Preaching in the New Testament (New Studies in Biblical Theology Book 42)

by (Preaching instructor) Jonathan Griffiths

The proclamation is made by ‘approved’ agents Paul and his companions lay emphasis on the fact that they acted as approved agents in declaring the gospel in Thessalonica: For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. (2:3–6) The term translated here ‘approved’ (dedokimasmetha) refers to being proved (and ultimately ‘approved’) through testing. It was used in the ancient world to refer to the testing and approval of office holders for their role.6 Here the Lord is the one who has tested and proved his agents for work as his gospel ministers (the same verb is used later in 2:4:

Couldn’t any believer argue they have been called and approved by God? He doesn’t address that obvious rebuttal here.