---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  1 Thessalonians 1"
description: "CHAPTER 1   :-. ADDRESS:
SALUTATION: HIS
PRAYERFUL THANKSGIVING
FOR THEIR FAITH,
HOPE, AND LOVE.
THEIR FIRST
RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL,
AND THEIR GOOD
INFLU"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/1-thessalonians/1"
---

CHAPTER 1

. ADDRESS:
SALUTATION: HIS
PRAYERFUL THANKSGIVING
FOR THEIR FAITH,
HOPE, AND LOVE.
THEIR FIRST
RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL,
AND THEIR GOOD
INFLUENCE ON ALL
AROUND.

**1. Paul**—He does not add "an
apostle," because in their case, as in that of the Philippians
(see on ), his apostolic
authority needs not any substantiation. He writes familiarly as to
faithful friends, not but that his apostleship was recognized among
them ([1 Thessalonians 2:6](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/6)). On the other
hand, in writing to the Galatians, among whom some had called in
question his apostleship, he strongly asserts it in the
superscription. An undesigned propriety in the Epistles, evincing
genuineness.
**Silvanus**—a "chief
man among the brethren" ([1 Thessalonians 2:6](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/6)), and a "prophet" ([1 Thessalonians 2:6](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/6)), and one of the deputies who carried the decree of the
Jerusalem council to Antioch. His age and position cause him to be
placed before "Timothy," then a youth ([Acts 16:1](../../../kjv/acts/16/1);
[1 Timothy 4:12](../../../kjv/1-timothy/4/12)). Silvanus (the Gentile
expanded form of "Silas") is called in [1 Timothy 4:12](../../../kjv/1-timothy/4/12), "a faithful brother" (compare [1 Timothy 4:12](../../../kjv/1-timothy/4/12)). They both aided in planting the Thessalonian Church, and
are therefore included in the address. This, the first of Paul's
Epistles, as being written before various evils crept into the
churches, is without the censures found in other Epistles. So
realizing was their Christian faith, that they were able hourly to
look for the Lord Jesus.
**unto the church**—not
merely as in the Epistles to Romans, Ephesians, Colossians,
Philippians, "to the saints," or "the faithful at
Thessalonica." Though as yet they do not seem to have had the
*final* Church organization under *permanent* "bishops"
and deacons, which appears in the later Epistles (See on [1 Timothy 4:12](../../../kjv/1-timothy/4/12); [1 Timothy 4:12](../../../kjv/1-timothy/4/12) and [1 Timothy 4:12](../../../kjv/1-timothy/4/12)). Yet he designates them by the honorable term "Church,"
implying their status as not merely isolated believers, but a
corporate body with spiritual rulers ([1 Thessalonians 5:12](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/5/12);
[2 Corinthians 1:1](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/1/1); [Galatians 1:2](../../../kjv/galatians/1/2)).
**in**—implying *vital
union.*
**God the Father**—This
marks that they were no longer *heathen.*
**the Lord Jesus Christ**—This
marks that they were not *Jews,* but Christians.
**Grace be unto you, and
peace**—that ye may have in God that *favor and peace* which
men withhold [ANSELM].
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." It may
have crept in from [1 Corinthians 1:3](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/1/3);
[2 Corinthians 1:2](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/1/2).

**2.** ([Romans 1:9](../../../kjv/romans/1/9);
[2 Timothy 1:3](../../../kjv/2-timothy/1/3).) The structure of the
sentences in this and the following verses, each successive sentence
repeating with greater fulness the preceding, characteristically
marks Paul's abounding love and thankfulness in respect to his
converts, as if he were seeking by words heaped on words to convey
some idea of his exuberant feelings towards them.
**We**—I, Silvanus, and
Timotheus. [Romans 1:9](../../../kjv/romans/1/9) supports
ALFORD in translating,
"making mention of you in our prayers without ceasing" ([Romans 1:9](../../../kjv/romans/1/9)). Thus, "without ceasing," in the second clause,
answers in parallelism to "always," in the first.

