1 Thessalonians · Chapter 1

1 THESSALONIANS

CHAPTER 1.

V. 1. Paul-In this epistle St. Paul neither uses the title of an apostle, nor any other, as writing to pious and simple-hearted men, with the utmost familiarity. There is a peculiar sweetness in this epistle, unmixed with any sharpness or reproof: those evils which the apostles afterward reproved having not yet crept into the church.

Verse 1. Paul, and: Silvanus, and Timotheus] Though St. Paul himself dictated this letter, yet he joins the names of Silas and Timothy, because they had been with him at Thessalonica, and were well known there. See Acts 17:4, 14.

And Silvanus] This was certainly the same as Silas, who was St. Paul’s companion in all his journeys through Asia Minor and Greece; see Acts 15:22; 16:19; 17:4, 10. Him and Timothy, the apostle took with him into Macedonia, and they continued at Berea when the apostle went from thence to Athens; from this place St. Paul sent for them to come to him speedily, and, though it is not said that they came while he was at Athens, yet it is most probable that they did; after which, having sent them to Thessalonica, he proceeded to Corinth, where they afterwards rejoined him, and from whence he wrote this epistle. See the preface.

Verse 1. Paul, &c. — In this epistle St. Paul neither uses the title of an apostle, nor any other, as writing to pious and simple-hearted men with the utmost familiarity; and Silvanus, (also called Silas,) and Timotheus — St. Paul joins these two faithful fellow-labourers with himself in this epistle, because they had been with him at Thessalonica, and were well known to and much loved by the believers there; to the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father — The one living and true God, in whom they have believed, whose children they are become, and whom they acknowledge and worship as their God and Father, thereby distinguishing themselves from the idolatrous heathen; and in the Lord Jesus Christ — Whom they also believe in, adore, and serve, as the Son of the Father, and their Redeemer and Saviour, thereby distinguishing themselves from Jews. The expression also implies that they had union and communion with God and Christ.

Verse 1. Paul and Silvanus. The latter is so denominated in other passages of scripture, that being the name by which he was known to the gentiles. 2 Corinthians 1:19. 2 Thessalonians 1:1. By another apostle he is honourably distinguished as “a faithful brother.” 1 Peter 5:12. The name of Silvanus appears in the Vulgate bible, but Jerome, when writing against the Pelagians, calls him Silas, his Hebraical name. He probably was equal to Paul in years, being reputed one of the seventy disciples. Silas was at Iconium before the arrival of Paul. Acts 15:34, 40. Timotheus, to whom the Holy Ghost was given by the imposition of Paul’s hands, is also joined with the name of Paul, being both holy men, and divinely inspired. Silas, first named in Acts 15:22, is described as one of the chief men among the brethren in Judea. See also on Acts 16:1-3. Paul addresses this epistle to the church of the Thessalonians; but he afterwards varies his form, and calls the churches, brethren, and saints, and beloved of God, and sanctified, and the faithful in Christ Jesus. — He opens the epistle by effusions of his soul, in grace, and peace from God our Father; by which we understand all the love of God in Christ Jesus, and the whole plenitude of benediction flowing through him as the fountain of life, in ceaseless streams of peace and joy. The soul of Paul, full of grace, bursts at once in all these happy forms of words, to console and edify the flock.

1. Paul—Notes Romans 1:1, and Acts 13:9. For the first time this memorable name heads an apostolic epistle to a Church, and omitting his title of apostle. This omission arose from the fact, that no opposition to his claim existed, as at Galatia; for the stronger ever the denial of his claim, the stronger his assertion. And as but a few months ago he had bidden farewell reluctantly to his dear Thessalonians, and had longed to revisit them, so this epistle, his only substitute for that visit, needed not display his official rank. Modesty is the rule where no necessity requires self-assertion. The triad of names, Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy, are here associated because the apostolic trio that bore them had together proclaimed the gospel to the Thessalonians, and were together preaching the gospel now in Corinth. Paul adds their names courteously as being his aids; and their names, like the names of two witnesses signed to a legal document, were a voucher of the authenticity of the epistle. Yet the authorship of the epistle is wholly his; it was in no way the epistle of Sylvanus, but of Paul alone; and his we, which may indicate that they were his penmen, inferentially includes or excludes them, or signifies himself alone, as in 1 Thessalonians 3:1. Sylvanus—Called by Luke Silas, but by both Paul and Peter by the full name. Silas was an abbreviation of Sylvanus (sylvan or, woodland) as Lucas was of Lucanus, so that Luke may have used the briefer form from fellow feeling. See note on Acts 13:1. Silas or Sylvanus appears first as delegate from Jerusalem to Antioch escorting home the delegates from Antioch. There, when, after a sad separation from Barnabas, Paul started upon his second missionary tour, he took Silas as a substitute for John Mark, and comrade with Timothy, as his attendants. Thence passing through Asia Minor over the Hellespont into Europe, Paul had the faithful Silas as his aid. Together they sung at midnight in the jail at Philippi. Together they laboured at Thessalonica, and were driven thence by the mob to Berea. There Paul left them, departed to Athens and thence to Corinth, where Silas and Timothy joined him, and whence they now join him in this epistle to Thessalonica. As elder, and more prominent as yet, (see note Acts 17:10,) Silas is mentioned before Timothy. Timotheus—See introduction to 1 Timothy Church of… Thessalonians. The the is not in the original. Wordsworth ingeniously conjectures that St. Paul does not say the Church in Thessalonica, because Paul, having preached there but three weeks, and not having been able to return, it was not so much an organized Church in that city as a congregation consisting of Thessalonians. But Silas and Timothy remained some time, and there is every appearance that it was a formed and established Church. The Bourbons were kings of France; the Bonapartes were emperors of the French. The difference is a matter of taste. In God—Within whom all things, including the Church, are; the living all-pervading Omnipotence. But the Church is in God as nothing else is, namely, as our Father. It is in the bosom of his parental love. Grace—Note, Ephesians 1:2. As regards the omission of St. Paul’s apostolic title, Wordsworth says: (1) He begins all his epistles with his own name “Paul,” except the epistle to the Hebrews. See Hebrews 1:1. (2) He adds to his own name the official title of apostle in all his epistles, except the two earliest, and in the epistles to Philemon, the Philippians, and the Hebrews, where it is omitted for special reasons. (3) In his five earliest epistles he addresses himself “to the Church,” etc., but in no others. (4) In his two earliest epistles he addresses himself to the Church of persons in the city, and not “to the Church” in the city, and in no others. (5) In all the other epistles he commences with the salutation “to the saints,” etc. (6) In all his epistles he commences with the salutation, “Grace and peace.” In all his pastoral epistles, “Grace, mercy, and peace.” (7) In his earliest epistles he uses the first person plural, “we;” in his later epistles the first person singular, “I.”

