Protect And Proclaim The Gospel – 1 Thessalonians 2:1–16 | Video Devotion With Dave Miers | Good News Unlimited

Protect and Proclaim the Gospel – 1 Thessalonians 2:1–16 | Video Devotion with Dave Miers

Aug 3, 2026 24742

[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]

When Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians 2, he was under attack. His critics said he was a phony who ran away and didn’t care about the people; they called him insincere.

So Paul unpacks what true gospel ministry actually looks like. And there’s plenty for us to learn about pressing on in ministry.

I want you to see two dual priorities.

Priority 1: Protect and Proclaim the Gospel

Check out 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2,

“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.” (ESV)

Paul says he’s been entrusted with the gospel. He’s been given the responsibility to guard the gospel, to keep it safe, and to hold it carefully.

The gospel is the good news that God saves sinners through the perfect life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection of King Jesus. It’s not Paul’s gospel. It’s God’s gospel. And all those who believe it are entrusted with it, too.

Paul’s commitment is clear. He speaks to please God, not people. He’s protecting the purity of the gospel. He’s not twisting it for personal gain.

But protecting the gospel isn’t enough. Paul also proclaims it boldly.

Have a look at verse 13

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. — 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV)

The gospel has always spread in the midst of persecution. Paul doesn’t shrink back. He proclaims it courageously even when it costs him something.

We need to do the same. Unashamed of the gospel. Unashamed to make the gospel known.

Priority 2: Tender and Tough

This second priority shows the different ways that Paul cares for the people of God.

Paul uses the picture of a mother:

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you’ve become very dear to us. — 1 Thessalonians 2:7–8 (ESV)

I love these words. They display a clear tenderness and affection that Paul has for those he ministers to. He shares the gospel – that’s a given for gospel ministers. But he does it in the context of relationship. He shares his life with great love.

But Paul also describes his ministry like a father:

For you know how like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God. — 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 (ESV)

A father who exhorts. Who encourages. Who calls his children to live right.

Gospel ministry requires both. Tenderness toward the weary and broken. But also conviction. A healthy toughness to call people up to great holiness in Christ Jesus.

The Good News Is…

This example of Paul is simply following the example of Jesus.

Jesus was tender and gentle with the broken and suffering, as the one who laid down his life.
Jesus was tough and quite blunt with the self-righteous, as the righteous judge.

Sometimes Christians are only tender.
Sometimes Christians are only tough.

We need to flex both arms, the tender care of a mother and the tough love of a father, as we continue to protect and proclaim the word of God.

Further reading: 1 Thessalonians 2

Reflection

Where do you need to be more tender in your ministry to others? Where do you need to be tougher? And how does Jesus’ example change how you approach both?

Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited