The brevity of the inscription clearly shews that Paul’s doctrine had been received with reverence among the Thessalonians, and that without controversy they all rendered to him the honor that he deserved. For when in other Epistles he designates himself an Apostle, he does this for the purpose of c... [ Continue Reading ]
2_We give thanks to God_. He praises, as he is wont, their faith and other virtues, not so much, however, for the purpose of praising them, as to exhort them to perseverance. For it is no small excitement to eagerness of pursuit, when we reflect that God has adorned us with signal endowments, that h... [ Continue Reading ]
3_Unceasingly remembering you_. While the adverb _unceasingly _might be taken in connection with what goes before, it suits better to connect it in this manner. What follows might also be rendered in this way: _Remembering your work of faith and labor of love, etc. _Nor is it any objection to this t... [ Continue Reading ]
4_Knowing, brethren beloved_. The participle _knowing _may apply to Paul as well as to the Thessalonians. Erasmus refers it to the Thessalonians. I prefer to follow Chrysostom, who understands it of Paul and his colleagues, for it is (as it appears to me) a more ample confirmation of the foregoing s... [ Continue Reading ]
5_As ye know_. Paul, as I have said before, has it as his aim, that the Thessalonians, influenced by the same considerations, may entertain no doubt that they were elected by God. For it had been the design of God, in honoring Paul’s ministry, that he might manifest to them their adoption. According... [ Continue Reading ]
6_And ye became imitators_. With the view of increasing their alacrity, he declares that there is a mutual agreement, and harmony, as it were, between his preaching and their faith. For unless men, on their part, answer to God, no proficiency will follow from the grace that is offered to them — not... [ Continue Reading ]
7_So that ye were_. Here we have another amplification — that they had stirred up even believers by their example; for it is a great thing to get so decidedly the start of those who had entered upon the course before us, as to furnish assistance to them for prosecuting their course. _Typus _(the wor... [ Continue Reading ]
8_For from you sounded forth_. Here we have an elegant metaphor, by which he intimates that their faith was so lively, (507) that it did, as it were, by its _sound_, arouse other nations. For he says that the word of God _sounded forth _from them, inasmuch as their faith was _sonorous _(508) for pro... [ Continue Reading ]
He says that the report of their conversion had obtained great renown everywhere. What he mentions as to his _entering in among them_, refers to that power of the Spirit, by which God had signalized his gospel. (510) He says, however, that both things are freely reported among other nations, as thin... [ Continue Reading ]
10_Whom he raised up_. He makes mention here of Christ’s resurrection, on which the hope of our resurrection is founded, for death everywhere besets us. Hence, unless we learn to look to Christ, our minds will give way at every turn. By the same consideration, he admonishes them that Christ is to be... [ Continue Reading ]