1 Thessalonians 1:5

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power The R. V. reads, how that our gospel, &c.; better perhaps, in that; the difference is slight: in any case the conversion of the Thessalonians, described in 1 Thessalonians 1:5, was not that wherein their election consisted, but wherein it was evidenced. Paul and Silas were conscious in declaring their message of a power beyond all words attending it, which made them sure at the time that it would not be in vain. It was evident to them that God "had much people in this city."

our gospelis God's good news about Jesus Christ, proclaimed by His servants. See Romans 1:1-5. Hence it is both God's gospel (ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:2, &c.), and "our" gospel.

and in the Holy Ghost The peculiar "power" in which St Paul and his helpers spoke at Thessalonica was not their own: their message came in the Holy Spirit, accompanied by the supernatural energy of the Spirit of God and of Christ. To this, as the N. T. teaches, the efficacy of the Gospel is always due. "He," said Jesus, "the Spirit of truth, shall testify of Me; and ye also do testify" (John 15:26-27). Poweris an idea constantly associated with the Holy Spirit, according to the words of Christ in Acts 1:8, "Ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;" so in 1 Corinthians 2:4, "My message was not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power," &c.,

"that mighty Breath

From heaven's eternal shores."

in the Holy Spirit, and, much fulness (R. V. margin), or abundant fulfilment. The preposition "in" is not repeated in the Greek, so that the third adjunct is closely identified with the second (Holy Spirit).

The same Greek word is used in the phrase "full-assuranceof the understanding" in Colossians 2:2; "of hope," "of faith" (Hebrews 6:11; Hebrews 10:22). But the "fulness" of this passage is ascribed to the "gospel" as it "came to" its Thessalonian hearers. It had its full effectupon them. Comp. 2 Timothy 4:17, where the corresponding verb is used, "that through me the message might be fulfilled" (R. V.) fully proclaimed. This "fulfilment" has been shown in 1 Thessalonians 1:3; comp. ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

The poweris in the gospel preached, the fulfilmentin the hearers, and the Holy Spiritabove and within them inspires both.

as ye know what manner ofmen we were among you for your sake The R.V., more accurately, even as ye know … we shewed ourselves toward you. The Apostle appeals to the knowledge of his readersto confirm what he has just said respecting the powerful effect of the Gospel upon them. This result in the experience of the Thessalonians accorded with the spirit and behaviour of the apostles towards them. "It was a mutual influence: so we preached, and so ye believed," 1 Corinthians 15:11 (Jowett). In ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (see the remarks Introductory to ch. ii.) the Apostle draws a vivid portrait of himself and his colleagues as they were at Thessalonica.

They so lived and laboured on your account out of love to their Thessalonian hearers (comp. ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:8), to those whom they felt sure God in His love had chosen for Himself (1 Thessalonians 1:4) and was calling by their means "to His own kingdom and glory" (ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:12). Comp. 2 Timothy 2:10, "I endure all things because of the elect."

"In the background," behind "the purpose of the Apostle and his colleagues," there was "the purpose of God," Who for the Thessalonians" sake gave this power to His servants (Alford).