August 30 2023

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.

From I Thessalonians 2:9-13, NRSV

Although he may not have been able to spend as much time as he would have liked to with the church in Thessalonika, it is clear that Paul was impressed with what he had witnessed and heard about them. They had accepted that Paul’s teaching was not just from himself but was divinely inspired. Not only had they recognised this but they also demonstrated their new found belief through their actions. In the earlier part of this reading, Paul reminded the Thessalonians that when he was with them, he had worked hard night and day in order not to a burden. He had “pulled his weight” so that he was not under any obligation to the people. This mattered to Paul since the custom of the time expected the recipient of a gift to be in some way beholden to the donor. This could have weakened his message, so for Paul, proclamation had to be accompanied by action.

• • Why do you think the Thessalonians were able to recognise Paul’s teaching as coming from God?
  • How can we tell when the Word of God is at work?

Do something today that demonstrates your faith.