Thessalonica was the capital and largest city in Macedonia, a Roman province. It was one of the wealthiest and most flourishing trade centers, due mostly because of its location on the highway from Rome to the Orient. There was also a thriving seaport located there. The city was exempt from most restrictions placed by the Romans because they were allowed self rule there. It was the site of many pagan religions.

Paul tells us that faith comes first, and then works. From our faith we are motivated to do good works. Work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, endurance inspired by hope. Work is a deed or act, labor is work involving pain. We make a progression from a deed to real work that involves some sacrifice or pain, leading to endurance which is cheerful waiting.

“We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts…”
We can please men by saying what they want to hear and be a Christian, but we can’t be content to just please men, saying what they want to hear and be a servant of Christ. To be a servant of Christ we are compelled to bind or knit ourselves to Christ.

Paul mentions that he never used flattery or put on a mask to cover up greed when he was teaching and preaching.  This is a far cry from some religious establishments today.  Many rely on flattery and not the gospel to draw people in and wear a mask of religiosity to cover up their greed for money, power, and position.  It seems as if their main objective is to enhance their own desires and not to spread the gospel.

Paul mentions that the Thessalonians had suffered from the Jews. "They displease God and are hostile to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they many be saved."
We couldn't help but think about the Messianic Jews in Israel, recipients of the hostility from the Orthodox Jews. The Messianics are not proselytizing the Jews but yet the Orthodox Jews don't want the Messianics to witness to the Gentiles or atheists either. Paul tells us how God feels about that. "they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last."
The same demons are at work today. The demons know the truth and want to stop it.

“…let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet…”
Again we have the faith, love, and hope as Paul gave us at the beginning of this letter. The helmet and breastplate defend the two vital parts, the head and the heart respectively. The head needs to he kept from error, the heart from sin.
Work and labor paired with faith and love. Cheerful waiting paired with salvation – the hope of eternal rest.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Remember, God is the perfect parent! It’s appropriate for us to say, “This is God’s will so it must be good for me.” We may never know how we’ve witnessed to others simply by the way we react to difficult circumstances. Look at what happened with Paul and Silas and the jailer. The saved ones are the product of our witness – our glory and joy – great is our reward!