1 Thessalonians 2:1

Text (1 Thessalonians 2:1)

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain:

Translation and Paraphrase

1.

For you yourselves, brethren, (saw and) know that our entering in unto you (when we came to Thessalonica to preach) was not fruitless (or useless).

Notes (1 Thessalonians 2:1)

1.

Letting in a fresh breeze of truth will usually soon blow out a room full of poisonous lies. After Paul left Thessalonica, some people, most likely Jews, had apparently accused him of being a flatterer, a deceiver, immoral, and money hungry. 1 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:5.

2.

Therefore in this second chapter Paul takes up the matter of his good record among the Thessalonians. (This is the chapter topic.) Paul thoroughly demolishes all the insinuations against him. This really was not very hard to do. For, as he reminds the Thessalonians, they themselves knew all about what he had done among them.

3.

The type of entrance which Paul had unto the Thessalonians was a vindication of Paul himself and all he stood for. His record of accomplishment and conduct was good enough to silence any malicious accusers.

4.

In our outline, we have called the section 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Paul's work Among Them. It seems to be an elaboration of Paul's statement in 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Ye know what manner of men we were among you.

5.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:1, Paul picks up the thought of 1 Thessalonians 1:9, where he had mentioned what matter of entering in we had unto you. The word translated entrance here in 1 Thessalonians 2:1 is the same word that is translated entering in in 1 Thessalonians 1:9.

6.

Paul's visit to the Thessalonians had most certainly NOT been in vain. In vain (Gr., kenos) means empty, vain, devoid of truth, fruitless, without effect. (Thayer) The fact that Paul left a flourishing church there was proof that his visit was not in vain. The Thessalonians themselves could vouch for that fact.