Bible Commentaries
Vincent's Word Studies
1 Thessalonians 2
Was not in vain ( οὐ κενὴ γέγονεν )
More accurately, hath not proved vain. Κενὴ isempty. Ματαία , also rendered vain, is fruitless.
Having suffered before ( προπαθόντες )
N.T.oAlthough we had suffered.
Having been shamefully entreated ( ὑβρισθέντες )
Comp. Luke href="/desk/?q=lu+18:32&sr=1">
Philippi
See Philemon href="../../desk/@q=phm+1_3A1&sr=1">
Only once elsewhere in Paul, Ephesians 6:20. Frequent in Acts. Always in N.T. in connection with speaking. Derived from πᾶν everyand ῥῆσις speakingHence παρρησία boldnessbold speaking out of every word. The noun is very often used adverbially, as παρρησίᾳ boldlyor openly, Mark 8:32; see also John 18:20. In Acts always μετὰ παρρησίας withboldness, comp. Hebrews 4:16. Ἑν παρρησίᾳ inboldness, John 7:4; John 16:29; Ephesians 6:19; Philemon 1:20. Both the verb and the noun are found in lxx. See Leviticus 26:13; Proverbs 10:10; Wisd. 5:1; Sirach 6:11.
In our God ( ἐν τῷ θεῷ ἡμῶν )
Const. with we waxed bold. Their boldness was not mere natural courage, but was inspired by God. There is a slight emphasis on our God, as contrasted with the idols from which they had turned (1Thessalonians href="../../desk/@q=1th+1_3A9&sr=1">
For the phrase see Mark 1:14; Romans 1:1; Romans 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Peter 4:17. It points to the monotheistic character of the gospel.
In much contention ( ἐν πολλῷ ἀγῶνι )
Better conflict. Comp. Colossians 2:1; Philemon 1:27; 1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 12:1. Ἁγὼν originally of a contest in the arena; but it is used of any struggle, outward or inward.
Exhortation ( παράκλησις )
See on Luke 6:24and see on 1 Corinthians 14:3. Exhortation or counsel is Paul's usual sense.
Of deceit ( ἐκ πλάνης )
Better, of error. It may imply deceit as accompanying or causing error, but it does not occur in the sense of deceit. Our exhortation did not proceed from any false teaching which we had ourselves received. We were guided by “the spirit of truth”; See 1 John 4:6, and comp. 2 Peter 1:16.
Of uncleanness ( ἐξ ἀκαθαρσίας )
Ἀκαθαρσία in Matthew 23:27of the corruption of the sepulchre. Elsewhere in N.T. of sensual impurity. See Romans 1:24; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 4:19. Here in the sense of impurity on the side of sordidness. In Ephesians 4:19, Paul speaks of working uncleanness ( ἀκαθαρσίαν ) in a spirit of selfish desire ( πλεονεξία ) which is the spirit of covetousness. In Ephesians 5:3, uncleanness and covetousness are closely associated. Paul means that his exhortation did not proceed from greed for gain or lust for power.
In guile ( ἐν δόλῳ )
While uncleanness expresses impure purpose or motive, guile has reference to improper means; plausible but insincere methods of winning converts; suppression of the truth; “huckstering the word of God” (see on 2 Corinthians 2:17); adulterating it for purposes of gain or popularity.
We were allowed ( δεδοκιμάσμεθα )
More correctly, approved. See on 1 Peter 1:7. We came and spoke to you as tested men.
Pleasing ( ἀρέσκοντες )
As being those who seek to please. Comp. Galatians 1:10, and ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι man-pleasers Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22. Comp. lxx, Psalm 52:5: “God hath scattered the bones of men-pleasers.” The fourth Psalm of Solomon is entitled: Against the men-pleasers ( ἀνθρωπαρέσκοις ).
Who proveth ( δοκιμάζοντι )
Word-play with δεδοκιμάσμεθα wewere approved.
Used we flattering words ( ἐν λόγῳ κολακίας ἐγενηθήμεν )
Better, were we found using flattering discourse. Very literally and baldly it is, we came to pass in discourse of flattery. It means more than the mere fact that they were not flatterers: rather, they did not prove to be such in the course of their work. Similar periphrases with ἐν are found, Luke 22:44; Acts 22:17; 2 Corinthians 3:7; Philemon 2:7; with εἰς , Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 3:5. Κολακία flatteryN.T.oolxx. Rare in Class. Λόγῳ is explained by some as report or rumor. Common report did not charge us with being flatterers. This meaning is admissible, but the other is simpler. Paul says that they had not descended to flattery in order to make the gospel acceptable. They had not flattered men's self-complacency so as to blind them to their need of the radical work which the gospel demands.