(8) As to his usage at the close of his epistles, see on 1 Thessalonians 5:28. (9) All these minute incidents indicate a well-prepared and well-digested plan in the composition of his epistles, even in the details of diction, and much more in the delivery of doctrine.

Verse 2. We give thanks] See Philippians 1:3, 4, and Colossians 1:3; where the same forms of speech are used.

Verses 2-4. We give thanks, &c. — From hence to 1 Thessalonians 3:13, we have the chief object of this epistle, which was to comfort, strengthen, and establish the Christians at Thessalonica, and induce them to persevere under all the discouragements which he, their apostle, or they themselves, might meet with. And in his entrance upon this design he gives vent to what lay most upon his heart, thanking God for their conversion from idolatry to Christianity amidst so many discouraging circumstances; and praying that they might continue in the faith they had embraced, in which he takes all occasions of speaking well of the Thessalonians, as indeed he does through all the epistle, in which there is a peculiar sweetness, unmixed with any sharpness or reproof; those evils which the apostle afterward reproved, having not yet crept into the churches: remembering without ceasing — Or constantly in all our prayers; your work of faith — Your active, ever-working faith; and labour of love — Your love to God and man, which induces you to labour continually to promote the glory of God, and do good to the bodies or souls of men; and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ — Your patience under all your persecutions and other sufferings, the fruit of that blessed hope of eternal life, which is grounded on the death and resurrection of Christ, and is wrought in you by his saving grace; in the sight of God, even our Father — Whose eye is continually upon you, who observes, and will not fail to reward, the graces wrought in you by his blessed Spirit. Observe reader, all true faith in Christ, and the truths and promises of the gospel, works; all genuine love to God and man, labours; and the hope which is well grounded and lively, patiently bears all things. Knowing, brethren, beloved of God — And of us his servants; your election — Your being chosen to be God’s peculiar people, by these plain marks. Of predestination and election, see on Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:4, 5.

Ver. 2, 3. We give thanks to God always for you all. None of the churches gave the apostle greater joy than those in Thessalonica and Macedonia. Their number being great, and their work of faith abundant in all the forms of charity; their labour of love, seeking the souls of men, not surpassed even in Jerusalem; and their patience of hope, sustaining the outrages of wicked and unreasonable men, made them lovely even in the sight of God the Father.

2. We give thanks to God—For whatever conditions man performs in order to salvation, yet the author of that salvation, the bringer of it within our reach, and the empowerer of our souls to accept it, is God. Upon these thanks depend the three co-ordinate participles, making mention, remembering, and knowing. Making mention shows that the thanks for them were done vocally and specifically, in trust that the distinct act of faith in their behalf would bring on them the divine answers. Always— That is, whenever our prayers are offered. Never were his Thessalonians forgotten when he bowed before God. All—Not that each was named; but his comprehensive prayer took in every soul of the church. PART FIRST.

RETROSPECTIVE AND HISTORICAL, 1 Thessalonians 1:3-3:13.

1. Recollections of their Christian faithfulness, 3-10.

V. 3. Remembering in the sight of God-That is, praising him for it. Your work of faith-Your active, ever-working faith.

And labour of love-Love continually labouring for the bodies or souls of men. They who do not thus labour, do not love. Faith works, love labours, hope patiently suffers all things.

Verse 3. Your work of faith] This verse contains a very high character of the believers at Thessalonica. They had FAITH, not speculative and indolent, but true, sound, and operative; their faith worked. They had LOVE, not that gazed at and became enamoured of the perfections of God, but such a love as laboured with faith to fulfil the whole will of God. Faith worked; but love, because it can do more, did more, and therefore laboured-worked energetically, to promote the glory of God and the salvation of men. They had HOPE; not an idle, cold, heartless expectation of future good, from which they felt no excitement, and for which they could give no reason, but such a hope as produced a satisfying expectation of a future life and state of blessedness, the reality of which faith had descried, and love anticipated; a hope, not hasty and impatient to get out of the trials of life and possess the heavenly inheritance, but one that was as willing to endure hardships as to enjoy glory itself, when God might be most honoured by this patient endurance. FAITH worked, LOVE laboured, and HOPE endured patiently.

It is not a mark of much grace to be longing to get to heaven because of the troubles and difficulties of the present life; they who love Christ are ever willing to suffer with him; and he may be as much glorified by patient suffering, as by the most active faith or laborious love. There are times in which, through affliction or other hinderances, we cannot do the will of God, but we can suffer it; and in such cases he seeks a heart that bears submissively, suffers patiently, and endures, as seeing him who is invisible, without repining or murmuring. This is as full a proof of Christian perfection as the most intense and ardent love. Meekness, gentleness, and long-suffering, are in our present state of more use to ourselves and others, and of more consequence in the sight of God, than all the ecstasies of the spirits of just men made perfect, and than all the raptures of an archangel. That Church or Christian society, the members of which manifest the work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope, is most nearly allied to heaven, and is on the suburbs of glory.

