THE FIRST EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
THESSALONIANS

1 Thessalonians 2

1Paul setteth forth in what manner he had preached the gospel to the Thessalonians, 13and they had received and suffered for it. 17He sheweth his desire of coming to them, and the cause which had hitherto prevented him; 19testifying his joy and satisfaction in them.


1FOR yourselves,a brethren, know our 1entrance in unto you, that it was not in 2vain:

a 1 Thes. 1:5, 9.

1 That is, the first coming unto you to preach the Gospel among you. See Acts 17:1, 4.

2 That is, without power or fruit.

2But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, 3atb Philippi, we were bold 4in our God to speak untoc you the gospel of God 5with much contention.

3 Also an important city in Macedonia, as is declared in Acts 16:12. Now what Paul did and suffered there, see there also.

b Acts 16:22.

4 That is, by the help and assistance of our God.

c Acts 17:2.

5 Namely, which was inflicted upon us by the stubborn Jews as well as by the ignorant Gentiles.

3For 6our exhortation was not 7of deceit, nor 8of uncleanness, 9nor in guile:

6 Namely, to bring you to the obedience of the Gospel of Christ.

7 Namely, as were of the ones who mingled the law with the Gospel, to avoid the hatred of the Jews. See 2 Cor. 11:13, etc.; Gal. 5:11, and in several other places.

8 Namely, as were of those who indulged and flattered the Gentiles in their voluptuousness. See 2 Peter 2:13; Jude verse 10, etc.

9 Namely, cunningly to get honor, or money, or other worldly advantages from them, as in 2 Cor. 11:20 is testified of some, and is declared hereafter in verses 5, 6.

4But as we were 10allowed of God to be put 11in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; notd as pleasing men, but God, which 12trieth our hearts.

10 That is, were judged or esteemed suitable, that is, were made useful or suited. See Acts 9:15; 2 Cor. 3:5, 6; Gal. 1:15, 16, etc.

11 That is, commended, or put into our custody, to dispense the same unto others according to God’s will. See 1 Cor. 4:1, 2; 2 Cor. 5:19; 1 Tim. 1:11.

d Gal. 1:10.

12 The word trieth is here taken, namely, for searching or knowing, as the truth of gold is tried and approved by fire.

5For neither at any time used we 13flattering words, as ye know, nor a 14cloke of covetousness; Godeis witness:

13 Gr. in speech of flattery. Namely, as deceivers use to do to draw men’s hearts unto them, teaching nothing but what they know to be acceptable to them.

14 That is, to desire out of covetousness anything of you under some other pretense or concealment.

e Rom. 1:9; 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:23; 11:31; Gal. 1:20; Philip. 1:8; 1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 4:1.

6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, whenf we might have been 15burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

f 1 Cor. 9:3; 2 Thes. 3:9.

15 Some take this for the authority and great respect which he would not make use of among them, but much rather kindness and humility, as towards tender and obedient children, as the following words entail. See also 1 Cor. 4:21. Others take it for the troublesomeness of maintenance and other charges which were necessary for the apostle and his followers, which he also expressly speaks of in verse 9.

7But we were 16gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

16 Or, meek, kind.

8So being 17affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also 18our own souls, because ye were 19dear unto us.

17 Gr. greatly desiring you.

18 That is, our lives; not as if the Gospel were of less value than our life, but because it is yet more difficult and shows greater affection to lay down one’s life for any other, then to impart the Gospel.

19 Namely, because of your zeal in receiving the Gospel, and your patience in suffering for the same.

9Forg ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for 20labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

g Acts 18:3; 20:34; 1 Cor. 4:12; 2 Cor. 11:9. 12:13; 2 Thes. 3:8.

20 Namely, with our hands in tent making to maintain myself and mine, without your food, Acts 18:3, the cause whereof see 2 Cor. 11:12.

10Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we 21behaved ourselves among you that believe:

21 That is, have carried ourselves among you.

11As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12Thath ye would walk 22worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

h Gen. 17:1; 1 Cor. 7:20; Eph. 4:1; Philip. 1:27; Col. 1:10.

22 That is, as it becomes those who know God, obey Him, and profess His name.

13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye 23received 24the word of God which ye heard of us, ye 25received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, 26which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

23 Namely, with external ears.

24 Gr. of the hearing, that is, which you have heard preached, and God lets us hear by His ministers. An Hebrew phrase. See Isa. 53:1; Rom. 10:16, 17.