Cloke of covetousness ( προφάσει πλεονεξίας )
For πρόφασις see on John 15:22. Properly pretext: πρό before φάσις aword or saying. Others, less probably, from προφαίνειν tocause to shine forth or before. Paul means that he had not used his apostolic office to disguise or conceal avaricious designs.
God is witness ( θεὸς μάρτυς )
Comp. Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23; Philemon 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:10. God or the Lord is witness is a common O.T. formula: see Genesis 31:44, Genesis 31:50; 1 Samuel 12:5, 1 Samuel 12:6; 1 Samuel 20:23, 1 Samuel 20:42; Wisd. 1:6. For testimony to his conduct, he appeals to the Thessalonians (as ye know )testimony to his motives, he appeals to God. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:10, where there is the double appeal.
Of men ( ἐξ ἀνθρώπων )
To extract glory from men.
When we might have been burdensome ( δυνάμενοι ἐν βάρει εἶναι )
Lit. being able to be in weight. The phrase ἐν βάρει inweight is unique in N.T., and does not occur in lxx. The better rendering here is to be in authority. Paul means that his position as an apostle would have warranted him in asserting authority or standing on his dignity, which he did not do. Βάρος weightin the sense of influence, is found in late Greek. Paul's Epistles were called weighty ( βαρεῖαι ), 2 Corinthians 10:10: others explain as referring to the apostolic right to exact pecuniary support.
Gentle ( ἤπιοι )
This reading is adopted by Tischendorf, Weiss, and the Rev. T. Westcott and Hort read νήπιοι babesThis gives a stronger and bolder image, and one which falls in better with the course of thought, in which Paul is asserting his innocence of guile and flattery, and not of harshness.
Among you ( ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν )
Better, and more literally, in the midst of you, which implies more intimate intercourse than among you. Comp. Luke 22:27.
Nurse ( τροφός )
N.T.oIn Class. sometimes of a mother, and so probably here. See Galatians 4:19.
Cherisheth ( θάλπῃ )
PoHere and Ephesians 5:29. The verb originally means to warm. See lxx, Deuteronomy 22:6.
Her own children
Note the inversion of metaphor. Paul is first the babe, then the nurse or mother. For similar instances see 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 2 Corinthians 3:13-16; Romans 7:1ff. See Introduction to 2Corinthians, Vol. 3, p. 19.
Being affectionately desirous ( ὁμειρόμενοι )
N.T.oOnce in lxx, Job 3:21. The figure of the nursing mother is continued. She is not satisfied with nursing the child, but interests herself affectionately in all that concerns it.
We were willing ( ηὐδοκοῦμεν )
Better, we were pleased. Imperfect tense: we continued to entertain and manifest our affectionate solicitude. The verb occasionally in later Greek, and often in lxx. In N.T. it is used of God's decrees, as Luke 12:32; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 1:15; Colossians 1:19; and of the free determination and plans of men, as Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:1.
Souls ( ψυχάς )
Better lives. See on Romans 11:3; see on 1 Corinthians 15:45; see on Mark 12:30.
Labor - travail ( κόπον - μόχθον )
The two words are associated in 2 Corinthians 11:27; 2 Thessalonians 3:8. Μόχθος travailPoFrequent in lxx. Κόπος emphasizes fatigue, μόχθος hardshipBecause we would not be chargeable ( πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἐπιβαρῆσαι )
Incorrect. Rend. that we might not burden. Put you to expense for our support. Comp. 2 Thessalonians 3:8.
Holily - justly - unblameably ( ὁσίως - δικαίως - ἀμέμπτως )
For δικαίως holilysee on Luke 1:75; for δικαίως justlyor righteously, see on Romans 1:17; see on Romans 5:7. Ἁμέμπτως unblameablyonly in these Epistles. See 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23. For the distinction between ὅσιος and δίκαιος see Plato, Gorg. 507.
Comforted ( παραμυθούμενοι )
The A.V. renders the three participles in this verse as finite verbs, we exhorted, etc. Rev. retains the participial construction. Better than comforted, persuading. Persuasion is the form which the exhortation assumed. Παράκλησις exhortationand παραμύθιου persuasionare associated in Philemon 2:1. The verb παραμυθέομαι , to persuade occurs only four times in N.T. See on Philemon 2:1. Neither verb nor noun in lxx.
