Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

“This is the salutation in all the Epistles of Paul, except the three pastoral ones, which have "grace, mercy, and peace." Some of the oldest manuscripts support, others omit the clause following, "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."”

We always thank God for all of you, remembering you in our prayers

“We--I, Silvanus, and Timotheus. Ro 1:9 supports ALFORD in translating, "making mention of you in our prayers without ceasing" (1Th 1:3). Thus, "without ceasing," in the second clause, answers in parallelism to "always," in the first.”

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.

“And ye--answering to "For our Gospel," 1Th 1:5. followers--Greek, "imitators." The Thessalonians in their turn became "ensamples" (1Th 1:7) for others to imitate. of the Lord--who was the apostle of the Father, and taught the word, which He brought from heaven, under adversities [BENGEL].”

As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

“Therefore he means their past conduct is an ensample to all believers now; of whom he specifies those "in Macedonia" because he had been there since the conversion of the Thessalonians, and had left Silvanus and Timotheus there; and those in "Achaia," because he was…”

For not only did the message of the Lord ring out from you to Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that…

“In "sounded," the image is that of a trumpet filling with its clear-sounding echo all the surrounding places. to God-ward--no longer directed to idols.”

and to await His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.

“This verse distinguishes them from the Jews, as 1Th 1:9 from the idolatrous Gentiles. To wait for the Lord's coming is a sure characteristic of a true believer, and was prominent amidst the graces of the Thessalonians (1Co 1:7, 8).”

You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.

“The Greek for "was," expresses rather "hath been and is," implying the permanent and continuing character of his preaching.”

For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.

“So Simon Magus and Cerinthus taught [ESTIUS]. exhortation--The Greek means "consolation" as well as "exhortation." The same Gospel which exhorts comforts. Its first lesson to each is that of peace in believing amidst outward and inward sorrows.”

Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.

“Literally, "Nor of men (have we been found, 1Th 2:5) seeking glory." The "of" here represents a different Greek word from "of" in the clause "of you . . . of others."”

Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel…

“I would translate, "weariness (so the Greek is translated, 2Co 11:27) and travail" (hard labor, toil). for--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. labouring--Greek, "working," namely, at tent-making (Ac 18:3).”

You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.

“Ye are witnesses--as to our outward conduct. God--as to our inner motives. holily--towards God. justly--towards men. unblamably--in relation to ourselves. behaved ourselves--Greek, "were made to be," namely, by God.”

For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—

“The minister, if he would be useful, must not deal merely in generalities, but must individualize and particularize. as a father--with mild gravity. The Greek is, "his own children."”

who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,

“the Lord Jesus--rather as Greek, "Jesus THE LORD." This enhances the glaring enormity of their sin, that in killing Jesus they killed the LORD (Compare Ac 3:14, 15). their own--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. prophets-- (Mt 21:33-41;”

hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon…

“Forbidding--Greek, "Hindering us from speaking," &c. to fill up their sins alway--Tending thus "to the filling up (the full measure of, Ge 15:16; Mt 23:32) their sins at all times," that is, now as at all former times.”

Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.

“He does not hereby, as many explain, anticipate a short separation from them, which would be a false anticipation; for he did not soon revisit them. The Greek past participle also forbids their view.”

For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.

“The Greek for "hindered" is literally, "to cut a trench between one's self and an advancing foe, to prevent his progress"; so Satan opposing the progress of the missionaries.”

You are indeed our glory and our joy.

“Emphatical repetition with increased force. Who but ye and our other converts are our hope, &c., hereafter, at Christ's coming? For it is ye who ARE now our glory and joy.”

So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.

“The word "left behind" (Greek) implies that Timothy had been with him at Athens. It was an act of self-denial for their sakes that Paul deprived himself of the presence of Timothy at Athens, which would have been so cheering to him in the midst…”

We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

“"Gospel ministers do the work of God with Him, for Him, and under Him" [EDMUNDS]. establish--Greek, "confirm." In 2Th 3:3, GOD is said to "stablish": He is the true establisher: ministers are His "instruments."”

But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just…

“"But Timotheus having just now come from you unto us" [ALFORD]. Thus it appears (compare Ac 18:5) Paul is writing from Corinth. your faith and charity-- (1Th 1:3; compare 2Th 1:3, whence it seems their faith subsequently increased still more).”

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking from your faith.

“The Greek implies a beseeching request. exceedingly--literally, "more than exceeding abundantly" (compare Eph 3:20). that which is lacking--Even the Thessalonians had points in which they needed improvement [BENGEL], (Lu 17:5).”

And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,

“The "you" in the Greek is emphatically put first; "But" (so the Greek for "and") what concerns "YOU," whether we come or not, "may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love," &c.”

For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

“He seldom uses the term in writing subsequently, when his authority was established, to other churches. 11:17; and 1Ti 1:5 (1Th 4:18, where the subject accounts for the strong expression) are the exceptions. "The Lord" marks His paramount authority, requiring implicit obedience.”

For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality;

“For--enforcing the assertion that his "commandments" were "by (the authority of) the Lord Jesus" (1Th 4:2). Since "this is the will of God," let it be your will also.”

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

“See 1Th 4:13, "hope." Hence it appears our hope rests on our faith ("if we believe"). "As surely as we all believe that Christ died and rose again (the very doctrine specified as taught at Thessalonica, Ac 17:3), so also will God bring those laid…”