1 Thessalonians 2:16 – That They May Be Saved

16 … forbidding us to speak to the nations that they may be saved…

In what way were Paul’s opponents “contrary to all men”? They prevented him from speaking to the nations. That speaking was precisely the ministry entrusted to Paul. He did not bring a religious system, but a message that had to be heard. And he states its purpose in just a few words: “that they may be saved.” By hindering the evangel, they kept people from the light that made their salvation known.

In Paul’s writings, “being saved” stands opposite “perishing” (1 Cor. 1:18). Being lost means not only losing something, but also losing one’s way: wandering, having no orientation. In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul describes those who are perishing as people for whom the evangel is covered. Their apprehensions are blinded, so that “the illumination of the evangel” does not irradiate them (2 Cor. 4:3-4). No sight – and therefore, no sense of direction.

That beautifully explains why Paul had to speak to the nations. His commission was “to open their eyes, to turn them about from darkness to light” (Acts 26:18). Salvation means that the covering is removed and someone gains sight of what God makes known. Whoever was in darkness sees the light, and whoever was wandering gains orientation. That is why Paul had to speak: the evangel opens the eyes and gives sight again to those who have lost their way!

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