Charged ( μαρτυρόμενοι )
Rev. testifying; but the A.V. is more correct. Rend. charging. The verb means to conjure, or appeal to by something sacred. So Ephesians 4:17. Comp. Acts 20:26; Galatians 5:3, and διαμαρτύρομαι Icharge, 1 Timothy 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:14; 2 Timothy 4:1. Comp. Thucyd. vi. 80.
Walk ( περιπατεῖν )
By Paul exclusively in the metaphorical sense of behaving or conducting one's self. Similarly in Hebrews. In the Synoptic Gospels, with one exception (Mark 7:5), of the physical act. Both senses in the Fourth Gospel, but only the metaphorical sense in John's Epistles. Once in the metaphorical sense in Acts, Acts 21:21. In lxx almost exclusively literal; but see Proverbs href="../../desk/@q=pr+8_3A20&sr=1">
Worthy of God ( ἀξίως θεοῦ )
Better worthily. For ἀξίως comp. lxx, Wisd. 7:15; 16:1; Luke href="../../desk/@q=lu+6_3A20&sr=1">
Also - we
Also may point to an expression of thanksgiving in a letter from the Thessalonians to Paul. You say “we give thanks to God.” We also give thanks. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 1:2.
When ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ( παραλαβόντες λόγον ἀκοῆς παρ ' ἡμῶν τοῦ θεοῦ )
Rend. when ye received the word of the message (which came ) from us, even the word of God. The words the word of the message from us form one conception, governed by παραλαβόντες havingreceived or when ye received; therefore from us is not to be taken as depending on having received, as Rev. when ye received from us the word, etc. Of God (supply the word ) is added in order to correct any possible false impression made by from us. Ἁκοή in N.T. means the sense of hearing, as Matthew 13:14; 1 Corinthians 12:17; 2 Peter 2:8: or the organ of hearing = ear, as Mark 7:35; Luke 7:1: or a thing heard, a report, rumor, as John 12:38; Romans 10:16. The phrase λόγος ἀκοῆς or τῆς ἀκοῆς theword of hearing, or word of the message, signifies the word which is heard. Comp. Hebrews 4:2. See on the fame, Luke 4:37.
Effectually worketh ( ἐνεργεῖται )
Referring to the word, not to God. Comp. Philemon 2:13. In the middle voice as here, used only by Paul and James, and only of things. See Ephesians 3:20; Colossians 1:29; James 5:16, and footnote on Colossians 1:29. The noun ἐνέργεια , PoIt means power in exercise, and is used only of superhuman power.
In Christ Jesus
Seems to be added to distinguish the Christian churches in Judaea from the synagogues of the Jews, which would claim to be churches of God. Comp. Galatians 1:22, and see on 1 Thessalonians 1:1. In Christ Jesus, in Christ, in Jesus, in the Lord, in him, are common Pauline formulas to denote the most intimate communion with the living Christ. These phrases are not found in the Synoptic Gospels. Ἑν ἐμοί inme (Christ) is frequent in the Fourth Gospel. The conception is that of a sphere or environment in which a Christian or a church lives, as a bird in the air, or the roots of a tree in the soil.
Countrymen ( συμφυλετῶν )
N.T.oolxx. Not in pre-Christian Greek writers. Lit. belonging to the same tribe or clan. The reference is to the Gentile persecutors who were instigated by the Jews.
Persecuted ( ἐκδιωξάντων )
Rev. more literally and correctly, drave out. The word only here, though it occurs as an alternative reading, Luke 11:49. Probably with special reference to his own expulsion from Thessalonica. Acts 17:5-10.
Contrary to all men
Tacitus (Hist. v. 5) describes the Jews as stubborn in their faith, prompt in kindly offices to each other, but bitterly hostile toward everybody else: Juvenal (Sat. xiv. 102 f.) says that they observe and respect whatever Moses has taught in his mystical volume; not to show the way except to one who practices the same rites, and to show the well only to the circumcised.
To speak - that they might be saved ( λαλῆσαι ἵνα σωθῶσιν )
Not, to speak to the Gentiles in order that they might be saved, but to tell the Gentiles that they might be saved. Comp. 1 Corinthians 10:33.
