1 Thessalonians 2

Paul proceeds in declaring of his uprightness and constancy in propagating the Gospel among them. 6. Seeking neither honor nor profit of men amongst them, although he might have been burdensome unto them as an Apostle of Christ. 10. Sets before their eyes how kindly and holily he dealt with them to move them unto a conversation worthy of the Gospel. 13. and how they received his word as the word of God, and not as the word of a man, 14. And became followers of the Churches in Judea, who were also persecuted by the stiff-necked Jews their Country-men. 15. which Jews since they put Christ to death, fill up their sins, and on whom the wrath of God is come unto the end. 17. Afterwards testifies his great desire to see them again, 19. Seeing they are his boasting and glory in the coming of the Christ.

1. For ye yourselves know, brethren, our entrance unto you [That is, first coming unto you to preach the Gospel among you. See Act. 17. ver. 1, 14.] That it was not in vain [that is, without power or fruit.]

2. But although we had suffered before, and disgrace was also done unto us, as ye know, at Philippi, [Also a principal City in Macedonia, as is declared Acts 16:12. Now what Paul did and suffered there, see there also] [nevertheless] we used boldness in our God [that is, by the help and assistance of our God.] to speak unto you the Gospel of God in much conflict. [Namely, which was procured us as well by the stiff-necked Jews as the ignorant Gentiles?]

3. For our exhortation [Namely, to bring you to the obedience of the Gospel of Christ.] was not of seduction [namely, as theirs was who mingled the Law with the Gospel, to avoid the hatred of the Jews: See 2 Cor. 11. 13, etc. Galatians 5:11. and in divers other places] nor of impurity, [namely, as theirs was who indulged and flattered the Gentiles in their voluptuousness. See 2 Pet. 2. 13. and Jud. Ver. 10, etc] nor with guile: [namely, cunningly to get honor, or money, or other worldly advantages from them, as is testified of some, 2 Cor. 11. 20. and is declared hereafter ver. 5, 6.]

4. But as we were approved of God [That is, were judged or esteemed fit; i.e. were made useful or fit. See Acts 9:15. 2 Cor. 3. 5, 6. Galatians 1:15, 16. etc] that the Gospel should be committed in trust to us [that is, commended, or put into our custody, to dispense the same unto others according to Gods will. See 1 Cor. 4. 1, 2. 2 Cor. 5. 19. 1 Tim. 2. 11.] So we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who proveth our hearts. [The word proves is here taken a little otherwise then before: namely, for searching or knowing; as the truth of gold is tried and approved by fire.]

5. For we never dealt with flattering words, [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, teaching nothing but what they know to be acceptable to them.] Even as ye know, nor with [any] cover of covetousness: [that is out of covetousness to desire anything of you, under any other show or covering [God is witness.

6. Nor seeking honor of men, nor of you nor of others: although we might be a burden unto you [This some take 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 import. See 1 Cor. 4. 21 . Others take it for the burdensomeness of maintenance, and other charges which were necessary for the Apostle and his followers, which he expressly speaks of, ver. 9.] as the Apostles of Christ:

7. But we were friendly [Or meek, kind] in the midst of you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

8. So we being greatly inclined unto you [Gr. greatly desiring you.] would gladly have imparted unto you] not onely the Gospel of God, but also our own souls. [That is, our lives: not as if the Gospel were of less value to 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.] Because ye were endeared unto us [Namely, because of your zeal in receiving the Gospel, and your patience in suffering of the same.]

9. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and pains; for working night and day, [Namely, with our hands intent-making to maintain myself and mine without your cost, Acts 18:3. The cause whereof see 2 Cor. 11. 12.] That we might be burdensome to no man among you, we preached among you the Gospel God.

10. Ye are witnesses, and God, how holily, and righteously, and unblameably we have been to you that believe, [That is, we have carried ourselves among you.

11. Even as ye know we exhorted and comforted every one of you, as a father his children.

12. And testified that ye should walk worthy of God, [That is, as it becomes those who know God, obey him, and profess his name] who calleth you unto his kingdom and glory.

