1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

In these words the apostle reminds the Thessalonians of the manner of his conversation among them. And, I. He mentions the gentleness of their behaviour: We were gentle among you, 1 Thess. 2:7. He showed great mildness and tenderness who might have acted with the authority of an apostle of Christ. Such behaviour greatly recommends religion, and is most agreeable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in and by the gospel. This great apostle, though he abhorred and avoided flattery, was most... 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 2:7

But we were gentle among you ,.... Meek and humble, mild and moderate; not using severity, or carrying it in a haughty imperious manner; assuming power and dominion, lording it over God's heritage, and commanding persons to do homage and honour to them, and forcing themselves upon them, and obliging them to maintain them. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, instead of "gentle", read, "little children"; as the word signifies, by adding a letter to it, and expresses much the same as the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:8

So being affectionately desirous of you ,.... Not of theirs but them; not of glory from them, nor a maintenance by them, but of their spiritual and eternal welfare; were as fond of them as a nursing mother is of her children, who, when absent from them but ever so little a while, longs to see them; see 1 Thessalonians 2:17 and 1 Thessalonians 3:1 , we were willing : took the utmost pleasure, delight, and complacency: to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only ; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:9

For ye remember brethren, our labour and travail ,.... The great pains they took, even to weariness. The Vulgate Latin version renders the last word, "weariness"; and the Arabic version, "anxiety"; and the Ethiopic version, "affliction"; it is to be understood both of corporeal and spiritual labour, working with their hands and preaching the Gospel; this could not but be remembered by them, since it was not a year ago they were with them: for labouring night and day ; at our handicraft,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:10

Ye are witnesses, and God also ,.... Not so much to what goes before as to what follows after, relating to their holy walk and conversation among them, the more open part of which they were witness of; and for the more secret part God is appealed to, who is acquainted with the springs of actions, as well as with actions themselves: how holily, and justly, and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe . The Syriac version joins the last clause of the preceding verse with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:11

As you know ,.... This is added to the end of the last verse in the Arabic version, and which begins this verse thus, "as one of you, and as a father comforting his sons, so we", &c.; but for what is said in the former verse, an appeal is made both to God and to the Thessalonians, so that there is no need of adding such a clause there; it properly stands here in connection with what follows, how we exhorted ; to flee from wrath to come, and to Christ for refuge; to look to, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:12

That ye would walk worthy of God ,.... In imitation of him; not of his perfections, which are inimitable, but of his works; and these not of his power and wisdom, but those of kindness and beneficence, and of righteousness and holiness; and in conformity to his revealed will, which is good, perfect, and acceptable; and agreeably to his Gospel, that that may be adorned, and not blasphemed; and particularly, in a manner worthy of the calling wherewith saints are called by him: since it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:7

But we were gentle among you - Far from assuming the authority which we had, we acted towards you as a tender nurse or parent does to a delicate child. We fed, counselled, cherished, and bore with you; we taught you to walk, preserved you from stumbling, and led you in a right path. Instead of ηπιοι , gentle, many MSS., and several versions and fathers, have νηπιοι , young children. But this never can be considered the original reading, the scope of the place being totally opposed to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Being affectionately desirous of you - We had such intense love for you that we were not only willing and forward to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to you, but also to give our own lives for your sake, because ye were dear, διοτι αγαπητοι ἡμιν , because ye were beloved by us. The words used here by the apostle are expressive of the strongest affection and attachment. read more

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