Verses 2-4. We give thanks, &c. — From hence to 1 Thessalonians 3:13, we have the chief object of this epistle, which was to comfort, strengthen, and establish the Christians at Thessalonica, and induce them to persevere under all the discouragements which he, their apostle, or they themselves, might meet with. And in his entrance upon this design he gives vent to what lay most upon his heart, thanking God for their conversion from idolatry to Christianity amidst so many discouraging circumstances; and praying that they might continue in the faith they had embraced, in which he takes all occasions of speaking well of the Thessalonians, as indeed he does through all the epistle, in which there is a peculiar sweetness, unmixed with any sharpness or reproof; those evils which the apostle afterward reproved, having not yet crept into the churches: remembering without ceasing — Or constantly in all our prayers; your work of faith — Your active, ever-working faith; and labour of love — Your love to God and man, which induces you to labour continually to promote the glory of God, and do good to the bodies or souls of men; and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ — Your patience under all your persecutions and other sufferings, the fruit of that blessed hope of eternal life, which is grounded on the death and resurrection of Christ, and is wrought in you by his saving grace; in the sight of God, even our Father — Whose eye is continually upon you, who observes, and will not fail to reward, the graces wrought in you by his blessed Spirit. Observe reader, all true faith in Christ, and the truths and promises of the gospel, works; all genuine love to God and man, labours; and the hope which is well grounded and lively, patiently bears all things. Knowing, brethren, beloved of God — And of us his servants; your election — Your being chosen to be God’s peculiar people, by these plain marks. Of predestination and election, see on Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:4, 5.

Ver. 2, 3. We give thanks to God always for you all. None of the churches gave the apostle greater joy than those in Thessalonica and Macedonia. Their number being great, and their work of faith abundant in all the forms of charity; their labour of love, seeking the souls of men, not surpassed even in Jerusalem; and their patience of hope, sustaining the outrages of wicked and unreasonable men, made them lovely even in the sight of God the Father.

3. Remembering—The following blessed facts as gifts to be richly thankful for, namely, your rich displays of Christian character. Without ceasing—The fulness of Paul’s ardour for them appears in the fulness of his expressions, always, you all, without ceasing. The objects of this remembering are now mentioned; namely, the three Christian graces upon which he expatiates in 2 Corinthians 13. Faith, love, hope—The words work, labour, and patience are in a climax of increasing intensity. Work of faith—That life-work of Christian activity which faith inspires, and to which the profession of faith pledges the man. It was by this life of duty-doing that the pagan Thessalonians were taught what Christianity is. Labour of love—That self-sacrifice to which love alone can prompt a man, and which love alone makes easy. Patience of hope—Hope-inspired patience or endurance. The trials of life and the persecutions from pagans were endured with patience, because of the hope in (Greek of) Christ, and of that mighty advent so vividly described in Paul’s preaching. See notes on Acts 24:25, and 2 Thessalonians 1:6-11.

V. 4. Knowing your election-Which is through faith, by these plain proofs.

Verse 4. Knowing-your election of God.] Being assured, from the doctrine which I have delivered to you, and which God has confirmed by various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, that he has chosen and called the Gentiles to the same privileges to which he chose and called the Jews; and that, as they have rejected the offers of the Gospel, God has now elected the Gentiles in their stead. This is the election which the Thessalonians knew; and of which the apostle treats at large in his Epistle to the Romans, and also in his Epistles to the Galatians and Ephesians. No irrespective, unconditional, eternal, and personal election to everlasting glory, is meant by the apostle. As God had chosen the Jews, whom, because of their obstinate unbelief, he had now rejected; so he had now chosen or elected the Gentiles. And in neither case was there any thing absolute; all was most specifically conditional, as far as their final salvation was concerned; without any merit on their side, they were chosen and called to those blessings which, if rightly used, would lead them to eternal glory. That these blessings could be abused-become finally useless and forfeited, they had an ample proof in the case of the Jews, who, after having been the elect of God for more than 2000 years, were now become reprobates.

Verses 2-4. We give thanks, &c. — From hence to 1 Thessalonians 3:13, we have the chief object of this epistle, which was to comfort, strengthen, and establish the Christians at Thessalonica, and induce them to persevere under all the discouragements which he, their apostle, or they themselves, might meet with. And in his entrance upon this design he gives vent to what lay most upon his heart, thanking God for their conversion from idolatry to Christianity amidst so many discouraging circumstances; and praying that they might continue in the faith they had embraced, in which he takes all occasions of speaking well of the Thessalonians, as indeed he does through all the epistle, in which there is a peculiar sweetness, unmixed with any sharpness or reproof; those evils which the apostle afterward reproved, having not yet crept into the churches: remembering without ceasing — Or constantly in all our prayers; your work of faith — Your active, ever-working faith; and labour of love — Your love to God and man, which induces you to labour continually to promote the glory of God, and do good to the bodies or souls of men; and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ — Your patience under all your persecutions and other sufferings, the fruit of that blessed hope of eternal life, which is grounded on the death and resurrection of Christ, and is wrought in you by his saving grace; in the sight of God, even our Father — Whose eye is continually upon you, who observes, and will not fail to reward, the graces wrought in you by his blessed Spirit. Observe reader, all true faith in Christ, and the truths and promises of the gospel, works; all genuine love to God and man, labours; and the hope which is well grounded and lively, patiently bears all things. Knowing, brethren, beloved of God — And of us his servants; your election — Your being chosen to be God’s peculiar people, by these plain marks. Of predestination and election, see on Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:4, 5.

Ver. 4. Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God, by all these full proofs of your regeneration. The jews have now nothing to boast over you, concerning the peculiar grace of Abraham’s covenant, for you were equally included in the promise, that all the gentile nations of the earth should be blessed in Christ, the promised Seed, the Son, the Lord of all. In conformity to all the promises made to the gentiles, you have been called with a high and holy calling.

4. Election of, or by, God—Lunemann says, concisely and peremptorily: “Election signifies the action of God by which he predestines from eternity the individual to faith in Christ.” But we have shown, in the first chapter of Ephesians, that this election must have a definite and conditioned object, namely, the actual believer. God chooses him, however, not only from his faith, but also unto still further faith, to a holy life, and to a blessed eternity. The apostle was knowing this, not from any special revelation or inspiration in the case, but from the evidence they furnish both of having met the condition of faith, and having carried out in life the blessed results of faith. In verse 5, he shows how the gospel came to them in power, offering them that election, and in verse 6 he shows how they accepted it.

