Quotes & Notes
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John Wesley Notes:
With power-Piercing the very heart with a sense of sin and
deeply convincing you of your want of a Saviour from guilt, misery, and
eternal ruin.
With the Holy Ghost-Bearing an outward testimony, by miracles, to the
truth of what we preached, and you felt: also by his descent through
laying on of hands.
With much assurance-Literally,
with full assurance, and much of it: the Spirit bearing witness by
shedding the love of God abroad in your hearts, which is the highest
testimony that can be given. And these signs, if not the
miraculous gifts, always attend the preaching of the gospel, unless it
be in vain: neither are the extraordinary operations of the Holy Ghost
ever wholly withheld, where the gospel is preached with power, and men
are alive to God.
For your sake-Seeking your advantage, not our own.
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
* our. Isa 55:11; Ro 2:16; 2Co 4:3; Ga 1:8-12; 2:2; 2Th 2:14; 2Ti 2:8
* in word. 1Th 2:13; 1Co 4:20; 2Co 3:6
* but. Ps 110:2,3; Mr 16:20; Ac 11:21; 16:14; Ro 1:16; 15:18,19; 1Co
1:24 1Co 2:4; 3:6; 2Co 10:4,5; Eph 1:17-20; 2:4,5; 3:20; Php 2:13 Jas
1:16-18; 1Pe 1:3
* in the. Joh 16:7-15; Ac 2:33; 10:44-46; 11:15-18; 1Co 3:16; 12:7-11
2Co 6:6; Ga 3:2-5; 5:5,22,23; Tit 3:5,6; Heb 2:4; 1Pe 1:12
* in much. Col 2:2; Heb 2:3; 6:11,18; 10:22; 2Pe 1:10,19
* what. 1Th 2:1-11; Ac 20:18,19,33-35; 1Co 2:2-5; 4:9-13; 10:33; 2Co
4:1,2 2Co 6:3-10; Php 4:9; 2Th 3:7-9; 1Ti 4:12-16; 1Pe 5:3
* for. 1Co 9:19-23; 2Ti 2:10
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Robertson's Word Pictures:
How that (hoti). It is not certain whether hoti here means "because" (quia)
as in 2Th 3:7; 1Co 2:14; Ro 8:27 or declarative hoti "how that," knowing
the circumstances of your election (Lightfoot) or explanatory, as in Ac
16:3; 1Th 2:1; 1Co 16:15; 2Co 12:3; Ro 13:11. Our gospel (to euaggelion
hêmôn). The gospel (see on Mt 4:23; Mr 1:1,15 for euaggelion) which we
preach, Paul's phrase also in 2Th 2:14; 2Co 4:3; Ro 2:16; 16:25; 2Ti
2:8. Paul had a definite, clear-cut message of grace that he preached
everywhere including Thessalonica. This message is to be interpreted in
the light of Paul's own sermons in Acts and Epistles, not by reading
backward into them the later perversions of Gnostics and sacramentarians.
This very word was later applied to the books about Jesus, but Paul is
not so using the term here or anywhere else. In its origin Paul's gospel
is of God (1Th 2:2,8,9), in its substance it is Christ's (1Th 3:2; 2Th
1:8), and Paul is only the bearer of it (1Th 2:4,9; 2Th 2:14) as
Milligan points out. Paul and his associates have been entrusted with
this gospel (1Th 2:4) and preach it (Ga 2:2). Elsewhere Paul calls it
God's gospel (2Co 11:7; Ro 1:1; 15:16) or Christs (1Co 9:12; 2Co 2:12;
9:13; 10:14; Ga 1:7; Ro 15:19; Php 1:27). In both instances it is the
subjective genitive. Came unto you (egenêthê eis humâs). First aorist
passive indicative of ginomai in practically same sense as egeneto
(second aorist middle indicative as in the late Greek generally). So
also eis humâs like the Koiné is little more than the dative humin
(Robertson, Grammar, p. 594). Not only--but also (ouk--monon, alla kai).
