1st Thessalonians Chapter 2

From The Open Bible Project

2:1 For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn't in vain,

• (1) That which he mentioned before briefly concerning his apostleship, he handles now more at large, and to that end and purpose which we spoke of.

2:2 but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.

• (2) The virtues of a true pastor are freely without fear to preach the Gospel, even in the midst of dangers.
• (a) Through God’s gracious help.

2:3 For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.

• (3) To teach pure doctrine faithfully and with a pure heart.
• (b) By any wicked and evil type of dealing.

2:4 But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.

• (4) To approve his conscience to God, being free from all flattery and covetousness.
• (c) There is this difference between the judgments of God and the judgments of men, that when men choose, they give regard to the qualities of those things which stand before them, but God finds the reason of his counsel only in himself. Therefore, it follows that seeing as we are not able to think a good thought, that whoever he first chooses to those callings, he does not find them able but indeed makes them able. And therefore in that we are empowered of God, it depends upon his mercy.
• (d) Who approves and allows them.

2:5 For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),

2:6 nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.

• (5) To submit himself even to the basest, to win them, and to avoid all pride.
• (e) When I might lawfully have lived upon the expenses of the churches.

2:7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

• (f) We were rough, and yet easy and gentle as a nurse that is neither seeking glory, nor covetous, but who takes all pains as patiently as if she were a mother.

2:8 Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.

• (6) To consider the flock that is committed to him as more important than his own life.

2:9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.

• (7) To let go of his own rights, rather than to be a cost to his sheep.

2:10 You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.

• (8) To excel others in the example of a godly life.

2:11 As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children,

• (9) To exhort and comfort with a fatherly mind and affection.

2:12 to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.

• (10) To exhort all men diligently and earnestly to lead a godly life.

2:13 For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.

• (11) Having approved his ministry, he commends again (to that end and purpose that I spoke of) the cheerfulness of the Thessalonians which was due to his diligence in preaching, and their brave patience.

2:14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;

• (12) He strengthens and encourages them in their afflictions which they suffered among their own people, because they were afflicted by their own countrymen. And this happened, he says, to the churches of the Jews, as well as to them: and therefore they ought to take it in good part.
• (g) Which Christ has gathered together.
• (h) Even from those who are from the same country and the same town that you are from.

2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn't please God, and are contrary to all men;

• (13) He prevents an offence which might be taken, because the Jews especially above all others persecuted the Gospel. That is no new thing, he says, seeing that they slew Christ himself, and his Prophets, and have banished me also.
• (14) He foretells the utter destruction of the Jews, lest any man should be moved by their rebellion.
• (i) For the Jews would neither enter into the kingdom of God themselves, nor allow others to enter in.

2:16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost.

• (k) Until that wickedness of theirs which they have by inheritance as it were of their fathers, has grown so great, that the measure of their iniquity being filled, God may come forth to wrath.
• (l) The judgment of God who was angry, which indeed appeared shortly after in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, where many fled even out of various provinces, when it was besieged.

2:17 But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,

• (15) He meets with an objection, why he did not come to them immediately, being in such great misery: I often desired to, he says, and I was not able, but Satan hindered my endeavours, and therefore I sent Timothy my faithful companion to you, because you are most dear to me.
• (m) Were kept apart from you, and as it were orphans.

2:18 because we wanted to come to you--indeed, I, Paul, once and again--but Satan hindered us.

2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn't it even you, before our Lord Jesus[2] at his coming?

2:20 For you are our glory and our joy.