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1 Thessalonians 2:13

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Thessalonians 2:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Thessalonians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, etc.] As for their election of God, (<520104>1 Thessalonians 1:4) so for their effectual calling by his grace, to his kingdom and glory, just now mentioned, as well as for their reception of the word of God as such, hereafter expressed; since their having it and receiving it, and the effectual operation of it in them, were owing to the goodness and grace of God, and therefore required a constant sense of the favour, and thankfulness, without ceasing, for it. The apostle having at large considered the manner of his and his fellow ministers' entrance among them without guile, flattery, covetousness, or any sinister view, and with all…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For this cause--Seeing ye have had such teachers (Th1 2:10-12) [BENGEL], "we also (as well as 'all that believe' in Macedonia and Achaia) thank God without ceasing ('always' . . . 'in our prayers,' Th1 1:2), that when ye received the word of God which ye heard from us (literally, 'God's word of hearing from us,' Rom 10:16-17), ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, even as it is truly, the word of God." ALFORD omits the "as" of English Version. But the "as" is required by the clause, "even as it is truly." "Ye accepted it, not (as) the word of men (which it might have been supposed to be), but (as) the word of God, even as it really is." The Greek for the first "received," implies…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For this cause also thank we God - In addition to the reasons for thankfulness already suggested, the apostle here refers to the fact that they received the truth, when it was preached, in such a way as to show that they fully believed it to be the word of God. Not as the word of men - Not of human origin, but as a divine revelation. You were not led to embrace it by human reasoning, or the mere arts of persuasion, or from personal respect for others, but by your conviction that it was a revelation from God. It is only when the gospel is embraced in this way that religion will show itself sufficient to abide the fiery trials to which Christians may be exposed. He who is convinced by mere…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:13 Paul gives thanks a second time (see 1:2; 3:9) because the Thessalonians accepted the message of the apostles—not just as a human philosophy, but as the very word of God (1:5; 2 Thes 2:14; 2 Cor 5:20).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thank: Th1 1:2, Th1 1:3; Rom 1:8, Rom 1:9 because: Jer 44:16; Mat 10:13, Mat 10:14, Mat 10:40; Act 2:41, Act 10:33, Act 13:45, Act 13:48, Act 16:14, Act 16:30-34; Act 17:11, Act 17:18-20, Act 17:32; Gal 4:14; Pe2 3:2 the word of God: Jer 23:28, Jer 23:29; Luk 5:1, Luk 8:11, Luk 8:21, Luk 11:28; Act 8:14, Act 13:44, Act 13:46; Rom 10:17; Heb 4:12; Pe1 1:25; Pe2 1:16-21 effectually: Th1 1:5-10; Joh 15:3, Joh 17:17, Joh 17:19; Rom 6:17, Rom 6:18; Co2 3:18; Col 1:6; Heb 4:12; Jam 1:18; Pe1 1:23, Pe1 2:2; Jo1 3:3, Jo1 5:4, Jo1 5:5 1 Thessalonians 2:14”
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Sources and verification