation
D. Called stand firm at verse 4:1
2. My beloved: agapAtos - Used 25 times by Paul and indicates
that they are the recipients of his affection and his dedication desire
for maximum benefit to them.
3. Just as always: kathOs pantote - recognizes past consistency
4. Obeyed: hupakouO, as an aorist active indicative
A. Refers to the general characteristic of their Christianity.
Ie. obedience to Divine policy
B. This letter is simply exhortation to continue in view
of the massive persecution confronting Paul and Christians
everywhere.
1. Verse 1:7, imprisonment
2. Verses 1:12-14, imprisonment for the cause of Christ.
3. Verses 1:28-30, God's plan for Christians to undergo persecution pressure.
4. Verse 3:2, Beware
C. Not only in my presence: The more obvious for those
who want to stay in someone's favor would be to be obedient in their sight,
but this could be hypocritical and patronizing.
D. But now in my absence: the sign of true devotion is
to MUCH MORE, (polus mallon) fulfill Christian duties when not in Paul's
sight, but doing it because of genuine love for God and appreciation for
the so great salvation that He has given them.
5. Work out your salvation: the verb is katergadzomai
as a present middle imperative, which means to carry something out to its
defined goal or conclusion.
In other words, to manifest (work) something the way it should be seen.
In this case, the salvation that they ALREADY have is to be manifested
in their life as they express true humility toward God (fear and trembling),
knowing that God is at work within us through the Holy Spirit and the word
(1 Thessalonians 2:13).
The present tense indicates that these believers should be CONTINUALLY
working on manifesting their Christianity so that they can fulfill verse
15.
6. With fear: phobos, has emphasis on the mental attitude
of humility/respect toward God. The fear of the Lord is the basis for everything
else in our Christian experience as we subordinate ourselves to God's authority,
viewpoint and policy (Proverbs 1:7; 1 Peter 1:17).
7. and trembling: tromos, has emphasis on the overt expression
of humility/respect which is obedience to Divine policy as already suggested by the word for obey.
A. fear and trembling has both a generic meaning and a
specialized meaning.
B. The generic meaning sees fear as being afraid and the
trembling as the overt expression of that terror by "shaking in your
boots."
C. The specialized meaning sees fear as respect toward
God, and the trembling as overt actions that DEMONSTRATE that reverence.
8. God is the object of this fear and trembling because
He is the one who has provided everything we need for life and worship
(2 Peter 1:3), and he has graciously supplied us with ALL THINGS (Romans
8:32).
Accordingly, verse 13 directs us to God as the one who is working within
us - SEEKING for our obedience.
9. See topic: The
FEAR OF THE LORD
Verse 13
1. For: gar, gives an explanation of where our humility
respect and obedience is to be directed.
2. It is God who works: energeO as a present active participle
refers to the process of energizing which motivates the believer to desire
to please God and to further follow Divine policy.
A. At Hebrews 13:20-21, this is done through equipping
grace (1 Corinthians 15:10).
1. Thus through the provision of His word and our using
it (knowledge and application), we are equipped and energized to fulfill
the Christian way of life.
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 indicates that it is the word
that performs a work in us.
3. 2 Corinthians 3:18, refers to the mirror of the Word.
4. See Topic: EQUIPPING GRACE:
Growth Process
B. Support grace: 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
This is refers to both the emotional and the rational support we get from
God through His PROMISES. These are designed to keep us focused on God's
character and plan, instead of focusing on the troubles, heartaches, and
disappointments of this earthly life.
See Topic: SUPPORT GRACE: Growth
Process
3. Both to will: thelO is the verb and as a present active
infinitive, it refers to the desire we have within our soul to please God.
Paul described this desire as agreeing with "the law of God in the
inner man," at Romans 7:22. As we learn more about God through His
word, we gain the capacity to love Him more, and the natural extension
of that love - service.
4. And to work: energeO, as a present active infinitive,
refers to the overt follow through from the attitude that is in the heart.
It is called doing good works at Ephesians 2:10.
We are to use the resources of God through His energizing (Spirit and the
word) to fulfill the righteousness of God.
5. for his plan: The Greek word is eudokia and means a
good intention or even design. It thus refers to the plan of God - and
specifically, His plan for the believer as a FUNCTIONAL ambassador for
Christ.
At Ephesians 1:5, the word is used to refer to the plan of God concerning
salvation, and it says, "according to the PLAN of His will."
Ephesians 1:9, tells us that the MYSTERY aspect of God's plan is "according
to His PLAN, which He designed in Him (Christ)."
Verse 14
1. Do all things: every aspect of your life should be
LIVED in this manner. The verb is poieO as a present active imperative
and indicates a continuous or CHARACTERISTIC practice that avoids the emotional
and intellectual rationalization in every area of life.
2. without grumbling: gonggusmos as a plural is
grumblingS.
It refers to emotional complaining and arguing that results from not resting
in divine provision. It uses FEELINGS to determine validity or benefit
rather than keeping the emotions as responders to the heart.
3. or disputings: dialogismos (plural) refers to intellectual
complaining and arguing which attempts to rationalize Divine policy.
The opposite then, is intellectual honesty and objectivity
Verse 15 - consistent testimony
1. So that: hina + the subjunctive mood is used to indicate
the purpose for maintaining emotional and doctrinal objectivity.
2. you may prove: the verb is ginomai, and it means to
become. As an aorist middle subjunctive, it refers to the change in one's
attitudes and actions as they avoid emotional and intellectual compromise.
Only spiritual objectivity reflects the LIGHT of truth in the 3 areas that
are now mentioned.
3. Blameless: the adjective, amemptos, refers to character
consistency as it is used at 1 Thes. 2:10 and 5:23.
