1 Thessalonians 2:1

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you entering in (R.V.), same word as in ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:9; see note. And the "For" of this verse is parallel to the "for" of ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:9: what "theythemselves (other people, strangers in different places) report of us" is confirmed by what "youyourselves know" of the successful entrance the Gospel had won at Thessalonica. Both these fors, and all that the Apostle has written since 1 Thessalonians 2:4 of ch. 1, go to sustain his assurance of God's loving "choice" of the Thessalonian believers. We must not allow the artificial division of chapter and verse to break the thread of the writer's thoughts.

The appeal made to the recollections and experience of the readers is characteristic of these letters, see 1 Thessalonians 2:2; 1Th 2:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:10; ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:5, &c.; and comp. Introd. p. 35.

Concerning the "entrance" of the missionaries amongst them the Thessalonians know better than anyone else, that it hath not been found vain (R. V.). The Greek perfect tense (see note on ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:8) implies a settled result: not merely did the coming of Christ's servants produce a striking impression at the time; their work has proved thoroughly successful. Its fruit is permanent.

Vainis lit. empty, void of substance and power. So the apostles" "labour" would "turn out," if "the Tempter" should destroy the Thessalonians" faith (ch. 1 Thessalonians 3:5); so his "preaching" and his hearers" "faith" at Corinth, if Christ's resurrection were not a fact (1 Corinthians 15:14). "Not empty" echoes the "power" and "much fulness" of ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:5.

This verse might be rendered somewhat more freely in English idiom: For you know of yourselves, brethren, that our coming amongst you has not proved vain.