1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 1:1

In this introduction we have, I. The inscription, where we have, 1. The persons from whom this epistle came, or by whom it was written. Paul was the inspired apostle and writer of this epistle, though he makes no mention of his apostleship, which was not doubted of by the Thessalonians, nor opposed by any false apostle among them. He joins Silvanus (or Silas) and Timotheus with himself (who had now come to him with an account of the prosperity of the churches in Macedonia), which shows this... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1:1-10 Paul and Silas and Timothy send this letter to the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to you and peace. Always we thank God for you all and always we remember you in our prayers. We never cease to remember the work inspired by your faith, the labour prompted by your love and the endurance founded on your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before God who is also our Father. For we know, brothers beloved by God, how you were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus ,.... These are the persons concerned in this epistle, and who send their greetings and salutations to this church; Paul was the inspired writer of it, and who is called by his bare name, without any additional epithet to it, as elsewhere in his other epistles; where he is either styled the servant, or apostle, or prisoner of Christ, but here only Paul: the reason for it is variously conjectured; either because he was well known by this church, having been... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 1:1

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 , Acts 17:14 . 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 ; Acts 16:19 ; Acts 17:4 , Acts 17:10 . Him and Timothy, the apostle took with him into Macedonia,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Verse 1 The brevity of the inscription clearly shews that Paul’s doctrine had been received with reverence among the Thessalonians, and that without controversy they all rendered to him the honor that he deserved. For when in other Epistles he designates himself an Apostle, he does this for the purpose of claiming for himself authority. Hence the circumstance, that he simply makes use of his own name without any title of honor, is an evidence that those to whom he writes voluntarily... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul . He does not call himself "an apostle," not because the Thessalonians were newly converted (Chrysostom), or from tenderness to Silvanus who was not an apostle (Estius), or because his apostolic authority was not yet recognized (Jowett), or because he had merely commenced his apostolic labors (Wordsworth); but because his apostleship had never been called in question by the Thessalonians. For the same reason he omits this title in the Epistle to the Philippians; whereas he strongly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 1:1

At a point almost midway between the apostle's call and his martyrdom he penned this first of his thirteen Epistles, which was, perhaps, the earliest book of New Testament Scripture, and addressed to one of the primary centers of European Christianity. I. THE AUTHORS OF THE SALUTATION . "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy." Simply Paul, without official adjunct of any sort, for there was no one in the Thessalonian Church to challenge his apostleship or his relationship to Christ. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 1:1

I. THE WRITER . 1. He uses no title. He does not style himself apostle. He asserted his apostolic authority when it was necessary to do so; for the sake of others, as in his Epistles to the Corinthians and Galatians. Now it was not necessary; the Macedonian Churches regarded him with affection and reverence. He simply gives his name, his new name—Paul. He had laid aside his old name with all its associations. It recalled the memory of the famous king, Saul the son of Kish, of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 1:1

This Epistle has the distinction of being the first in time of all Paul's Epistles. The leading thought, to which there is reference toward the close of each of the five chapters into which the Epistle has been divided, is the second coming of our Lord. The first three chapters are personal, setting forth the apostle's connection with the Thessalonians, and interest in them as a Church. In the remaining two chapters he addresses them in view of their condition as a Church, and especially in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2

The character of Christians. 1. They are converted ; they turn to God from idols. As the heathen turned from material idols, so do believers from spiritual idols. A change is effected in their disposition; their chief affection is now fixed on God and Christ; they serve the living and true God. 2. They wait for the Lord Jesus Christ ; they expect salvation from him, and look forward to his second craning. 3. They live a holy life ; they possess the three cardinal... read more

Group of Brands