1 Thessalonians 2:6

Contextual Overview

¹You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. ¹ You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. ¹ For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, ¹For you yourselves know, brothers, that our entrance to you was not in vain, ¹You cowboys and cowgirls remember that we didn't just make a social call when we came to work your pastures. ¹ For you yourselves, brothers, are conscious that our coming among you was not without effect: ¹ For ye know yourselves, brethren, our entering in which [we had] to you, that it has not been in vain; ¹ For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result. ¹ For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you hasn't been found vain, ¹ For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it was not in vain: But even after we had suffered before,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

of men: Esther 1:4, Esther 5:11, Proverbs 25:27, Daniel 4:30, John 5:41, John 5:44, John 7:18, John 12:43, Galatians 1:10, Galatians 5:26, Galatians 6:13, 1 Timothy 5:17

when: 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 9:4, 1 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Corinthians 9:12-18, 2 Corinthians 10:1, 2 Corinthians 10:2, 2 Corinthians 10:10, 2 Corinthians 10:11, 2 Corinthians 13:10, Philemon 1:8, Philemon 1:9

been burdensome: or, used authority, 1 Corinthians 11:9, 1 Corinthians 12:13-15, 1 Thessalonians 3:8, 1 Thessalonians 3:9

as the: 1 Corinthians 9:1, 1 Corinthians 9:2, 1 Corinthians 9:4-6

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 5:16 - neither bought Psalms 131:1 - my heart Matthew 6:2 - glory Acts 28:10 - honoured 1 Corinthians 9:18 - when 2 Corinthians 4:5 - we 2 Corinthians 11:9 - burdensome 2 Corinthians 12:14 - for I 1 Thessalonians 2:3 - General 2 Thessalonians 3:9 - Not 1 Timothy 5:3 - Honour

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Nor of men sought we glory,.... Honour, esteem, and popular applause; for though there is an honour that is due to the faithful ministers of the word, who are highly to be esteemed for their works' sake, and as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God; and especially there was an honour and glory that belonged to the apostles of Christ as such, who were set in the highest office and place in the church; yet they did not seek after it as the Pharisees and false teachers did, who received honour one of another, and sought not that which comes from God only: but so did not the apostles; they took no steps this way to procure glory and esteem among men, but all the reverse; they preached doctrines which were not of men, nor according to men, nor agreeable to them; and these they delivered in a disagreeable way, not with enticing words of men's wisdom, they did not seek to please men, but spoke and did everything that rendered them mean and despicable in their eyes; so that they looked upon them as the filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things: nor was this any disappointment to them, for to gain the favour of men was not their end and view; they did not seek for glory neither of the men of the world,

neither of you; the church at Thessalonica, and the inhabitants of that place:

nor yet of others; of other men, and churches elsewhere:

when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ: or "have used authority", which was given them, though not for destruction, but for edification; put on a magisterial air, and made use of the apostolic rod; appeared with some severity and rigour, and so have commanded awe, respect, and reverence: or "have been in honour"; insisted upon being treated in an honourable way, as the apostles of Christ, his ambassadors, who were sent and came in his name, and represented his person; and therefore to be received as he himself; though the phrase may rather have regard to an honourable maintenance, as in 2 Corinthians 11:9 which as the apostles of Christ they might have required as their due, but they chose rather to relinquish their right, and labour with their own hands, that they might not be chargeable: and so "glory" in the former clause may mean the same, even great and glorious things for themselves, a maintenance answerable to their high character and office, which they did not seek; but were content with a poor pittance, and such as they could get with their own hand labour; in which sense the phrase, "double honour", seems to be used in 1 Timothy 5:17 as appears by the reason given in the next verse.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Nor of men sought we glory - Or praise. The love of applause was not that which influenced them; see the notes on Colossians 1:10.

Neither of you, nor yet of others - Nowhere has this been our object The love of fame is not that which has influenced us. The particular idea in this verse seems to be that though they had uncommon advantages, as the apostles of Christ, for setting up a dominion or securing an ascendancy over others, yet they had not availed themselves of it. As an apostle of Christ; as appointed by him to found churches; as endowed with the power of working miracles, Paul had every advantage for securing authority over others, and turning it to the purposes of ambition or gain.

When we might have been burdensome - Margin, “or, used authority.” Some understand this as meaning that they might have demanded a support in virtue of their being apostles; others, as Calvin, and as it is in the margin, that they might have used authority, and have governed them wholly in that manner, exacting unqualified obedience. The Greek properly refers to that which is “weighty” - ἐν βαρέι en barei - “heavy, burdensome.” Anything that weighs down or oppresses - as a burden, sorrow, or authority, would meet the sense of the Greek. It seems probable, from the context, that the apostle did not refer either to authority or to support exclusively, but may have included both. In their circumstances it might have been somewhat burden some for them to have maintained him and his fellowlaborers, though as an apostle he might have required it; compare 1 Corinthians 9:8-15. Rather than be oppressive in this respect, he had chosen to forego his right, and to maintain himself by his own labor. As an apostle also he might have exerted his authority, and might have made use of his great office for the purpose of placing himself at the head of churches, and giving them laws. But he chose to do nothing that would be a burden: he treated them with the gentleness with which a nurse cherishes her children (1 Thessalonians 2:7), or a father his sons (1 Thessalonians 2:11). and employed only the arts of persuasion; compare notes on 2 Corinthians 12:13-16.

As the apostles of Christ - Though the writer uses the word apostles here in the plural number, it is not certain that he means to apply it to Silas and Timothy. He often uses the plural number where he refers to himself only; and though Silas and Timothy are joined with him in this Epistle 1 Thessalonians 1:1, yet it is evident that he writes the letter as if he were alone and that they had no part in the composition or the instructions. Timothy and Silas are associated with him for the mere purpose of salutation or kind remembrance. That this is so, is apparent from 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13. In 1 Thessalonians 3:1, Paul uses the plural term also. “When we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; compare 1 Thessalonians 3:5. “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith.” Neither Silas nor Timothy were apostles in the strict and proper sense, and there is no evidence that they had the “authority” which Paul here says might have been exerted by an apostle of Christ.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 6. Nor of men sought we glory — As we preached not for worldly gain, so we preached not for popular applause; we had what we sought for-the approbation of God, and the testimony of a good conscience.

When we might have been burdensome — They had a right to their maintenance while they devoted themselves wholly to the work of the Gospel for the sake of the people's souls. Others understand the words εν βαρει ειναι, to be honourable; we sought no glory of you nor of others, though we were honourable as the apostles of Christ. כבוד cabod, in Hebrew, to which the Greek βαρος answers, signifies not only weight but glory; and in both these senses the apostle uses it, 2 Corinthians 4:17.