I’ve been reading chronologically through the New Testament lately, and right now I’m in Acts and several of Paul’s letters to the early churches. In today’s reading, while waiting for his mission partners to show up, Paul couldn’t help himself and got into debates with people in Athens (Acts 17:15-34). He seems to have been very good at it, and pointed out examples that the Athenians knew very well to help them understand what he was talking about. He was passionate and clear with the Gospel, which caused some people to believe and some people to scoff. Others were simply interested as they would be in a passing curiosity. But whatever the reaction, Paul said what needed to be said and didn’t shy away.
After the passionate delivery of debate in Athens, the rest of today’s reading was in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. He was just as passionate with the way he wrote to them as he was in the debates, but I noticed that though he had a similar energy, there was a different expression. Paul passionately wrote to the Thessalonians about how much he missed them. He excitedly talked about how things had been the last time he was there. He expressed deep concern for them, and he and Timothy and Silas ended up missing them so much that Paul sent Timothy to visit them just to hear from them personally. Paul’s words are filled with the deep concern that a mom or dad has for their child that’s just gone off to face the world themselves, hoping they’ve taught the child well so they can weather the storms that come.
It was sweet to see that while Paul always seemed to be full of energy, that passion wasn’t always fiery zeal and preaching, sometimes it was earnest and tender care for his fellow Christians. Though sometimes he could come across as abrasive, he could also be very gentle. Though sometimes he was known for strong rebuke, he was also known for powerful love.
Related:
God’s Forgiveness – Paul the Apostle
Paul’s Prison Ministry
Paul’s Personality
Grace for the Thorn