1 Thessalonians 2:14-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

Here observe, I. The apostle makes mention of the success of his ministry among these Thessalonians (1 Thess. 2:13), which is expressed, 1. By the manner of their receiving the word of God: When you received the word of God, which you heard of us, you received it, not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God. Where note, (1.) The word of the gospel is preached by men like ourselves, men of like passions and infirmities with others: We have this treasure in earthen vessels.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

In these words the apostle apologizes for his absence. Here observe, 1. He tells them they were involuntarily forced from them: We, brethren, were taken from you, 1 Thess. 2:17. Such was the rage of his persecutors. He was unwillingly sent away by night to Berea, Acts 17:10. 2. Though he was absent in body, yet he was present in heart. He had still a remembrance of them, and great care for them. 3. Even his bodily absence was but for a short time, the time of an hour. Time is short, all our... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

2:13-16 And for this, too, we thank God, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but--as in truth it is--as the word of God, who also works in you who believe. For, brothers, you became imitators of the Churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus, for you too suffered the same things at the hands of your own fellow-countrymen as they did at the hands of the Jews; for they killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and they... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

2:17-20 But, brothers, when we had been separated from you--in presence but not in heart--for a short time, we were the more exceedingly eager with a great desire to see your face. So we wished to come to you--I Paul longed for it once and again--but Satan blocked our way. For who is our hope or our joy or the crown in which we boast? Is it not even you, in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For you are our glory and our joy. First Thessalonians has been called "a classic... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:14

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God ,.... As of the Lord and of the apostle, 1 Thessalonians 1:6 so of the churches of God that were before them, who were gathered out of the world by the grace of God; and who were united in the fear of God, and assembled together for his worship, to bear a testimony to his truth and ordinances, and for the glory of his name: these they followed in the faith and order of the Gospel, and "became like" them, as the Syriac and Ethiopic... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:15

Who both killed the Lord Jesus ,.... For though Pilate condemned him to death, and the Roman soldiers executed the sentence, yet it was through the malice and envy of the Jews that he was delivered to him, who brought charges against him, and insisted upon the crucifixion of him; and who are therefore said to have taken him with wicked hands, and crucified and slain him; and to have killed the Prince of life, and to have been the betrayers and murderers of him; and therefore it is no wonder... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:16

Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved ,.... Speaking or preaching the Gospel is the ordinary means of saving souls, or of acquainting them with the way of salvation, the necessity of it, and of the application of it to them, and with this end and view it is preached: now though the Jews disbelieved the Gospel, and despised the ministry of it, and disavowed any such use and end of it, yet such was their envy at the Gentiles, and their hatred of them, that could they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:17

But we, brethren, being taken from you ,.... Here more properly should begin the third chapter, in which the apostle having before observed the manner of his entrance among these people, the nature of his ministry, the reception the word of God met with among them, and the powerful effect it had upon them, insomuch that they patiently and cheerfully bore persecution for the sake of it; he excuses his not having been with them again as yet, which he knew was proper and necessary, as he was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:18

Wherefore we would have come unto you ,.... They not only had a will, and purposed in themselves, and entered into some resolutions to come unto them, but endeavoured to put them into execution: even I Paul : as well as Silas and Timothy; the latter of which had been with them, and the others had as good a will, and especially Paul: and that once and again : or "once and twice" so the Jews used F8 Maimon. in Hilch. Chobel, c. 5. sect. 10. to speak פעם ראשונה ושנייח , "one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Thessalonians 2:19

For what is our hope, or joy ,.... The apostle here gives a reason why they were so concerned at parting with the Thessalonians, and were so desirous of seeing them again, and attempted it so often, cause they were their "hope"; not the foundation of it, which was Christ; nor the thing hoped for, which was eternal life; nor the ground of their hope, which was the blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of Christ; but they were persons whom they hoped well of, and of whom their hope was... read more

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