For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: Ver. 1. _Our entrance in unto you_] The word preached in any place doth usually work best at first. After a while men become like unto birds in a belfry, that can well enough bear the noise of the bells and not be fri... [ Continue Reading ]
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. Ver. 2. _But even after that, &c._] From this to the 13th verse, ministers may as in a mirror see how they ought to b... [ Continue Reading ]
For our exhortation _was_ not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: Ver. 3. _Was not of deceit, nor, &c._] Neither for profit, pleasure, nor preferment (the worldling's trinity). A minister, as he should have nothing to lose, so he should have nothing to get, but should be above all price or... [ Continue Reading ]
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. Ver. 4. _But as we were allowed_] Enabled and counted faithful,1 Timothy 1:12 . _ Not as pleasing men_] _See Trapp on "_ Gal 1:10 _"_ Men be they pleased or di... [ Continue Reading ]
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God _is_ witness: Ver. 5. _For neither at any time_] Sinisterity of ends is here opposed to sincerity in God's works. And flattery, covetousness, ambition declared to be the fountains of insincerity. _ Nor a... [ Continue Reading ]
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor _yet_ of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. Ver. 6. _Nor of men sought we glory_] _Theologus gloriae dicit malum bonum, et bonum malum_ (saith Luther), _Theologus crucis dicit id quod res est:_ A vain glorious preac... [ Continue Reading ]
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: Ver. 7. _But we were gentle_] This is the way to win; for man is a cursed, crabbed creature, and may be led, but not easily dragged to duty. Soft words and hard arguments soonest prevail with him.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 8. _So being affectionately desirous_] Honing and hankering after you. The Greek word signifieth the most swaying heart passion,... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 9. _Our labour_] Even to lassitude, yea, to solicitude. _ And travail_] So, to spare them, he spared not himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye _are_ witnesses, and God _also_, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: Ver. 10. _Ye are witnesses, and God also_] Happy is that man that can be acquitted by himself in private, in public by others, in both by God: bystanders may see more. _ How holil... [ Continue Reading ]
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father _doth_ his children, Ver. 11. _As a father_] Before, as a mother, 1 Thessalonians 2:7, a nurse not mercenary, but natural, with greatest tenderness and indulgence. Here he tempers his mother-like meekness with the gr... [ Continue Reading ]
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. Ver. 12. _Walk worthy of God_] Whose livery we wear, whose image we bear, whose kingdom we are called unto, &c. Those that stood with the Lamb, Revelation 14:1, had his Father's name on their foreheads. Our wanderings... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 13. _Not as the word of men_] Whom yet he mak... [ Continue Reading ]
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they _have_ of the Jews: Ver. 14. _Of your own countrymen_] Malice against the truth breaks all bonds of nature or amity. Moab was irk... [ Continue Reading ]
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Ver. 15. _Who both killed the Lord_] And are therefore banished out of the world, as it were, by a common consent of nations, for their inexpiable guilt. Even in Jer... [ Continue Reading ]
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. Ver. 16. _Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles_] Bale out of Capgrave reporteth, that St Asaph (as they called him) had this saying often in his mouth, _... [ Continue Reading ]
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Ver. 17. _For a short time_] Or, In a short time, suddenly. See Acts 17:9,10 . _ Being taken away_] Or separated, as orphans are from their dear pa... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. Ver. 18. _But Satan hindered us_] He still doth his utmost to hinder the communion of saints, and to keep them asunder. He knows two are better than one; and therefore he stirred up the primitive persecutors... [ Continue Reading ]
For what _is_ our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? _Are_ not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? Ver. 19. _For what is our hope, &c._] A very lively and lofty expression, such as the apostle ordinarily useth in speaking of heavenly glory. _Nec Christus, nec caelum pa... [ Continue Reading ]
For ye are our glory and joy. Ver. 20. _For ye are our glory and joy_] Let no man therefore envy us these temporary good things, a competent maintenance: there are better things abide us above.... [ Continue Reading ]