What is your favorite book of the Bible? While it is probably one of the hardest things for me to chose, I would have to say that the books to the Thessalonian congregations have to be among the top on my list. That is one reason why I was SO EXCITED to know that my favorite commentary writer of our time was writing a book on some of my favorite passages of divine Scripture.  

     You can never surpass the guidance and edification which comes from the God-given passages but a deep understanding and continued study of those Scriptures using helpful guides such as Living & Longing for the Lord will only add to that faith. And, while you might not agree with Michael on every aspect of the book, you won't find a more concise wording and ample evidence than what is found in this book. 

     If you haven't figured it out yet, Living & Longing for the Lord by Michael Whitworth is a must read as you set to study God's Book. If you want a long, drawn-out, somewhat daunting study ending in your ability to write a doctoral dissertation on the Pauline epistles to the Thessalonica Church of Christ, look elsewhere. But, if you're looking for a study which will leave you with a deeper understanding and equipped to help yourself and others in the Faith by using 1 & 2 Thessalonians, go over to Start2Finish Books and pick up your copy right now!

     After considering passages of scriptures that have been used during dif4icult moments in my life, I was able to esteem one passage as most favorable based on its meaning, message and might. The scripture chosen is 2 Corinthians 12:10 and it states: “Therefore I take pleasure in in2irmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (King James Version). This verse is a powerful passage that, when applied, results in a transformed mind and attitude when faced with adversity. 

     When Paul references taking pleasure, he is using the language used by God to express satisfaction with His Son (cf. Mat. 3:17; 12:18; 17:5; 2 Pet. 1:17) (Rogers, James 1989 Denton Lectures on 2 Corinthians, Edited by Dub McClish, pg. 267). In other words, Paul is saying, “I am well satisied” (Vine, W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, pg. 871; Mounce, William Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, pg. 519). “Here is a conscious exercise of the will, for there is no sensation in the matter of suffering that gives pleasure” (Jackson, Bill A Commentary on Second Corinthians, pg. 108). Unlike certain religious methodologies (ie. Islam), Paul is not seeking martyrdom, but he is rather choosing an attitude of satisfaction rather than displeasure regardless of the persecution he faces (Robertson, Archibald Word Pictures in the New Testament: Volume IV (The Epistles of Paul), pg. 266). The decisiveness of Paul to choose an attitude of satisfaction in times of suffering is a Biblical concept found throughout the New Testament writings. The Hebrews writer refers to Christ’s sacri4ice on the cross as an event that the Son of God considered to be one of joy (cf. Heb. 12:2). Likewise, James gives command concerning this concept when he writes, “... count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (Jam. 1:2) (Jackson, Bill, pg. 108). Of necessity, Paul relied on God for wisdom in order to gain a proper perception of his sufferings so that he might see how God would be glori4ied in his weakness (cf. Jam. 1:5; 2 Cor. 12:9) (Mosher, Keith 2011 MSOP Class Lecture Notes on James, May 23rd). Such a satis4ied and joyful attitude is on display during the persecution Paul and Silas endured while in the Philippi prison after they received many stripes through beatings (cf. Acts 16:22-25). 

     Vine’s Expository Dictionary de4ines in4irmities as follows: “want of strength... weakness, indicating inability to produce results” (Vine, W.E., pg. 597). The word refers to one’s limitations or inadequacies (Mounce, William, pg. 781-782). In4irmities are weaknesses of the mortal mind and human frailties that are incapable of producing man’s spiritual desires and the inner strengths that are essential for joy in this life and salvation in the life to come (Ibid., pg. 782). Blessings of such a spiritual nature can only come when one has been obedient to the gospel (that which is God’s power to save man from his sinful, weakened, inadequate state) by being baptized “into Christ” (cf. Eph. 1:3; Rom. 1:16; Gal. 3:27). 

     A different form of this word is used in Acts 27:10 and 27:21 and is rendered as “damage” and “disaster” to describe what occurred to the ship (Rogers, James, pg. 267). Here, Paul is referencing the wrong that has come upon him because of violence, injury and insult (Lipscomb, David A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles: Volume III, pg. 161). The word denotes treatment that is willfully harsh and injurious (Jackson, Bill, pg. 108). 

