the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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1 Thessalonians 1:5
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Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
our: Isaiah 55:11, Romans 2:16, 2 Corinthians 4:3, Galatians 1:8-12, Galatians 2:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:14, 2 Timothy 2:8
in word: 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 2 Corinthians 3:6
but: Psalms 10:2, Psalms 10:3, Mark 16:20, Acts 11:21, Acts 16:14, Romans 1:16, Romans 15:18, Romans 15:19, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Ephesians 1:17-20, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 2:13, James 1:16-18, 1 Peter 1:3
in the: John 16:7-15, Acts 2:33, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:15-18, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 2 Corinthians 6:6, Galatians 3:2-5, Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:22, Galatians 5:23, Titus 3:5, Titus 3:6, Hebrews 2:4, 1 Peter 1:12
in much: Colossians 2:2, Hebrews 2:3, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 6:18, Hebrews 6:19, Hebrews 10:22, 2 Peter 1:10, 2 Peter 1:19
what: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-11, Acts 20:18, Acts 20:19, Acts 20:33-35, 1 Corinthians 2:2-5, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 1 Corinthians 10:33, 2 Corinthians 4:1, 2 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Philippians 4:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9, 1 Timothy 4:12-16, 1 Peter 5:3
for: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, 2 Timothy 2:10
Reciprocal: Psalms 45:4 - prosperously Haggai 1:12 - Zerubbabel Luke 4:32 - General Luke 15:5 - he layeth John 14:26 - Holy Ghost Acts 4:33 - with Acts 17:3 - Christ 1 Corinthians 1:18 - unto 1 Corinthians 4:6 - for 2 Corinthians 4:7 - that 2 Corinthians 5:13 - for Ephesians 1:19 - exceeding Colossians 1:6 - knew 1 Thessalonians 1:9 - what 1 Thessalonians 2:2 - bold 1 Thessalonians 2:10 - witnesses 2 Thessalonians 1:10 - our 2 Thessalonians 3:1 - even 2 Timothy 3:10 - manner 2 Timothy 3:14 - assured Hebrews 4:2 - not being James 1:21 - and receive James 1:24 - what 2 Peter 3:11 - what Revelation 22:17 - let him that heareth
Cross-References
And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.
God named the air "sky." Evening passed, and morning came. This was the second day.
God called the expanse "sky." There was evening, and there was morning, a second day.
And God called the firmament Heaven: and the evening and the morning were the second day.
God called the expanse sky. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.
God called the expanse [of sky] heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.
And God clepide the firmament, heuene. And the euentid and morwetid was maad, the secounde dai.
And God calleth to the expanse `Heavens;' and there is an evening, and there is a morning -- day second.
God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning-the second day.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
For our Gospel came not unto you,.... The apostle calls the Gospel "our Gospel", not because he and his fellow ministers were the authors of it; for in this respect it is solely of God, being the produce of his wisdom and grace, and by the revelation of Jesus Christ, hence he calls it the Gospel of God in 1 Thessalonians 2:2 nor because they were the subject of it, for they preached not themselves, but a crucified Christ, and him only, though it was a stumblingblock to some, and foolishness to others; but because it was committed to their trust, and they were the preachers of it, and agreed in the ministration of it; and it is opposed to, and is distinct from, that which was preached by the false teachers; and here intends not barely the Gospel itself, but chiefly their preaching of it: and this came unto them being sent of God, for wherever the Gospel comes, it comes with a mission and commission from God; and being brought unto them by the apostles, who were bringers and publishers of the good tidings of good things, it came unthought of, unsought and unasked for by them; and that not only externally, which to have is a great blessing, but internally,
εις υμας, "into you"; it came not barely into their ears vocally, and into their heads notionally; but into their hearts, and worked effectually there; it was mixed with faith, and was profitable; it became the ingrafted word, and dwelt richly in them: for it came to them not
in word only; it did come in word, it could not come without words, there is no interpreting of Scripture, no preaching of the Gospel, nor hearing of it without words, without articulate sounds; but not only with these, nor with wisdom of words, with enticing words of man's wisdom, with words which man's wisdom teacheth; as also not in the mere notion and letter of the Gospel, which when it comes in that manner is a dead letter, and the savour of death unto death:
but in power; not merely preached in a powerful way, or attended with miraculous operations, though doubtless both were true; for the apostle was a powerful preacher, and his ministry was confirmed by signs and wonders and mighty deeds; but from neither of these could he conclude the election of these people: but the preaching of the Gospel was accompanied with the powerful efficacy of the grace of God, working by it upon them; so that it became the power of God unto salvation to them; it came to them in the demonstration of the Spirit of God, and of power, quickening them who were dead in trespasses, and sin, enlightening their dark understandings, unstopping their deaf ears, softening their hard hearts, and delivering them from the slavery of sin and Satan; from whence it clearly appeared that they were the chosen of God, and precious:
and in the Holy Ghost; the Gospel was not only preached under the influence, and by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, and attended with his extraordinary gifts for the confirmation of it, which it might be, and be no proof of the election of these persons to eternal life; but it came by the power of the Holy Spirit to their souls, working and implanting his graces in them, as faith, hope, and love, and every other; and he himself was received along with it, as a spirit of illumination and conviction, of regeneration, conversion, and sanctification, and of faith and adoption; all which gave full evidence of their election:
and in much assurance; not on the preacher's side, as if the Gospel was preached by him with great assurance, boldness, and confidence; or with great strength of evidence, giving clear and full proof of what was delivered sufficient to ascertain it, and persuade anyone to the belief of it; or with "much fulness", as some render the words, that is, of the Gospel of Christ, and of the gifts of the Spirit, and to a multitude of persons; all which might be, and yet be no proof of the choice of these persons in Christ to eternal salvation; but the Gospel preached to them was blessed to produce in them much assurance, or a large assurance, if not a full one, of the grace of faith in Christ, and of hope of eternal life by him, and of understanding of the doctrines of the Gospel, and of interest in the blessings of grace held forth in them; and this being a fruit, was an evidence of electing grace:
as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. The apostle appeals to themselves for the truth of what he had said; who must have observed, and could not but remember, with what meanness they appeared, with what fear and trembling, with what plainness and simplicity, without the enticing words of man's wisdom; what a contemptible figure they made, how they wrought with their own hands, and endured reproach and persecution for their sakes, that they might obtain salvation by Christ with eternal glory; and had nothing to recommend them to them, to win upon them, and engage their attention, and strike their affection; or persuade them to receive their persons, and believe their doctrines; wherefore the effects their ministry had upon them were not owing to the charms of words, the force of language, and power of oratory; or to any external thing in them, or done by them; but must be ascribed to the Spirit of God, and to the power and efficacy of his grace.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
For our gospel came not unto you - When first preached; Acts 17:1-3. Paul speaks of it as “our gospel,” because it was the gospel preached by him and Silas and Timothy; comp 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 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 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7, and, secondly, to the spirit which they themselves manifested in sending it abroad; yet.1 Thessalonians 1:8.
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; compare Ezekiel 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 performed there, but to the effect of the gospel on those who heard it. It is possible that there were miracles performed 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 in the notes on 1 Corinthians 2:4.
And in the Holy Ghost - Compare the notes on 1 Corinthians 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;” compare Colossians 2:2; Hebrews 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, ... - Paul often appeals to those among whom he had labored as competent witnesses with respect to his own conduct and character; see 1 Thessalonians 2:9-10; Acts 20:33-35. He means here that he and his fellow-laborers 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.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 1 Thessalonians 1:5. 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 — εν δυναμει. 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 — εν πληροφορια πολλη. 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.