25 Namely, with the heart and faith, as Acts 16:14.

26 Or, Who, namely, God worketh also; namely, the assurance of the forgiveness of your sins, a bold access to God through the Holy Spirit, love to God and your neighbor, hope of salvation, patience and similar virtues.

14For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judare 27in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your 28owni countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

27 Hereby he distinguishes the true congregation of the Jews from the other synagogues among the Jews, who held themselves also as the people of God, although they persecuted their other brethren, who profess Christ. See Acts 12:1; Heb. 10:23, etc.

28 Namely, who were instigated thereunto by the Jews. See thereof Acts 17:5. The Greek word properly signifies those who are of one tribe, people or guild.

i Acts 17:5, 13.

15Whoj both 29killed the Lord Jesus, andk their 30own prophets, and have 31persecuted us; and they please not God, and are 32contrary to all men:

j Acts 7:52.

29 That is, persecuted to death, and were not quiet before they had caused Him to be killed upon the cross by the hands of unbelievers, Acts 2:23.

k Mat. 23:37; Luke 13:34.

30 That is, who were especially sent unto them by God out of their own people.

31 The Greek word signifies to persecute someone as such, that he, through persecution, is banished and cast out.

32 Namely, who seek their salvation in Christ.

16Forbiddingl us 33to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to 34fill up their sins 35alway: for 36the wrath is come upon them 37to the uttermost.

l Acts 17:13.

33 Namely, the Gospel of Christ, which only is the power of God unto salvation, Rom. 1:16.

34 Men are said to fill up their sins or the measure of their sins, when for a time by God’s long-suffering their progress in sin is not hindered until they are come to the highest, and God then visits them with grievous judgments. See Gen. 15:16; Mat. 23:32, etc.

35 That is, before this to Christ and His prophets, also now to His apostles and other messengers. See Acts 7:51, 52.

36 Namely, of God, Who justly hardens them in their sins because of their unthankfulness, Rom. 9:18, 22; 2 Thes. 2:11, 12.

37 Or, unto the end. This is by some understood of the weight of the judgment or wrath of God, which God is wont to send down upon the heads of such men, both here and hereafter; of others, as suitable, of the continuance of this judgment or wrath of God, which came upon this stubborn generation of the Jews shortly after that time, when God exemplarily punished them with the greater part of the rest gathered by the Romans out of all quarters at Jerusalem, and so destroyed them that they are yet no more a people, but remain scattered amongst all nations, and are generally hardened in their unbelief; which the prophecy of Daniel, Dan. 9:26, and the words of Christ, Mat. 23:38: Behold, your house is left unto you desolate, seem also to confirm, as also Mat. 24:15, etc.; Luke 21:20, etc. Some take this word uttermost for the end of the world, so that the wrath of God would never anymore cease from this people; but this is repugnant to the promise and prediction of the apostle Paul, Rom. 11:25, etc. together with 2 Cor. 3:15, 16, and other places where the future conversion of the people of the Jews unto Christ is foretold.

17But we, brethren, being 38taken 39from you 40for a short time 41in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly 42to see your face 43with great desire.

38 The Greek word properly signifies such a separation as when a father, being separated from his children, leaves them alone as orphans.

39 That is, from your presence.

40 Or, for an hour’s time. For, Paul was forced to separate from them speedily, by reason of the persecution of the Jews. See Acts 17:10.

41 That is, according to the bodily presence.

42 That is, again to see, or to come unto you.

43 Gr. in much desire.

18Whereforem we would have come unto you, even I Paul, 44once and again; but Satan 45hindered us.

m Rom. 1:13; 15:22.

44 That is, repeatedly, as Philip. 4:16.

45 Namely, by other persecutions and hindrances, or by new troubles that he raised in other congregations, which required our presence.

19Forn what is 46our hope, or joy, or 47crown of rejoicing? Are not even 48ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

n 2 Cor. 2:14; Philip. 2:16; 4:1.

46 That is, matter or cause of hope and joy.

47 That is, glorious boasting, as the following verse declares.

48 Namely, together with the congregations converted unto Christ by me, for which I may glory in Christ, and eternal rejoicing, joy and glory shall be recompensed unto me by God out of mere grace. See 2 Tim. 4:7.

20For ye are our glory and joy.