1 Thessalonians 2:4 to Jeremiah 11:20

Walk the Square · a single-voice walk of this pair around the Clowney square13:34

NT Text:

OT Source(s):

Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Reference Type: Echo

Connection Method(s): Analogy

Significance: Paul's identification of God as "the one who examines our hearts" may specifically allude to Jeremiah 11:20, where the Lord is described as one who "judges justly, examining minds and hearts," though the notion of God as the tester of human hearts occurs so frequently in the OT that he may have in mind the general idea rather than any specific text. Paul employs this common OT concept to show that the God who examined him and found him worthy to be entrusted with the gospel (2:4a) also continues to examine him (note the present tense of the participle dokimazonti) and thus ensures that the apostle's motives are pure. The theological function is apologetic: Paul grounds his claim to speak with pure motives not in his own character but in God's ongoing examination of his heart. The phrase "to please God" is itself characteristically OT in origin (Numbers 23:27; 1 Kings 14:13; Job 34:9; Psalm 19:14; 69:31; 104:34; Proverbs 15:26; 16:7; Malachi 3:4), revealing that Paul's entire apostolic mission is conceived within the framework of OT categories of faithfulness to the covenant God who knows and tests human hearts. The Thessalonians can trust Paul's message because the covenant-keeping God of Israel, who tested the hearts of his prophets and servants throughout Israel's history, has examined Paul and continues to examine him.

Related Anchor-Text Networks

(none yet)

Have a suggestion, or spotted something to fix?
✦ The Hyperlinked Bible