1 Thessalonians 2:14–16 (KJV)
"For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost."
❖ The Wrongs Attributed to the Jews in This Passage:
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Killing the Lord Jesus – They rejected and crucified the Messiah sent by God (see also Acts 2:23).
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Killing their own prophets – A long-standing rejection of God's messengers (see also Matthew 23:37).
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Persecuting the apostles – Opposing those sent by Christ to proclaim the gospel.
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Not pleasing God – Their actions were directly offensive to God, even while claiming to serve Him.
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Contrary to all men – Creating division and hostility, not only resisting truth themselves but also preventing others from receiving it.
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Forbidding the gospel to reach Gentiles – Blocking the expansion of salvation, acting out of pride and exclusivism.
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Filling up their sins continually – They were persisting in rebellion and piling up judgment.
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Bringing wrath upon themselves – Divine judgment (historically and spiritually) as the consequence of hardened hearts.
❖ Consequences for Modern Jews?
It's important to clarify: Paul's words address a particular group of Jews who actively opposed the gospel in his time—not all Jews, then or now. Modern Jews who reject Jesus as Messiah still fall under the biblical principle that salvation is found in no one else but Christ (Acts 4:12). Without faith in Him, whether Jew or Gentile, there is no eternal life.
But Romans 11 reminds us that God's covenant with Israel still holds prophetic significance. Paul calls this a mystery: “Blindness in part has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25). God's judgment is real, but His mercy remains extended.
❖ Relating This to Christian Behavior Today:
Paul's words were not a blanket condemnation of all Jewish people but a rebuke of those who actively opposed the gospel and persecuted its messengers. This same spirit of religious pride, exclusivism, and opposition to God's grace can infect Christian communities too.
Paul’s critique of divisive behavior applies to Christians who mistreat others over secondary issues like Bible translation preferences (KJV-only) or textual criticism (Textus Receptus debates). Such actions mirror the sins Paul condemns:
Today, some KJV-only or Textus Receptus-only groups exhibit similar behavior:
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They attack or reject faithful Christians who use other legitimate translations (e.g., ESV, NASB, NKJV) or who study from the Critical Text, claiming those people are deceived or even heretical.
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They "chase out" believers from churches or fellowship circles for not agreeing with narrow textual positions—many of which are not central to salvation.
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They hinder spiritual growth and fellowship, not by defending the truth in love, but by exalting a human tradition above gospel unity.
Spiritual Blindness: Like the Jews who missed Messiah, rigid legalism risks missing Christ’s heart (Matthew 23:24).
Damaged Witness: Infighting undermines the church’s credibility (John 13:35).
Divine Discipline: God opposes those who sow discord (Proverbs 6:16-19; James 3:16).
This is not the heart of Christ. Galatians 5:15 warns: “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” And Romans 14 calls believers to avoid judging one another over disputable matters.
❖ How Should One See This Scripture Through Paul's Eyes?
Paul grieved for his people (see Romans 9:1–3), but he did not excuse their rejection of the gospel. His lens was:
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Faithfulness to Christ comes before tribal or traditional loyalty.
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Opposition to God's work—no matter the source—is serious and has consequences.
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The gospel must not be blocked, distorted, or used as a tool of division.
Those who persecute or slander believers over non-salvific issues like Bible translation are walking a dangerous path—not unlike those Paul rebuked. They may believe they are defending truth, but if their spirit is proud, divisive, and abusive, they are not pleasing God.
❖ Final Word
God has never been pleased with religious pride. Whether it's 1st-century Jews opposing Paul, or 21st-century Christians excluding fellow believers over textual preferences, the danger is the same: adding to the gospel and exalting self-righteousness.
The Bible’s authority is unchanging, but how we wield it matters. As Paul modeled, Scripture is a tool for liberation, not a weapon for control. Let us “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) and guard the unity Christ died to create.
Let all believers heed Romans 14:4: “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.”
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