1 Thessalonians 2:1

“For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain”

“For yourselves, brethren, know”: Connecting back to 1 Thessalonians 1:9. Morris notes, “Now he says that the Thessalonians needed no other to bear witness, for they themselves knew what had happened. This calling of the Thessalonians to witness was. masterly defense. In the first place it showed his confidence in them. In the second place it demonstrated that all the facts required for his vindication were facts of common knowledge. Neither Paul nor the Thessalonians had need to search for material to prove his bona fides” (pp. 67-68). “Our”: Including Silas and Timothy. “Entering into unto you”: That is, when they first came to Thessalonica, which is recorded in Acts 17:1. “It hath not been found vain”: “Was not in vain” (NASV). “Did not fail of its purpose” (Wey).

Basically two views exist concerning the meaning of the word "vain" in the above passage: (1) “Empty of results, fruitless, without results”: “The fact that Paul left. flourishing church there was proof that his visit was not in vain” (Fields p. 52). (2) Others feel that the word vain refers to the purpose rather than the result of his mission in Thessalonica, that Paul did not enter in among them without purpose, or empty-handed. “Far from being empty-handed on arrival in Thessalonica, with nothing to say or bring, Paul had the courage to preach the gospel and risk the persecution” (Stott p. 47).

His previous Suffering