View 1st Thessalonians 2 in the note window.
1: What was proposed, (1Th 1:5,6), is now more
largely treated of: concerning Paul and his fellowlabourers,(1Th 2:1-12); concerning the Thessalonians, (1Th 2:13-16).
2: We had suffered - In several places. We are bold
- Notwithstanding. With much contention - Notwithstanding both
inward and outward conflicts of all kinds.
3: For our exhortation - That is, our preaching. A part is
put for the whole. Is not, at any time, of deceit - We preach not
a lie, but the truth of God. Nor of uncleanness - With any unholy
or selfish view. This expression is not always appropriated to
lust, although it is sometimes emphatically applied thereto.
Nor in guile - But with great plainness of speech.
5: Flattering words - This ye know. Nor a cloak of
covetousness - Of this God is witness. He calls men to witness
an open fact; God, the secret intentions of the heart. In a
point of a mixed nature, (1Th 2:10), he appeals both to God and
man.
6: Nor from others - Who would have honoured us more, if
we had been burdensome - That is, taken state upon ourselves.
7: But we were gentle - Mild, tender. In the midst of
you - Like a hen surrounded with her young. Even as a nurse
cherisheth her own children - The offspring of her own womb.
8: To impart our own souls - To lay down our lives for
your sake.
10: Holily - In the things of God. Justly - With regard to men.
Unblamable - In respect of ourselves. Among you that believe
- Who were the constant observers of our behaviour.
11: By exhorting, we are moved to do a thing willingly;
by comforting, to do it joyfully; by charging, to do it
carefully.
12: To his kingdom here, and glory hereafter.
14: Ye suffered the same things - The same fruit, the same
afflictions, and the same experience, at all times, and in all
places, are an excellent criterion of evangelical truth. As
they from the Jews - Their countrymen.
15: Us - Apostles and preachers of the gospel. They please
not God - Nor are they even careful to please him, notwithstanding
their fair professions. And are contrary to all men - Are common
enemies of mankind; not only by their continual seditions and
insurrections, and by their utter contempt of all other nations;
but in particular, by their endeavouring to hinder their hearing
or receiving the gospel.
16: To fill up - The measure of their sins always, as they
have ever done. But the vengeance of God is come upon them
- Hath overtaken them unawares, whilst they were seeking to
destroy others, and will speedily complete their destruction.
17: In this verse we have a remarkable instance, not
so much of the transient affections of holy grief, desire,
or joy, as of that abiding tenderness, that loving temper,
which is so apparent in all St. Paul's writings, towards
those he styles his children in the faith. This is the more
carefully to be observed, because the passions occasionally
exercising themselves, and flowing like a torrent, in the
apostle, are observable to every reader; whereas it requires
a nicer attention to discern those calm standing tempers,
that fixed posture of his soul, from whence the others only
flow out, and which more peculiarly distinguish his character.
18: Satan - By those persecuting Jews,(Ac 17:13).
19: Ye also - As well as our other children.
