1 Thessalonians 1

Ver. 1.—Silvanus.] Or Silas. See note at Acts xiii. 9.

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

—which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.] That is, established in the knowledge, faith, worship, and obedience of God the Father, &c. Burkitt.

Ver. 1. — that it was not in vain.] Or, ’that it was not vain;’ either as to its motive, or to its effect. Dr. Wells. It was not chargeable with any fallacious or treacherous aim, since the persecution and tribulations he experienced at Philippi would have discouraged a worldly designer from going farther. Dr. Hammond. And it was not without such Divine assistance, as was sufficient to work conviction in the hearers, and to engage them to embrace the truth delivered to them. Dr. Whitby.

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2. — with much contention.] With much fervency of zeal, and with powerful opposition of the gainsayers. Bp. Hall.

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3.—your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope] That is, your faith, fruitful in good works; your love to the saints, making you laborious to promote their good; and your hope in the Lord Jesus, rendering you patient in all tribulations for His sake.

Paul applaudeth them for their exemplary reception of the gospel. ANNO DOMINI 24. of God, your election.

3. For our exhortation was not of deceit.] That is, it did not proceed from imposture, properly speaking, as if we went about to impose upon or seduce you: nor was it “of uncleanness,” or any wicked design to corrupt your morals by preaching doctrines agreeable to the corrupt desires of the flesh: nor was it “in guile,” or cunning, to promote any worldly interest of our own. Dr. Wells. Or, my arguments to you were free from all sinister and selfish designs; void of all deceitful purposes to ingratiate myself with men, for the gratification of any sinful passions of my own. Pyle. In this and what follows, the Apostle delineates his own character and the character of his assistants, to make the Thessalonians sensible that they had nothing in common with impostors, who are always found to use the mean, vicious practices which the Christian teachers disclaimed. Dr. Macknight.

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4. Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.] Namely, the special favour of God in decreeing to bestow

the Gospel on you, to reveal Christ to you, being Gentiles, above what you had reason to expect or hope. Dr.

Hammond. “The election of God,” “the election of

grace,” means men chosen to be partakers of the blessings of the Gospel, and to be God’s peculiar church and

people. For the Apostle doth not here speak of any absolute election of the whole church of the Thessalonians

to eternal life, because he could have no certain knowledge of it; and, if he had, he could not have been under

any just grounds of fear, as we find he was, “lest by some means the tempter should have tempted them, and his labour should be in vain” among them, Chap. iii. 5. Dr. Whitby. The “election” here spoken of is similar to that which Moses has described, Deut. vii. 6. “The Lord thy God hath chosen (elected) thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.” But the dulaizing teachers denied the election

of the Gentiles to be the people of God, whilst they refused to subject themselves to the law of Moses. Wherefore it was highly proper to assure the Thessalonians that

they were “elected,” or made the people of God, by faith in Christ alone. The controversy, agitated in latter times concerning particular election, was not known in the primitive Church. Dr. Macknight. This passage is addressed to all the Thessalonians; to the whole body of Christians at Thessalonica; and the election here spoken of means their being called to the knowledge of the Gospel; and “their work of faith,” and “labour of love,” and “patience of hope,” here commended, refer to the sincerity and firmness with which they adhered to the Christian profession. Again the Apostle says, “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and

belief of the truth, whereunto He called you by our Gospel,” 2 Thess. ii. 13, 14: “the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,” which were common to every

true convert, are here denominated the being “chosen to salvation;” that is, the Thessalonians, by embracing Christianity, were now enabled to obtain salvation: but

that this salvation was not certain and infallible, is evident from the numerous exhortations and precepts contained in these Epistles, and particularly from the following earnest entreaty: “Furthermore then we beseech

you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more,” chap. iv. 1: a continual progress in obedience to the instruc-

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5. — nor a cloke of covetousness.] The phrase denotes a pretence, of piety or zeal for instance, covering or cloaking covetousness: ‘a cloak over covetousness,’ as Dr. Macknight renders it. Parkhurst. Flattery and covetousness were vices, to which the teachers of philosophy in ancient times were remarkably addicted. In truth these vices enter, more or less, into the character of all impostors. The Apostle appealed to the Thessalonians for his not using “flattering words,” because that was an outward matter of which they could judge: but he appealed to God for his being free from “covetousness,” because it was a secret of the heart, which God alone knew. Here therefore is great propriety of sentiment. Dr. Macknight.

From this example of St. Paul it appears that an oath is lawful to a Christian. He may solemnly appeal to God, and call Him to witness the truth of what he says, upon a just and great occasion. Burkitt.

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6.—in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.] With miracles, and extraordinary gifts, and

matter of abundant conviction. Dr. Hammond. —what manner of men we were among you for your sake.] How we were enabled by those things to give full proof of our ministry. Dr. Whitby. Or, after what manner we demanded ourselves among you, with what meekness, patience, diligence, (more especially with what disinterestedness, Dr. Macknight,) for the winning of your souls. Bp. Hall.

6.—with joy of the Holy Ghost.] With a most cheerful mind, assisted with the inward comforts of the Holy

Spirit. Pyle. In the foregoing verse the Apostle lays before them the outward testimonies of the truth of Christianity from the miracles wrought, and the gifts of the

Holy Ghost exercised amongst them: here he appeals also to the inward testimonies they had received of it, even a strong spiritual joy wrought in them by the Holy Ghost under the sharpest sufferings, according to the words of St. Peter, 1 Pet. iv. 14. Dr. Whitby.

6. Nor of men sought we glory.] In requiring greater deference to be paid to us outwardly, or liberal provision to be made for us. Dr. Wells.

— when we might have been burdensome, &c.] When we might have taken upon us, and have required a chargeable maintenance, and have used authority as the Apostles of Christ. Bp. Hall. See the margin.

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7.—in Macedonia and Achaia.] See note at Acts xvi. 9.

7. — even as a nurse] Or rather ‘a nursing-mother.’ Parkhurst. Even as a nurse, who is also the mother, cherisheth her own children, and waiteth upon them with the tenderest love. Schleumer.

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8. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord &c.] Hereby may be understood, either that the Gospel itself was published thence into the other parts of Macedonia and Achaia; or else that the fame of the great success of the Gospel at Thessalonica was so published, and did dispose others to embrace the Gospel; or jointly both. Dr. Wells. 9, 10.—to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven.] By their worshipping “the

living and true God,” as opposed to lifeless and fictitious deities, the Thessalonians were distinguished from

the heathens: and by their “waiting for the Son of God from heaven,” they were distinguished from the Jews. The second coming of Christ, to punish His enemies and reward His faithful servants, was twice promised by ANNO DOMINI 24. The manner of Paul’s preaching Anno DOMINI 54. # CHAP. II.

8. So being affectionately desirous of you.] That is, of your good. Dr. Whitby.

Anno DOMINI 54. Or, used authority.