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Have you ever been instructing someone about something, telling them how they should do it and they turn to you and say, “That is not how you do it”? You tell them do as I say and not as I do. Is that the way you should teach others, especially our children or grandchildren, setting a wrong example for them? What would they call you for acting like that?
Shouldn’t it be “Do as I do” setting the example of how it should be done as well as we telling them that is how it should be done? Wouldn’t this type of teaching have a greater influence on others? Would it not also free us from accusations that we are being hypocrites because they can check out for themselves remembering how we have lived and acted before them?
One of the problems Paul faced with the Thessalonian believers was that his enemies were accusing Paul of preaching with wrong motives and with improper conduct, being a hypocrite.
It was not unusual in that day, as now, that people were out there touting some new philosophy so to take advantage of people for financial reasons, to get the quick buck, plus in that day with paganism practiced so widely, for sexual favors as well. If you hear enough negative spin on someone, whether true or not, doesn’t it make you suspicious? Paul’s enemies figured if they cast enough doubt on Paul and his companions they might turn some people away from following the Jesus that Paul was proclaiming.
So, Paul reminds his readers of how he lived and acted when he was with them, so to clarify his motives. In fact he reminds them some 6 times about how they were witnesses of how he lived. He says ‘you know vs 1, 2, 5, 11; you remember vs9; you are witnesses vs 10. He refreshes their memory by getting them to think through his example before them when he was with them. Reminding them that he taught them to do as he did.
Vs 1-6 He asks them to think about his time with them, it was not unfruitful. The miraculous changes in their lives are evidence of the effect of the gospel had on them. 1:7-9 Then think about all Paul and Silas went through in Philippi, beaten and humiliated terribly. Acts 16:22-24 They were treated as common criminals but when they leave there they are compelled by God to go to Thessalonica and proclaim the gospel there, even when the persecution begins there as well.
If they were charlatans, fakes, they would not have suffered and continued on proclaiming the message they had just been persecuted for. But God gave them the strength and boldness needed to continue on. They were obedient to Jesus’ command Matt. 10:23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.
The people saw for themselves the sincerity of Paul’s heart and motives. The message he brought was truth. His enemies accused him of making it up to take advantage of others. But Paul proved out what he was teaching in the scriptures and was not trying to trick anyone into believing some falsehood. He told the truth and let them decide for themselves. His motives were pure because he cared about where they would spend eternity, in heaven or in Hell, where there would be eternal torment and punishment. Not afraid to tell others about a sale, why not the gospel?
If Paul had been trying to trick the people into believing something for personal gain he would not have told the hard truth that brought persecution from others but would have made up something everyone would love to hear. 2 Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Instead, Paul and his companions tell the truth of God, the truth that God had entrusted to them. Paul viewed himself as one who had been entrusted by God with the message of salvation. 1 Cor. 9:16–17 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. This is the same gospel that God has committed to us to proclaim as well. 2 Cor. 5:18-6:2 If they don’t like what we have to say about this we can simply tell them that this is what God’s says and if they don’t like it they can take it up with Him.
This was not the job Paul sought after but the call he received from God and Paul took it seriously. Do we? This is why Paul would not preach from wrong motives, he knew he would have to face God for them if he had. Jer. 17:10 “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”
Vs 5 Paul asks them to remember how he spoke to them, never with a false face, as a hypocrite, nor did he try to take advantage of them by getting something from them for himself. God would be his judge and witness in this. He and his companions were not seeking praise from the Thessalonians or anyone else. Their desire was to live to please God as he states in vs 4. Phil. 3:7-11
Paul was willing to deliver the truth to any and all who would receive it, free of charge. Even though he had the right to expect something from them in support, 1 Tim. 5:17–18 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Instead of expecting something from them he gave of himself, taking care of them, expecting nothing in return.
Vs 7-9 Paul and his companions took care of the Thessalonians believers like a mother cares for her child. The reference here is to a nursing mother caring for her little child. Things a nursing mom has to avoid? This included the responsibility of watching their own actions so not to do anything that would harm the new believers. This meant that Paul and his companions were careful to live godly lives before the people so they would not make them spiritually sick by doing wrong things before God and them. Eph. 5:15–16 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Do as I do. They did not try to take advantage of the people but instead shared with them, not only the gospel but their very selves. They gave whatever they had to help the new believers.
Genuine love shows itself through meeting not only spiritual needs but physical ones as well. James 2:14–17 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Paul never expected the new believers to take care of him so he worked hard to provide for his needs and the needs of others as well, so not to be a burden. 2 Thess. 3:7-10 We know from Acts 18:3 that Paul’s trade was tent making so he would have worked making tents daily and preaching the gospel at night to them, after a long days work. Vs 10-12 These verses summarize all Paul has been saying, the people should remember and be witnesses to the facts as God is, that their behavior and motives were pure.
Their inner conviction from God led them to live holy lives before all the people in Thessalonica. They lived as God would have them to, in righteousness, asking the people to do as they did and not just how they say. Doing so, no one could accuse them of wrong doing, they would be blameless. They trained up the believers by word and example, as a father would their child, with loving discipline. This included strong positive appeals to do right with encouragement and comfort so to cheer them on and inspire good behavior and faithfulness to God.
God had called them to be His people, to be heirs of the eternal kingdom, sharing His glory with them. What a privilege and blessing to look forward to and responsibility to live up to as well. This is why Paul and his companions set the example as they did, showing the believers to do as they do and show how it should be done, by God’s power through the Holy Spirit in them.
This is the same power we have available to us today and the same call we have on us today; to live as examples for others to see and follow as we obey the leading of the Holy Spirit and God’s holy commands. How are we doing? Are we open to accusations because we live by the saying, “Do as I say and not as I do”, or are we setting the example being free from accusation, saying do as I do?
Benediction: 2 Tim. 1:13–14 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
