CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
1 Thessalonians 2:17. Being taken from you.—R.V. “bereaved of you.” St. Paul, absent from Thessalonica, feels like a parent who has lost a child, and regards them as children who feel the loss of a parent (see John 14:18).
1 Thessalonians 2:18. But Satan hindered us.—Lit. “beat us in.” The figure is a military one, and indicates the obstruction of an enemy’s progress by breaking up the road (destroying bridges, etc.).
1 Thessalonians 2:19. Crown of rejoicing.—R.V. “glorying.” The victor’s wreath. St. Paul regards his steadfast converts as the proof of his successful efforts.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
The Power of Satan, Great but Restricted.
St. Paul had a profound, unhesitating belief in the reality and personal activity of Satan. An examination of the apostle’s own writings and discourses places this beyond doubt. We need refer to but a few passages. Satan is “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2); “the god of this world, blinding the minds of them which believe not” (2 Corinthians 4:4). To convert to the Christian religion is to bring men “from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:18). To relapse is “to turn aside after Satan” (1 Timothy 5:15). To commit sin is to “give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). If Paul suffered from some grievous bodily ailment that checked him in his evangelical labours, it was “the angel of Satan to buffet him” (2 Corinthians 12:17); and when he was prevented from paying a visit to the struggling Church at Thessalonica, it was “Satan that hindered him.” Observe:—
I. The power of Satan forcing an unwilling separation.—“But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart” (1 Thessalonians 2:17).
1. The separation was painful, but temporary.—“Being taken from you”—literally, being orphaned of you. This grief was like that of a father bereft of his children, or children of their parents. Their emotions were expressed by Jacob—“If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” They hoped speedily to return; and, after the lapse of five years, their hope was realised. Satan acted by means of wicked men (Acts 17:5-8; Acts 17:13).
2. The separation did not lessen their spiritual attachment.—“In presence, not in heart.” Satan may deprive of the opportunity of social intercourse, but not of reciprocal Christian love. Augustine, referring to different kinds of friendship, shows the pre-eminence of the spiritual, where the link is grace and the Spirit of God: “Natural affection want of presence diminisheth; mundane friendship, where profit makes the union, want of profit unlooseth; but spiritual amity nothing dissolves, no, not that which dissolves all others, lack of society.”
II. The power of Satan hindering an earnestly desired visit.—
1. Opposition intensified their desire to see their converts. “Endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire” (1 Thessalonians 2:17). As lime is inflamed by water, as a stream grows more furious by the obstacles set against it, so genuine affection is increased in fervour by that which opposes it.
2. The opposition succeeded in baffling repeated attempts to carry out that desire.—“Wherefore, we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us” (1 Thessalonians 2:18). The apostle halted at Berœa on his way to Athens, and probably attempted then to return to Thessalonica, but was thwarted in his design. Though no express reference is made in the history to the agency of Satan, Paul had unmistakable evidence of its operation in many ways. Satan hindered us—perhaps by imprisonment, tempests at sea, or by keeping him so fully occupied with incessant conflicts and ever-new tribulations of his own, as to leave him no leisure for carrying out his plan. The verb signifies to cut a trench in the way of a pursuing enemy, so as to hinder his progress.
III. The power of Satan unable to rob the Christian worker of the joy and reward of success.—Great as is the power of Satan, it is not omnipotent. The Christian warrior can successfully withstand it (Ephesians 6:11-13); and he is assured that God will bruise Satan under his feet (Romans 16:20).
1. Success in soul-saving is productive of unutterable joy.—“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19). The merchant rejoices over his gains, the warrior over his victories, the artist over the achievements of genius; but there is no joy so sweet, so exquisite, so abiding, as the successful winner of souls.
2. The joy of success in soul-saving will be among the highest rewards of the future.—“In the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). The return of Christ to heaven, after the judgment, is here compared to the solemnity of a triumph, in which the apostle is to appear crowned in token of victory over the false religions of the world, attended by his converts; and because they are the cause of his being thus crowned, they are, by a beautiful figure of speech, called his crown of rejoicing. Special honour is promised to the successful worker (Daniel 12:3).
(1) Joy enhanced by the recognitions in the future life. “Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” If Paul knows his converts in the heavenly world, shall we not know our loved ones who have gone before?
(2) By the presence and approbation of the Lord Jesus for whom we have laboured. “In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Lessons.—
1. The power of Satan works through many agencies; therefore we have need of watchfulness.
2. The power of Satan is limited: therefore we need not be discouraged.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
1 Thessalonians 2:18. Satanic Hindrances—
I. Are veiled by subtle and specious pretexts.
II. Work mischief in individuals and in Churches.
III. May succeed in diverting for a time the best intentions of the good.
IV. Should be diligently and prayerfully watched.
V. Are frustrated by a superior power.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. The Joy of a Minister in his Converts—
I. As they are living witnesses of the power of the gospel.
II. As they are the crowning reward of his labours.
III. As he shares the joy of Christ in their salvation and final glory.