Deeper Reflection
THE POWERFUL EFFECT OF THE GOSPEL ON THE Thessalonians assured Paul of God’s loving election of them: “because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (vv.4-5a). In 1 Thessalonians, “the gospel of God” and “the word of God” are used interchangeably (v.5, 1:6, 8; 2:2, 4, 8, 9, 13). Clearly, Paul preached the Gospel through expounding the Scriptures (see Acts 13:16-41) and he did so “in word”. Words matter in reading, hearing and speaking the Word of God. The Gospel in the Scriptures has specific contents to be understood through words. The Holy Spirit is at work “in power” through the Word of God, penetrating people’s mind, heart, conscience and will. But when the Word of God is rejected, it does not mean the Holy Spirit is not at work. Rejecting the Word of God is resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). The ministry of God’s Word has a “life-and-death impact”, such that “in spite of failures here and there, the knowledge of God spreads everywhere through the apostolic preaching like an aroma. The preaching generates differing responses – both rejection which leads to death and acceptance which leads to life [2 Cor 2:14-16].”⁴² There is here the Word and the Spirit, and the heart, in play dynamically. So, when we read, hear or speak the Word of God, is there deep and full conviction from the Holy Spirit – being convinced and assured of the Word’s truth and relevance – in our hearts?

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⁴² David E. Garland, 2 Corinthians, Vol. 29, The New American Commentary (B&H, 1999), 135