Sharp contrast, negatively and positively. The contrast between logos
(word) and dunamis (power) is seen also in 1Co 2:4; 4:20. Paul does not
refer to miracles by dunamis. In the Holy Spirit and much assurance (en
pneumati hagiôi kai plêrophoriâi pollêi). Preposition en repeated with
logôi, dunamei, but only once here thus uniting closely Holy Spirit and
much assurance. No article with either word. The word plêrophoriâi is
not found in ancient Greek or the LXX. It appears once in Clement of
Rome and one broken papyrus example. For the verb plêrophoreô see on "Lu
1:1". The substantive in the N.T. only here and Col 2:2; Heb 6:11;
10:22. It means the full
confidence which comes from the Holy Spirit. Even as ye know (kathôs
oidate). Paul appeals to the Thessalonians themselves as witnesses to
the character of his preaching and life among them. What manner of men
we showed ourselves toward you (hoioi egenêthêmen humin). Literally,
What sort of men we became to you. Qualitative relative hoioi and dative
humin and first aorist passive indicative egenêthêmen, (not êmetha, we
were). An epexegetical comment with for your sake (di' humâs) added. It
was all in their interest and for their advantage, however it may have
seemed otherwise at the time.
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown:
our gospel--namely, the Gospel which we preached.
came--Greek, "was made," namely, by God, its Author and Sender. God's
having made our preaching among you to be attended with such "power," is
the proof that you are "elect of God" (1Th 1:4).
in power--in the efficacy of the Holy Spirit clothing us with power (see
end of verse; Ac 1:8; 4:33; 6:5,8) in preaching the Gospel, and making
it in you the power of God unto salvation (Ro 1:16).
As "power" produces faith; so
"the Holy Ghost," love; and "much assurance" (Col 2:2, full persuasion),
hope (Heb 6:11), resting on faith (Heb 10:22). So faith, love, and hope
(1Th 1:3).
as ye know--answering to the "knowing," that is, as WE know (1Th 1:4)
your character as the elect of God, so YE know ours as preachers.
for your sake--The purpose herein indicated is not so much that of the
apostles, as that of God. "You know what God enabled us to be ... how
mighty in preaching the word ... for your sakes ... thereby proving that
He had chosen (1Th 1:4) you for His own" [ALFORD]. I think, from 1Th
2:10-12, that, in "what manner of men we were among you," besides the
power in preaching, there is included also Paul's and his fellow
missionaries' whole conduct which confirmed their preaching; and in this
sense, the "for your sake" will mean "in order to win you." This, though
not the sole, yet would be a strong, motive to holy circumspection,
namely, so as to win those without (Col 4:5; compare 1Co 9:19-23).
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Adam Clarke's Commentary:
For our Gospel] That is, the glad tidings of salvation by Jesus Christ,
and of your being elected to enjoy all the privileges to which the Jews
were called, without being obliged to submit to circumcision, or fulfil
the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic law.
Came not unto you in word only] It was not by simple teaching or mere
reasoning that the doctrines which we preached recommended themselves to
you, we did not insist on your using this or the other religious
institution; we insisted on a change of heart and life, and we held out
the energy which was able to effect it.
But also in power] en dunamei. With miraculous manifestations, to your
eyes and to your hearts, which induced you to acknowledge that this
Gospel was the power of God unto salvation.
And in the Holy Ghost] By his influence upon your hearts, in changing
and renewing them; and by the testimony which ye received from him, that
you were accepted through the Beloved, and become the adopted children
of God.
And in much assurance] en plhroforia pollh. The Holy Spirit which was
given you left no doubt on your mind, either with respect to the general
truth of the doctrine, or the safety of your own state.
Ye had the fullest assurance
that the Gospel was true, and the fullest assurance that ye had received
the remission of sins through that Gospel; the Spirit himself bearing
witness with your spirit, that you are the sons and daughters of God
Almighty.
What manner of men we were] How we preached, and how we lived; our
doctrines and our practices ever corresponding. And for your sakes we
sustained difficulties, endured hardships, and were incessant in our
labours.
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Albert Barnes' Commentary:
For our gospel came not unto you. When first preached, Ac 17:1-3. Paul
speaks of it as "our gospel," because it was the gospel preached by him,
and Silas, and Timothy. Comp. 2Th 2:14, 2Ti 2:8. He did not mean to say
that the gospel had been originated by him, but only that he had
delivered the good news of salvation to them. He is here stating the
evidence which had been given that they were a church "chosen by God."
