1 Thessalonians 2:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

Here we have an account of Paul's manner of preaching, and his comfortable reflection upon his entrance in among the Thessalonians. As he had the testimony of his own conscience witnessing to his integrity, so he could appeal to the Thessalonians how faithful he, and Silas, and Timotheus, his helpers in the work of the Lord, had discharged their office: You yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you. Note, It is a great comfort to a minister to have his own conscience and the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

2:1-12 You yourselves know, brothers, that our coming among you was not to no effect; but after we had--as you know--already undergone suffering and ill-treatment at Philippi, we were bold in our God to tell you the good news of God, and a sore struggle we had. Our appeal to you did not proceed from any delusion, nor from impure motives, nor was it calculated to deceive; but as we have been deemed worthy by God to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, not as if we were seeking to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:4

But as we were allowed of God ,.... Or, "approved of God"; not that there were any previous fitness and worthiness in them to be ministers of the word; but such was the good will and pleasure of God, that he from all eternity chose and appointed them to this work; and in his own time by his grace called them to it, and by his gifts qualified them for it, who otherwise were unworthy of it, and insufficient for it: to be put in trust with the Gospel ; which is of great worth and value, a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:4

But as we were allowed of God - Καθως δεδοκιμασμεθα· As we were accounted worthy to be put in trust - as God put confidence in us, and sent us on his most especial message to mankind, even so we speak, keeping the dignity of our high calling continually in view; and, acting as in the sight of God, we speak not to please or flatter men, though our doctrine is the most consolatory that can be conceived, but to please that God who searcheth the heart, and before whom all our motives are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Verse 4 4As we have been approved. He goes even a step higher, for he appeals to God as the Author of his apostleship, and he reasons in this manner: “God, when he assigned me this office, bore witness to me as a faithful servant; there is no reason, therefore, why men should have doubts as to my fidelity, which they know to have been approved of by God. Paul, however, does not glory in having been approved of, as though he were such of himself; for he does not dispute here as to what he had by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 2:4

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

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