1 Thessalonians 2:2-4 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4

Entrance into Thessalonica . It was not necessary, however, to depend upon foreign testimony for the facts of the case, for the Thessalonians themselves were the best witnesses. "For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain," but an effective living reality, a great and gracious success. The proof of the fact is contained in two circumstances. I. THE BOLDNESS OF THE THREE PREACHERS , "But even after that we bad suffered before, and were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

I. APPEAL TO THE RECOLLECTION OF THE THESSALONIANS . 1. His first appearance among them had not been in vain . Others had borne witness to its results. That testimony was true; the Thessalonians knew it themselves. The apostle appeals to them in all the confidence of Christian simplicity. Perfectly sincere and single-hearted himself, he knew that as a body they had appreciated the purity of his motives. They could bear testimony (he knew that they would gladly do so)... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

I. WHAT THE THESSALONIANS HAD FOUND THEIR PREACHING TO BE . 1. Not void of power . "For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain." "For" goes back to the first of the two divisions given at the close of the previous chapter. This is indicated by the recurrence of the leading Greek word translated "entering in." It was said, "For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you." There is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:2

But even after we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated. As the word here rendered "suffered before" does not in itself imply that the sufferings were unjust, the apostle adds, "and were shamefully entreated." As ye know, at Philippi. We are informed, in the Acts of the Apostles, that Paul and Silas were publicly scourged and cast into prison; and scourging with rods was regarded as an ignominious punishment, and therefore was forbidden to be inflicted on Roman citizens, such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:2

I. THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAKE THE DECLARATION OF THE GOSPEL AN ACT OF BOLDNESS . St. Paul had been " shamefully entreated" at Philippi. Danger threatened also at Thessalonica. But the apostle was nothing daunted, not even holding his life dear in the prosecution of his great mission. Similar dangers beset the missionary now, and no one has a right to undertake mission work who is not prepared to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Moral... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:3

For our exhortation. This word has a twofold signification, denoting both "exhortation" and "consolation;" when it refers to the moral conduct it denotes exhortation, but when it is an address to a sufferer it denotes consolation. In the gospel these two meanings are blended together. Was not of deceit. Not in the sense of guile, which would be tantological, but simply " error, " without any direct evil intent; our gospel was not a delusion—we were not ourselves deceived. Nor of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:4

But ; in contrast. As ; according as. We were allowed. The old English for "approved." Of God . The word rendered "allowed" signifies tried, tested as gold is tested in the fire, and hence also the result of that trial, "approved." As we were esteemed worthy to be put in trust with the gospel ; entrusted with its publication. Even so ; in this condition of approval and trust. We speak, not as pleasing men, but God, that trieth. The same verb that is rendered "allowed" in the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:2

But even after that we had suffered before - Before we came among you.And were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi - Acts 16:19 ff. By being beaten and cast into prison. The shame of the treatment consisted in the fact that it was wholly undeserved; that it was contrary to the laws; and that it was accompanied with circumstances designed to make their punishment as ignominious as possible. The Thessalonians knew of this, and Paul was not disposed to palliate the conduct of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:3

For our exhortation - That is, the exhortation to embrace the gospel. The word seems to be used here so as to include preaching in general. The sense is, that the means which they used to induce them to become Christians were not such as to delude them.Was not of deceit - Was not founded on sophistry. The apostle means to say, that the Thessalonians knew that his manner of preaching was not such as was adopted by the advocates of error.Nor of uncleanness - Not such as to lead to an impure life.... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:2

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:2

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:3

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