**3. work of faith**—*the
working reality of your faith;* its alacrity in *receiving*
the truth, and in *evincing* itself by its fruits. Not an otiose
assent; but a *realizing, working faith;* not "in word
only," but in *one* continuous chain of "work"
(singular, not plural, *works*), [1 Thessalonians 1:5-10](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/5-10);
[James 2:22](../../../kjv/james/2/22). So "the work of
faith" in [2 Thessalonians 1:11](../../../kjv/2-thessalonians/1/11) implies
its *perfect development* (compare [2 Thessalonians 1:11](../../../kjv/2-thessalonians/1/11)). The other governing substantives similarly mark
respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which
follows each in the genitive. *Faith, love,* and *hope,*
are the three great Christian graces ([1 Thessalonians 5:8](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/5/8);
[1 Corinthians 13:13](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/13/13)).
**labour of love**—The
*Greek* implies *toil,* or *troublesome labor,* which
we are stimulated by love to bear ([1 Thessalonians 2:9](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/9);
[Revelation 2:2](../../../kjv/revelation/2/2)). For instances of
self-denying *labors of love,* see [Acts 20:35](../../../kjv/acts/20/35);
[Romans 16:12](../../../kjv/romans/16/12). Not here *ministerial*
labors. Those who shun trouble for others, love little (compare [Romans 16:12](../../../kjv/romans/16/12)).
**patience**—Translate,
"*endurance* of hope"; the *persevering endurance*
of trials which flows from "hope." [Romans 16:12](../../../kjv/romans/16/12) shows that "patience" also nourishes "hope."
**hope in our Lord
Jesus**—literally, "hope *of* our Lord Jesus,"
namely, of His coming ([1 Thessalonians 1:10](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/10)):
a hope that looked forward beyond all present things for the
manifestation of Christ.
**in the sight of God and our
Father**—Your "faith, hope, and love" were not merely
such as would pass for genuine *before men,* but "in the
sight of God," the Searcher of hearts [GOMARUS].
Things are really what they are before God. BENGEL
takes this clause with "remembering." Whenever we *pray,*
we *remember before God* your faith, hope, and love. But its
separation from "remembering" in the order, and its
connection with "your . . . faith," &c., make me to
prefer the former view.
**and,** &c.—The *Greek*
implies, "in the sight of *Him who* is [at once] God and
our Father."

**4. Knowing**—Forasmuch as we
know.
**your election of God**—The
*Greek* is rather, "beloved by God"; so [Romans 1:7](../../../kjv/romans/1/7);
[2 Thessalonians 2:13](../../../kjv/2-thessalonians/2/13). "Your election"
means that *God has elected you* as individual believers to
eternal life ([Romans 11:5](../../../kjv/romans/11/5); [Romans 11:7](../../../kjv/romans/11/7);
[Colossians 3:12](../../../kjv/colossians/3/12); [2 Thessalonians 2:13](../../../kjv/2-thessalonians/2/13)).

**5. 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" ().
**in power**—in the
efficacy of the Holy Spirit clothing us with power (see end of verse;
[Acts 1:8](../../../kjv/acts/1/8); [Acts 4:33](../../../kjv/acts/4/33);
[Acts 6:5](../../../kjv/acts/6/5); [Acts 6:8](../../../kjv/acts/6/8))
in preaching the Gospel, and making it in you the power of God unto
salvation ([Romans 1:16](../../../kjv/romans/1/16)). As "power"
produces *faith;* so "the Holy Ghost," *love;*
and "much assurance" ([Romans 1:16](../../../kjv/romans/1/16), *full persuasion*), *hope* ([Romans 1:16](../../../kjv/romans/1/16)), resting on faith ([Romans 1:16](../../../kjv/romans/1/16)). So *faith, love,* and *hope* ([Romans 1:16](../../../kjv/romans/1/16)).
**as ye know**—answering to
the "knowing," that is, *as* WE
*know* ([1 Thessalonians 1:4](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/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* ([1 Thessalonians 1:4](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/4))
you for His own" [ALFORD].
I think, from [1 Thessalonians 2:10-12](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/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 ([Colossians 4:5](../../../kjv/colossians/4/5); compare
[1 Corinthians 9:19-23](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/9/19-23)).

