1 Thessalonians 3:2 Commentary and Bible Study

Verse 2 is all about the deep concern and the sacrificial spirit of Paul. Of course, Timothy is his brother. You could not be in the ministry in apostolic times without being truly saved. The word ‘minister’ is servant, servant of the Word. It is the deacon word, only Paul means he was a deacon of the Word, set aside for the proclamation of God’s Word.‘And our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ.’ He was an evangelist among other things. When you see the word ‘gospel’ used in the New Testament, it invariably has a very special meaning. It refers specifically to the soul saving doctrines of the gospel. How do we know? After all the Greek only means good news. Well the way the apostle Paul uses the term – it is always used in the context of soul-winning. It is never used simply as a synonym for the word of God or the faith or Christian teaching generally. I remember many years ago being at a service when the preacher – and he was a good man, an earnest man – said these words: ‘Whenever I preach, I preach the gospel, because you see,’ he explained to the congregation, ‘the gospel means all the Word of God, and whether I am preaching to the saints or explaining this doctrine or that doctrine, I am preaching the gospel.’ Now actually, this dear man did not realise it, but he was absolutely wrong. That is not how it is used in the New Testament. Therefore to be a gospel preacher is to preach evangelistic sermons, soul-winning sermons, persuasive sermons, presentations of the saving gospel of Christ. ‘Concerning your faith.’ The apostle’s pastoral concern and heart for them concerns their faith. Timothy will come. What to do? Well to teach, yes, and to continue to preach the gospel, but he will be particularly set on encouraging their faith.