1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

This passage occurs in the Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, most recently October 2020.

Summary:  I have never preached on this passage before, but I wonder if it should be read at every ordination, for it lays out two fundamental challenges of ministry

First, to minister only for God's approval:  "But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts."  (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

Second, to minister by giving not only our words, but ourselves.  "So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us."  (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

This is such a challenge -- to give our hearts, but not let those to whom we give our hearts be judge of us!

Some Greek that is interesting in both verses:

δεδοκιμασμεθα (passive perfect form of δομιμαζω, here translated as both "approved" but also "tested")  This verb appears twice in verse 4 -- We have been tested (passive) and later God tests (active) us.  The testing it seems, is for a purpose -- God wants to entrust us with the Gospel. It is also interesting that the word test is in the perfect tense, which is Greek means that a new state has arisen as a result of the verb.  The clothes have been put on, the stone has been rolled away, etc.  We have been transformed and changed by the act of God testing and approving us.  But God's approval is not done in an "alien" or "distant" way, but is involved in a process of testing us.

πιστευθηναι (passive from πιστευω, here translated as "entrusted).  First, it is interesting that the word in the active means trust, but is also translated as believe.  It is a reminder that this verb is not about intellectual cognition but trust!  They have been entrusted to pass on the Good News)

αρεσκοντες (form of αρεσκω, here translated as "please")  Liddell Scott offers this definition: " to strive to please; to accommodate oneself to the opinions, desires, interests of others."  This is a great reminder for us during COVID that we cannot minister seeking to please everyone!  We seek to please the Lord.

ονειρομενοι  (form of ονειρομαι, translated here as "long for")  This word is a super rare word, likely a form of another word slightly more common.  Regardless -- it means long for.  Couldn't find sexual connotations, but it is about desire.  This is true in ministry as well -- a deep desire for the community (and their approval)!

ευδοκουμεν (form of ευδοκεω, translated here as "please") and αγαπητοι (beloved).  You may have seen these words together, for God declares of Jesus:  This is my son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.  Paul uses this language to talk about his care for the people!