1 Thessalonians 1:9

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; Strictly there should follow, 'For they themselves show of YOU,' etc. Instead, he substitutes that which was the instrumental cause of the Thessalonians' conversion. "For they themselves show of US what manner of entering in we had unto you." Compare 1 Thessalonians 1:5, which corresponds to this former clause, as 1 Thessalonians 1:6 to the latter, "And how ye turned ... from idols to serve ... God," etc. Instead of our having "to speak anything" to them (in Macedonia and Achaia) in your praise (1 Thessalonians 1...

He says that the report of their conversion had obtained great renown everywhere. What he mentions as to his _entering in among them_, refers to that power of the Spirit, by which God had signalized his gospel. (510) He says, however, that both things are freely reported among other nations, as things worthy of being made mention of. In the detail which follows, he shews, first, what the condition of mankind is, before the Lord enlightens them by the doctrine of his gospel; and farther, for what end he would have us instructed, and what is the fruit of the gospel. For although all do not worship idols, all are nevertheless addicted to idolatry, and are immersed in blindness and madness. Hence, it is owing to the kindness of God, that we are exempted from the impostures of the devil, and every kind of superstition. Some, indeed, he converts earlier, others later, but as alienation is comm...

6-10 When careless, ignorant, and immoral persons are turned from their carnal pursuits and connexions, to believe in and obey the Lord Jesus, to live soberly, righteously, and godly, the matter speaks for itself. The believers under the Old Testament waited for the coming of the Messiah, and believers now wait for his second coming. He is yet to come. And God had raised him from the dead, which is a full assurance unto all men that he will come to judgment. He came to purchase salvation, and will, when he comes again, bring salvation with him, full and final deliverance from that wrath which is yet to come. Let all, without delay, flee from the wrath to come, and seek refuge in Christ and his salvation....

Verse 9. _HOW YE TURNED TO GOD FROM IDOLS_] This could not be spoken either of the _Jews_ or of the _devout persons_, but of the _heathen Greeks_, and of such it appears that the majority of the Church was formed. See what is said on this subject in the _preface_ to this epistle. _TO SERVE THE LIVING AND TRUE GOD_] The living God; in opposition to the idols, which were either _inanimate_ stocks or stones, or the representations of _dead_ men. _The true God_-In opposition to the whole system of idolatry, which was _false_ in the _objects_ of its _adoration, false_ in its _pretensions, false_ in its _promises_, and false in all its _prospects_....

FOR THEY THEMSELVES - They who have visited you, and they whom you have sent out; all persons testify of your piety. The apostle seems to refer to all whom he had met or had heard of “in all places,” who said anything about the Thessalonians They were unanimous in bearing testimony to their fidelity and piety. SHOW OF US WHAT MANNER OF ENTERING IN WE HAD UNTO YOU - The testimony which they bear of you is, in fact, testimony of the manner in which we preached the gospel, and demeaned ourselves when we were with you. It shows that we were intent on our Master’s work, and that we were not actuated by selfish or sinister motives The argument is, that such effects could not have been produced among them if Paul, Silas, and their fellow laborers had been impostors. Their sound conversion to God; their change from idolatry to the true religion, and the zeal which had been the result of their co...

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 they themselves show of us,.... Either the above reports of the preaching of the Gospel to the Thessalonians, and of their faith in God; or rather the persons to whom these reports were brought, openly and publicly, and largely declared concerning THE APOSTLES, WHAT MANNER OF ENTERING IN WE HAD UNTO YOU; under what difficulties they laboured, what contention they had with the unbelieving Jews, what reproaches were cast upon them, and what persecutions they endured when they first entered their city and synagogue, and preached the Gospel to them; and in what manner they did preach it, with what boldness, sincerity, uprightness and affection, and without flattery, covetousness, and vain glory; and with what power it came to them, and what success attended it, and how readily, cheerfully, and reverently both they and that were received by them: AND HOW YE TURNED TO GOD FROM IDOLS; imm...

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

HOW YE TURNED The tenses of the believer's life here indicated are logical and give the true order. They occur also in (1 Thessalonians 1:3). The "work of faith" is to "turn to God from idols"; (compare (John 6:28); (John 6:29). The "labour of love" is to "serve the living and true God"; and The "patience of hope" is to "wait for his Son from heaven". (compare (Matthew 24:42); (Matthew 25:13); (Luke 12:36); ...

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