To fill up ( ἀναπληρῶσαι )
The verb means the making up of what is lacking to perfect fulness; the filling of a partial void. Comp. Philemon 2:30. Once in lxx of filling up of sins, Genesis 15:16. Always blind and stubborn, the Jews filled up the measure of their sins by their treatment of Christ and his apostles.
Alway ( πάντοτε )
Emphatically placed at the end of the sentence. At all times - before Christ, in Christ's time, now - the Jews by their resistance to the divine word fill up their sins.
Is come ( ἔφθασεν )
The verb not frequent in N.T. and used mostly by Paul. See on 2 Corinthians 10:14, and comp. Romans 9:31; Philemon 3:16.
To the uttermost ( εἰς τέλος )
This is not the meaning of the phrase in N.T. It is to the end: see Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Luke 18:5; John 13:1. The wrath of God had not come upon them to the uttermost. The meaning is that the divine wrath had reached the point where it passed into judgment.
Being taken from you ( ἀπορφανισθέντες )
N.T.oolxx. Rev. better, being bereaved of you. From ὀρφανός bereftSee Mark 12:40, John 14:18; James 1:27. The word suggests the intimate personal fellowship of the writer with his readers. The separation was like that between parents and children. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:8.
For a short time ( πρὸς καιρὸν ὥρας )
N.T.oLit. for the season of an hour. Comp. Lat. horae momentum. Stronger than the usual phrase πρὸς ὥραν foran hour: see 2 Corinthians 7:8; Galatians 2:5; Philemon 1:15. Comp. πρὸς καιρὸν fora season, Luke 8:13; 1 Corinthians 7:5.
The more abundantly ( περισσοτέρως )
Rev. the more exceedingly. Paul uses this adverb very freely, and outside of his letters it appears only Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 13:19. He is much given to the use of comparatives, and sometimes heaps them together: see Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 7:13; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Ephesians 3:20; Philemon 1:23.
We would ( ἠθελήσαμεν )
Implying more than a mere inclination or desire. It was our will to come. See on Matthew 1:19.
I Paul
Not implying any less desire on the part of his associates, but emphasizing his own. See on the use of the epistolary plural, 1 Thessalonians 1:2.
Satan ( Σατανᾶς )
From the Aramaic Satana adversary. In the canonical lxx the name appears only three times, 1 Kings 11:14, 1 Kings 11:23, 1 Kings 11:25, and in each case is applied to a man. In lxx διάβολος is used, almost without exception, as the translation of the Hebrew Satan. Of 22 instances of διάβολος only 9 are outside of the book of Job. From the more general conception of an adversary, there is, in the O.T., a gradual development toward that of an evil personality. For instance, in 2 Samuel 24:1, the numbering of the people is ascribed to the anger of the Lord. The later historian, in 1 Chronicles 21:1, ascribes the act to Satan. See also Job, Wisd. 2:24; Zechariah 3:1. The specialising of the conception was due, in part, to the contact of the Jews with the religions of Babylon and Persia. In N.T. Satan appears as the personal spirit of evil - the same who is called the devil, the wicked one, the prince of the power of the air, the prince of this world, the serpent, the God of this world, the tempter. He tempts to evil, opposes God's work, inspires evil dispositions, torments God's people. The word Satan occurs only once in the Fourth Gospel, not in the Epistles, but often in Revelation. Mark never uses διάβολος , Matthew never Satan. Paul seldom διάβολος , often Satan. Satan alone in Pastorals. Luke uses both. It is clear that Paul here as elsewhere employs the word in a personal sense; but any attempt to base the doctrine of a personal devil on this and similar passages is unsafe.
Hindered ( ἐνέκοψεν )
See on 1 Peter 3:7.
Hope
Used of the object of hope, as Colossians 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:1; Hebrews 6:18.
Joy - crown ( χαρὰ - στέφανος )
Comp. Philemon 4:1. The phrase crown of rejoicing or boasting, in Proverbs 16:31; Ezekiel 16:12; Ezekiel 23:42. Comp. Isaiah 62:3, στέφανος κάλλους crownof beauty, and Soph. Aj. 465, στέφ εὐκλείας crownof renown. The Thessalonians were “a chaplet of victory of which Paul might justly make his boast in the day of the Lord” (Ellicott). For στέφανος see on Revelation 4:4.
Coming ( παρουσίᾳ )
See on Matthew 24:8, and see on ἐπιφάνεια appearing 1 Timothy 6:14and see on 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
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