CHAPTER 2

(A.D. 54)

PAUL

¹For yourselves, Brethren, know our entrance in unto you (presents his defense, a justifiable defense of his personal Ministry for the sake of Truth), that it was not in vain (it brought forth much fruit):

²But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi (high motives are required for men to continue a true and, therefore, costly, Gospel Ministry), we were bold in our God to speak unto you the Gospel of God with much contention. (The triumph of the Gospel by an effort of only the highest kind and overcoming the most formidable opposition.)

³For our exhortation was not of deceit (no ulterior motives), nor of uncleanness (impure motives), nor in guile (trickery):

⁴But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel (the testing had been completed, and thus signified an approval by God), even so we speak; not as pleasing men (presents the biggest problem in the Ministry, pleasing men and not God), but God, which tries our hearts. (This constant scrutiny by Omniscience is a great comfort to those who aim to please God, rather than men.)

⁵For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know (refers to the attempt to gain selfish ends by insincere speech), nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness (refers to pretense):

⁶Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others (refers to conduct designed to elicit or extract praise), when we might have been burdensome, as the Apostles of Christ. (This refers to the fact that as Apostles, they might have demanded certain things, but didnt!)

⁷But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children (refers to a Mother feeding her children):

⁸So 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 you were dear unto us (is literally in the Greek, because you became beloved ones to us).

⁹For you remember, Brethren, our labour and travail (refers to his self-sacrificing as it concerns the Gospel): for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we Preached unto you the Gospel of God. (This probably refers to a mixture of preaching the Gospel and the repairing of tents to support himself.)

¹⁰You are witnesses, and God also(it is important that conduct appear right in the eyes of men; however, only Gods Judgment is infallible), how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you who believe (concerns the lifestyles of the Apostle plus Silas, Timothy, and anyone else who may have been laboring with him):

¹¹As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you (pertains to dealing with the Thessalonians with encouragement, as well as by solemn injunctions), as a father does his children (presents the image being changed from that of motherly tenderness to that of fatherly direction),

¹²That you would walk worthy of God (has to do with our daily living, which can only be done by proper Faith evidenced in the Cross), Who has called you unto His Kingdom and Glory (should have been translated, Who is calling you into His Kingdom and Glory).

RECEPTION

¹³For this cause also thank we God without ceasing (refers to the manner in which the Thessalonians had received the Word), because, when you received the Word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in Truth, the Word of God (the Word of God was faithfully delivered to the Thessalonians, and they faithfully believed it), which effectually works also in you who believe. (This refers to the fact that the Word is working only in those who are believing, which refers to the Cross and makes the working of the Spirit possible.)

¹⁴For you, Brethren, became followers of the Churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus (identifies all who are truly in Christ Jesus as being True Churches): for you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews (pertains to persecution):

¹⁵Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own Prophets (presents the crime of the ages), and have persecuted us (the Jews tried repeatedly to kill Paul); and they please not God (is, in fact, a monumental understatement), and are contrary to all men (refers to their sectarian, self-righteous spirit and attitude):

¹⁶Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved (means the Jews, as a nation, had rejected Christ and the Cross, and would, thereby, never admit Gentiles could now be saved as well), to fill up their sins always (there is a limit beyond which God will not go): for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. (This is used in the past tense, simply because it is so sure of fulfillment. In fact, it was fulfilled totally in A.D. 70.)

PAULS CONCERN

¹⁷But we, Brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart (refers to the Apostle having to leave the city before he desired to because of the Jews action against him [Acts 17:1-10]), endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. (This presents no want of affection, but from causes beyond control.)

¹⁸Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. (This proclaims the fact that the Evil One is a real personality, and not a mere figure of speech.)

¹⁹For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? (This presents the Apostle pointing beyond, far beyond, the minor annoyances now, to the great coming time when there will be no more separation and no more hindrances by Satan.)Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? (This points to the coming Rapture of the Church.)

²⁰For you are our glory and joy (what Christ had made of them).