2:1 For 1 yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you,
that it was not in vain:
(1) That which he mentioned before briefly concerning his
apostleship, he handles now more at large, and to that end
and purpose which we spoke of.
2:22 But even after that we had suffered before, and were
shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold
in a our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much
contention.
(2) The virtues of a true pastor are freely without fear to
preach the Gospel, even in the midst of dangers.
(a) Through God's gracious help.
2:33 For our exhortation [was] not of deceit, nor of b
uncleanness, nor in guile:
(3) To teach pure doctrine faithfully and with a pure heart.
(b) By any wicked and evil type of dealing.
2:44 But as we were c allowed of God to be put in trust
with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but
God, which d trieth our hearts.
(4) To approve his conscience to God, being free from all
flattery and covetousness.
(c) There is this difference between the judgments of God
and the judgments of men, that when men choose, they
give regard to the qualities of those things which
stand before them, but God finds the reason of his
counsel only in himself. Therefore, it follows that
seeing as we are not able to think a good thought, that
whoever he first chooses to those callings, he does not
find them able but indeed makes them able. And
therefore in that we are empowered of God, it depends
upon his mercy.
(d) Who approves and allows them.
2:65 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of
others, when we might have been e burdensome, as the
apostles of Christ.
(5) To submit himself even to the basest, to win them, and to
avoid all pride.
(e) When I might lawfully have lived upon the expenses of
the churches.
2:7 But we were f gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth
her children:
(f) We were rough, and yet easy and gentle as a nurse that
is neither seeking glory, nor covetous, but who takes
all pains as patiently as if she were a mother.
2:86 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing
to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but
also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
(6) To consider the flock that is committed to him as more
important than his own life.
2:97 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for
labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable
unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
(7) To let go of his own rights, rather than to be a cost to
his sheep.
2:108 Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and
justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that
believe:
(8) To excel others in the example of a godly life.
2:119 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged
every one of you, as a father [doth] his children,
(9) To exhort and comfort with a fatherly mind and affection.
2:1210 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you
unto his kingdom and glory.
(10) To exhort all men diligently and earnestly to lead a godly
life.
2:1311 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing,
because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of
us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is
in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also
in you that believe.
(11) Having approved his ministry, he commends again (to that
end and purpose that I spoke of) the cheerfulness of the
Thessalonians which was due to his diligence in preaching,
and their brave patience.
2:1412 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of
God which in Judaea are in g Christ Jesus: for ye also
have suffered like things of your own h countrymen, even
as they [have] of the Jews:
(12) He strengthens and encourages them in their afflictions
which they suffered among their own people, because they
were afflicted by their own countrymen. And this
happened, he says, to the churches of the Jews, as well as
to them: and therefore they ought to take it in good part.
(g) Which Christ has gathered together.
(h) Even from those who are from the same country and the
same town that you are from.
2:1513 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own
prophets, and have persecuted us; 14 and they please not
God, and are contrary to i all men:
(13) He prevents an offence which might be taken, because the
Jews especially above all others persecuted the Gospel.
That is no new thing, he says, seeing that they slew
Christ himself, and his Prophets, and have banished me
also.
(14) He foretells the utter destruction of the Jews, lest any
man should be moved by their rebellion.
(i) For the Jews would neither enter into the kingdom of
God themselves, nor allow others to enter in.
2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be
saved, to k fill up their sins alway: for the l wrath
is come upon them to the uttermost.
(k) Until that wickedness of theirs which they have by
inheritance as it were of their fathers, has grown so
great, that the measure of their iniquity being filled,
God may come forth to wrath.
(l) The judgment of God who was angry, which indeed
appeared shortly after in the destruction of the city
of Jerusalem, where many fled even out of various
provinces, when it was besieged.
2:1715 But we, brethren, m being taken from you for a short
time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more
abundantly to see your face with great desire.
(15) He meets with an objection, why he did not come to them
immediately, being in such great misery: I often desired
to, he says, and I was not able, but Satan hindered my
endeavours, and therefore I sent Timothy my faithful
companion to you, because you are most dear to me.
(m) Were kept apart from you, and as it were orphans.
