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2:1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it
was not in vain: 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and
were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in
our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in
guile: 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the
gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth
our hearts.
2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor
a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 2:6 Nor of men sought we
glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been
burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her
children: 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing
to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our
own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring
night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we
preached unto you the gospel of God.
2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and
unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 2:11 As ye
know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a
father doth his children, 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who
hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when
ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not
as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you that believe.
2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which
in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things
of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 2:15 Who both
killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us;
and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 2:16 Forbidding
us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their
sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
2:17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in
presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your
face with great desire.
2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and
again; but Satan hindered us.
2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even
ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 2:20 For
ye are our glory and joy.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: 1 Thessalonians
Book: 1 Thessalonians
Chapter: 2
Overview:
The Apostle reminds the Thessalonians of his preaching and
behaviour. (1-12) And of their receiving the Gospel as the Word
of God. (13-16) His joy On their account. (17-20)
1-6 The Apostle had No worldly design in his preaching.
Suffering in a good cause should sharpen holy resolution. The
Gospel of Christ at first met with much opposition; and it was
preached with contention, with striving in preaching, and
against opposition. And as the matter of the Apostle's
exhortation was true and pure, the manner of his speaking was
without guile. The Gospel of Christ is designed for mortifying
corrupt affections, and that men may be brought under the power
of Faith. This is the great motive to sincerity, to consider
that God not only sees all we do, but knows our thoughts afar
off, and searches the Heart. And it is from this God who trieth
our hearts, that we must receive our reward. The evidences of
the Apostle's sincerity were, that he avoided flattery and
Covetousness. He avoided ambition and vain-Glory.
7-12 Mildness and tenderness greatly recommend religion, and
are most conformable to God's gracious dealing with sinners, in
and By the Gospel. This is the way to win people. We should not
only be Faithful to our Calling as Christians, but in our
particular callings and relations. Our great Gospel privilege
is, that God has called us to his kingdom and Glory. The great
Gospel duty is, that we walk worthy of God. We should live as
becomes those called with such a high and holy Calling. Our
great business is to honour, serve, and please God, and to seek
to be worthy of him.
13-16 We should receive the Word of God with affections
suitable to its Holiness, Wisdom, Truth, and Goodness. The words
of men are frail and perishing, like themselves, and sometimes
false, foolish, and fickle; but God's Word is holy, Wise, just,
and Faithful. Let us receive and regard it accordingly. The Word
wrought in them, to make them examples to others in Faith and
good Works, and in patience under sufferings, and in trials for
the sake of the Gospel. Murder and Persecution are hateful to
God, and No zeal for any thing in religion can excuse it.
Nothing tends more to any person or people's filling up the
Measure of their sins, than opposing the Gospel, and hindering
the Salvation of souls. The pure Gospel of Christ is abhorred By
many, and the Faithful preaching of it is hindered in many ways.
But those who forbid the preaching it to sinners, to men dead in
Sin, do not By this please God. Those have cruel hearts, and are
enemies to the Glory of God, and to the Salvation of his people,
who deny them the Bible.
17-20 This world is not a place where we are to be always, or
long together. In Heaven holy souls shall meet, and never part
more. And though the Apostle could not come to them yet, and
though he might never be able to come, yet our Lord Jesus
Christ will come; nothing shall hinder that. May God give
Faithful ministers to all who serve him with their Spirit in the
Gospel of his Son, and send them to all who are in Darkness
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