Intro: Today begins a study of a Pauline letter. Since the first of February, we’ve looked at some of Jesus’ teachings and his approach to teaching. For the next few weeks, we’re going to use the First Letter to the Thessalonians as a way of reflecting on Paul’s interpretation of Jesus’ ministry — specifically how he applied this message to local congregations.
Scripture: 1st Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
Thought for the Day: Considered by most scholars to be the oldest of the New Testament documents, 1st Thessalonians begins with a rather obvious absence – that is, the word apostle. Outside of Philippians, Paul refers to himself with the title, Apostle. This is a self designation for the most part, as others do not assign it to him. Could it be suggested that Paul, over time, claimed that authoritative title as he began to run into those who raised questions about his legitimacy as a preacher of the Gospel. For instance, the opening of Galatians clearly states: Paul an apostle. This makes sense as the churches in Galatia encountered other teachers who called into question Paul’s authority to do what he was doing, though that would have been later in his ministry. Here, early in his ministry, Paul speaks less about self and more about the trio of preachers: Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. In fact, he almost exclusively uses the pronoun we instead of I.
When I go to visit someone in the hospital, I quite often use what some may jokingly call the royal we. I do it, not because I have a strange sense of self (well I might), but because I feel that I represent a community of faithful voices. I have watched the faces of people light-up when I say, “We, the people at your church, have been lifting you in prayer.” Not that my prayers are inadequate, but there is something very powerful in the realization that a larger body of the saints is thinking kind thoughts and sharing a word of prayer.
There might be another explanation—might there be people in Thessalonica who knew one of these teachers better than the other two. A Christian should never feel slighted because someone else spoke the Gospel more clearly. At the end of the day, it isn’t a competition. If someone is touched by the Gospel message, who cares about the individual who spoke it. Any envoy of the Good News desires only to represent Jesus, not him/herself. If this is the reason Paul, Silvanus and Timothy spoke as a unified trio, it is an excellent strategy.
Prayer: Lord, open us to the voices of the Gospel—both ancient and new. Allow us to hear of your loving acceptance and transformative work, and to never honor the emissaries above the one they represent. Amen.