V. 5. With power-Piercing the very heart with a sense of sin and deeply convincing you of your want of a Saviour from guilt, misery, and eternal ruin.

With the Holy Ghost-Bearing an outward testimony, by miracles, to the truth of what we preached, and you felt: also by his descent through laying on of hands.

With much assurance-Literally, with full assurance, and much of it: the Spirit bearing witness by shedding the love of God abroad in your hearts, which is the highest testimony that can be given. And these signs, if not the miraculous gifts, always attend the preaching of the gospel, unless it be in vain: neither are the extraordinary operations of the Holy Ghost ever wholly withheld, where the gospel is preached with power, and men are alive to God.

For your sake-Seeking your advantage, not our own.

Verse 5. For our Gospel] That is, the glad tidings of salvation by Jesus Christ, and of your being elected to enjoy all the privileges to which the Jews were called, without being obliged to submit to circumcision, or fulfil the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law.

Came not unto you in word only] It was not by simple teaching or mere reasoning that the doctrines which we preached recommended themselves to you, we did not insist on your using this or the other religious institution; we insisted on a change of heart and life, and we held out the energy which was able to effect it.

But also in power] en dunamei. With miraculous manifestations, to your eyes and to your hearts, which induced you to acknowledge that this Gospel was the power of God unto salvation.

And in the Holy Ghost] By his influence upon your hearts, in changing and renewing them; and by the testimony which ye received from him, that you were accepted through the Beloved, and become the adopted children of God.

And in much assurance] en plhroforia pollh. The Holy Spirit which was given you left no doubt on your mind, either with respect to the general truth of the doctrine, or the safety of your own state. Ye had the fullest assurance that the Gospel was true, and the fullest assurance that ye had received the remission of sins through that Gospel; the Spirit himself bearing witness with your spirit, that you are the sons and daughters of God Almighty.

What manner of men we were] How we preached, and how we lived; our doctrines and our practices ever corresponding. And for your sakes we sustained difficulties, endured hardships, and were incessant in our labours.

Verse 5. For our gospel — The gospel which we preach, and which has been solemnly committed to our charge; came not unto you in word only — You not only heard, understood, and assented to it as a revelation from God, and received thereby information concerning those spiritual and divine things of which you were before ignorant; but it came also in power — Awakening your minds to a deep sense of the infinite importance, as well as certainty, of the discoveries it makes you, especially concerning the future and eternal state awaiting you, and your present fallen, sinful, and depraved condition; convincing your consciences of the number and greatness of your sins and follies, and your want of a Saviour from that state of ignorance and guilt, depravity, weakness, and misery, in which you saw yourselves to be involved; thus humbling you before a holy and just God, and bringing you to the footstool of his mercy in true repentance and godly sorrow, productive of fruits worthy of repentance. And in the Holy Ghost — Bearing an outward testimony by various miraculous operations to the truth and importance of the gospel which we preach; and by his enlightening, quickening, and renewing influences on your souls, causing it to produce the fore-mentioned effects; and above all, inspiring you with living faith in Christ, and in the promises of God through him, and thereby revealing him to and in you the hope of glory; Galatians 1:16; Colossians 1:27; and at the same time creating you anew in Christ Jesus, and strengthening you with might in the inner man, (Ephesians 3:16,) that you might be able, as well as willing, to withstand all the subtlety, power, and malice of your spiritual enemies, and to do and suffer the whole will of God. And in much assurance — Greek, en plhroforia pollh, literally, in full assurance and much of it; not only begetting in you a full persuasion of the certain truth and infinite importance of the doctrines, precepts, promises, threatenings, and every part of the gospel declared to you, but of your personal interest in the privileges and blessings of it, and therefore of your present justification and acceptance with God, of your adoption into his family, regeneration by his grace, and title to his glory; and causing you to rejoice in expectation thereof, and that with a lively and joyful expectation, even with joy unspeakable and full of glory. So that both the full assurance of faith, and the full assurance of hope, accompanied with perfect love casting out fear, (all which graces are expressly mentioned by the apostles in their epistles, see Hebrews 6:11; 10:22; 1 John 4:17:) are implied in the much assurance here spoken of. And these effects, if not the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, always more or less attend the faithful preaching of the true and genuine gospel of Christ; neither are some extraordinary operations of the Holy Ghost always wholly withheld, where the gospel is preached with power, and preachers and hearers are alive to God. As ye know what mariner of men we were among you — How we conducted ourselves, and with what zeal and diligence we exerted ourselves in order to your salvation; for your sakes — Seeking your advantage, not our own.

Ver. 5. Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power. The arguments were demonstrative, the unction was divine. How should it be otherwise. Hoary idolatry was enrooted in their hearts, a religion which suited their passions, and often by its feasts, urged them to the foulest of crimes. The priests in all their temples roused the people to avenge the insults offered to their gods; and the jews, more inveterate still, persisted in pursuing the apostles with violence and outrage. How should so great a work be wrought by a few strangers, without money and without friends, unless seals and tokens of the divine presence had attended their ministry. The success was without example; the word of the Lord had free course; it ran, and was glorified.

The gospel came to them in the Holy Ghost, who in his divine subsistence or person illuminated the mind, warmed the heart, and perfected the conversion of sinners to God. He came with all the glory and power promised by the prophets.

The gospel also came to them in much assurance; yea, with the full assurance of faith, and full assurance of hope, as is the association of the word in Hebrews 6:11. 10:22. The gospel, like a torrent obstructed by a bank, broke down all opposition. It opened the ancient scriptures in a luminous manner. It was made the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believed. They at once turned from dumb idols to serve the living and the true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven.

