Deeper Reflection
PAUL ASKS THE THESSALONIANS TO PRAY FOR HIM THAT “the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, as happened among you” (v.1). The “as happened among you” is implied in Paul’s second prayer request, that he “may be delivered from wicked and evil men” (v.2). Paul’s second prayer request “may include more than Paul’s request for his own mission; it may imply something for the readers themselves as they pray for him”⁴⁰. The “wicked [out of place⁴¹] and evil men” were not those outside the church who opposed the faith, but “those who profess belief and are part of the church community but are ‘out of place’ because they are not genuine saints”⁴². These people appeared to “have faith”, but in reality, they did not (v.2). And such people whom Paul encountered were also found present in the church in Thessalonica – “as happened among you” (implied). In other words, Paul is saying to the Thessalonians: “pray that we may be delivered from ‘out of place’ and evil men [just as you need deliverance from such people], for not everyone has faith.”⁴³In this context, Paul mentions “But the Lord is faithful” (v.3a) immediately after verses 1 to 2 – as a contrast to human faithlessness (v.2). It does happen that when “great” and well-known Christian leaders fall, those who follow them are disappointed and leave the faith. Why leave the faithful God because of human faithlessness? It’s incongruent! This reveals that they are not following the faithful God but fallible human leaders. If they are, they will remain faithful to the faithful God.

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⁴⁰ G. K. Beale, 243 ⁴¹ See Devotional Journal 2022, October 21 entry ⁴² G. K. Beale, 239 ⁴³ G. K. Beale, 244