Verses 13-20
1 Thessalonians 2:13-Proverbs : . Paul and the Thessalonian Church.— The next two paragraphs describe ( a) the effect of Paul’ s preaching at Thessalonica, ( b) his anxiety with regard to the fate of the Church under stress of persecution.
1 Thessalonians 2:14 . Judæ a: i.e. Palestine. We have no details regarding the persecution of the Palestinian Churches apart from the account of the recurring attacks made upon the Church at Jerusalem.
1 Thessalonians 2:16 . the wrath is come upon them: this seems to have been a stock phrase, and was probably borrowed by Paul from “ The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs” (Levi 6:11 ). We need not assume, as some scholars do, a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem.
1 Thessalonians 2:17 . endeavoured, etc.: Paul’ s heart was evidently set upon returning to Thessalonica, which he meant to make the base of his missionary campaign in Greece.
1 Thessalonians 2:18 . Satan hindered us: the particular kind of obstacle is uncertain. It may have been ( a) illness or ( b) the continued opposition of the civic authorities, but whatever it was Paul has no hesitation in ascribing it to Satan.
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