4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in
trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which
trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any
time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is
witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory,
neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the
apostles of Christ.
God has committed the gospel to faithful Paul in trust.
1Timothy 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the
blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
His purpose was not to become a celebrity like some kind of
itinerant Greek Sophist preacher going from place to place making great
speeches for gifts of money. His purpose was not to please men, to tickle their
ears, but to please God.
Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord
Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive
the hearts of the simple.
He did not flatter his hearers nor did he attempt to deceive
them for monetary gain. He was not interested in being lifted up as a great
preacher and recognized by the mighty ones of the culture. Paul was a faithful
steward of the mysteries of God. Those preachers who would make the following
verses refer to church attendance are doing just the opposite of what Paul is
talking about in the verses. This is not about being faithful to church
attendance, but about being faithful to God’s word.
1Corinthians 4:1
¶ Let a man so account of us, as of the
ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a
man be found faithful.
7 ¶ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse
cherisheth her children: 8 So being
affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not
the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
Paul’s mission was not to tear the hide from the people’s
backs. His preaching was not just to get the Scripture out there in the air, no
matter how loud, rude, hateful, or mean-spirited, just get it out there, like
some street preachers do, shouting verses angrily as people hurry by.
Paul had a heart for the lost. He treated them kindly and
brought the gospel to them as a nurse brings food and care to their charge.
Paul’s arguing was for the argumentative, the self-righteous, and the
disputers, but even with some of them who were not believers he showed kindness
and reason and won converts.
Acts 17:22 ¶ Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill,
and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious. 23 For as I passed by,
and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE
UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all
things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in
temples made with hands; 25 Neither is
worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to
all life, and breath, and all things; 26
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the
face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the
bounds of their habitation; 27 That they
should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though
he be not far from every one of us: 28
For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of
your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of
God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or
stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all
men every where to repent: 31 Because he
hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by
that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men,
in that he hath raised him from the dead.
32 ¶ And when they heard of the resurrection of
the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them. 34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and
believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named
Damaris, and others with them.
Paul saved his hard speech for the religious elite who
persecuted him, one of which he was at one time.
Acts 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite
thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and
commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
Paul didn’t only give the gospel to the Thessalonians. He
gave himself, out of a true affection and love for them.
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