13. Therefore also we thank God without ceasing, that as ye have received from us [Namely, with your outward ears] the word of the preaching God, [Gr. Of the hearing, i.e. which ye have heard preached, and God lets us hear by his Ministers. An Hebrew phrase. See Isaiah 53:1. Romans 10:16, 17] ye embraced it [namely, with the heart and faith, as Acts 16:14.] not [as] the word of men, but (as it is in truth) [as] the word of God which also worketh in you that believe. [Or who, namely God, also worketh, namely, the assurance of the forgiveness of your sins, a bold access to God through the Holy Ghost, love to God and your neighbor, hope of salvation, patience, and the like virtues.]

14. For ye brethren became followers of the Churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus: [hereby he dinstinguisheth the true Church of the Jews from the other Synagogues among the Jews, who held themselves the people of God also, although they persecuted their other brethren professing Christ. See Acts 12:1. Hebrews 10:23.] seeing ye have also suffered the same from your own fellow-citizens, [namely, who were stirred up thereunto by the Jews. See thereof Acts 17:5. The Greek word properly signifies those that are of one tribe, people, or company] even as they from the Jews.

15. Who also put to death the Lord Jesus, [That is, persecuted him to death, and was not quiet before they had caused him to be made away upon the cross by the hands of the unbelievers, Acts 2:20.] and their own Prophets, [that is, who out of their own people were especially sent unto them by God] and have perfected us, [the Greek word signifies so to persecute any one, that by the persecution he is banished and cast out] and please not God, and are contrary to all men: [Namely, who seek their salvation in Christ.]

16. And hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles, [Namely, the Gospel of Christ, which only is the power of God unto salvation, Romans 1:16.] That they might be saved, that they might always, [that is, as heretofore in Christ and his Prophets, so now in his Apostles and other Messengers. See Act. 7. ver. 51, 52.] fulfill their sins, [men are said to fulfill their sins or the measure of their sins, [men are said to fulfill their sins or the measure of their sins, when for a time by God’s long suffering their progress in sin us not hindered until they are come to the highest, and God then visits them with grievous judgments. See Genesis 15:16. Matth. 23. 32, & C. and the wrath [namely, of God who justly hardens them in their sins because of their unthankful ness, Rom. 9. ver. 18, 22. 2. Thes. 2. 11, 12.] is come upon them unto the end, [Or to the uttermost, This is by some understand of the heaviness of the judgment or wrath of God, which God is wont to send down upon the heads of such men both here and hereafter: by others as fitly, of the continuance of the judgment or wrath of God, which came upon this stiff-necked generation of the Jews shortly after that time, when God exemplarily punished them with the greater part of the rest assembled out of all quarters at Jerusalem, by the Romans, and so destroyed them that are yet no more a people, but remain scattered amongst all Nations, and are generally hardened in their unbelief: which the Prophesy of Daniel chapter 9. 26. & c. and the words of Christ Matth. 23. 38. Behold your house is left desolate, seem also to confirm; as also Matth. 24. 25, & c. Luke 21:20, & c. Some take this word end for the never any more cease from this people: but this is repugnant to the promise and prediction of the Apostle Paul, Romans 11:25, & c. together with 2 Cor. 3. 15, 16. and other places, where the future conversion of the people of the Jews unto Christ is foretold.]

17. But we, brethren, having been bereft [The Greek word properly signifies such a departure as when a Father being separated from his children, leaves them alone as orphans] from you [that is, from your presence] for a little while of time, [or for an hours time; for Paul was forced to depart from them speedily, by reason of the persecution of the Jews, See act. 17. 10.] As to the sight [that is, according to the bodily presence] not as to the heart, gave diligence the more abundantly to the see your face [that is, again to see or come unto you] with great desire, [Gr. Is much desire.]

18. Therefore we would have come to you (as least I Paul) once and again, [That is, diver’s times, as Philippians 4:16.] But Satan hindered us: [namely, by other persecutions and hindrances, or by new troubles that he raised in other Churches, which required our presence.]

19. For what is our hope or joy [That is, matter or cause of hope and joy] or crown of glorying [that is, glorious boasting, as the following verse declares] Are not ye that also [namely, together with the Churches by me converted unto Christ, for which I may glory in Christ, and eternal rejoicing, joy, and glory shall be recompensed unto me by God, of Grace. See 2 Tim. 4. 8.] Before our Lord Jesus Christ in his coming?

20. For ye are our glory and joy.