1 Thessalonians 2:10

Ye are witnesses, and Godalso] In 1 Thessalonians 2:5 the witness of man and of God (to the outward and inward respectively) were distinguished; here they are combined: You are witnesses, and so is God.

how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe R. V. more correctly, toward you: also righteously instead of justly. Concerning "you that believe," as a designation of Christians, see note to ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:7.

For holilywe might substitute religiously. The Greek adverb does not represent the ordinary N.T. word for "holy" (hagios, i.e. saint), but another adjective (hosios), which is frequent in the O.T. and in common Greek. The former denotes Holiness as a relationship to God; the latter, as a condition or disposition of the man: they differ as consecratedfrom religiousor pious. For the combination of Holiness (in this latter sense) with Righteousness, see Ephesians 4:24; Titus 1:8; also Luke 1:75; in the O.T., Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 145:17 (applied to God), &c. The terms are not mutually exclusive, but may apply to the same acts and persons. The "holy" man has regard to the sanctities, the "righteous" man to the duties of life; but duty is sacred, and piety is duty. They cover the whole field of conduct, regarded in turn from the religious and moral standpoint, while "unblameably" affixes the seal of approval both by God and man.

Unblameablyreappears in the "blameless" of ch. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23.