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Reflection for November 28

Last updated on November 20, 2024

As I wrote yesterday, Paul had a rough time in Philippi. He was beaten and thrown into prison without a trial. But when he left he went to Thessalonica, and though he was not there very long, the people he met became very dear to him.

While Paul was in Athens, he got word that the new church in Thessalonica was going through severe persecution. He was unable to go to them, but he sent his protege Timothy. And when Timothy got back to Paul, Paul was relieved and overflowed with gratitude by Timothy’s report. Not only were these people standing firm in the face of persecution and suffering, but they were thriving.

At some point during Paul’s time in Corinth, he decided to write a letter to the church in Thessalonica. They had sent a letter to him, and he wanted to respond to their questions. But he also wanted to encourage them and remind them of what they meant to him. In the letter he describes himself as both a mother and a father. He also wants them to know that their story of facing adversity head on has spread throughout all of Greece.

My favorite verse in this letter is, “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8).

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