1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1:1

SIlvanus] Saint Jerome is of opinion that Silvanus (through the errour of some that transcribed this Epistle of Saint Paul) was put for Silas; and by comparing this Chapter with divers passages in the Acts of the Apostles, it should seem, that he who is called here Silvanus, was no other then Silas; and he might be sometimes called by the name of Silas, and sometimes of Silvanus, as S. Paul himself was sometimes called Paul, sometimes Saul.

and Timotheus] There are three reasons alleadged by Salvianus and others, why the Apostle addeth Silvanus and Timotheus in the inscription of this Epistle: the first, that the Thessalonians might know, that they were all three together, who are joyned in this inscription when the Apostle dictated this Letter. Secondly, to shew their consent in doctrine, and that what they had taught before severally, they now deliver joyntly. And thirdly, that the Epistle might carry the more authority, being sent from three such eminnt Pastors. See Galatians 1:1.

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We give thanks to God] See Philem. 4.

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your work of faith] Your faith which is not a dead, but a living faith, working through love; although faith be opposed to the works of the Law, by this Apostle (Romans 3:28.) who concludeth, that we are justified by faith, and not by the works of the Law, yet is faith a work of grace, and of the Gospel, and so is called by Christ himself, John 6. 29.

and labour of love] The duties of true love, excercised and practised by you, without sparing your selves in hard and dangerous times and occasions.

patience of hope] Your voluntary and constant patience under the Crosse, for the Gospel, which is upheld by the assured hope of a farre exceeding and eternall weight of glory; 2 Corinthians 4:17.

in our Lord] Gr. of our Lord.

in the sight of God] Either the meaning is, what time soever we present our selves before God, to pray unto him, we remember you: or this may be added to signifie the truth and sinceritie of these vertues in the Thessalonians.

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Knowing] By Gods blessing upon our labours, in your true conversion, and the fruits of true faith, brought forth by you, that you are elected of God.

beloved, your election of God] Or, beloved of God, your election.

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but also in power] Either powerfully testified by miracles, or a most powerfull working upon your hearts.

and in the holy Ghost] Either he meaneth the extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost, or the testimony of the Spirit, assuring them of their effectuall calling.

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with joy of the holy Ghost] A spirituall joy wrought in you by the holy Ghost.

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Word of the Lord] The Gospel is so termed, either because the Lord is the Author, or, the object of it; for it is both à Domino, and de Domino.

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entering in we had] That is, what loving entertainment, and kinde acceptance we had from you, and how cheerfully you imbraced the Gospel. Act. 17.

serve the living and true God] God is said to be the true God in opposition to all false gods, John 17:3. but, the living God, partly in opposition to idols, which were images of dead men, and themselves livelesse being senslesse stocks; or to teach us, that God hath life in himself, and is the Author of all life; both of nature, grace and glory.

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wrath to come] Christ delivereth us from the wrath of God, both present, and to come; yet the Apostle nameth onely wrath to come, as S. John Baptist likewise doth, Matthew 3:7. because that is the most dreadfull wrath, and the deliverance from that, the greatest and most illustrious deliverance of all. Apoc. 6. 16, 17.