You Can Read the Bible Guided Podcast

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.  And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 

But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.  And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.  – Acts 17:1-9

For the next three days we'll be reading Paul's letters to the church at Thessalonica.   I’ve included the entire record of their visit above because the backstory is central to the letter.  When you read Paul’s regret that he, Silvanus, and Timothy “were torn away from” them, when he encourages them they “have suffered the same things from their countrymen” as the Judean churches had suffered from the Jews, you’ll know what he’s talking about. 

You’ll also detect a theme, especially in chapter 2, related to the apostles’ reputations.  When you read this, remember the observation that among their first converts had been devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.  The apostles could have taken advantage of their position, and didn’t.  Through the entire reading, Paul’s affection for the Thessalonians is evident, thanking God for their belief and describing them as “very dear to us,” and “our glory and joy.” 

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 10:12: And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

1 Thessalonians 1 and 2.  Now let’s read it!

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.  And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 

But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.  And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.  – Acts 17:1-9

For the next three days we'll be reading Paul's letters to the church at Thessalonica.   I’ve included the entire record of their visit above because the backstory is central to the letter.  When you read Paul’s regret that he, Silvanus, and Timothy “were torn away from” them, when he encourages them they “have suffered the same things from their countrymen” as the Judean churches had suffered from the Jews, you’ll know what he’s talking about. 

You’ll also detect a theme, especially in chapter 2, related to the apostles’ reputations.  When you read this, remember the observation that among their first converts had been devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.  The apostles could have taken advantage of their position, and didn’t.  Through the entire reading, Paul’s affection for the Thessalonians is evident, thanking God for their belief and describing them as “very dear to us,” and “our glory and joy.” 

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 10:12: And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

1 Thessalonians 1 and 2.  Now let’s read it!

The seventh in this series of letters from Paul contains many of the same elements as the others.  There is an initial introduction and recitation of the Gospel message; warnings against falling away; general instructions about honoring Christ; and finally personal greetings, commendations, and a benediction.  With the consistent rhythm across this volume of material, we’re looking inside a time capsule where first-century correspondence flavored by Paul’s rhetorical personality intersects with the most vital matters facing the first century church. 

There is no danger at Colossae to the scale of those in Corinth and Galatia, but in the middle of chapter 2 Paul’s instructions give us a hint of the threats that the Colossian church was facing: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world… let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food or drink… let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism or worship of angels.”  Pay close attention to how Paul weaves his rebuttal to these forces throughout. 

Notice also how the themes of knowledge, wisdom, and mystery pop up, along with persistent references to death and rebirth.  Also notice that the stream of vices and virtues that fill chapter 3 and 4 are filed under the heading of death and resurrection: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God… Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”   Finally, observe that the list of relationships that closes chapter 3 follows this exhortation: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

As with the church at Rome, Paul is writing to a Colossian church that was not of his own founding.  Rather Epaphras, who is introduced in chapter 1, was the one from whom they learned “of the hope laid up” for them in heaven.  Though he has not met them, Paul fills the final chapter with personal greetings from familiar names, and encourages them to welcome his messenger Tychicus.  We’re also introduced to a man named Onesimus, “our faithful and beloved brother,” who will be a part of a distinct plot later on. 

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 10:12: And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

The Epistle to the Colossians.  Now let’s read it!

The seventh in this series of letters from Paul contains many of the same elements as the others.  There is an initial introduction and recitation of the Gospel message; warnings against falling away; general instructions about honoring Christ; and finally personal greetings, commendations, and a benediction.  With the consistent rhythm across this volume of material, we’re looking inside a time capsule where first-century correspondence flavored by Paul’s rhetorical personality intersects with the most vital matters facing the first century church. 

There is no danger at Colossae to the scale of those in Corinth and Galatia, but in the middle of chapter 2 Paul’s instructions give us a hint of the threats that the Colossian church was facing: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world… let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food or drink… let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism or worship of angels.”  Pay close attention to how Paul weaves his rebuttal to these forces throughout. 

Notice also how the themes of knowledge, wisdom, and mystery pop up, along with persistent references to death and rebirth.  Also notice that the stream of vices and virtues that fill chapter 3 and 4 are filed under the heading of death and resurrection: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God… Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”   Finally, observe that the list of relationships that closes chapter 3 follows this exhortation: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

As with the church at Rome, Paul is writing to a Colossian church that was not of his own founding.  Rather Epaphras, who is introduced in chapter 1, was the one from whom they learned “of the hope laid up” for them in heaven.  Though he has not met them, Paul fills the final chapter with personal greetings from familiar names, and encourages them to welcome his messenger Tychicus.  We’re also introduced to a man named Onesimus, “our faithful and beloved brother,” who will be a part of a distinct plot later on. 

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 10:12: And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

The Epistle to the Colossians.  Now let’s read it!

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:5-11

I draw this out not because it is the most memorable section of this letter, nor because it is of greater importance, but because it is the nucleus around which the letter’s themes of humility and suffering are wound.  After a typical introduction and reaffirmation of the Gospel, Paul begins talking about “what has happened” to him – his imprisonment.  He wants it to be known that “what has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel… that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance…,” and that he has learned, “in whatever situation I am to be content.”

Paul’s visit to Philippi was precipitated by a vision he received while in Troas, in northwest Asia Minor.  Acts 16 records that one night: “a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’”  Paul and Silas did come to this leading city of Macedonia, baptized believers, and drove a demon out of a fortune-telling slave girl.  Their brief imprisonment – ostensibly for disturbing the city, but in reality for causing financial harm to the slave girl’s owners – was a foretaste of what was to come.

This is not just a letter about Paul, though.  Its mix of personal notes, commendations, and encouragements is designed to encourage a certain bearing in the Philippians.  The word “mind,” as in “complete my joy by being of the same mind,” occurs six times.  The word “rejoice,” nine times.  Except in chapter 3, where Paul deals with “dogs” who are threatening the church – you can deduce what he’s talking about from the text – there is no presenting issue that troubles him.  From beginning to end, Paul urges them to be confident that “God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 6:5: You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

The Epistle to the Philippians.  Now let’s read it!

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:5-11

I draw this out not because it is the most memorable section of this letter, nor because it is of greater importance, but because it is the nucleus around which the letter’s themes of humility and suffering are wound.  After a typical introduction and reaffirmation of the Gospel, Paul begins talking about “what has happened” to him – his imprisonment.  He wants it to be known that “what has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel… that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance…,” and that he has learned, “in whatever situation I am to be content.”

Paul’s visit to Philippi was precipitated by a vision he received while in Troas, in northwest Asia Minor.  Acts 16 records that one night: “a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’”  Paul and Silas did come to this leading city of Macedonia, baptized believers, and drove a demon out of a fortune-telling slave girl.  Their brief imprisonment – ostensibly for disturbing the city, but in reality for causing financial harm to the slave girl’s owners – was a foretaste of what was to come.

This is not just a letter about Paul, though.  Its mix of personal notes, commendations, and encouragements is designed to encourage a certain bearing in the Philippians.  The word “mind,” as in “complete my joy by being of the same mind,” occurs six times.  The word “rejoice,” nine times.  Except in chapter 3, where Paul deals with “dogs” who are threatening the church – you can deduce what he’s talking about from the text – there is no presenting issue that troubles him.  From beginning to end, Paul urges them to be confident that “God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 6:5: You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

The Epistle to the Philippians.  Now let’s read it!