He now, leaving out of view the testimony of other Churches, reminds
the Thessalonians of what they had themselves experienced, (520) and
explains at large in what way he, and in like manner the two others,
his associates, had conducted themselves among them, inasmuch as this
was of the greatest imp... [ Continue Reading ]
3_For our exhortation_. He confirms, by another argument, the
Thessalonians in the faith which they had embraced — inasmuch as
they had been faithfully and purely instructed in the word of the
Lord, for he maintains that his doctrine was free from all deception
and uncleanness. And with the view of... [ Continue Reading ]
4_As we have been approved_. He goes even a step higher, for he
appeals to God as the Author of his apostleship, and he reasons in
this manner: “God, when he assigned me this office, bore witness to
me as a faithful servant; there is no reason, therefore, why men
should have doubts as to my fidelity... [ Continue Reading ]
5_For neither have we ever_. It is not without good reason that he
repeats it so frequently, that the Thessalonians knew that what he
states is true. For there is not a surer attestation, than the
experience of those with whom we speak. And this was of the greatest
importance to them, because Paul r... [ Continue Reading ]
6] _When we might have exercised authority_. Some interpret it—_when
we might have been burdensome_, that is, might have loaded you with
expense, but the connection requires that τὸ βαρὺ should be
taken to mean _authority_. For Paul says that he was so far removed
from vain pomp, from boasting, from... [ Continue Reading ]
What we have rendered _mild_, the old translator renders _Fuimus
parvuli _, (_we have been little_,) (525) but the reading which I have
followed is more generally received among the Greeks; but whichever
you may take, there can be no doubt that he makes mention of his
voluntary abasement. (526)
_As... [ Continue Reading ]
9_For ye remember_. These things tend to confirm what he had stated
previously — that to spare them he did not spare himself. He must
assuredly have burned with a wonderful and more than human zeal,
inasmuch as, along with the labor of teaching, he labors with his hand
as an operative, with the view... [ Continue Reading ]
10_Ye are witnesses_. He again calls God and them to witness, with the
view of affirming his integrity, and cites, on the one hand, God as a
witness of his conscience, and them, (532) on the other hand, as
witnesses of what they had known by experience. _How holily_, says he,
_and justly_, that is,... [ Continue Reading ]
11_Every one as a father_. He insists more especially on those things
which belong to his office. He has compared himself to a _nurse: _he
now compares himself to a _father_. What he means is this — that he
was concerned in regard to them, just as a _father _is wont to be as
to his sons, and that he... [ Continue Reading ]
12_Exhorted_. He shews with what earnestness he devoted himself to
their welfare, for he relates that in preaching to them respecting
piety towards God and the duties of the Christian life, it had not
been merely in a perfunctory way, (534) but he says that he had made
use of exhortations and _adjur... [ Continue Reading ]
13_Wherefore we give thanks_. Having spoken of his ministry, he
returns again to address the Thessalonians, that he may always commend
that mutual harmony of which he has previously made mention. (537) He
says, therefore, that he gives thanks to God, because they had
_embraced the word of God which... [ Continue Reading ]
14_For ye became imitators_. If you are inclined to restrict this to
the clause in immediate connection with it, the meaning will be, that
the power of God, or of his word, shews itself in their patient
endurance, while they sustain persecutions with magnanimity and
undaunted courage. I prefer, howe... [ Continue Reading ]
15_Who killed the Lord Jesus_. As that people had been distinguished
by so many benefits from God, in consequence of the glory of the
ancient fathers, the very name (544) was of great authority among
many. Lest this disguise should dazzle the eyes of any one, he strips
the Jews of all honor, so as t... [ Continue Reading ]
16_Who hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles_. It is not without
good reason that, as has been observed, he enters so much into detail
in exposing the malice of the Jews. (546) For as they furiously
opposed the Gospel everywhere, there arose from this a great
stumblingblock, more especially as the... [ Continue Reading ]
17_But we, brethren, bereaved of you_. This excuse has been
appropriately added, lest the Thessalonians should think that Paul had
deserted them while so great an emergency demanded his presence. He
has spoken of the persecutions which they endured from their own
people: he, in the mean time, whose... [ Continue Reading ]
18_Satan hindered us_. Luke relates that Paul was in one instance
hindered, (Acts 20:3) inasmuch as the Jews laid an ambush for him in
the way. The same thing, or something similar, may have occurred
frequently. It is not without good reason, however, that Paul ascribes
the whole of this to Satan, f... [ Continue Reading ]
19_For what is our hope_. He confirms that ardor of desire, of which
he had made mention, inasmuch as he has his happiness in a manner
treasured up in them. “Unless I forget myself, I must necessarily
desire your presence, _for ye are our glory and joy_. ” Farther,
when he calls them his _hope and t... [ Continue Reading ]