He refers, first, to the manner in which the gospel was received by
them, 1Th 1:5-7; and, secondly, to the spirit which they themselves
manifested in sending it abroad, 1Th 1:8-10.
In word only. Was not merely spoken; or was not merely heard. It
produced a powerful effect on the heart and life. It was not a mere
empty sound, that produced no other effect than to entertain or amuse.
Comp. Eze 33:32.
But also in power. That is, in such power as to convert the soul. The
apostle evidently refers not to any miracles that were wrought there,
but to the effect of the gospel on those who heard it. It is possible
that there were miracles wrought there, as there were in other places;
but there is no mention of such a fact, and it is not necessary to
suppose it, in order to see the full meaning of this language. There was
great power manifested in the gospel in its leading them to break off
from their sins, to abandon their idols, and to give their hearts to
God. See this more fully explained See Barnes for 1Co 2:4.
And in the Holy Ghost. Comp. See Barnes for 1Co 2:4. It is there called
the "demonstration of the Spirit."
And in much assurance. That is, with firm conviction, or full persuasion
of its truth. It was not
embraced as a doubtful thing, and it did not produce the effect on the
mind which is caused by anything that is uncertain in its character.
Many seem to embrace the gospel as if they only half believed it, or as
if it were a matter of very doubtful truth and importance; but this was
not the case with the Thessalonians. There was the firmest
conviction of its truth, and they embraced it "heart and soul." Col 2:2;
Heb 6:11. From all that is said in this verse, it is evident that the
power of God was remarkably manifested in the conversion of the
Thessalonians, and that they embraced the gospel with an uncommonly
strong conviction of its truth and value. This fact will account for the
subsequent zeal which the apostle so much commends in them--for it is
usually true that the character of piety in a church, as it is in an
individual, is determined by the views with which the gospel is first
embraced, and the purposes which are formed at the beginning of the
Christian life.
As ye know what manner of men, etc. Paul often appeals to those among
whom he had laboured as competent witnesses with respect to his own
conduct and character. See 1Th 2:9,10; Ac 20:33-35. He means here that
he and his fellow-labourers had set them an example, or had shown what
Christianity was by their manner of living, and that the Thessalonians
had become convinced that the religion which they taught was real. The
holy life of a preacher goes far to confirm the truth of the religion
which he preaches, and is among the most efficacious means of inducing
them to embrace the gospel.
{a} "came not unto you" Isa 55:11; Mr 16:20
{b} "power" 1Co 2:4
{c} "in the Holy Ghost" 2Co 6:6
{d} "as ye know" Heb 2:3
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Family Bible Notes:
In power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; the last clause
of this verse shows that the immediate reference of these words is to
the apostle and his associates. Their preaching was in power, and in the
Holy Ghost, and in full assurance of what they uttered.
But this cannot be separated
from the effect on their hearers. To them also their preaching was
attended with the power of the Holy Ghost; it was embraced with full
conviction of its truths, and led them to break off their sins and turn
to the Lord.
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People's New Testament Commentary:
For our gospel came not unto you in word only.
God gave the spoken word power,
the power of the Holy Spirit which dictated it. Observe that the
"power" is referred to the preachers.
Ye know. Ye know what was the life, the earnestness and the power in the
Holy Spirit of us while we were preaching among you.
See the place where the Lord lay. The angel does not say "your," but the
Lord--the Lord of the angels as well as men.
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1599 Geneva Bible Notes:
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in
the Holy Ghost, and in (b) much assurance; as ye know what manner of men
we were among you for your sake.
(3) Another reason why they ought in no way start back but continue to
the end, because they cannot
doubt this doctrine which has been so many ways confirmed to them, even
from heaven, as they themselves well knew. (b) Paul shows by two
things that there followed very great fruit from his preaching, that is,
by these gifts of the Holy Spirit, and that certain assurance which was
thoroughly settled in their minds, as appeared by their willingly
bearing the cross.
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