13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV)
The Thessalonian church was a growing and godly assembly of believers in Christ. The Apostle Paul previously mentioned their work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ (I Thess. 1:3). They were imitators of the Lord while they received the Word of God in much affliction (1:6). They possessed the joy of the Holy Spirit (1:6). They were examples to all believers; then and now (1:7). They turned from idols to serve the living and true God (1:9). They gave evidence of walking in a manner worthy of God, who called them into His own kingdom and glory (2:12).
If that was not enough, Paul, Silas and Timothy were constantly thankful to God for them, as today’s text explains. Why? It was because, as previously stated, they received the Word of God. To receive (παραλαβόντες; paralabontes) means to actively welcome and accept. To receive may refer to welcoming an individual with friendliness. In this context, it refers to the Thessalonians friendly acceptance of God’s Word when they heard it from these three missionaries.
The Thessalonians did not receive and welcome the message of the Gospel (Acts 17:1-9) as coming merely from these men. Rather, they received it as it truly is; the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). At the same time, God’s divine truth was not just objective reality outside of them. It was also objective truth working within their souls. This was, and is, accomplished by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 55:11; Acts 20:32; Phil. 2:12-13; 2 Tim. 2:15-17; Heb. 4:12).
“Paul’s message from God is equated with the OT (Mark 7:13). It was the message taught by the apostles (Acts 4:31; 6:2). Peter preached it to the Gentiles (Acts 11:1). It was the word Paul preached on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:5, 7, 44, 48–49), his second (Acts 16:32; 17:13; 18:11), and his third (Acts 19:10). Cf. Col. 1:25. which is at work. The work of God’s word includes: saving (Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23); teaching and training (2 Tim. 3:16–17); guiding (Ps. 119:105); counseling (Ps. 119:24); reviving (Ps. 119:154); restoring (Ps. 19:7); warning and rewarding (Ps. 19:11); nourishing (1 Pet. 2:2); judging (Heb. 4:12); sanctifying (John 17:17); freeing (John 8:31–32); enriching (Col. 3:16); protecting (Ps. 119:11); strengthening (Ps. 119:28); making wise (Ps. 119:97–100); rejoicing the heart (Ps. 19:8); and prospering (Josh. 1:8–9). All this is summarized in Ps. 19:7–9,” states Dr. John MacArthur.
The 5th century church theologian Augustine of Hippo explains Paul thanked the Lord for the Thessalonians’ reception of the gospel because it was the Lord who enabled it: “God . . . is the one who brought it about that the Thessalonians, when they had received from the apostle the word by hearing it, received it not as the word of men but, as it truly is, as the word of God.”
“This word of God “is at work in you believers” (1 Thess. 2:13). Many commentators point out the Greek verb translated here as “work” (energe ) is used elsewhere in the New Testament almost exclusively for God’s working. Paul uses it specifically in 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment of spiritual gifts in the people of God,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“We see, therefore, a close connection with the power of God and the word of God in today’s passage, which emphasizes that the Lord works in believers primarily through His word and Spirit. In context, this word refers primarily to the gospel but can be extended to cover the Old Testament and the entire Apostolic tradition, or the New Testament. Putting this all together, we see that the Lord achieves His purposes in His people chiefly by using the Word of God—the Scriptures—to regenerate us, correct us, and build us up in the faith. Moreover, He works through His Word continually over the course of a believer’s life, for God is presently “at work in you believers” (1 Thess. 2:13).”
The Westminster Shorter Catechism states, “The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching, of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.”
“The word of God at work in the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 2:13) was the message Paul preached to them. This indicates a close connection between the Spirit of God and the preaching of the Word of God. It is vital for us to sit regularly under the faithful preaching of God’s Word by appointed elders, pastors, and teachers because that is where the Lord regularly chooses to do His work,” concludes Dr. Sproul.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 