1 Thessalonians Chapter 2

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 20 Verses

What is 1 Thessalonians 2 about?

Encouragement on Christian living, sanctification, and the coming of the Lord for his people. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain:
2but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much conflict.
3For our exhortation [is] not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.
5For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;
6nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
7But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children:
8even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were become very dear to us.
9For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
10Ye are witnesses, and God [also], how holily and righteously and unblameably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe:
11as ye know how we [dealt with] each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging [you], and testifying,
12to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.
13And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us the word of the message, [even the word] of God, ye accepted [it] not [as] the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe.
14For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews;
15who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and pleased not God, and are contrary to all men;
16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
17But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire:
18because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.
19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
20For ye are our glory and our joy.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, etc.] The apostle having observed in (<520109>1 Thessalonians 1:9) that those persons to whom the report of the Gospel being preached at Thessalonica, and the success of it there was made, showed everywhere both what manner of entrance he and his fellow ministers had in that place, and the conversion of many souls there; he enlarges upon the latter, and here reassumes the former, and appeals to the Thessalonians themselves, who must know full well, and better than others, what an entrance it was; and which is to be understood not merely of a corporeal…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“HIS MANNER OF PREACHING, AND THEIRS OF RECEIVING, THE GOSPEL; HIS DESIRE TO HAVE REVISITED THEM FRUSTRATED BY SATAN. (1Th. 2:1-20) For--confirming Th1 1:9. He discusses the manner of his fellow missionaries' preaching among them (Th1 1:5, and former part of Th1 2:9) at Th1 2:1-12; and the Thessalonians' reception of the word (compare Th1 1:6-7, and latter part of Th1 2:9) at Th1 2:13-16. yourselves--Not only do strangers report it, but you know it to be true [ALFORD] "yourselves." not in vain--Greek, "not vain," that is, it was full of "power" (Th1 1:5). The Greek for "was," expresses rather "hath been and is,"…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you - notes, 1 Thessalonians 1:9. Paul appeals to themselves for proof that they had not come among them as impostors. They had had a full opportunity to see them, and to know what influenced them. Paul frequently appeals to his own life, and to what they, among whom he labored, knew of it, as a full refutation of the slanderous accusations of his enemies; compare notes, 1 Corinthians 4:10-16; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27; 2 Corinthians 6:3-10. Every minister of the gospel ought so to live as to be able, when slanderously attacked, to make such an appeal to his people.…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“What was proposed, Th1 1:5-6, is now more largely treated of: concerning Paul and his fellowlabourers, Th1 2:1-12; concerning the Thessalonians, Th1 2:13-16. 1 Thessalonians 2:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“2:1–3:13 The body of this letter begins by discussing Paul’s and his associates’ character (2:1-12) and the way the Thessalonians received the Good News (2:13-16). It then emphasizes Paul’s sincere care for the church, telling of his attempts to return to visit them (2:17-20) and his decision to send Timothy to them when he himself could not come (3:1-5). Finally, it tells of Paul’s joy over Timothy’s good report (3:6-9) and his prayers to get back to the church himself (3:10-13). This lengthy defense is Paul’s response to criticisms of his abrupt departure and prolonged absence. 2:1 The Greek word translated…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“our: Th1 2:13, Th1 1:3-10; Th2 3:1 in vain: Th1 3:5; Job 39:16; Psa 73:13, Psa 127:1; Isa 49:4, Isa 65:23; Hab 2:13; Co1 15:2, Co1 15:10, Co1 15:58; Co2 6:1; Gal 2:2, Gal 4:11; Phi 2:16 1 Thessalonians 2:2”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification