A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.

As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.

1 Thessalonians 2:2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

Last post we spoke of the ongoing attempt of some amongst the Thessalonians regarding the character assassination of Paul, and how this may lead to the weakening, even the loss of faith for those who were so strongly converted and were such a bright light of witness in the region. Paul spoke of his initial entrance into their lives and that his coming was not without results.

1 Thessalonians 2:1 …our coming to you was not in vain

In chapter two, Paul depends on the memory of these Thessalonians as compared to what others are saying in his absence. Paul’s detractors, in their efforts to draw away converts, had to sow doubt in the Thessalonians mind about who Paul “truly” was.

So, for the Thessalonians sake, and as a defense against the mud being slung, he calls them to remember his actions before them, and of the history of his ministry.

Shamefully Treated

Paul has suffered and been shamefully treated prior to his arrival in Thessalonica. Lets recall what happened 90 miles down the road in a little town called Philippi.

Acts 16:23-24

And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.  Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

The “many blows” referred to by Luke is a Roman beating, not the flogging with a whip that many may think is referred to. That doesn’t necessarily make it much better.

To be beaten with rods is to be publicly stripped of their clothing, inflicting humiliation on the victims. But that is merely the beginning. The professional Roman torturers, the lictors, were skilled in both beatings and scourging, but when under Roman authority without Jewish influence, there was no restriction as to the number of beating that could be inflicted. No limit as the “40 less one” rule that dominated the scourging in Israel.

I have not found the specific material used for Paul’s beatings, for the rods used could be from a variety of trees, such as elm, red wood, vine wood, hazel or willow. There is some history that rods were also made of iron or lead.

So with such a variation of materials, we can let our imagination run wild. But there was another form of rod that may have been used. A rod often called a “scorpion” may have been used, a rod that was knotty, even of a prickly structure. These “scorpions” were hardened woods with the added effect of sharp piercings or cutting edges on the rod.

Nevertheless, with no limitations and with such vicious weapons, the humiliation of publicly stripping the victim was simply the beginning.

And what was the intent of this torture? To inflict the will of the authorities on the victim.

And what was this will of the authorities in Paul and Silas’ case? The claim was disturbance of the city, and teaching unlawful customs.

Acts 16:20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city.
Acts 16:21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”

Paul preached Jesus and the Philippians disguised their hatred with civic concerns. How socially acceptable.

This short study on the beating Paul endured is to remind my reader that Paul suffered under the hand of authorities, with fresh wounds being carried into Thessalonica. He suffered these beatings and kept preaching.

Who does that? Where is the personal gain, the “best life now” attitude that would allow Paul’s detractor a basis to stand on? The Thessalonians were not dependent on simply word of mouth regarding the treatment he succumbed to in Philippi. His beating left marks, and his partners must have recalled the humiliation the apostles endured.

Paul looked to the Thessalonians to remember his past, and the witness of his suffering as he was amongst them.

His witness speak to us today, for he mimicked the Master in providing for us an example of living for others, of suffering and maintaining a life dedicated to others.

There is no effective argument against that type of love for others!

May we exercise this life as we follow the Master.

---

Follow Considering the Bible on WordPress.com

Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.