**6. And ye**—answering to "*For
our* Gospel," [1 Thessalonians 1:5](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/5).
**followers**—*Greek,*
"imitators." The Thessalonians in their turn became
"ensamples" ([1 Thessalonians 1:7](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/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].
This was the point in which they imitated Him and His apostles,
*joyful* witness for *the word in much affliction:* the
second proof of their *election of God* ([1 Thessalonians 1:7](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/7)); [1 Thessalonians 1:5](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/5) is the first
(see on [1 Thessalonians 1:5](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/5)).
**received the word in much
affliction**— ([1 Thessalonians 2:14](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/14);
[1 Thessalonians 3:2-5](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/3/2-5); [Acts 17:5-10](../../../kjv/acts/17/5-10)).
**joy of**—that is, *wrought*
by "the Holy Ghost." "The oil of gladness"
wherewith the Son of God was "anointed above His fellows"
([Psalms 45:7](../../../kjv/psalms/45/7)), is the same oil with
which He, by the Spirit, anoints His fellows too ([Isaiah 61:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/61/1);
[Isaiah 61:3](../../../kjv/isaiah/61/3); [Romans 14:17](../../../kjv/romans/14/17);
[1 John 2:20](../../../kjv/1-john/2/20); [1 John 2:27](../../../kjv/1-john/2/27)).

**7. ensamples**—So some of the
oldest manuscripts read. Others, "ensample" (singular), the
whole Church being regarded as *one.* The *Macedonian*
Church of Philippi was the only one in Europe converted before the
Thessalonians. 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 now at Corinth in Achaia.

**8. from you sounded . . . the word
of the Lord**—not that they actually became missionaries: but
they, by the *report* which spread abroad of their "faith"
(compare [Romans 1:8](../../../kjv/romans/1/8)), and by
Christian merchants of Thessalonica who travelled in various
directions, bearing "the word of the Lord" with them, were
*virtually* missionaries, recommending the Gospel to all within
reach of their influence by word and by example ([Romans 1:8](../../../kjv/romans/1/8)). 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.
**so that we need not to speak
any thing**—to them in praise of your faith; "for ([Romans 1:8](../../../kjv/romans/1/8)) they themselves" (the people in Macedonia, Achaia, and
in every place) know it already.

**9.** Strictly there should follow,
"For they themselves show of you," c. but, instead, he
substitutes that which was the instrumental cause of the
Thessalonians' conversion and faith, "for they themselves show
of us what manner of entering in we had *unto you*";
compare [1 Thessalonians 1:5](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/5), which
corresponds to this former clause, as [1 Thessalonians 1:5](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/5) corresponds to the latter clause. "And how ye turned
from idols to serve the living . . . God," c. Instead of *our*
having "to speak any thing" to them (in Macedonia and
Achaia) in your praise ([1 Thessalonians 1:8](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/8)),
"they *themselves* (have the start of us in speaking of
you, and) *announce concerning* (so the *Greek* of 'show
of' means) us, what manner of (how effectual an) entrance we had unto
you" ([1 Thessalonians 1:5](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/1/5) [1 Thessalonians 2:1](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/1)).
**the living and true God**—as
opposed to the *dead* and *false gods* from which they had
"turned." In the *English Version* reading, [1 Thessalonians 2:1](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/1), "of *the devout Greeks* a great multitude,"
no mention is made, as here, of the conversion of *idolatrous*
Gentiles at Thessalonica; but the reading of some of the oldest
manuscripts and *Vulgate* singularly coincides with the
statement here: "Of the devout AND
of Greeks (namely, *idolaters*) a great multitude"; so in
[Acts 17:17](../../../kjv/acts/17/17), "the devout
persons," that is, Gentile proselytes to Judaism, form a
separate class. PALEY and
LACHMANN, by distinct
lines of argument, support the "AND."

**10.** This verse distinguishes
them from the *Jews,* as 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 ([1 Corinthians 1:7](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/1/7);
[1 Corinthians 1:8](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/1/8)). His *coming* is
seldom called his *return* ([1 Corinthians 1:8](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/1/8)); because the two advents are regarded as different phases
of the same coming; and the second coming shall have features
altogether new connected with it, so that it will not be a mere
repetition of the first, or a mere coming *back again.*
**his Son . . . raised from the
dead**—the grand proof of His divine *Sonship* ([1 Corinthians 1:8](../../../kjv/1-corinthians/1/8)).
**delivered**—rather as
*Greek,* "who *delivereth us*." Christ has once
for all *redeemed* us; He is *our Deliverer* ALWAYS.
**wrath to come**— ([1 Thessalonians 5:9](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/5/9);
[Colossians 3:6](../../../kjv/colossians/3/6)).

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