_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 1:1. PAUL, AND SYLVANUS, AND TIMOTHEUS.—As to Paul, it may be noted that he does not mention his office. It was largely owing to the aspersions of others that he came, later, to magnify his office. Silvanus is the “fellow-helper” and fellow-sufferer o... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 1:3. WORK OF FAITH, AND LABOUR OF LOVE, AND PATIENCE OF HOPE.—The famous three sister-graces familiar to us from St. Paul’s other letters. As Bengel says, they are _Summa Christianismi_. St. James, one thinks, would have liked the expression, “work o... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 1:5. OUR GOSPEL.—The good news which we proclaimed; so when St. Paul in Romans 2:16 calls it “_my_ gospel.” IN WORD … IN POWER.—The antithesis is sometimes between the word or declaration and the reality; here perhaps we have an advance on that. Not... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 1:6. FOLLOWERS OF US AND OF THE LORD.—R.V. “imitators.” St. Paul begs his Corinthian readers to imitate him, _even as_ he imitates Christ. The same thought is implied here: We are walking after Christ; walk after us, and you will follow Him. WITH JOY... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ 1 Thessalonians 1:9. WHAT MANNER OF ENTERING IN.—In Acts 17 we have an account of how the Jews instigated men ever ready for a brawl to bring a charge of high treason—the most likely way of giving the quietus to the disturbers of ancient traditions, Paul and Silas.... [ Continue Reading ]