     Paul had experienced what it meant to be in need. In 2 Cor. 11:27, he states that he was often in need of food, drink, sleep, warmth and raiment. However, in Phil. 4:12-13, he states that he had learned to be content both when he abounded and when he was in need. Interestingly (considering the passage of this study) he acknowledges Christ as the source of his strength to 4ind contentment in all circumstances of life (cf. Phil. 4:13). 

     The word persecution is derived from a word meaning “pursue, chase” and is literally the result of pursuing one in order to in4lict harassment and oppression; hence the word, pursue-cution (Mounce, William, pg. 509). A Biblical illustration of one who was pursue-cuted is David running for his life while being sought by Saul (cf. 1 Sam. 21—24). Paul would later write the preacher Timothy, that all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer af4lictions or persecutions (cf. 2 Tim. 3:12). 

     “Distress” in the original literally means “narrowness of space” and de4ines a state of dire calamity and extreme anguish (Thayer, Joseph Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, pg. 587).It is the condition of one who is in trauma because of af4liction (Renn, Stephen Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, pg. 291). This word is de4initive of an emotional and mental state that is a result of the outward circumstances that are created by the harmful actions of others who are intentionally seeking to in4lict pain. 

     Paul acknowledges that Christ is the reason as to why he suffered through all the hardships mentioned. This admission is given to the glory of God and is not stated regrettably or shamefully (cf. Rom. 1:16). The whole passage up to this point is similar to the sentiment of the apostles who rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ (cf. Acts 5:41).
     While he was on the earth, Jesus stated that those who keep His commandments are His friends, and that in doing so hatred from the world would be brought upon His disciples for His name’s sake (cf. John 15:14-21). Just as Christ promised and just as Paul was experiencing, living a life obedient to the will of Christ always results in one being persecuted in some way (cf. John 15:19; 2 Tim. 3:12). It is important to note that the sufferings that took place in these instances did occur “for Christ’s sake” or in His name. Self in4licted persecution or living a life of asceticism does not glorify God; rather, God is glori4ied in sufferings when such occurs because of one’s faithfulness to Christ (cf. 1 Pet. 4:16). 

     After giving the reason as to why the apostle suffered his af4lictions, he now states the way in which he endured such. One might ask: how did you do it Paul? Paul would possibly respond by pointing the inquirer to a previous chapter in this same letter: 2 Cor. 4:17, which states, “For our light af4liction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”. It is because of the eternal weight of glory that is available because of a resurrected Savior that Paul had the strength to endure such harsh circumstances. 

     A football coach once told his team, “Men, pain and suffering is temporary, but pride and accomplishment is forever”. As Paul “coaches” us today by pleading for our submission and faithfulness to Christ, he is saying, “Pain and suffering is temporary, but salvation and God’s glory is eternal” (cf. 2 Cor. 5:1; Phil. 4:20). Regardless of the type or amount of persecution and suffering we may face upon this earth while living faithfully for Christ, the Christian must always remember that the suffering is only temporary, but the eternal home and glory given to God is eternal. The Christian that adopts such an attitude and transforms his mind through the gospel of Christ will be able to say as Paul did, “I take pleasure” in af4lictions for Christ’s sake (cf. Rom. 12:1-2). 

     In our weakest, lowest, hardest, saddest or loneliest times in life, we must always remember the power of the gospel and the strength of the resurrection (cf. Rom. 1:16). We have a Lord and Savior who took on the pain, persecution, torture and death we should have suffered, and in doing so went to the cross and died and was buried in a tomb before rising again the third day. Think about that for a moment, the second member of the Godhead, the Christ, the Son of God, the Creator of this world, died and was buried in a tomb (cf. Col. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-5). The God of heaven and earth humbled Himself to the point of death, even the shameful death of a cross used to penalize criminals, to then be buried by men who were created by Him and in His very image (cf. Phil. 2:6-8). The reason and reality of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection is the might and strength that Paul accessed when being washed clean from his sins and when he was in desperate need of strength during the weakest moments of his life (cf. Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:1-9).