Observe here, how our apostle did and durst appeal to the Thessalonians themselves, as touching the sincerity and success of his public ministry among them: YE YOURSELVES KNOW. It is not sufficient to. minister's comfort, that he be well reported of amongst strangers, for his zeal and diligence, fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Here St. Paul discovers to the Thessalonians the great difficulties and dangers which he broke through at his first entrance amongst them to preach the gospel; he acquaints them with the reproach and disgrace he underwent at their neighbouring city, Philippi, and the sufferings there endured for the... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle assigns. subordinate reason why his preaching was so successful amongst the Thessalonians, namely, because it was very sincere. There was both sincerity in the doctrine preached, and also in the preacher of that doctrine. Where note, 1. St. Paul calls his preaching an EXHORTATION;... [ Continue Reading ]
Still our apostle sees fit to proceed in avouching his own sincerity in preaching the gospel, and disowning all flattery, covetousness, and vain-glory, to have any influence upon him in the discharge of his ministerial trust. First, he USED NOT FLATTERING WORDS, that is, speeches fitted to gratify... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Paul having cleared himself and his ministry, in the foregoing verses, from the charge and imputation of those foul vices of flattery, fraud, and covetouseness, which the false teachers were guilty of; he next gives and account of his holy and humble, meek and gentle, courteous and affable behav... [ Continue Reading ]
Notwithstanding our apostle was free, wholly free, from all shadow and appearance of covetousness in the whole course of his ministry, yet it may seem as if some persons (probably the false apostles) did, though with the highest injustice, charge him with it; accordingly, to clear himself from that... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, that still our apostle appeals to their own consciences for his good behaviour amongst them: YE KNOW: Happy minister, that has. throne in the consciences of his people, unto which he can and dare, at all times, appeal, for the clearing of his innocency and integrity, in and before the face... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle's great design, in this chapter, being to set forth the wonderful success which the preaching of the gospel had among the Thessalonians, and also to assign the causes of that success, he having, in the former verses, given the reason of this on his own part, namely, his sincerity in prea... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle's design being to encourage the Thessalonians to patience and constancy under their persecutions for Christianity, he acquaints them, that they did not walk alone in this thorny path, but that Jesus Christ, the prophets and apostles, went before them, and every step they took in it, was... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, that St. Paul having all along, in the chapter before us, compared himself to. tender father, and. nursing mother, for his affectionate love unto, and his solicitous concern for, these Christian converts; he doth in the words before us, declare, that this constrained absence from them,... [ Continue Reading ]
Here, in the close of the chapter, St. Paul acquaints the Thessalonians with the true reason why he had such an endearing affection for them, and such. fervent desire to be present with them. They were his HOPE, his JOY, his CROWN OF REJOICING; that is, they were then the cause of his hope, no the g... [ Continue Reading ]