1 Thessalonians 2:1-7

Corrupt ministers are bad; accusing a righteous minister of being corrupt is worse. In Paul’s world, like ours, had its share of corrupt, unrighteous and even evil false prophets. Paul was not one of them, but that did not stop corrupt men from accusing him, and it did not stop Christians who should have known better, from criticizing him.

Paul may have been making a defense against a specific accuser, or this may have been a general preemptive defense. We do not know which, but he makes a defense that all ministers should be able to make as well. Paul points to the church at Thessalonica as a result of his ministry. The ministry of the gospel should produce fruit. A minister that never has results, needs to do some soul-searching.

Paul reminded them that in spite of previous suffering, he did not let opposition prevent him from preaching the gospel. A minister that is unwilling or unable to face opposition with courage is either unrighteous, or is not yet where he needs to be in his relationship with God. A minister does needs the Holy Spirit to fill him with courage.

Paul’s gospel was theologically sound because it was the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it was therefore life-changing. It was not based on impure motives or unsound beliefs. He was not seeking personal gain or the approval of anyone but God. His ministry bore witness to the fact that he was being truthful and not trying to trick or deceive anyone. He was leading people with the truth of the gospel into salvation and eternal life. His ministry was not about enriching himself.

It is sad that Paul would have to defend his ministry, but the same happens in churches today all around the world. People who are not right in their relationship with God find fault with God’s ministers. Most ministers are righteous, and if they fail, it is not deliberate. All Christians miss the mark sometimes. Before condemning the minister we should examine ourselves first.