1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1:1

The things concerning me - My sufferings. Have fallen out rather to the furtherance, than, as you feared, the hinderance, of the gospel.

1 Thessalonians 1:2

My bonds in Christ - Endured for his sake. Have been made manifest - Much taken notice of. In the whole palace - Of the Roman emperor.

1 Thessalonians 1:3

And many - Who were before afraid. Trusting in the Lord through my bonds - When they observed my constancy, and safety not withstanding, are more bold.

1 Thessalonians 1:4

Some indeed preach Christ out of contention - Envying St. Paul’s success, and striving to hurt him thereby. Not sincerely - From a real desire to glorify God. But supposing - Though they were disappointed. To add more affliction to my bonds - By enraging the Romans against me.

1 Thessalonians 1:5

Some indeed preach Christ out of contention - Envying St. Paul’s success, and striving to hurt him thereby. Not sincerely - From a real desire to glorify God. But supposing - Though they were disappointed. To add more affliction to my bonds - By enraging the Romans against me.

1 Thessalonians 1:6

But the others out of love - To Christ and me. Knowing - Not barely, supposing. That I am set - Literally, I lie; yet still going forward in his work. He remained at Rome as an ambassador in a place where he is employed on an important embassy.

1 Thessalonians 1:7

In pretence - Under colour of propagating the gospel. In truth - With a real design so to do.

1 Thessalonians 1:8

This shall turn to my salvation - Shall procure me an higher degree of glory. Through your prayer - Obtaining for me a larger supply of the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 1:9

As always - Since my call to the apostleship. In my body - however it may he disposed of. How that might be, he did not yet know. For the apostles did not know all things; particularly in things pertaining to themselves, they had room to exercise faith and patience.

1 Thessalonians 1:10

To me to live is Christ - To know, to love, to follow Christ, is my life, my glory, my joy.