5. For—Furnishing evidence of their election. Our gospel—Our good news, our blessed announcement of God’s eternal electing love. In word, but not in word only. Salvation is shaped into human syllables, but there are wonders of meaning in those syllables, a power, both in themselves, and in the ideas they present. The very words God, Christ, heaven, hell, have intrinsic power enough to fill a man’s whole soul. Did he see their stupendous import he would be knocked down by the conception, as Saul was by the sight of the risen Jesus. The poorest gospel sermon ever heard, by the drowsiest preacher that ever preached, has import enough in it to smite the congregation from their seats to the floor. In the Holy Ghost— When the divine Spirit establishes the words, then how does the power melt or smite and break the heart! And then, too, is the preacher’s heart filled with assurance and divine authority, so that he carries all before him. Paul is here describing, from vivid memory, the powerful revival which brought the Thessalonian Church into existence. Manner of men—Our conduct and character filled out the programme of our preaching. We lived the gospel as well as spoke it. For your sake and for no success or interest of our own.

V. 6. Though in much affliction, yet with much joy.

Verse 6. Ye became followers of us] Ye became imitators, mimhtai, of us-ye believed the same truths, walked in the same way, and minded the same thing; knowing that our doctrine was of the Lord, and that the way in which we walked was prescribed by himself, and that he also suffered the contradictions of ungodly men.

Having received the word in much affliction] That they received the doctrine of the Gospel in the midst of much persecution we may learn from the history in general, and from Acts 17:5, 6. With joy of the Holy Ghost] The consolations which they received, in consequence of believing in Christ, more than counterbalanced all the afflictions which they suffered from their persecutors.

Verses 6-10. Ye became followers of us — Obedient to our directions, and imitators of our example; and of the Lord also — Both in the holiness of your lives, and in the courage and patience with which you endured those sufferings which lay in the way of your duty; having received the word — When first preached to you; in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost — That is, though attended with persecution, yet with joy, such as only the Holy Ghost could inspire you with. So that ye were ensamples — Patterns to be imitated; to all that believe in Macedonia — Chiefly in Philippi and Berea; and in the more distant province of Achaia — Namely, to the Corinthian converts, who, hearing of their pious and virtuous conduct, were excited to emulation. The apostle mentions Macedonia and Achaia, because he had just been travelling through these parts before he came to Corinth, from whence, as has been observed in the preface, he wrote this epistle. For from you sounded forth the word of the Lord — Was echoed, as it were, from you; not only in your own borders of Macedonia and Achaia — With which you could easily have correspondence; but also in every place — That is, far beyond these countries; your faith to God-ward — The report of your embracing the gospel, and of consequence believing in the living and true God; is spread abroad — Is become notorious; so that we need not to speak any thing — Concerning it. The apostle does not mean that the Thessalonian brethren sent persons to preach the gospel in the countries here mentioned, but that their relinquishing idolatry had occasioned the preaching of the gospel at Thessalonica to be much talked of in these provinces, and in many other places. Grotius observes, that many of the Thessalonians being merchants, who travelled into foreign countries for the sake of commerce, the news of their fellow-citizens having renounced the worship of the heathen gods must have been spread abroad widely by their means, as the apostle here affirms. And as this was a very extraordinary event, it would naturally occasion much discourse among them to whom it was reported. For they themselves — The faithful, wherever we come; show of us what manner of entering in, &c. — Are able to give an account of the success of our ministry among you, and what entertainment it found with you; and how ye turned to God from idols — In the worship of which ye had been brought up; to serve the living and true God — The epithet living is given to God to distinguish him from the heathen idols, which were destitute of life. And he is called the true God, in opposition to the fictitious deities worshipped by the heathens, who, though some of them may have formerly lived, or are now living, are not true gods; such as demons and the souls of men departed. And to wait for his Son from heaven — To raise the dead and judge the world; whom he raised from the dead — In proof of his future coming for these purposes. “Christ himself, on two different occasions, promised that he would return from heaven, Matthew 16:27; John 14:3. The angels, likewise, who attended at his ascension, foretold the same things, Acts 1:11. And as the great design of his return is to punish his enemies, and reward his faithful servants, his second coming was always a principal topic on which the apostles insisted in their discourses; consequently it was a principal article of the faith and hope of the first Christians, a frequent subject of their conversation, and a powerful source of consolation to them in all their afflictions and troubles. May it ever be the object of our faith and hope, and the source of our consolation, especially at death!” — Macknight. Even Jesus, who delivered — Greek, ruomenon, rather, delivereth; us from the wrath to come — He hath redeemed us once, he delivers us continually; and will deliver all that believe in him from the wrath, the eternal vengeance, which will then come upon the ungodly.

Ver. 6. Ye became followers of us, and [imitators] of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction. This storm of persecution, though nowhere recorded, it would seem, was severe, and commentators generally infer from chap. 4:13, that some of the brethren had been massacred or martyred; yet they had sustained the tempest, and suffered with joy. The piety which allured them to follow the Lamb, enabled them to suffer for his sake.

6. And ye gave due evidence of your election. Became followers… received the word—The example of the preachers was followed after their message had been accepted. The people took as models those whom they had received as instructors. Happy the Church which has an exemplar in its pastor. Much affliction—The persecution by which Paul and his fellow preachers were expelled from Thessalonica. By this much affliction was the power of that received gospel demonstrated and the reality of their election attested. Affliction… joy—Jason and his fellow Thessalonians rejoiced in their affliction for the gospel’s sake.

Verse 7. Ye were ensamples] topouv. Types, models, or patterns; according to which all the Churches in Macedonia and Achaia formed both their creed and their conduct.

