For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13, NKJV).
Cheap Talk
Words are magic. It's an old belief from the dawn of time, and in a way, it's even true. Words, either spoken or written, convey meaning in the most unimaginable way possible. By that I mean, when you look at what a word actually is, either bits of ink on a page, or bits of vibrating air in the atmosphere, it is quite improbable to think that something as complex as an idea or thought could be transmitted by such ephemeral mechanisms. Of course, it is only through prior agreement that certain patterns of ink and air mean something, but it seems to me that if anything is magic, then words might be the one thing that qualifies.
Cheap Talk
Words are magic. It's an old belief from the dawn of time, and in a way, it's even true. Words, either spoken or written, convey meaning in the most unimaginable way possible. By that I mean, when you look at what a word actually is, either bits of ink on a page, or bits of vibrating air in the atmosphere, it is quite improbable to think that something as complex as an idea or thought could be transmitted by such ephemeral mechanisms. Of course, it is only through prior agreement that certain patterns of ink and air mean something, but it seems to me that if anything is magic, then words might be the one thing that qualifies.
There are lots of traditions about ancient incantations - collections of arcane or common words that are supposed to do something above and beyond the nearly miraculous thing that they already do, transmit significance. Spells, chants, mantras and the like sprinkle the history of man on earth like stale pepper on a boiled potato; visible, mildly interesting, but beyond making you sneeze a bit, really without any special impact.
Again, aside from conveying agreed upon meaning, most words uttered or written by humans are pretty cheap. Yeah they might ignite a war, or change the outcome of an election, or ruin a reputation, but the cause of such things is not really the words themselves, but the human reaction to them. Don't believe me? Try speaking something into existence. Now the Bible is rife with warnings about the words of man, and rightfully so, but not because the words themselves are powerful, but because the God-given human ability to understand and respond to them is the issue.
That's the point of Paul's commendation to the Thessalonican church. They heard the Apostle's preaching and responded in four significant ways, and by so doing, gave evidence that the source of Paul's words was not cheap human talk, but the Inventor of Communication Himself.
Again, aside from conveying agreed upon meaning, most words uttered or written by humans are pretty cheap. Yeah they might ignite a war, or change the outcome of an election, or ruin a reputation, but the cause of such things is not really the words themselves, but the human reaction to them. Don't believe me? Try speaking something into existence. Now the Bible is rife with warnings about the words of man, and rightfully so, but not because the words themselves are powerful, but because the God-given human ability to understand and respond to them is the issue.
That's the point of Paul's commendation to the Thessalonican church. They heard the Apostle's preaching and responded in four significant ways, and by so doing, gave evidence that the source of Paul's words was not cheap human talk, but the Inventor of Communication Himself.
What was their response?
[they] received the word of God - I don't know how much frustration I have experienced in my life from knowing that my attempt at communicating something to someone bounces off their sensibilities unconsumed. It just doesn't penetrate or stick at all because the recipient may hear, but doesn't listen or absorb. The words and ideas are not received, not swallowed down into that part of the brain that chews and digests, or eschews and spits out. At times, any reaction at all is better than utter impenetrable apathy. But the Thessalonicans were not guilty of being thick. They received God's Word, and that is commendable indeed.
[they] welcomed it - like a loved one showing up at their door. I can almost imagine them saying with typical Middle Eastern hospitality, "Come in! Come in! My home is your home!" What a marvelous reaction. No wonder Paul thanked God for them unceasingly. As a sometimes teacher of the Word of God, it is unbelievably satisfying to be able to gratify an honest seeker's sincere hunger for the Word. I can understand, in part, how Paul was motivated to endure the sufferings he did in order to "preach glad tidings of good things".
not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God - they not only received and welcomed it, but they also recognized this was no cheap talk from some blathering man out for his own profit or glory. They understood it came from the Source of All Sources. They discerned its transformative power. They realized that the truth Paul had the privilege to convey was from God Himself - for them. Remarkable.
[they] believe[d] - and in believing, allowed the Word to work its power in their lives, transforming them from mere mortals into children of God. This is astonishing when you think about it, and more than a little miraculous; far more "magical" than any supposed incantation of old.
These early Christians are role models for us in this regard. Not only was Paul praising them for their initial response to God's truth, which led to their salvation, but later in the same epistle he congratulates them for continuing to allow the truth of God to conform them increasingly into the image of God's Son. His Word was working in them effectively as it was intended, for God promises that His Word will never return to Him void. It will always render the desired results, either life or death, joy or judgment, blessing or cursing.
I am not really saying, of course, that there is magic involved here, for that would be the palest possible description of what actually occurs. I am saying that there is supernatural power involved, the very same power that spoke the Universe into existence and maintains it nanosecond by nanosecond until that day when all things will be made new, and then beyond even that into eternity.
It is no accident that one of the many names of Jesus is logos, the Word, for in Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily, and in Him all things were made and consist.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV).
[they] received the word of God - I don't know how much frustration I have experienced in my life from knowing that my attempt at communicating something to someone bounces off their sensibilities unconsumed. It just doesn't penetrate or stick at all because the recipient may hear, but doesn't listen or absorb. The words and ideas are not received, not swallowed down into that part of the brain that chews and digests, or eschews and spits out. At times, any reaction at all is better than utter impenetrable apathy. But the Thessalonicans were not guilty of being thick. They received God's Word, and that is commendable indeed.
[they] welcomed it - like a loved one showing up at their door. I can almost imagine them saying with typical Middle Eastern hospitality, "Come in! Come in! My home is your home!" What a marvelous reaction. No wonder Paul thanked God for them unceasingly. As a sometimes teacher of the Word of God, it is unbelievably satisfying to be able to gratify an honest seeker's sincere hunger for the Word. I can understand, in part, how Paul was motivated to endure the sufferings he did in order to "preach glad tidings of good things".
not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God - they not only received and welcomed it, but they also recognized this was no cheap talk from some blathering man out for his own profit or glory. They understood it came from the Source of All Sources. They discerned its transformative power. They realized that the truth Paul had the privilege to convey was from God Himself - for them. Remarkable.
[they] believe[d] - and in believing, allowed the Word to work its power in their lives, transforming them from mere mortals into children of God. This is astonishing when you think about it, and more than a little miraculous; far more "magical" than any supposed incantation of old.
These early Christians are role models for us in this regard. Not only was Paul praising them for their initial response to God's truth, which led to their salvation, but later in the same epistle he congratulates them for continuing to allow the truth of God to conform them increasingly into the image of God's Son. His Word was working in them effectively as it was intended, for God promises that His Word will never return to Him void. It will always render the desired results, either life or death, joy or judgment, blessing or cursing.
I am not really saying, of course, that there is magic involved here, for that would be the palest possible description of what actually occurs. I am saying that there is supernatural power involved, the very same power that spoke the Universe into existence and maintains it nanosecond by nanosecond until that day when all things will be made new, and then beyond even that into eternity.
It is no accident that one of the many names of Jesus is logos, the Word, for in Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily, and in Him all things were made and consist.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV).
