1 Thessalonians 1:5

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. OUR GOSPEL - the gospel we preached. CAME, [ egeneethee (G1096): 'proved'] - 'was made,' by God, its Author. God's having made it in respect to you to be attended with such "power" is the proof that you are 'elect of God' (1 Thessalonians 1:4). IN POWER - the Holy Spirit's efficacy clothing us with power (see end of verse; Acts 1:8; Acts 4:33;...

5_As ye know_. Paul, as I have said before, has it as his aim, that the Thessalonians, influenced by the same considerations, may entertain no doubt that they were elected by God. For it had been the design of God, in honoring Paul’s ministry, that he might manifest to them their adoption. Accordingly, having said that they _know what manner of persons they had been_, (504) he immediately adds that he was such_for their sake_, by which he means that all this had been given them, in order that they might be fully persuaded that they were loved by God, and that their election was beyond all controversy....

1-5 As all good comes from God, so no good can be hoped for by sinners, but from God in Christ. And the best good may be expected from God, as our Father, for the sake of Christ. We should pray, not only for ourselves, but for others also; remembering them without ceasing. Wherever there is a true faith, it will work; it will affect both the heart and life. Faith works by love; it shows itself in love to God, and love to our neighbour. And wherever there is a well-grounded hope of eternal life, this will appear by the exercise of patience; and it is a sign of sincerity, when in all we do, we seek to approve ourselves to God. By this we may know our election, if we not only speak of the things of God with out lips, but feel their power in our hearts, mortifying our lusts, weaning us from the world, and raising us up to heavenly things. Unless the Spirit of God comes with the word of God,...

Verse 1 Thessalonians 1:5. _FOR OUR GOSPEL_] That is, the glad tidings of salvation by Jesus Christ, and of your being elected to enjoy all the privileges to which the Jews were called, without being obliged to submit to circumcision, or fulfil the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law. _CAME NOT UNTO YOU IN WORD ONLY_] It was not by _simple teaching_ or mere _reasoning_ that the doctrines which we preached recommended themselves to you, we did not insist on your using this or the other religious institution; we insisted on a change of heart and life, and we held out the energy which was able to effect it. _BUT ALSO IN POWER_] εν δυναμει. With _miraculous_ manifestations, to your eyes and to your hearts, which induced you to acknowledge that this Gospel was the _power of God unto_ salvatio

FOR OUR GOSPEL CAME NOT UNTO YOU - When first preached; Acts 17:1. Paul speaks of it as “our gospel,” because it was the gospel preached by him and Silas and Timothy; comp 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 2:8. He did not mean to say that the gospel had been originated by him, but only that he had delivered the good news of salvation to them. He is here stating the evidence which had been given that they were a church “chosen by God.” He refers, first, to the manner in which the gospel was received by them 1 Thessalonians 1:5, and, secondly, to the spirit which they themselves manifested

EXPOSITION CONTENTS.—Paul, after the address and salutation, testifies that he renders constant thanks to God for the Thessalonians, calling to remembrance their faith, love, and hope, being assured of their election. He expresses his joy in their cordial reception of the gospel and the Christian character which they exhibited, being examples to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. He mentions the favorable report which he had of their conversion to God from idols, and of their waiting for the advent of Christ. 1 THESSALONIANS 1:1 PAUL. He does not call himself "an apostle," not because the Thessalonians were newly converted (Chrysostom), or from tenderness to Silvanus who was not an apostle (Estius), or because his apostolic authority was not yet recognized (Jowett), or because he had merely commenc

FOR OUR GOSPEL CAME NOT UNTO YOU,.... The apostle calls the Gospel "our Gospel", not because he and his fellow ministers were the authors of it; for in this respect it is solely of God, being the produce of his wisdom and grace, and by the revelation of Jesus Christ, hence he calls it the Gospel of God in 1 Thessalonians 2:2 nor because they were the subject of it, for they preached not themselves, but a crucified Christ, and him only, though it was a stumblingblock to some, and foolishness to others; but because it was committed to their trust, and they were the preachers of it, and agreed in the ministration of it; and it is opposed to, and is distinct from, that which was preached by the false teachers; and here intends not barely the Gospel itself, but chiefly their preaching of it: and this came unto them being sent of God, for wherever the Gospel comes, it comes with a miss

1 Thessalonians 1:1. _Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ._ Paul is very full of Christ. His heart is full of love to God our Father, and, therefore, it is that twice over in as many lines he mentions both names. He uses no vain repetitions, as the heathen do; but his inmost soul is taken up with communion with the Father and with the Son; and so in one single verse he twice gives us their names. 1 Thessalonians 1:2. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in ou

1 THESSALONIANS 1:5 h`mw/n {A} The expression “our gospel,” which is solidly based in a diversity of witnesses of every type of textual family, seems to have offended some scribes; ac C preferred “the gospel of God,” and a* preferred “the gospel of our God.”...

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALONIANS AND ITS BLESSED CONDITION CHAPTER 1 _ 1. Greetings and thanksgiving 1 Thessalonians 1:1)_ 2. The gospel and its blessed fruits 1 Thessalonians 1:5) 3. The blessed condition of the Church 1 Thessalonians 1:8) 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus and Timotheus were known to the Thessalonians, for they had been with them, and were the instruments of God used in bringing the gospel to them. He does not speak of himself as an apostle. In nine of his Epistles, Paul uses his title as