1The salutation. 2Paul sheweth his thankful remembrance of the Thessalonians in his prayers on account of their faith, charity, and patience; 5applauding them for their exemplary reception of the gospel, and improvement under it.
1PAUL, and 1Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the 2Thessalonians which is 3in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: 4Graceabe unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 He is also called Silas, Acts 17:4, and was a continual companion of Paul in traveling through the regions of Macedonia, Greece and other lands, Acts 15; 16.
2 Of the geographical position of this city, and of the conversion and establishment of this congregation, see the beginning of Acts 17.
3 That is, which professes the Name of God the Father and of Jesus Christ. See John 17:3. Or, which is called by the power of God the Father in Christ. Whereby the true congregation is distinguished from Gentiles and Jews.
4 See of this salutation, Rom. 1:7.
a Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:2; 1 Peter 1:2.
2Web give thanks to God 5always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
b Eph. 1:16; Philip. 1:3; Col. 1:3; 2 Thes. 1:3.
5 That is, upon every opportunity and as often as we pray.
3Remembering without ceasing 6yourc work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, 7in the sight of God and our Father;
6 Or, the work of your faith, that is, the faith which God works in you, and which is not idle, but brings forth its fruit and operations. As the labor of love is put for laborious love, and patience of hope for a patient and forbearing hope. See 1 Cor. 13:13; Gal. 5:6; James 2:17, etc.
c John 6:29.
7 Some join this to the previous word remembering, so that this would be the sense: remembering in our prayers before God. Others join it with the words following further, faith, love and hope in the sight of God, to intimate the sincerity of the same, so that they were studious of those virtues, as in the presence of God. See the like phrase, Gen. 17:1; Luke 1:6.
4Knowing, brethren beloved, 8your election 9of God.
8 Namely, whereby you are elected to eternal life, Acts 13:48; 1 Cor. 1:26, etc., which he proves and concludes from the foregoing and following evidences.
9 These words may be joined, either to the word beloved, namely, beloved of God, or, to the word election. See 2 Thes. 2:13.
5Ford10our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also 11in power, and 12in the Holy Ghost, and 13in much assurance; ase ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
d 1 Cor. 2:4; 4:20.
10 That is, our preaching of the Gospel.
11 That is, was accompanied with powerful miracles among you, and the working of the Holy Spirit in you, Mark 16:20; 1 Cor. 2:4, etc.
12 That is, in gifts of the Holy Spirit, with which believers were endowed, as may be seen in Acts 19:6. Or, by the inward operations of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, whereby faith was wrought in them. Acts 16:14.
13 Some understand this of the assurance of faith in the Thessalonians themselves; but what follows seems to introduce that here is spoken of the assurance which Paul has shown in his preaching, unto the convincing of the consciences of the elect, notwithstanding all the troubles which came upon him for it, whereupon the assurance of faith in the elect also has followed.
e 1 Thes. 2:1.
6Andf ye became 14followers of us, 15and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy 16of the Holy Ghost:
f 1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Philip. 3:17; 2 Thes. 3:9.
14 He speaks here, as also repeatedly before in the plural number, because in the beginning of the epistle, he joined Silvanus and Timotheus with him.
15 Namely, in bearing of afflictions, as the following words show, See 1 Cor. 11:1.
16 That is, wrought in you by the Holy Spirit. For, others must also sometimes suffer affliction, but to rejoice in it. Since they are herein conformable to Christ, it is a work of the Holy Spirit in the faithful. See Acts 5:41; Rom. 5:3, etc.; 14:17; Philip. 1:29.
7So that ye were 17ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
17 Or, examples, patterns; namely, of steadfastness and patience.
8For 18from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also 19in every place 20your faith to God-ward is 21spread abroad; so that we need not to speak 22any thing.
18 That is, the rumor of God’s Word was made known by your doings and example.
19 Namely, round about Macedonia and Achaia.
20 That is, the profession and fruits of your faith. See Rom. 1:8.
21 That is, declared or reported.
22 Namely, to make this known to others, or to commend you for it unto others.
9For 23they themselves shew of us 24what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God 25from idols to serve 26the living and true God;
23 Namely, the faithful who come unto us out of other countries or congregations. See verse 7.
24 How diligently and zealously you admitted us, and received the word of the Gospel. See Acts 17:4.
25 That is, from the service of idols.
26 By the first title God is distinguished from dumb images and other lifeless creatures, which the Gentiles worshipped; by the other title, from feigned gods, which were set up from among men or spirits, or other living creatures unto idols.
10Andg to wait for his Son 27from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which 28delivered us from 29the wrath to come.
g Acts 1:11; Philip. 3:20; 2 Thes. 1:10; Rev. 1:7.
27 Namely, at His second coming, to judge the quick and the dead.
28 Namely, by His merit and power, and saves us here, and hereafter eternally.
29 That is, punishment and vengeance, which He shall execute at the last day upon all unbelievers. See Mat. 3:7; Rom. 1:18; 5:9.