Verses 6-10. Ye became followers of us — Obedient to our directions, and imitators of our example; and of the Lord also — Both in the holiness of your lives, and in the courage and patience with which you endured those sufferings which lay in the way of your duty; having received the word — When first preached to you; in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost — That is, though attended with persecution, yet with joy, such as only the Holy Ghost could inspire you with. So that ye were ensamples — Patterns to be imitated; to all that believe in Macedonia — Chiefly in Philippi and Berea; and in the more distant province of Achaia — Namely, to the Corinthian converts, who, hearing of their pious and virtuous conduct, were excited to emulation. The apostle mentions Macedonia and Achaia, because he had just been travelling through these parts before he came to Corinth, from whence, as has been observed in the preface, he wrote this epistle. For from you sounded forth the word of the Lord — Was echoed, as it were, from you; not only in your own borders of Macedonia and Achaia — With which you could easily have correspondence; but also in every place — That is, far beyond these countries; your faith to God-ward — The report of your embracing the gospel, and of consequence believing in the living and true God; is spread abroad — Is become notorious; so that we need not to speak any thing — Concerning it. The apostle does not mean that the Thessalonian brethren sent persons to preach the gospel in the countries here mentioned, but that their relinquishing idolatry had occasioned the preaching of the gospel at Thessalonica to be much talked of in these provinces, and in many other places. Grotius observes, that many of the Thessalonians being merchants, who travelled into foreign countries for the sake of commerce, the news of their fellow-citizens having renounced the worship of the heathen gods must have been spread abroad widely by their means, as the apostle here affirms. And as this was a very extraordinary event, it would naturally occasion much discourse among them to whom it was reported. For they themselves — The faithful, wherever we come; show of us what manner of entering in, &c. — Are able to give an account of the success of our ministry among you, and what entertainment it found with you; and how ye turned to God from idols — In the worship of which ye had been brought up; to serve the living and true God — The epithet living is given to God to distinguish him from the heathen idols, which were destitute of life. And he is called the true God, in opposition to the fictitious deities worshipped by the heathens, who, though some of them may have formerly lived, or are now living, are not true gods; such as demons and the souls of men departed. And to wait for his Son from heaven — To raise the dead and judge the world; whom he raised from the dead — In proof of his future coming for these purposes. “Christ himself, on two different occasions, promised that he would return from heaven, Matthew 16:27; John 14:3. The angels, likewise, who attended at his ascension, foretold the same things, Acts 1:11. And as the great design of his return is to punish his enemies, and reward his faithful servants, his second coming was always a principal topic on which the apostles insisted in their discourses; consequently it was a principal article of the faith and hope of the first Christians, a frequent subject of their conversation, and a powerful source of consolation to them in all their afflictions and troubles. May it ever be the object of our faith and hope, and the source of our consolation, especially at death!” — Macknight. Even Jesus, who delivered — Greek, ruomenon, rather, delivereth; us from the wrath to come — He hath redeemed us once, he delivers us continually; and will deliver all that believe in him from the wrath, the eternal vengeance, which will then come upon the ungodly.

Ver. 7, 8. So that ye were ensamples, and models, to all — from you sounded out the word of the Lord, like the trumpet of jubilee, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. While Paul was at Corinth his expansive soul could not be confined within the walls of a city, he had made excursions into Achaia. In these later times we have not adequate ideas of the glory of the gospel in its early progress. Men by multitudes embraced the faith, and the word ran like fire among the stubble.

7. Ensamples—This neither courting persecution nor shrinking from it, but rejoicing in it, was a new thing in Europe. These men who first so did, seemed to have invented a new moral method, and they became models, ensamples to others. When by the Spirit’s power it was once done, then other Christians knew how to do it likewise. Macedonia—Northern Greece, where you live. Achaia—Southern Greece, whence we write. As up to the time of the return of Timothy from Thessalonica to Paul at Corinth, Paul had learned nothing of the state of that Church, the jubilant view of matters in this and the following verse must have been created by Timothy’s report, and by concurrent news from other sources about the same time.

V. 8. For from you the word sounded forth-(Thessalonica being a city of great commerce.) Being echoed, as it were, from you. And your conversion was divulged far beyond Macedonia and Achaia. So that we need not speak anything-Concerning it.

Verse 8. From you sounded out] As Thessalonica vas very conveniently situated for traffic, many merchants from thence traded through Macedonia, Achaia, and different parts of Greece. By these, the fame of the Thessalonians having received the doctrine of the Gospel was doubtless carried far and wide. And it appears that they had walked so conscientiously before God and man, that their friends could speak of them without a blush, and their adversaries could say nothing to their disgrace.

Verses 6-10. Ye became followers of us — Obedient to our directions, and imitators of our example; and of the Lord also — Both in the holiness of your lives, and in the courage and patience with which you endured those sufferings which lay in the way of your duty; having received the word — When first preached to you; in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost — That is, though attended with persecution, yet with joy, such as only the Holy Ghost could inspire you with. So that ye were ensamples — Patterns to be imitated; to all that believe in Macedonia — Chiefly in Philippi and Berea; and in the more distant province of Achaia — Namely, to the Corinthian converts, who, hearing of their pious and virtuous conduct, were excited to emulation. The apostle mentions Macedonia and Achaia, because he had just been travelling through these parts before he came to Corinth, from whence, as has been observed in the preface, he wrote this epistle. For from you sounded forth the word of the Lord — Was echoed, as it were, from you; not only in your own borders of Macedonia and Achaia — With which you could easily have correspondence; but also in every place — That is, far beyond these countries; your faith to God-ward — The report of your embracing the gospel, and of consequence believing in the living and true God; is spread abroad — Is become notorious; so that we need not to speak any thing — Concerning it. The apostle does not mean that the Thessalonian brethren sent persons to preach the gospel in the countries here mentioned, but that their relinquishing idolatry had occasioned the preaching of the gospel at Thessalonica to be much talked of in these provinces, and in many other places. Grotius observes, that many of the Thessalonians being merchants, who travelled into foreign countries for the sake of commerce, the news of their fellow-citizens having renounced the worship of the heathen gods must have been spread abroad widely by their means, as the apostle here affirms. And as this was a very extraordinary event, it would naturally occasion much discourse among them to whom it was reported. For they themselves — The faithful, wherever we come; show of us what manner of entering in, &c. — Are able to give an account of the success of our ministry among you, and what entertainment it found with you; and how ye turned to God from idols — In the worship of which ye had been brought up; to serve the living and true God — The epithet living is given to God to distinguish him from the heathen idols, which were destitute of life. And he is called the true God, in opposition to the fictitious deities worshipped by the heathens, who, though some of them may have formerly lived, or are now living, are not true gods; such as demons and the souls of men departed. And to wait for his Son from heaven — To raise the dead and judge the world; whom he raised from the dead — In proof of his future coming for these purposes. “Christ himself, on two different occasions, promised that he would return from heaven, Matthew 16:27; John 14:3. The angels, likewise, who attended at his ascension, foretold the same things, Acts 1:11. And as the great design of his return is to punish his enemies, and reward his faithful servants, his second coming was always a principal topic on which the apostles insisted in their discourses; consequently it was a principal article of the faith and hope of the first Christians, a frequent subject of their conversation, and a powerful source of consolation to them in all their afflictions and troubles. May it ever be the object of our faith and hope, and the source of our consolation, especially at death!” — Macknight. Even Jesus, who delivered — Greek, ruomenon, rather, delivereth; us from the wrath to come — He hath redeemed us once, he delivers us continually; and will deliver all that believe in him from the wrath, the eternal vengeance, which will then come upon the ungodly.

