Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:13
Tue, 22 March 2022

Divine Word in Human Words

Observation:

What does it mean that the Thessalonians received Paul’s preaching of the Gospel to them as the Word of God and not the word of men?

Deeper Reflection
WHAT THE THESSALONIANS “HEARD FROM” PAUL, THEY “received” and “accepted it not as the word of men”, but “the word of God” (v.13). But what the Thessalonians “heard” were human words spoken by Paul. How then could they consider that “not as the word of men” but “the word of God” – and with the emphatic “what it really is”?The nature of the ministry of the Word is shaped by the nature of the Bible, the Word of God given as divine revelation. “The Bible is the Word of God given in the words of men in history.”31 That was how God gave us the Bible: “in the words of men” – the only way He can speak to us such that we can understand. Paul’s letters in the New Testament are considered as “Scriptures” (2 Pet 3:15-16), which he wrote as he was “carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:20-21) and are thus “God-breathed” (2 Tim 3:16). But they are all written in human words, nonetheless. So, when we read Paul’s letters, we hear Paul’s voice and God’s voice through Paul’s voice.When we communicate in human words, thoughts, ideas and insights that are based on and built from the Scriptures, and we do so “not in persuasive words of [human and worldly] wisdom” (1 Cor 2:4), but by the power of the Holy Spirit with deep conviction (1 Thess 1:5), we are speaking the Word of God. Our speech can become “Scripturated” – influenced, formed and directed by the Scriptures – that we speak Scripturally, even without citing Scriptures. Jesus was like that.31 George Eldon Ladd, The New Testament and Criticism (Eerdmans, 1967), 12
Application:

How can I know that what I hear in a teaching or sermon, or what I teach others, is not the word of men but the Word of God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To faithfully keep a Word-centred and Word-directed ministry
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Sun, 31 December 2023

Sunday Journal

Past Week’s Review
  • What was my high point and my low point for the week?
  • What gave me life and what drained me?
  • How was the Spirit of God at work?
Reflect

What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond

What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?
Commit in prayer.

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