1 Thessalonians 1

After the usual superscription of the Epistle, 2. The Apostle thanketh God for their faith, love and hope in Christ, 4. Assuring himself that their election was of God, 5. Which he proveth by the power which God by his spirit joined with the word, 6. And by their obedience showed to the Gospel, 8. Which also was made known in all places, 9. And now daily is published how they turned from idols unto God, 10. To look for the Son of God who hath redeemed us, from heaven.

1. Paul and Silvanus [He is also called Silas, Acts 17:4. and was a continual companion of Paul in traveling through the countries of Macedonia, Greece, and other lands, Acts chapter 15, 16.] And Timotheus, to the church of Thesalonians [of the condition of this City, and of the conversion and erecting of this Church, See the beginning of Acts 17.] [Which is] in God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: [that is, which professeth 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 Church is distinguished from Heathens and Jews] Grace be to you and peace [see of this salutation, Romans 1:7.] From God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. We thank God always [That is, upon every opportunity and as often as we pray] for you all, being mindful of you in our prayers:

3. Without ceasing, remembering the work of your faith, [Or, your work of faith, i.e. 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 forbearing hope for patient and forbearing hope, see 1 Cor. 13. 13. Galatians 5:6. James 2:17, etc.] and the labor of love, and forbearance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father: [Some join this to the former word remembering, so that this should be the sense, remembering in our prayers before God. Others join it with the words next foregoing, faith, love, and hope before 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, Genesis 17:1. Luke 1:6.]

4. Knowing, beloved brethren, your election [Namely, whereby ye are elected to eternal life, Acts 13:48. 1 Cor. 26, etc. which he proves and concludes from the foregoing and following evidences] of God: [these words may be joined either to the word beloved; namely, beloved of God: or to the word election, see 2 Thes. 2. 13.]

5. For our Gospel [That is, our preaching of the Gospel] hath been among you not only in words but also in power, [that is, was accompanied with powerful miracles among you, and the working of the holy Ghost in you, Mark 16:20. 1 Cor. 2. 4, etc.] And in the Holy Ghost, [that is, in gifts of the Holy Ghost, wherewith believers were endued, as may be seen, Acts 19:6. or by the inward operations of the holy Ghost in their hearts, whereby faith was wrought in them, Acts 16:14.] and in much assurance: [some understand this of the assurance of faith in the Thessalonians themselves: but that which follows seems to import that here is spoken of the assurance which Paul showed in his preaching, to 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 followed] even as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

6. And ye became followers of us, [He speaketh here as also divers times before in the plural number, because in the beginning of the Epistle, he joined Silvanus and Timotheus with him] and of the Lord, [namely, in bearing afflictions, as following words show, See 1 Cor. 11. 1.] Having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. For others also must sometimes suffer affliction, but to rejoice at it, because they are conformable to Christ herein, is a work of the Holy Ghost in the faithful, See Acts 5:41. Romans 5:3. etc. and 14. 17. Philippians 1:29.]

7. So that ye became ensamples [Or examples, patterns. Namely, of constancy and patience] to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

8. For from you the word of the Lord sounded forth, [That is, the rumor of God’s word was made known by your doings and example] not only in Macedonia and Achaia] your faith [that is, the profession and fruits of your faith: See Romans 1:8.] Which ye [have] in God, is gone forth [that is, declared or reported] so that we need not speak any thing [thereof] [namely, to make this known to others, or to commend you for it unto others.]

9. For they themselves [Namely, the faithful which come unto us out of other Countries or Churches, see ver. 7.] report of us what manner of entrance we have unto you, [that is, how diligently and zealously ye admitted us, and received the word of the Gospel. See Acts 17:4. and how ye turned unto God from idols, [That is, from the service of idols] to serve the living and true God. [By the first title God is distinguished from dumb images and other live less creatures, which the Gentiles worshiped: by the other title, from feigned Gods, which from among men or spirits, or other living creatures, were set up for idols by them.]

10. And to look for his son from the heavens, [Namely, at his second coming to judge the quick and the dead] whom he hath raised from the dead, [namely] Jesus, who delivereth us, [namely, by his merit and power, and saves us here, and hereafter eternally] from the wrath to come, [that is, punishment and vengeance, which he shall execute at the last day upon all unbelievers, See Matth. 3. 7. Romans 1:18. and chapter 5. 9.]