It includes what was described at Philippians 1:27, as unity in attitude
(spirit) and knowledge (soul), and service activity.
4. and innocent: the adjective akeraios, means unmixed
or pure, and refers doctrinal content and application. At Romans 16:19
the word is used to indicate the absence of any compromise with evil (viewpoint
purity). At Philippians 1:27, it corresponds with unity of soul.
5. Children of God: This term is used to describe that
unique class of human being which shares in God's quality of life by being
in his spiritual family.
It speaks of the issue of consistent IMITATION of God as seen at Eph. 5:1-8,
and amplified in the moral areas mentioned in following that.
6. above reproach: the adjective, amOmos, means irreproachable,
and refers to the overt life that others see. This word refers to the believer's
TESTIMONY before others. Thus, a consistent representation of the truth
in striving for THE faith as seen at Philippians 1:27, of which no one
can find any substantial inconsistencies.
7. IN THE WORLD:
A. in the midst: the adjective, mesos, indicates geographical
participation.
1. The believer remains here on earth as a stranger and
alien (1 Peter 1:1; 2:11) because his citizenship is in heaven (Philip.
3:20).
2. As an ambassador at large, his job is to strive for
THE faith of the gospel (Philip. 1:27) and represent LIGHT viewpoint to
the people of the world (Matthew 5:14-16).
3. As such the believer is not to isolate himself from
the world, in some attempt to avoid contact with the evil (1 Cor. 5:9-10),
but to EXPOSE and REPROVE the evil (Ephesians 5:3-16).
See Topic: The Alien Mentality
B. Of a generation: the word genea can refer either to
a race or a generation. In this case it refers to the human race from the
standpoint of its character at any given time in human history.
1. (morally) crooked: the adjective, skolios refers to
something that IS or GOES crooked. Thus, it is off the right path.
This refers primarily to the moral deviation of the world, which rejects
God's design for the four divine institutions.
The word is used at Acts 2:40, where the new believers are exhorted to
be delivered from the moral perverse generation (world) in which they live.
2. and (spiritually) perverse: This adjective is actually
a perfect passive participle from the verb diastrephO, which means to pervert
or distort. Here it refers to the spiritual depravity of the human race;
the attitudes and actions that reject God's terms for relationship and
worship.
3. At Galatians 1:4, this generation is called, this present
evil age, using the word ponAros for that which is arrogantly and infectiously
harmful to members of the human race.
4. Two historical examples:
a. The Exodus generation: Deuteronomy 32:5, 15-21; 9:7,
24; Psalm 78:8
b. The Messiah generation: Matthew 17:17; 15:7-9; 13:14-15
5. IN general the indictment at Ephesians 5:16, days are
evil.
8. Among whom: en plus the relative pronoun again reminds
us of our alien status.
A. You appear: the verb is phainO as a present middle
indicative, which indicates a CONTINUOUS responsibility that SHOULD elicit
a continuous function.
B. As lights in the world: The noun phOstAr in the plural
indicates a light bearer; those who carry and reflect the light of divine
truth into the world. The primary issue in this context is overt production
as at Proverbs 4:18 and Matthew 5:14-16. The good works of Ep. 2:10.
Verse 16a the MECHANICS of reflecting light
1. Holding fast: This is the verb, echo, as a present
active participle to indicate a CONTINUOUS activity on the part of the
believer who is functioning efficiently as an ambassador for Christ. The
word means to have and hold and with THE WORD as the object, it indicates
a consistent growth process and application of divine viewpoint in order
to meet the moral and spiritual needs of the world's citizenry.
2. the word of truth: The revealed word of God which represents
ABSOLUTE truth in a world of relative values and ideologies.
3. This is the only way that light can be properly reflected
in this world of darkness. The believer needs to be able to recognize both
the darkness (Ephesians 5:7-13) and the artificial light (2 Cor. 11:14-15).
That can only be done by knowing God's truth (Hebrews 5:14).
Verse 16b Paul's basis for glory at the reward seat of
Christ is the success of his teaching ministry in the lives of believers.
1. so that: the directional preposition, eis points to
both a purpose and a result of these believers having a successful Christian
life.
2. in the day of Christ: This refers to the event after
the rapture when the believers will have their works evaluated and rewarded
at the justice seat of Christ. 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
3. I may have cause to glory: This is the noun that follows
the preposition, eis, and indicates that the result of the believer's success
is a "cause to glory for me." The noun is kauchAma and means
a reason to rejoice or take pride in something. In this case it refers
to an attitude of joy and satisfaction.
4. that I did not run or labor in vain: kenos refers to
the idea of emptiness, aimlessness, without purpose. In this case the possibility
exists for the endeavors of a spiritual (in fellowship) believer to have
been accomplished without positive results. This does not affect the reward
for service of that believer, but Paul has in mind a PARTICIPATION in the
success of those whom he has served, so that he can rejoice and find genuine
satisfaction that he has helped others. It is of course, based on the divine
recognition of such service. If the believers served fail to advance in
light and have none or minimum rewards at the justice seat of Christ, this
would be an initial disappointment to Paul, for he certainly wants every
believer to be fully rewarded.
A. He wants no one to be tricked out of their reward.
Col. 2:18
B. He expresses his concern for the Galatians. Gal. 4:11
C. He expresses his concern for the Thessalonians. 1
Thes.
3:5
D. John reflects this possibility at 2 John 8.
See Topic: Rewards
E. RUN has to do with the WINNING aspect of it (1
Cor.
9:24-27).
F. LABOR has to do with the SERVICE aspect of it.
1 Corinthians 3:8, Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each
will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
Philippians 1:22, But if {I am} to live {on} in the flesh, this {will mean}
fruitful labor for me;
Colossians 1:29, And for this purpose also I labor, striving according
to His power, which mightily works within me.
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