_HE SETS FORTH IN WHAT MANNER THE GOSPEL WAS BROUGHT AND PREACHED TO THE THESSALONIANS, AND HOW THEY RECEIVED IT. A REASON IS GIVEN BOTH WHY ST. PAUL WAS SO LONG ABSENT FROM THEM, AND WHY HE WAS SO DESIROUS TO SEE THEM._ _Anno Domini 52._ IN this chapter the Apostle proposes his _second argument_... [ Continue Reading ]
_1 THESSALONIANS 2:1_. _Was not in vain:_—This may be rendered, _was not vain._ Dr. Heylin translates it, _was not without success._... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH MUCH CONTENTION,— Because of the opposition exerted against us by the perverse and unbelieving Jews. Acts 17:1. Dr. Heylin reads, _even under great difficulties._... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR OUR EXHORTATION WAS NOT OF DECEIT,— _For our doctrine was not erroneous, nor impure, nor such as could seduce you._... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT, AS WE WERE ALLOWED, &C.— _But as we have been approved of God to be intrusted,_ &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN BURDENSOME,— The Apostle particularly refers to the right he had of being maintained at their charge. See 1 Thessalonians 2:9. 2 Corinthians 11:9. 1 Timothy 5:18, and 1 Corinthians 9. Vitringa, however, would render it, _when we could have taken much_ [_authority_] _upon us._... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE WERE GENTLE, &C.— "We not only gave up our own just rights, but considered you as our children, and cherished you in your infant state as a hen cherisheth her brood under her wings, or as a tender and affectionate mother nurseth _her own_ helpless infant." Dr. Heylin renders the verse, _We tr... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, LABOURING NIGHT AND DAY, &C.— What an instance of goodness and benevolence to mankind! to labour for bread with his own hands, while he spent his time in teaching all who would learn truths of the greatest importance,—how to live holily, die cheerfully, and be happy for ever!... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE WOULD WALK WORTHY OF GOD,— How much does the Apostle insist upon holiness of heart and life in all professed Christians! He urged the converted heathens to piety, purity, and virtue, from the example of the true God, in whom they now believed, Colossians 1:10 and by the great favour which wa... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AS IT IS IN TRUTH, THE WORD OF GOD,— That the doctrine was from God, and the apostles only as heralds, messengers, and ambassadors from God, to publish it among men, appears from comparing ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 and 1 Thessalonians 4:8. Matthew 10:40. Galatians 4:14. 2 Peter 3:2. Where-ever it... [ Continue Reading ]
_1 THESSALONIANS 2:14_.— Having before commended them for their ready and cheerful reception of the gospel, and hinted at their resolution in suffering for the cause, he goes on to commend them for their patience and fortitude, 1 Thessalonians 2:14 and then again expresses his great affection for th... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO BOTH KILLED, &C.— _Who have both killed the Lord Jesus, and the,_ or _his_ prophets. Mill, and Wetstein. Not only _heathen authors_ have given the Jews the character of being an obstinate, prejudiced people, _contrary to all men;_ but even their own prophet, _Ezekiel,_ (ch. 1 Thessalonians 3:4 1... [ Continue Reading ]
FORBIDDING US TO SPEAK— Or, _hindering us from speaking._ Their _filling up_ the measure of their _sins,_ was by murdering our Lord Jesus Christ, and persecuting his disciples. This most grievous sin was, in a manner, uniting all the guilt of mankind in one act of disobedience; and therefore it was... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING TAKEN FROM YOU— The original word is very emphatical;— απορφανισθεντες. It is an allusion to that grief, anxiety, and reluctance of heart with which dying parents take farewell of their children, when they are just going to leave them helpless _orphans,_ exposed to the injuries of the world; o... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SATAN HINDERED US.— When the Hebrews would express any thing remarkably great, they add the name of _God_ to it; so they call great mountains, the _mountains of God,_—and the like: and thus, when they describe the most wicked men, they call them the _ministers, servants,_ and _children of Satan,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YE ARE OUR GLORY AND JOY.— The Apostle expected to know the Thessalonians again at the day of judgment, and in the other world; and rejoiced in the hope of meeting them among the holy and glorified in that day, especially as he had been so instrumental toward their conversion. Hence we may expec... [ Continue Reading ]