I'm reading and excellent commentary on 1 Thessalonians this morning and reflecting on the exhortation to live in a way that honors God and is worthy of our calling. I am doing this to remind myself that this is important, because we live in a world full of people who do whatever is pleasing to them, and thus the world is always trying to draw us away from God by its actions. I do not approve of how many people choose to live, and I am trying to start the new year off with a renewed sense of intentionality, and this is why I am looking at this today.
So, I am using this commentary on the epistle that Paul wrote to Thessalonica, which is excellent,
https://soniclight.com/tcon/notes/html/1thessalonians/1thessalonians.htm#_ftn38
I found this commentary at the end of the comments on a verse from chapter 2:10-12, in which the author says that Paul's letter demonstrates 20 characteristics that are evident from this letter about Paul. Here is the quote,
"Note 20 characteristics of Paul's ministry to the Thessalonians in chapter 2 so far: He was bold in spite of opposition (v. 2), accurate with his message (v. 3), pure in his motives (v. 3), honest in his methods (v. 3), not a man-pleaser (v. 4), but a God-pleaser (v. 4), truthful (v. 5), not greedy (v. 5), not egotistical (v. 6), not authoritarian (v. 6), gentle (v. 7), unselfish (v. 7), affectionate (v. 8), transparent (v. 8), hardworking (v. 9), devoted to God (v. 10), upright toward others (v. 10), blameless in his own eyes (v. 10), earnest in his instruction (v. 11), and purposeful in his objective (v. 12). As such he is a model for all who deliver the gospel."
After reading this, I am first of all even more impressed with Paul's character. I think this commentary is an accurate assessment of Paul's character, and these things about Paul are worthy of taking note of. Paul was a great leader, and excellent example, and is a hero of the faith! While God has many faithful pastors and servants today, Paul’s life sets a remarkably high standard. This observation isn’t meant to diminish others, but rather to elevate the biblical vision of what Christian leadership—and Christian living—ought to look like for all who claim the name of Christ.
In the first chapter of this epistle Paul writes these comments,
' And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord Himself, for you welcomed our message in [spite of] much persecution, with joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit; So that you [thus] became a pattern to all the believers (those who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Christ Jesus) in Macedonia and Achaia (most of Greece). For not only has the Word concerning and from the Lord resounded forth from you unmistakably in Macedonia and Achaia, but everywhere the report has gone forth of your faith in God [of your leaning of your whole personality on Him in complete trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. So we [find that we] never need to tell people anything [further about it].'
1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 AMPC
This church became exemplary because they imitated Paul as he imitated Christ. That alone tells us something profound about both Paul’s life and the spiritual maturity of the Thessalonian believers.
It is also worth noting the cultural environment in which this church existed. Thessalonica was marked by pagan idol worship and widespread sexual immorality. While the idols of our modern world may look different, they are no less powerful—often centering on self, pleasure, wealth, and personal recognition. The form has changed, but the spiritual danger remains the same.
Because of this, renewing the mind is not optional for the believer—it is essential. Left unattended, the values of the world will subtly and steadily pull us off the path of faithfulness.
In summary, Paul stands as a compelling role model for the church today. His life demonstrates that the gospel is not merely something we proclaim, but something we embody. Our conduct must align with our confession. Paul lived this way, and Scripture calls us to do the same.
Even if we are not pastors or missionaries, every believer is a witness—an ambassador of Christ in the world. In that sense, we are all ministers. May we therefore look to Paul’s example, imitate his devotion to Christ, and commit ourselves to living lives that are truly worthy of our calling.
So, I am using this commentary on the epistle that Paul wrote to Thessalonica, which is excellent,
https://soniclight.com/tcon/notes/html/1thessalonians/1thessalonians.htm#_ftn38
I found this commentary at the end of the comments on a verse from chapter 2:10-12, in which the author says that Paul's letter demonstrates 20 characteristics that are evident from this letter about Paul. Here is the quote,
"Note 20 characteristics of Paul's ministry to the Thessalonians in chapter 2 so far: He was bold in spite of opposition (v. 2), accurate with his message (v. 3), pure in his motives (v. 3), honest in his methods (v. 3), not a man-pleaser (v. 4), but a God-pleaser (v. 4), truthful (v. 5), not greedy (v. 5), not egotistical (v. 6), not authoritarian (v. 6), gentle (v. 7), unselfish (v. 7), affectionate (v. 8), transparent (v. 8), hardworking (v. 9), devoted to God (v. 10), upright toward others (v. 10), blameless in his own eyes (v. 10), earnest in his instruction (v. 11), and purposeful in his objective (v. 12). As such he is a model for all who deliver the gospel."
After reading this, I am first of all even more impressed with Paul's character. I think this commentary is an accurate assessment of Paul's character, and these things about Paul are worthy of taking note of. Paul was a great leader, and excellent example, and is a hero of the faith! While God has many faithful pastors and servants today, Paul’s life sets a remarkably high standard. This observation isn’t meant to diminish others, but rather to elevate the biblical vision of what Christian leadership—and Christian living—ought to look like for all who claim the name of Christ.
In the first chapter of this epistle Paul writes these comments,
' And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord Himself, for you welcomed our message in [spite of] much persecution, with joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit; So that you [thus] became a pattern to all the believers (those who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Christ Jesus) in Macedonia and Achaia (most of Greece). For not only has the Word concerning and from the Lord resounded forth from you unmistakably in Macedonia and Achaia, but everywhere the report has gone forth of your faith in God [of your leaning of your whole personality on Him in complete trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. So we [find that we] never need to tell people anything [further about it].'
1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 AMPC
This church became exemplary because they imitated Paul as he imitated Christ. That alone tells us something profound about both Paul’s life and the spiritual maturity of the Thessalonian believers.
It is also worth noting the cultural environment in which this church existed. Thessalonica was marked by pagan idol worship and widespread sexual immorality. While the idols of our modern world may look different, they are no less powerful—often centering on self, pleasure, wealth, and personal recognition. The form has changed, but the spiritual danger remains the same.
Because of this, renewing the mind is not optional for the believer—it is essential. Left unattended, the values of the world will subtly and steadily pull us off the path of faithfulness.
In summary, Paul stands as a compelling role model for the church today. His life demonstrates that the gospel is not merely something we proclaim, but something we embody. Our conduct must align with our confession. Paul lived this way, and Scripture calls us to do the same.
Even if we are not pastors or missionaries, every believer is a witness—an ambassador of Christ in the world. In that sense, we are all ministers. May we therefore look to Paul’s example, imitate his devotion to Christ, and commit ourselves to living lives that are truly worthy of our calling.
