1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.
2 But1 even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at aPhilippi, as you know, we were bbold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.
3aFor our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor wasit in deceit.
4 But as awe have been approved by God bto be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, cnot as pleasing men, but God dwho tests our hearts.
5 For aneither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a1 cloak for covetousness—bGod is witness.
6aNor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when bwe might have cmade demands das apostles of Christ.
7 But awe were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased ato impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also bour own lives, because you had become dear to us.
9 For you remember, brethren, our alabor and toil; for laboring night and day, bthat we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10aYou are witnesses, and God also,bhow devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and1 charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12athat you would walk worthy of God bwho calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Their Conversion
13 For this reason we also thank God awithout ceasing, because when you breceived the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed itcnot as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively dworks in you who believe.
14 For you, brethren, became imitators aof the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For byou also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
HIS MANNER OF PREACHING, AND THEIRS OF RECEIVING, THE GOSPEL; HIS DESIRE TO HAVE REVISITED THEM FRUSTRATED BY SATAN. (1Th. 2:1-20)
For—confirming I Thessalonians 1:9. He discusses the manner of his fellow missionaries' preaching among them (I Thessalonians 1:5, and former part of I Thessalonians 2:9) at I Thessalonians 2:1-12; and the Thessalonians' reception of the word (compare I Thessalonians 1:6-7, and latter part of I Thessalonians 2:9) at I Thessalonians 2:13-16.
yourselves—Not only do strangers report it, but you know it to be true [ALFORD] "yourselves."
not in vain—Greek, "not vain," that is, it was full of "power" (I Thessalonians 1:5). The Greek for "was," expresses rather "hath been and is," implying the permanent and continuing character of his preaching.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Thessalonians 2:1:
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