“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,” I Thessalonians 1:2-3 NKJV
Reflection: how can faith become “work”, in a good way?
Paul had travelled to Thessaloniki as part of his second, much longer 3-year missionary trip. See Acts 17 for details on what happened in this city when he arrived. It is an interesting read and important context to understand what he and his travel companions were up against as they spread the gospel across nations. How they risked their lives regularly, so that people could hear the good news of Jesus Christ. One interesting fact was Paul generally tried to reach out to his countrymen first, as he did here, in the Synagogues. He tried to “open the scriptures” for them. To explain the connection of what they knew so well from the Old Testament, but then how the promises of a Messiah had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It was truly what we would describe today as a labor of love.
Paul wrote at least two letters to the Christians in Thessaloniki which have been included in the New Testament. In the opening paragraph, we are introduced to three characteristics of the Christians there; for their 1) work of faith, 2) labor of love, and 3) patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is easy to gloss over this, but let’s take a moment today to learn more about who these people were. But, reading these three, you might like me have some questions, such as why Paul used two different terms, “work” and “labor” to describe their faith and love? And, how can we talk about faith related to “work”, which Paul so strongly warns against in his letter to the Romans?
The whole phrase “work of faith” seems like an oxymoron on the surface. But, the word translated to “work” in English is the Greek “ergon”, which means primarily to be in the “business, employment, that which any one is occupied”, and is used extensively throughout the New Testament. Let’s look at another example. Jesus said “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NKJV. Well, how do we “shine before men”? It is a result of the Holy Spirit in us, transforming us from our selfish ways to putting our faith in God, seeking to live and do right by following His ways and commandments. This transformation is easily seen by others, like a light shining in the darkness. So what Paul is saying about the Christians in Thessaloniki, is that they are characterized by being “in the business of” faith in God. They are light in the darkness, in their society and community which was highly pagan.
So what about the word “labor”? The Greek word used for labor here is “kopos” which means “intense labour united with trouble and toil”. Think for instance how we use this in the phrase “labor pains” as a woman is about to give birth. And Paul says about the Christians that they “labor in love”. Although their labor for Christ was very difficult, met with opposition and persecution, it was characterized by love, like in “love your enemies”. It was the same love that drove Paul back to the Synagogues, pleading with his countrymen to receive Christ. Perhaps another biblical example is the story of Mary of Magdalene “And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.” Matthew 26:6-10 NKJV. Regardless of how difficult, how painful, how much she was ridiculed, she poured out her love for the Savior. Similarly, the Christians in Thessaloniki, labored for Christ in love for Him.
And, we cannot forget to consider the last characteristic Paul used to describe these early Christians, talking about their hope. Hope is the foundation for our Christian faith, it is in a way what faith is built upon. And for the Christians in Thessaloniki, Paul said of them they had “patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”. Not only did they place their hope “in our Lord Jesus Christ” and His finished work, but Paul adds this interesting dimension of “patience” in their hope. How beautiful, hoping for the promises of Jesus Christ, and His return in glory, but with patience. That He not only was coming back, but trusting that it would be in His timing. With all our talk about the return of Christ these days, perhaps we need to add a bit more patience to our hope?
As we read on in these letters, we will learn more about the early Christians in Thessaloniki. Lessons we have to take to heart. Today, let’s reflect on how we measure up in these three dimensions of “work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”.
