Source: Thomas Constable. "Notes on 1 Thessalonians.” 2022 ed., https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/1thessalonians.pdf.
vv. 2:17-19
But Satan hindered his return to them. The great enemy of mankind is especially opposed to those who would destroy his kingdom of lies by declaring the truth of another kingdom. The child of God can no sooner enterprise that which is really good, but he meets with some impediment; so, whoever be the means or instruments for impeding us in the way of duty, the devil himself, through God’s permission, is the prime author of that woeful work, and all others do but fight under his banner; for, though other means were doubtless accessory to Paul’s stay at Berea, yet Satan hindered him from returning at once to Thessalonica. (D. Mayo.) (see Excell)
We have schemes which come to nothing; wishes which perish in disappointment vows which fall so far short of realization as to afflict our hearts with a sense of self-perjury and self-contempt. What is that malign power which hinders us when we start on any holy errand? Why is there not a clear path to the soul’s feet, so that we may run the way of the Lord? The question is all-important. If we know the hinderer we may address ourselves to the speciality of his power; but if we misconceive his individuality or resources we may exhaust our strength in profitless labour. (Excell)
There is a hinderer. Not only are there hindrances; there is a personal hinderer. He is not visible. He is not persuadable; resist is the right word, not persuade. Is the tiger ever persuaded to spare the prey? God can be entreated the devil must be resisted. One man says there is no devil. Who is that one man? Where does he live? What has he done for the race? “Jesus I know, Paul I know, but who is this?” The devil tempted Jesus, entered into Judas, desired to have Peter, hindered Paul. I prefer that my faith should run in the line of these statements, notwithstanding their mystery, than that it should espouse the suggestions of speculators who have not yet established their claim to the confidence of souls. (Excell)
Did Satan ever hinder a man from doing a bad action? When we were about to give a pound to a good cause, did Satan ever say, “Give two.” (Excell)
Remember the enemy deals with the purposes as well as the performances. He fights battles in the mind. What a wreck is the inner life of some of us! (Excell)
But why should he take so much interest in these three poor missionaries? That he might weaken the young Church at Thessalonica and destroy it; that he might thwart a powerful ministry; that he might keep Christians apart, and thus weaken that unity which is the strength of God’s people. (Excell)
Heaven to us is a pretty place, talked about in Revelation […]. It is not to us sufficiently real to dry our tears. (Excell)
The relation of ministers to their people must of necessity always involve the exercise of kindly solicitude on their behalf. This is clear from Scriptural designations of their vocation. It is impossible to fulfil that vocation without feeling towards those whom they feed as shepherds, protect as watchmen, instruct as teachers, lead as guides, an affectionate interest. (Excell)
The salvation of others will add new and permanent value to ministerial reward. (James Parsons)
The hope the minister may cherish that in some his aim will be realized. When we stand in the presence of Christ we shall each have several persons to thank for helping us forward on the road to holiness and God. (R. Tuck)
Source: Thomas Constable. "Notes on 1 Thessalonians.” 2022 ed., https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/1thessalonians.pdf.
The fact that God promises rewards to us is another evidence of His grace. God could demand our service simply on the basis of all He has done for us. Our motive for serving Him is love. In His grace, He gives us rewards so that we may have something to give Him in return. (Wiersbe, 713)
vv. 3:1-16
Paul’s words for his converts here are especially affectionate. His love for the Thessalonians was unusually strong. Their development was what he hoped for, their glorification was what he rejoiced in, and their ultimate victory would be a crown of glory for him. (Constable)
If a person knows that something unpleasant is part of his destiny, something that is inevitable, then he will brace himself to meet it and will not think that it is a sign that he is on the wrong track or being taken by surprise by it." (Marshall, p. 92)
Trouble is the acid that tests the genuineness of the coin of belief." (McGee, 5:388)
The Christian pastor needs to have a real concern for his flock lest they should fall away from the faith, even though he also trusts firmly in the gracious power of God to keep them faithful to himself." (Marshall, pp. 93-94)
There is affection. We can never affect or win people unless we begin, quite simply, by liking them. It was Carlyle who said of London, “There are three and a half million people in this city–mostly fools!” The man who begins by despising men or by disliking them can never go on to save them. (Barclay, “Daily Study …”)
Not all references may have been quoted here.
Barclay, William. “William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible” [NT]. “1 Thessalonians 2,” https://bibleportal.com/commentary/chapter/william-barclay/1+thessalonians/2.
_________. The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians. The Daily Study Bible series. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press, 1963. As quoted in Thomas Constable. "Notes on 1 Thessalonians.” 2022 ed., https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/1thessalonians.pdf.
Constable, Thomas. "Notes on 1 Thessalonians.” 2022 ed., https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/1thessalonians.pdf.
Exell, Joseph. The Biblical Illustrator. Baker Publishing Group, 1978. Sourced from Bible Portal, 2 Thessalonians 2, https://bibleportal.com/commentary/chapter/the-biblical-illustrator/1+thessalonians/2.
Marshall, I. Howard. 1 and 2 Thessalonians. New Century Bible Commentary series. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., and London:
Marshall, Morgan & Scott Pub. Ltd., 1983. As quoted in Thomas Constable. "Notes on 1 Thessalonians.” 2022 ed., https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/1thessalonians.pdf.
McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee. 5 vols. Pasadena, Calif.: Thru The Bible Radio; and Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1983. As quoted in Thomas Constable. "Notes on 1 Thessalonians.” 2022 ed., https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/1thessalonians.pdf.
Thomas, p. 262. Cf. Earl Radmacher, “Believers and the Bema,” Grace Evangelical Society News 10:3 (May-June 1995):1, 4; and Joe L. Wall, Going for the Gold, pp. 129, 152-63. As quoted in Thomas Constable. "Notes on 1 Thessalonians.” 2022 ed., https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/1thessalonians.pdf.
Wiersbe, Warren. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: NT. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2007.