Ver. 7, 8. So that ye were ensamples, and models, to all — from you sounded out the word of the Lord, like the trumpet of jubilee, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. While Paul was at Corinth his expansive soul could not be confined within the walls of a city, he had made excursions into Achaia. In these later times we have not adequate ideas of the glory of the gospel in its early progress. Men by multitudes embraced the faith, and the word ran like fire among the stubble.

8. Sounded out—As the voice of a trumpet. Word of the Lord—The doctrine of the gospel to which you were reported to be converted. Men learned what the gospel is in being informed that you had embraced it. In every place—By Jewish synagogues reporting how Jews had apostatized from their unbelief, and by Christian Churches rejoicing over your conversion. Spread abroad—As remarkable news. Need not to speak— All our boasts of your conversion are anticipated by the statements of others on every hand.

V. 9. For they themselves-The people wherever we come.

Verse 9. How ye turned to God from idols] This could not be spoken either of the Jews or of the devout persons, but of the heathen Greeks, and of such it appears that the majority of the Church was formed. See what is said on this subject in the preface to this epistle.

To serve the living and true God] The living God; in opposition to the idols, which were either inanimate stocks or stones, or the representations of dead men.

The true God-In opposition to the whole system of idolatry, which was false in the objects of its adoration, false in its pretensions, false in its promises, and false in all its prospects.

Verses 6-10. Ye became followers of us — Obedient to our directions, and imitators of our example; and of the Lord also — Both in the holiness of your lives, and in the courage and patience with which you endured those sufferings which lay in the way of your duty; having received the word — When first preached to you; in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost — That is, though attended with persecution, yet with joy, such as only the Holy Ghost could inspire you with. So that ye were ensamples — Patterns to be imitated; to all that believe in Macedonia — Chiefly in Philippi and Berea; and in the more distant province of Achaia — Namely, to the Corinthian converts, who, hearing of their pious and virtuous conduct, were excited to emulation. The apostle mentions Macedonia and Achaia, because he had just been travelling through these parts before he came to Corinth, from whence, as has been observed in the preface, he wrote this epistle. For from you sounded forth the word of the Lord — Was echoed, as it were, from you; not only in your own borders of Macedonia and Achaia — With which you could easily have correspondence; but also in every place — That is, far beyond these countries; your faith to God-ward — The report of your embracing the gospel, and of consequence believing in the living and true God; is spread abroad — Is become notorious; so that we need not to speak any thing — Concerning it. The apostle does not mean that the Thessalonian brethren sent persons to preach the gospel in the countries here mentioned, but that their relinquishing idolatry had occasioned the preaching of the gospel at Thessalonica to be much talked of in these provinces, and in many other places. Grotius observes, that many of the Thessalonians being merchants, who travelled into foreign countries for the sake of commerce, the news of their fellow-citizens having renounced the worship of the heathen gods must have been spread abroad widely by their means, as the apostle here affirms. And as this was a very extraordinary event, it would naturally occasion much discourse among them to whom it was reported. For they themselves — The faithful, wherever we come; show of us what manner of entering in, &c. — Are able to give an account of the success of our ministry among you, and what entertainment it found with you; and how ye turned to God from idols — In the worship of which ye had been brought up; to serve the living and true God — The epithet living is given to God to distinguish him from the heathen idols, which were destitute of life. And he is called the true God, in opposition to the fictitious deities worshipped by the heathens, who, though some of them may have formerly lived, or are now living, are not true gods; such as demons and the souls of men departed. And to wait for his Son from heaven — To raise the dead and judge the world; whom he raised from the dead — In proof of his future coming for these purposes. “Christ himself, on two different occasions, promised that he would return from heaven, Matthew 16:27; John 14:3. The angels, likewise, who attended at his ascension, foretold the same things, Acts 1:11. And as the great design of his return is to punish his enemies, and reward his faithful servants, his second coming was always a principal topic on which the apostles insisted in their discourses; consequently it was a principal article of the faith and hope of the first Christians, a frequent subject of their conversation, and a powerful source of consolation to them in all their afflictions and troubles. May it ever be the object of our faith and hope, and the source of our consolation, especially at death!” — Macknight. Even Jesus, who delivered — Greek, ruomenon, rather, delivereth; us from the wrath to come — He hath redeemed us once, he delivers us continually; and will deliver all that believe in him from the wrath, the eternal vengeance, which will then come upon the ungodly.

Ver. 9. Ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. The antithesis enlivens the expression, idols made with hands contrasted with the living God. Zanchius, a Swiss divine, here quotes Tacitus, who affirms that the gods, such as the local Jupiters, Neptune and others, could not create and endow the living beings of the earth with life. The learned among the gentiles certainly derived much light, either from the sibyls, or from the holy scriptures, translated by the LXX, and carried everywhere by the jews in their dispersion among all nations.

