Bible Commentaries

1Th 2:1-20.

HIS MANNER OF PREACHING, AND THEIRS OF RECEIVING, THE GOSPEL; HIS DESIRE TO HAVE REVISITED THEM FRUSTRATED BY SATAN.

1. For--confirming

1Th 1:9.

He discusses the manner of his fellow missionaries' preaching among them

(1Th 1:5,

and former part of

1Th 2:9)

at

1Th 2:1-12;

and the Thessalonians' reception of the word (compare

1Th 1:6, 7,

and latter part of

1Th 2:9)

at

1Th 2:13-16.

yourselves--Not only do strangers report it, but you know it to be true [ALFORD] "yourselves."

not in vain--Greek, "not vain," that is, it was full of "power"

(1Th 1:5).

The Greek for "was," expresses rather "hath been and is," implying the permanent and continuing character of his preaching.

2. even after that we had suffered before--at Philippi

(Ac 16:11-40):

a circumstance which would have deterred mere natural, unspiritual men from further preaching.

shamefully entreated--ignominiously scourged

(Ac 16:22, 23).

bold--

(Ac 4:29; Eph 6:20).

in our God--The ground of our boldness in speaking was the realization of God as "OUR God."

with much contention--that is, literally, as of competitors in a contest: striving earnestness

(Col 1:29; 2:1).

But here outward conflict with persecutors, rather than inward and mental, was what the missionaries had to endure

(Ac 17:5, 6; Php 1:30).

3. For--The ground of his "boldness"

(1Th 2:2),

his freedom from all "deceit, uncleanness, and guile"; guile, before God, deceit (Greek, "imposture"), towards men (compare

2Co 1:12; 2:17; Eph 4:14);

uncleanness, in relation to one's self (impure motives of carnal self-gratification in gain,

1Th 2:5),

or lust; such as actuated false teachers of the Gentiles

(Php 1:16; 2Pe 2:10, 14; Jude 8; Re 2:14, 15).

So Simon Magus and Cerinthus taught [ESTIUS].

exhortation--The Greek means "consolation" as well as "exhortation." The same Gospel which exhorts comforts. Its first lesson to each is that of peace in believing amidst outward and inward sorrows. It comforts them that mourn (compare

1Th 2:11; Isa 61:2, 3; 2Co 1:3, 4).

of--springing from--having its source in--deceit, &c.

4. as--according as; even as.

allowed--Greek, "We have been approved on trial," "deemed fit." This word corresponds to "God which trieth our hearts" below. This approval as to sincerity depends solely on the grace and mercy of God

(Ac 9:15; 1Co 7:25; 2Co 3:5; 1Ti 1:11, 12).

not as pleasing--not as persons who seek to please men; characteristic of false teachers

(Ga 1:10).

5. used we flattering words--literally, "become (that is, have we been found) in (the use of) language of flattery"; the resource of those who try to "please men."

as ye know--"Ye know" as to whether I flattered you; as to "covetousness," GOD, the Judge of the heart, alone can be "my witness."

cloak of--that is, any specious guise under which I might cloak "covetousness."

6. Literally, "Nor of men (have we been found,

1Th 2:5)

seeking glory." The "of" here represents a different Greek word from "of" in the clause "of you . . . of others." ALFORD makes the former (Greek, "ex") express the abstract ground of the glory; the latter (apo) the concrete object from which it was to come. The former means "originating from"; the latter means "on the part of." Many teach heretical novelties, though not for fain, yet for "glory." Paul and his associates were free even from this motive [GROTIUS],

(Joh 5:44).

we might have been burdensome--that is, by claiming maintenance

(1Th 2:9; 2Co 11:9; 12:16; 2Th 3:8).

As, however, "glory" precedes, as well as "covetousness," the reference cannot be restricted to the latter, though I think it is not excluded. Translate, "when we might have borne heavily upon you," by pressing you with the weight of self-glorifying authority, and with the burden of our sustenance. Thus the antithesis is appropriate in the words following, "But we were gentle (the opposite of pressing weightily) among you"

(1Th 2:7).

On weight being connected with authority, compare Note, see on

2Co 10:10,

"His letters are weighty"

(1Co 4:21).

ALFORD'S translation, which excludes reference to his right of claiming maintenance ("when we might have stood on our dignity"), seems to me disproved by

1Th 2:9,

which uses the same Greek word unequivocally for "chargeable." Twice he received supplies from Philippi while at Thessalonica

(Php 4:16).

as the apostles--that is, as being apostles.

7. we were--Greek, "we were made" by God's grace.

gentle--Greek, "mild in bearing with the faults of others" [TITTMANN]; one, too, who is gentle (though firm) in reproving the erroneous opinions of others

(2Ti 2:24).

Some of the oldest manuscripts read, "we became little children" (compare

Mt 18:3, 4).

Others support the English Version reading, which forms a better antithesis to

1Th 2:6, 7,

and harmonizes better with what follows; for he would hardly, in the same sentence, compare himself both to the "infants" or "little children," and to "a nurse," or rather, "suckling mother." Gentleness is the fitting characteristic of a nurse.

among you--Greek, "in the midst of you," that is, in our intercourse with you being as one of yourselves.

nurse--a suckling mother.

her--Greek, "her own children" (compare

1Th 2:11).

So

Ga 4:19.

8. So--to be joined to "we were willing"; "As a nurse cherisheth . . . so we were willing," &c. [ALFORD]. But BENGEL, "So," that is, seeing that we have such affection for you.

being affectionately desirous--The oldest reading in the Greek implies, literally, to connect one's self with another; to be closely attached to another.

willing--The Greek is stronger, "we were well content"; "we would gladly have imparted," &c. "even our own lives" (so the Greek for "souls" ought to be translated); as we showed in the sufferings we endured in giving you the Gospel

(Ac 17:1-34).

As a nursing mother is ready to impart not only her milk to them, but her life for them, so we not only imparted gladly the spiritual milk of the word to you, but risked our own lives for your spiritual nourishment, imitating Him who laid down His life for His friends, the greatest proof of love

(Joh 15:13).

ye were--Greek, "ye were become," as having become our spiritual children.

dear--Greek, "dearly beloved."