9. They themselves—The above anticipators, implied but not expressed. Manner of entering—More fully depicted in 1 Thessalonians 2:1, 2. From idols—From the fabled Jove to the divine Jehovah. Living and true—In contrast to the idols, which were lifeless and false.

V. 10. Whom he hath raised from the dead-In proof of his future coming to judgment.

Who delivereth us-He redeemed us once; he delivers us continually; and will deliver all that believe from the wrath, the eternal vengeance, which will then come upon the ungodly.

Verse 10. And to wait for his Son from heaven] To expect a future state of glory, and resurrection of the body, according to the Gospel doctrine, after the example of Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead, and ascended unto heaven, ever to appear in the presence of God for us. Delivered us from the wrath to come.] From all the punishment due to us for our sins, and from the destruction which is about to come on the unbelieving and impenitent Jews.

This was the news, the sounding out, that went abroad concerning the converted Thessalonians. Every where it was said: They have believed the Gospel; they have renounced idolatry; they worship the living and true God; they have received the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit; they are happy in their souls, unspotted in their lives, and full of joy; expecting an eternal glory through that Christ who had died for and purged their sins, and who shall fashion their degraded bodies and make them like to his glorious body, and give them an eternal residence with himself in a state of blessedness.

These were glorious news; and, wherever they were told, prepared the way of the Gospel among the heathen. The mere preaching of the Gospel has done much to convince and convert sinners, but the lives of the sincere followers of Christ, as illustrative of the truth of these doctrines, have done much more: Truth represented in action seems to assume a body, and thus renders itself palpable. In heathen countries, which are under the dominion of Christian powers, the Gospel, though established there, does little good, because of the profane and irreligious lives of those who profess it. Why has not the whole peninsula of India been long since evangelized? The Gospel has been preached there; but the lives of the Europeans professing Christianity there have been, in general, profligate, sordid, and base. From them sounded out no good report of the Gospel; and therefore the Mohammedans continue to prefer their Koran, and the Hindoos their Vedas and Shasters, to the Bible. It should now ever be acknowledged, to the glory of God, that of late years a few apostolic men in that country are turning the tide in favour of the Gospel; and several eminent Europeans have warmly espoused the doctrine of Christ, and are labouring to circulate the word of God through the whole of British India.

I THESSALONIANS

Verses 6-10. Ye became followers of us — Obedient to our directions, and imitators of our example; and of the Lord also — Both in the holiness of your lives, and in the courage and patience with which you endured those sufferings which lay in the way of your duty; having received the word — When first preached to you; in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost — That is, though attended with persecution, yet with joy, such as only the Holy Ghost could inspire you with. So that ye were ensamples — Patterns to be imitated; to all that believe in Macedonia — Chiefly in Philippi and Berea; and in the more distant province of Achaia — Namely, to the Corinthian converts, who, hearing of their pious and virtuous conduct, were excited to emulation. The apostle mentions Macedonia and Achaia, because he had just been travelling through these parts before he came to Corinth, from whence, as has been observed in the preface, he wrote this epistle. For from you sounded forth the word of the Lord — Was echoed, as it were, from you; not only in your own borders of Macedonia and Achaia — With which you could easily have correspondence; but also in every place — That is, far beyond these countries; your faith to God-ward — The report of your embracing the gospel, and of consequence believing in the living and true God; is spread abroad — Is become notorious; so that we need not to speak any thing — Concerning it. The apostle does not mean that the Thessalonian brethren sent persons to preach the gospel in the countries here mentioned, but that their relinquishing idolatry had occasioned the preaching of the gospel at Thessalonica to be much talked of in these provinces, and in many other places. Grotius observes, that many of the Thessalonians being merchants, who travelled into foreign countries for the sake of commerce, the news of their fellow-citizens having renounced the worship of the heathen gods must have been spread abroad widely by their means, as the apostle here affirms. And as this was a very extraordinary event, it would naturally occasion much discourse among them to whom it was reported. For they themselves — The faithful, wherever we come; show of us what manner of entering in, &c. — Are able to give an account of the success of our ministry among you, and what entertainment it found with you; and how ye turned to God from idols — In the worship of which ye had been brought up; to serve the living and true God — The epithet living is given to God to distinguish him from the heathen idols, which were destitute of life. And he is called the true God, in opposition to the fictitious deities worshipped by the heathens, who, though some of them may have formerly lived, or are now living, are not true gods; such as demons and the souls of men departed. And to wait for his Son from heaven — To raise the dead and judge the world; whom he raised from the dead — In proof of his future coming for these purposes. “Christ himself, on two different occasions, promised that he would return from heaven, Matthew 16:27; John 14:3. The angels, likewise, who attended at his ascension, foretold the same things, Acts 1:11. And as the great design of his return is to punish his enemies, and reward his faithful servants, his second coming was always a principal topic on which the apostles insisted in their discourses; consequently it was a principal article of the faith and hope of the first Christians, a frequent subject of their conversation, and a powerful source of consolation to them in all their afflictions and troubles. May it ever be the object of our faith and hope, and the source of our consolation, especially at death!” — Macknight. Even Jesus, who delivered — Greek, ruomenon, rather, delivereth; us from the wrath to come — He hath redeemed us once, he delivers us continually; and will deliver all that believe in him from the wrath, the eternal vengeance, which will then come upon the ungodly.

Ver. 10. To wait for his Son from heaven. Sweet hope, the aggregate of every other hope. Then the tempests shall roar no more: we shall see him who died and rose again, who will redeem us from death, and deliver us from the wrath to come.

10. Wait—Christian life rests not in the present, but looks forward and upward. It expects, hopes, and waits. Forward, for it has an endless future; upward, for its great future event is the coming of Christ through the parting skies. That is the most solemn of all events, for it is the day of retributive doom; and the most glorious of all events, for it is the commencement day of the Christian’s everlasting joy. Paul’s preaching of this great event thrilled the Thessalonians through and through. Christians of this age have, necessarily, through lapse of time, a less sensuous and nervous impression of the “ideal presence” of the judgment throne; but should possess a no less vivid realization of a fact which, in its own time, will be present.